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.
Author's Note: Thanks for all the help on my question about man's finally resting place!! (I knew I had a bunch of experts in the crowd!!) And from the general consensus, I gather that Tolkien did not specifically say where man ended up but vaguely lead us to believe that men made a brief stop over in the Halls of Mandos. Therefore, for the sake of this story I will reference the Halls of Mandos.
*****************************************************************
Chapter 8
Having carried Aragorn back to his bed and wrapped him in blankets, Elrond now sat upon the bed, the potion in his hand. Resolutely, he nodded to Elladan. With infinite care, Elladan braced his youngest brother against his chest and watched as his father coaxed the potion down Aragorn's throat. After the contents of the cup were drained, Elladan eased Aragorn back upon the bed and reclaimed his chair.
Aragorn's reaction to the potion was instantaneous and utterly horrifying. Without warning, Aragorn ceased drawing in breath. The cup dropped from Elrond's shocked fingers to break upon the floor. Frantically, Elrond cupped his youngest son's face in his hands. "NO! Breathe Estel! Breathe!" He shook Aragorn's face in desperation.
Legolas, who had surged from his chair in alarm when his friend failed to draw a breath, now stumbled backward, anguish and pain deeply written in his every feature piercing down to his very soul. One thought ran through his head again and again, 'I have killed, Aragorn! I have killed, Aragorn!' He watched in horror as Elrond tried to resurrect his son..tried and failed. Unable to bear the truth, Legolas took more steps backward, trying to escape the horrible scene before him. With tears streaming unchecked down his cheeks, he retreated until he was halted by the wall against his back. 'I have killed my best friend! I believed that Aragorn's humanity would save him and that belief has led to his death! I have killed Aragorn as surely as if I sank a dagger into his very heart!' A sob tore from Legolas as he slid down the wall until he sat upon the floor. Drawing his knees up to his chest like a traumatized child, Legolas never let his eyes stray from the sight of Aragorn.
Elladan and Elrohir both stood beside Aragorn's bed, tears streaming down their grief stricken faces. Gandalf remained sitting but he hung his head in sorrow. It had been a false hope...a fantasy to believe that the curse could be beaten.
Elrond seized Aragorn's shoulders and shook him with more force, "No! You will breathe, Estel! Now! I order you to live!" his voice breaking apart as his son's body gave no response to his pleas or orders. "No," he sobbed and pulled Aragorn into his arms and clutched the limp body of his son to his chest, "You can not do this, you can not give him to me and then take him away so soon!" he implored to any of the Valar that would listen. But still his son did not draw another breath of life. A determined cry of "No!" broke from Elrond and he leaned Aragorn back in his arms, sickened by the way his son's head fell limply against his arm. "You are no quitter, my son. You are stronger than you can imagine. Use that strength now to return to us," he quietly implored a moment before he landed a slap to his son's face.
"Ada!" Elladan cried out, not in disapproval but despair. Aragorn was even now on the way to the Halls of Mandos. His father had to accept that.
But Elrond landed a harder slap to Aragorn's face. "Do not abandon me, Estel. Just take a breath. You must live, not to fulfill your destiny, but you must live because I need you, your brothers need you, Legolas needs you. Live because we love you and can not bear your passing!" And he landed another slap to his son's face.
Elrohir took a step forward, ready to force his father to see the hopelessness of his actions but before he could put his hand on his father's shoulder, the miracle occurred.
Aragorn drew in a breath.
Instantly Elrond encouraged, "Yes, Estel. That's good. Take another breath." Cupping his hand to his son's bone white face, Elrond watched in relief as Aragorn drew in yet another breath, a labored breath but a breath all the same.
Legolas's sob caught in his throat as his red rimmed eyes beheld the sight of his best friend. Though Aragorn drew in breaths, Legolas feared to hope that all would turn out well. In his heart, he knew the edge his friend tittered upon, between life and death, the edge all mortals stood upon during their fragile existence. Wearily he leaned his head back against the wall and swallowed down his tears as he intently watched Aragorn. Waiting for either hope to rescue him or despair to consume him.
Elrond sat upon the bed, his human son cradled in his arms, Aragorn's head nestled against his chest. Elrond's feathery touch brushed across Aragorn's forehead as the worried father studied the bone white features of his son, praying for a change...for an indication, no matter how small, that the potion had wrought some good. But Aragorn, his hair now nearly dry, remained listless upon the bed, his breath labored.
To the elf, it was like reliving a scene from long ago, when Aragorn was but a boy with a fever wracking his small human body and only in his father's arms did he find any peace. But as Elrond looked down at the face of his son, he knew that much time had passed, his son had grown into a man. A man heavy burdened, hardened, abused...all because of the curse of his blood. Not for the first time, Elrond wished that Aragorn was a normal man, a man whose fate, whose destiny was of his own making. A man who did not have to bear the weight Aragorn did.
'But he is not a normal man,' Elrond quietly rebuked himself, his fingers lightly tracing the lines on his son's face as Aragorn drew in labored breath after labored breath. Clutching tighter to Aragorn, as if his grip upon his son would hold Estel's soul here in Middle Earth, Elrond quietly spoke, "I have missed you these past years, my son. I know the life of a ranger is a hard, dangerous one ..that there is no time for idle visits...that letters go astray more than they are delivered...but my prayers have been with you every day. Just as they are with you now." He leaned down and bestowed a kiss on Aragorn's forehead, "I am proud of the man you have become, Estel. I have always been proud of you."
Legolas watched the tender scene between father and son and his heart sank deeper into despair. Aragorn had made no improvements, his struggling breaths loud and ominous in the quiet room. Looking to the twins that sat watching their little brother's tenuous grip on life, more grief tore through Legolas. 'Are we all clinging to hope that is false?! Hope that is merely deceit? A betrayal of the heart that we, none of us, will ever heal from?!'
With those thoughts, Legolas pushed himself from the floor and came to his feet. This action did not garner Elrond or the twin's attention but Gandalf's eyes quickly shot to the Silvan elf, his keen eyesight noticing the grief that marred the beautiful face of the prince.
Fixing his eyes upon Aragorn, Legolas swallowed down his sobs. The man looked as one who had already passed into the Halls of Mandos. Suddenly, Legolas could not bear to watch his friend depart this world. Turning on his heel, Legolas stole from the room like a thief.
"Legolas?" a voice beckoned as Legolas began to walk down the hallway.
Legolas halted but did not turn around to answer the wizard's call, " I can not watch him leave me...leave us," tears streamed down his face. "I knew this day would come but...." And he shook his head and tried to get the words past the barrier in his throat, "I am not strong enough to let him go...not now...not ever."
Studying the slumped shoulders of the young elf, Gandalf softly questioned, "Do you regret your friendship with Aragorn?"
Legolas spun around, his shocked eyes searing into the wizard. "Never!" he firmly called out.
With kindness in his eyes, Gandalf pressed, "And yet you knew his fate as a mortal ere you called him friend."
More coloring drained from Legolas's face, "I knew but...I did not truly understand...not until this moment. My father, he tried to warn me of the consequences, of the pain, of offering friendship to a mortal...but I did not heed his words."
Crossing to the elf, Gandalf put a hand upon the prince's shoulder, "Loss is a part of a mortal's existence."
Blue eyes drowning in sorrow sought the wizard's wisdom. With a voice barely audible, Legolas spoke aloud the thought that was going through his very heart, "How do they bear the pain?!"
"Death is a certainty in the mortal world, Legolas," Gandalf stated not with firmness but compassion. "Mortals have a saying "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
Legolas tightly closed his eyes. "There is wisdom in those words but no comfort."
A laugh broke from Gandalf, "Well said, young Legolas. Well said." Opening his eyes, Legolas met the wizard's ancient gaze. Gandalf, having read the guilt in the elf's eyes, continued, "Aragorn's condition is dire but there is no blame. I, too, believe Aragorn's human blood is the only source of strength against this evil that would consume him."
A protest stirred from Legolas's guilt ridden heart, "Gandalf, he ceased breathing! He died!"
"And yet he even now draws breath. Lives. This is a gift in itself."
At Legolas's look of continued objection, Gandalf refuted, "Yes, I know Aragorn's fate still hangs in the balance but he is fighting as hard as he is able...to stay here with his family, to stay with you." The wizard's eyes fastened unto Legolas's pained gaze. "I have never known you to abandon Aragorn during a fight. Nay, it has always been nearly impossible to keep you from fighting Aragorn's battles for him."
A small smile broke out onto the prince's face. "You do not fight fair, dear wizard."
Gandalf chuckled, "Rarely, very rarely." And he put his arm around the prince's shoulders and steered them both back to the room where Aragorn fought for his life.
At the door, Legolas halted. His eyes met the wizard's questioning gaze, "I would never trade a moment of the time I have spent with Aragorn. Never." And then a new determination sprang into the elf's eyes, "And I will never, as long as I draw breath, forget Aragorn. He will be the brother of my heart until my heart ceases to beat."
Sensing he was missing the prompting for that statement, Gandalf accepted the prince's words at face value. "Oh, there was never any doubt of that in my mind, young one. No one who has seen the power of the friendship you share with Aragorn could doubt that."
"One doubts it that should not," Legolas quietly replied but before the wizard could ask for an explanation, Legolas stepped again into Aragorn's room, now ready to fight beside his best friend for all eternity.
TBC
One more chapter to go!!!!! (Sorry I dragged this story out for so many chapters but my thoughts were just coming in spurts! Most days, I'm just glad any thoughts come!)
************************************************************************
Silvertoe: The cold water treatment I learned about from tv shows and movies. I thought, if they can write that as a treatment, than so can I! And I agree, the potion has got to be one bad tasting brew...I think Elrond purposely makes them horrible tasting hoping that will be another incentive for his sons NOT to get injured or sick! I'm glad you took notice, amid the despair, that everyone still has hope for Aragorn's survival. Thanks for reviewing!
Ymmas Sirron: Thank you sooooo much for your beautiful compliment! Without your loyalty and encouragement, this story would have tanked out!! (There I am with my American slang!! Tanked out= remained incomplete). As for Aragorn's strength? Well, that question will get answered (finally) in the next chapter which will be the ending of this story. I always try to save the best for last.
Roccovende: I'm glad you like my "when in doubt..make it up" attitude! (If only we could convince the real world to accept that philosophy!) And my medical procedures are as far from hokey as Mordor is from Valinor?!!? That's awesome!!! I hope when you read the end of this story you still think it deserve your 1,0,0,0,0,0,0,... And never lose you faith in the human soul!!! Thanks for searching in the Silmarillion! It really helped!! And I actually have a magnet that says "I do not suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!" That's soooo me!!! Hope to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
Frodo16424: That's so sweet that you check for an update daily!!! And I'm glad you loved chapter 7!!! Love to know what you think of this chappie!
Marbienl: Yes, I too am anxiously waiting for Nili's next story. She is truly a gifted writer!! But I'm glad that, in the meantime, my story makes your day! O.K. I did feel a little guilty getting Aragorn drenched in that frigid water but hey, it seemed like a plausible treatment! I mean if Gandalf and Elrond agree to do it, it has to a good idea, right?! And of course Legolas would try anything to save Aragorn...even emotional blackmail (Which is my all time favorite type of blackmail). Now here's some emotional blackmail of my own....review or I'll wait to post the ending until next weekend!!!
Tychen: You sound a lot like me when I get sick/injured. I immediately love reading and especially writing tales where the character is sick/injured. Somehow that makes me feel better...especially if their illness or injury is so much worse than my own!! Well, I hope you are on the road to recovery!!!! (Hopefully Aragorn and Legolas stopped over to see to your every need like I asked them to!) Thanks for your review...it brightens MY day!
Tailspin: I know, Aragorn is STILL unconscious!?!?!? Well, tune in for the next chapter because he finally gets his turn for angst! And yes, I too love when Legolas and Aragorn draw strength from one another! (I'm such a total sap!!!) As for Elrond and Legolas, well I just couldn't keep them at odds..it's so sweet when they both gang up on Aragorn to take care of himself! Love to get a review for this chapter from you!
Lady Jaina: It really surprises me that I've actually written an Elrond angsty story here. Initially I thought it was centered around Legolas's angst but somehow Elrond stepped in there. I guess it goes back to my love of estranged father- son relationships. Though Elrond and Aragorn are not estranged, they have been parted for a number of years and that works well too! Thanks for reviewing and I hope to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
Grumpy: Personally, I like Aragorn ruggedly dirty and scruffy! (Yummy!!) But they stopped abusing his clothing only to set their sights on Aragorn's appearance...no wait, this is all therapeutically. (Or so they claim??!?) Thanks for your continued support! Please let me know what you think of this chapter!
Athlessa: I thought I disappointed you!! I'm really glad you have not abandoned hope for this story (Sorry, couldn't pass up that "hope" opening). I wish Tolkien were still alive because I would FORCE him to write more about Elrond and Aragorn's relationship!! Yes, I grabbed onto the "Elrond loved him like a son" with both hands!!! That's so SWEET!! But when I read the stories, that love is not a focal point. I guess that's one of the reasons this story turned into an Elrond angst. I figure, if Tolkien didn't have the time to write about the father-son relationship, we, the fanfiction writers, must take up the torch! And I appreciated all your information you provided!! I am sadly lacking in knowledge and love any help I can get!!
Ainu Laire: If you read Lake of the Lake2's review, she explains what a mire is. In short, it's a bog or swamp. (Can you imagine the reaction had I named this story "bog" or "swamp"?!? Mire sounds so...poetic! ) I too am glad you found my story and I appreciate your review!
Farscape_angel: Glad you are liking the Elrond angst! He always seems so strong, so calm ...hence why I have to bring him practically to his knees in anguish. (Yes, I am cruel!) Hope to hear from you this chapter!
Bill the Pony2: Hope I didn't make you wait toooo long for this chapter!! Reality has really tired me out this week!!! Hope this chapter's angst was to your liking?!
Estelcontar: Thank you so much for your information. I am totally devoid of background knowledge for the LOTR. Hope to hear from you again!
KumQuat1: Yes, it is evil of me to leave you with a cliffhanger for every single chapter! (smiles without a glimmer of guilt) But I believe angst only works well when you purposely torment, I mean, entice your readers back for another chapter. And I LOVE the friendship between Legolas and Aragorn that Cassia and Sio have established in their Mellon stories so I'm really building on their concepts. Glad you like the story and I would like to hear what you thought of this chapter!
Lady of the Lake2: I am absolutely horrible at picking out titles to my stories but "Mire" well that's always been a word I liked. (I think I've read too many English romance novels where they end up in a bog aka mire) But I too, had to go to the dictionary just to make sure it meant what I assumed it meant. And sure enough, it fit my story beautifully! Thanks for caring enough about this story to do research! Love to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
Daniela: I decided to "weaken" Aragorn's elvish blood because I want there to be no doubt that Aragorn's fate will be decided by his humanity, alone. I hope you weren't disappointed in Aragorn's reaction to the potion! Did you actually think I would miss a chance to heap on more angst??!?!? It's practically my last shot at it as chapter 9 will finish this story. Loved to hear your comments on this chapter!!
Alex Mistress Squirrel: Sorry about the continued suspension but I swear, Chapter 9's the last!!!! Thanks for sticking with this long, drawn out story. I hope when the last word is read you won't feel like you wasted your time! Loved to hear from you!
Linchi: I'm jealousy of your clicky thing!!! Thank goodness we are in the computer age! They are so many ways to encourage my obsessions! And yes, I am torturing Aragorn in this story but it's all for the sake of love...OK, maybe he's wishing I didn't love him THIS much! And please don't cry! I know that there is no "Next" button after this chapter but I hope to get the final chapter up soon! Thanks so much for reviewing and I hope to hear from you about 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.
Author's Note: Thanks for all the help on my question about man's finally resting place!! (I knew I had a bunch of experts in the crowd!!) And from the general consensus, I gather that Tolkien did not specifically say where man ended up but vaguely lead us to believe that men made a brief stop over in the Halls of Mandos. Therefore, for the sake of this story I will reference the Halls of Mandos.
*****************************************************************
Chapter 8
Having carried Aragorn back to his bed and wrapped him in blankets, Elrond now sat upon the bed, the potion in his hand. Resolutely, he nodded to Elladan. With infinite care, Elladan braced his youngest brother against his chest and watched as his father coaxed the potion down Aragorn's throat. After the contents of the cup were drained, Elladan eased Aragorn back upon the bed and reclaimed his chair.
Aragorn's reaction to the potion was instantaneous and utterly horrifying. Without warning, Aragorn ceased drawing in breath. The cup dropped from Elrond's shocked fingers to break upon the floor. Frantically, Elrond cupped his youngest son's face in his hands. "NO! Breathe Estel! Breathe!" He shook Aragorn's face in desperation.
Legolas, who had surged from his chair in alarm when his friend failed to draw a breath, now stumbled backward, anguish and pain deeply written in his every feature piercing down to his very soul. One thought ran through his head again and again, 'I have killed, Aragorn! I have killed, Aragorn!' He watched in horror as Elrond tried to resurrect his son..tried and failed. Unable to bear the truth, Legolas took more steps backward, trying to escape the horrible scene before him. With tears streaming unchecked down his cheeks, he retreated until he was halted by the wall against his back. 'I have killed my best friend! I believed that Aragorn's humanity would save him and that belief has led to his death! I have killed Aragorn as surely as if I sank a dagger into his very heart!' A sob tore from Legolas as he slid down the wall until he sat upon the floor. Drawing his knees up to his chest like a traumatized child, Legolas never let his eyes stray from the sight of Aragorn.
Elladan and Elrohir both stood beside Aragorn's bed, tears streaming down their grief stricken faces. Gandalf remained sitting but he hung his head in sorrow. It had been a false hope...a fantasy to believe that the curse could be beaten.
Elrond seized Aragorn's shoulders and shook him with more force, "No! You will breathe, Estel! Now! I order you to live!" his voice breaking apart as his son's body gave no response to his pleas or orders. "No," he sobbed and pulled Aragorn into his arms and clutched the limp body of his son to his chest, "You can not do this, you can not give him to me and then take him away so soon!" he implored to any of the Valar that would listen. But still his son did not draw another breath of life. A determined cry of "No!" broke from Elrond and he leaned Aragorn back in his arms, sickened by the way his son's head fell limply against his arm. "You are no quitter, my son. You are stronger than you can imagine. Use that strength now to return to us," he quietly implored a moment before he landed a slap to his son's face.
"Ada!" Elladan cried out, not in disapproval but despair. Aragorn was even now on the way to the Halls of Mandos. His father had to accept that.
But Elrond landed a harder slap to Aragorn's face. "Do not abandon me, Estel. Just take a breath. You must live, not to fulfill your destiny, but you must live because I need you, your brothers need you, Legolas needs you. Live because we love you and can not bear your passing!" And he landed another slap to his son's face.
Elrohir took a step forward, ready to force his father to see the hopelessness of his actions but before he could put his hand on his father's shoulder, the miracle occurred.
Aragorn drew in a breath.
Instantly Elrond encouraged, "Yes, Estel. That's good. Take another breath." Cupping his hand to his son's bone white face, Elrond watched in relief as Aragorn drew in yet another breath, a labored breath but a breath all the same.
Legolas's sob caught in his throat as his red rimmed eyes beheld the sight of his best friend. Though Aragorn drew in breaths, Legolas feared to hope that all would turn out well. In his heart, he knew the edge his friend tittered upon, between life and death, the edge all mortals stood upon during their fragile existence. Wearily he leaned his head back against the wall and swallowed down his tears as he intently watched Aragorn. Waiting for either hope to rescue him or despair to consume him.
Elrond sat upon the bed, his human son cradled in his arms, Aragorn's head nestled against his chest. Elrond's feathery touch brushed across Aragorn's forehead as the worried father studied the bone white features of his son, praying for a change...for an indication, no matter how small, that the potion had wrought some good. But Aragorn, his hair now nearly dry, remained listless upon the bed, his breath labored.
To the elf, it was like reliving a scene from long ago, when Aragorn was but a boy with a fever wracking his small human body and only in his father's arms did he find any peace. But as Elrond looked down at the face of his son, he knew that much time had passed, his son had grown into a man. A man heavy burdened, hardened, abused...all because of the curse of his blood. Not for the first time, Elrond wished that Aragorn was a normal man, a man whose fate, whose destiny was of his own making. A man who did not have to bear the weight Aragorn did.
'But he is not a normal man,' Elrond quietly rebuked himself, his fingers lightly tracing the lines on his son's face as Aragorn drew in labored breath after labored breath. Clutching tighter to Aragorn, as if his grip upon his son would hold Estel's soul here in Middle Earth, Elrond quietly spoke, "I have missed you these past years, my son. I know the life of a ranger is a hard, dangerous one ..that there is no time for idle visits...that letters go astray more than they are delivered...but my prayers have been with you every day. Just as they are with you now." He leaned down and bestowed a kiss on Aragorn's forehead, "I am proud of the man you have become, Estel. I have always been proud of you."
Legolas watched the tender scene between father and son and his heart sank deeper into despair. Aragorn had made no improvements, his struggling breaths loud and ominous in the quiet room. Looking to the twins that sat watching their little brother's tenuous grip on life, more grief tore through Legolas. 'Are we all clinging to hope that is false?! Hope that is merely deceit? A betrayal of the heart that we, none of us, will ever heal from?!'
With those thoughts, Legolas pushed himself from the floor and came to his feet. This action did not garner Elrond or the twin's attention but Gandalf's eyes quickly shot to the Silvan elf, his keen eyesight noticing the grief that marred the beautiful face of the prince.
Fixing his eyes upon Aragorn, Legolas swallowed down his sobs. The man looked as one who had already passed into the Halls of Mandos. Suddenly, Legolas could not bear to watch his friend depart this world. Turning on his heel, Legolas stole from the room like a thief.
"Legolas?" a voice beckoned as Legolas began to walk down the hallway.
Legolas halted but did not turn around to answer the wizard's call, " I can not watch him leave me...leave us," tears streamed down his face. "I knew this day would come but...." And he shook his head and tried to get the words past the barrier in his throat, "I am not strong enough to let him go...not now...not ever."
Studying the slumped shoulders of the young elf, Gandalf softly questioned, "Do you regret your friendship with Aragorn?"
Legolas spun around, his shocked eyes searing into the wizard. "Never!" he firmly called out.
With kindness in his eyes, Gandalf pressed, "And yet you knew his fate as a mortal ere you called him friend."
More coloring drained from Legolas's face, "I knew but...I did not truly understand...not until this moment. My father, he tried to warn me of the consequences, of the pain, of offering friendship to a mortal...but I did not heed his words."
Crossing to the elf, Gandalf put a hand upon the prince's shoulder, "Loss is a part of a mortal's existence."
Blue eyes drowning in sorrow sought the wizard's wisdom. With a voice barely audible, Legolas spoke aloud the thought that was going through his very heart, "How do they bear the pain?!"
"Death is a certainty in the mortal world, Legolas," Gandalf stated not with firmness but compassion. "Mortals have a saying "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
Legolas tightly closed his eyes. "There is wisdom in those words but no comfort."
A laugh broke from Gandalf, "Well said, young Legolas. Well said." Opening his eyes, Legolas met the wizard's ancient gaze. Gandalf, having read the guilt in the elf's eyes, continued, "Aragorn's condition is dire but there is no blame. I, too, believe Aragorn's human blood is the only source of strength against this evil that would consume him."
A protest stirred from Legolas's guilt ridden heart, "Gandalf, he ceased breathing! He died!"
"And yet he even now draws breath. Lives. This is a gift in itself."
At Legolas's look of continued objection, Gandalf refuted, "Yes, I know Aragorn's fate still hangs in the balance but he is fighting as hard as he is able...to stay here with his family, to stay with you." The wizard's eyes fastened unto Legolas's pained gaze. "I have never known you to abandon Aragorn during a fight. Nay, it has always been nearly impossible to keep you from fighting Aragorn's battles for him."
A small smile broke out onto the prince's face. "You do not fight fair, dear wizard."
Gandalf chuckled, "Rarely, very rarely." And he put his arm around the prince's shoulders and steered them both back to the room where Aragorn fought for his life.
At the door, Legolas halted. His eyes met the wizard's questioning gaze, "I would never trade a moment of the time I have spent with Aragorn. Never." And then a new determination sprang into the elf's eyes, "And I will never, as long as I draw breath, forget Aragorn. He will be the brother of my heart until my heart ceases to beat."
Sensing he was missing the prompting for that statement, Gandalf accepted the prince's words at face value. "Oh, there was never any doubt of that in my mind, young one. No one who has seen the power of the friendship you share with Aragorn could doubt that."
"One doubts it that should not," Legolas quietly replied but before the wizard could ask for an explanation, Legolas stepped again into Aragorn's room, now ready to fight beside his best friend for all eternity.
TBC
One more chapter to go!!!!! (Sorry I dragged this story out for so many chapters but my thoughts were just coming in spurts! Most days, I'm just glad any thoughts come!)
************************************************************************
Silvertoe: The cold water treatment I learned about from tv shows and movies. I thought, if they can write that as a treatment, than so can I! And I agree, the potion has got to be one bad tasting brew...I think Elrond purposely makes them horrible tasting hoping that will be another incentive for his sons NOT to get injured or sick! I'm glad you took notice, amid the despair, that everyone still has hope for Aragorn's survival. Thanks for reviewing!
Ymmas Sirron: Thank you sooooo much for your beautiful compliment! Without your loyalty and encouragement, this story would have tanked out!! (There I am with my American slang!! Tanked out= remained incomplete). As for Aragorn's strength? Well, that question will get answered (finally) in the next chapter which will be the ending of this story. I always try to save the best for last.
Roccovende: I'm glad you like my "when in doubt..make it up" attitude! (If only we could convince the real world to accept that philosophy!) And my medical procedures are as far from hokey as Mordor is from Valinor?!!? That's awesome!!! I hope when you read the end of this story you still think it deserve your 1,0,0,0,0,0,0,... And never lose you faith in the human soul!!! Thanks for searching in the Silmarillion! It really helped!! And I actually have a magnet that says "I do not suffer from insanity, I enjoy it!" That's soooo me!!! Hope to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
Frodo16424: That's so sweet that you check for an update daily!!! And I'm glad you loved chapter 7!!! Love to know what you think of this chappie!
Marbienl: Yes, I too am anxiously waiting for Nili's next story. She is truly a gifted writer!! But I'm glad that, in the meantime, my story makes your day! O.K. I did feel a little guilty getting Aragorn drenched in that frigid water but hey, it seemed like a plausible treatment! I mean if Gandalf and Elrond agree to do it, it has to a good idea, right?! And of course Legolas would try anything to save Aragorn...even emotional blackmail (Which is my all time favorite type of blackmail). Now here's some emotional blackmail of my own....review or I'll wait to post the ending until next weekend!!!
Tychen: You sound a lot like me when I get sick/injured. I immediately love reading and especially writing tales where the character is sick/injured. Somehow that makes me feel better...especially if their illness or injury is so much worse than my own!! Well, I hope you are on the road to recovery!!!! (Hopefully Aragorn and Legolas stopped over to see to your every need like I asked them to!) Thanks for your review...it brightens MY day!
Tailspin: I know, Aragorn is STILL unconscious!?!?!? Well, tune in for the next chapter because he finally gets his turn for angst! And yes, I too love when Legolas and Aragorn draw strength from one another! (I'm such a total sap!!!) As for Elrond and Legolas, well I just couldn't keep them at odds..it's so sweet when they both gang up on Aragorn to take care of himself! Love to get a review for this chapter from you!
Lady Jaina: It really surprises me that I've actually written an Elrond angsty story here. Initially I thought it was centered around Legolas's angst but somehow Elrond stepped in there. I guess it goes back to my love of estranged father- son relationships. Though Elrond and Aragorn are not estranged, they have been parted for a number of years and that works well too! Thanks for reviewing and I hope to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
Grumpy: Personally, I like Aragorn ruggedly dirty and scruffy! (Yummy!!) But they stopped abusing his clothing only to set their sights on Aragorn's appearance...no wait, this is all therapeutically. (Or so they claim??!?) Thanks for your continued support! Please let me know what you think of this chapter!
Athlessa: I thought I disappointed you!! I'm really glad you have not abandoned hope for this story (Sorry, couldn't pass up that "hope" opening). I wish Tolkien were still alive because I would FORCE him to write more about Elrond and Aragorn's relationship!! Yes, I grabbed onto the "Elrond loved him like a son" with both hands!!! That's so SWEET!! But when I read the stories, that love is not a focal point. I guess that's one of the reasons this story turned into an Elrond angst. I figure, if Tolkien didn't have the time to write about the father-son relationship, we, the fanfiction writers, must take up the torch! And I appreciated all your information you provided!! I am sadly lacking in knowledge and love any help I can get!!
Ainu Laire: If you read Lake of the Lake2's review, she explains what a mire is. In short, it's a bog or swamp. (Can you imagine the reaction had I named this story "bog" or "swamp"?!? Mire sounds so...poetic! ) I too am glad you found my story and I appreciate your review!
Farscape_angel: Glad you are liking the Elrond angst! He always seems so strong, so calm ...hence why I have to bring him practically to his knees in anguish. (Yes, I am cruel!) Hope to hear from you this chapter!
Bill the Pony2: Hope I didn't make you wait toooo long for this chapter!! Reality has really tired me out this week!!! Hope this chapter's angst was to your liking?!
Estelcontar: Thank you so much for your information. I am totally devoid of background knowledge for the LOTR. Hope to hear from you again!
KumQuat1: Yes, it is evil of me to leave you with a cliffhanger for every single chapter! (smiles without a glimmer of guilt) But I believe angst only works well when you purposely torment, I mean, entice your readers back for another chapter. And I LOVE the friendship between Legolas and Aragorn that Cassia and Sio have established in their Mellon stories so I'm really building on their concepts. Glad you like the story and I would like to hear what you thought of this chapter!
Lady of the Lake2: I am absolutely horrible at picking out titles to my stories but "Mire" well that's always been a word I liked. (I think I've read too many English romance novels where they end up in a bog aka mire) But I too, had to go to the dictionary just to make sure it meant what I assumed it meant. And sure enough, it fit my story beautifully! Thanks for caring enough about this story to do research! Love to hear your thoughts on this chapter!
Daniela: I decided to "weaken" Aragorn's elvish blood because I want there to be no doubt that Aragorn's fate will be decided by his humanity, alone. I hope you weren't disappointed in Aragorn's reaction to the potion! Did you actually think I would miss a chance to heap on more angst??!?!? It's practically my last shot at it as chapter 9 will finish this story. Loved to hear your comments on this chapter!!
Alex Mistress Squirrel: Sorry about the continued suspension but I swear, Chapter 9's the last!!!! Thanks for sticking with this long, drawn out story. I hope when the last word is read you won't feel like you wasted your time! Loved to hear from you!
Linchi: I'm jealousy of your clicky thing!!! Thank goodness we are in the computer age! They are so many ways to encourage my obsessions! And yes, I am torturing Aragorn in this story but it's all for the sake of love...OK, maybe he's wishing I didn't love him THIS much! And please don't cry! I know that there is no "Next" button after this chapter but I hope to get the final chapter up soon! Thanks so much for reviewing and I hope to hear from you about this chapter!