Author: Mirrordance

Title: Exile

Summary: An elf is exiled as a suspect to his own brother's murder.  A young king goes out into the Wild.  Two warriors cross paths and embark on a common adventure as one seeks to escape his past and the other to reclaim it.  How Aragorn and Legolas met.

* * *

PART 6

      "I told you they'd be back," Strider drawled, in the middle of their horse ride, and it was the first thing he said in hours such that as weary as it may have sounded, Legolas welcomed it wholeheartedly. 

      "No," argued Legolas, "You said they know their way back to you.  There's a significant difference."

      "Gandalf?" Strider inquired blearily.

      "He is well," replied Legolas, glancing at the wizard he was riding alongside of, "He was wily enough to have convinced me to journey with you through to Rivendell."

      "I resent that!" exclaimed the wizard, "Strider, the elf refuses to believe I am old and weary."

      "I would too," smiled the human, before slipping back to sleep.

      "He is getting warmer and warmer," Legolas murmured to the wizard, tightening his hold about the human.

      Gandalf glanced over their heads, upon the storm that was waning but still somewhat strong, and upon their road which was still undoubtedly long.

      "We stop for the nearest shelter that we find," he decided.

* * *

      They found a small cave, and Legolas dismounted his horse first, murmuring at the beast in Elvish, asking it to keep still for its ailing master.  Gandalf positioned his own horse beside the human's and held him in place, kept him from falling as the elf ensured that the shelter was safe.

      Straining his senses at the cave's mouth, he decided it was appropriate enough.  It was dank, yes, but far better than the bitter cold and biting winds from which they were coming.  Best of all, it was empty, and at this point, he considered it a blessing.  The human had taken to muttering strange words in his fever dreams, and the elf would have happily tolerated sharing a cave with a dwarf if it meant getting Strider out of the cold.

      Legolas strode to the horses and helped the ailing man dismount.  He was muttering in Elvish, and it almost made Legolas smile; Strider was more elf than human!

      ~I'm sorry,~ Strider said as Legolas helped him into the cave.  The elf looked at the human after settling him down on the ground, wondering if the man was talking to him and not the figures in his delirium.  He determined that Strider had indeed awakened, his glassy eyes focused on the elf.

      ~Now you awaken,~ Legolas teased him, ~when all the work is done.  You should be sorry.~

      ~Why do you do the things you do?~ Strider asked him, ignoring his jest, determined to stay serious and ask all the things he's been curbing his tongue for, his eyes boring straight to the very core of the elf's hiding soul.

      ~I don't know,~ Legolas admitted, finding no heart to lie anymore.  He turned away from Strider, as much to avoid his eyes as to take the water skin Gandalf offered him.  He pressed it to the man's lips, let him drink a little, before he slipped back again into sleep.

      Legolas watched him for a quiet moment, not quite knowing what to do with him, or for that matter he didn't seem to even know what to do with his own self.  He ran his hands wearily over his face, before remembering the wizard was there.  He turned towards Gandalf, who was staring at him.

      Mask restored, Legolas held the old man's gaze coolly, embarrassed to have let down his guard so easily. 

      "You have a gentle way about you yet," the wizard said, patting him by the shoulder, before busying himself with starting a warming fire.

      Legolas watched him work, his spindly hands adroit.  His brows furrowed as he contemplated the situation.

      "We have long been taught that the Istari never appear places at random," he said, "That there is a purpose to all that you say and do."

      "Which makes me no different from you," said Gandalf, winking at him before returning to work.

      The elf hesitated for a moment, before going to the old wizard and helping him.  "You know what I mean.  Why am I here?"

      "Because you decided to," replied Gandalf cryptically, as the wood burst into flame and lit and warmed the cave.  He smiled in pleasure, "Ahh.  Much better."

      "Do you know who I am?" Legolas asked, eying him closely.

      "I only know you for what I see," said the wizard, "Restless, and embattled.  But I think you have a kind heart."

      Legolas glanced at the human, sleeping soundly in the corner.  "And who is he?"

      "Some secrets are not mine to tell," said Gandalf, "Suffice to say he is… well, a lot like you."

      Legolas looked away, towards the cave's opening.  "The storm will pass in a few hours.  Will he be strong enough for more travel by then?"

      "I hope so," said Gandalf, "We are already much delayed as it is.  His family will worry.  We sent them word we will be by.  Knowing Lord Elrond and his sons, they may have begun searching for us by now."
      Legolas' brows furrowed.  "His family?"

      "Yes," said Gandalf, "He grew up in Imladris."

      "He said you were headed that way," Legolas murmured, thoughtful, "But I had no idea…"

      "Oh," Gandalf said, "Well.  Now you know."

      "Lord Elrond and his sons will be searching for you, you say?" Legolas asked, seemingly agitated.

      "I should think so," replied Gandalf, "What of it?"

      "I cannot be found with you," Legolas said distractedly, thinking of his options, I cannot be found, period.

      "But did you not say you would travel with us to the borders of Rivendell?" Gandalf inquired.

      "The borders," clarified Legolas, "I never thought its very Lords and soldiers would reach past their own lair in search of you.  I cannot be found.  I cannot."

      Gandalf's eyes narrowed as he looked the elf over.  He was indeed a rare one, with a lot of secrets.  But those were his to tell, and in his own time. 

      "What do you intend to do?" Gandalf asked.

      "I must leave," Legolas said, taking a step towards the mouth of the cave.

      "Immediately?" Gandalf asked, stating the painfully obvious.

      "I cannot take the chance," Legolas said, "Tell Strider," he paused, hesitated.  "I'm not quite sure," he admitted, "Tell him goodbye.  And I hope you find whatever you are looking for."

      I hope you do too, Gandalf thought, watching as the elf threw a last lingering look at the sleeping Strider, before stepping out into the cold storm.  Gandalf stared at his retreating back, a shadow in the dim light of the struggling day, vanishing in the near distance.  He knew they would see each other again.

TO BE CONTINUED…