Part 35

Aragorn wandered the dark hallways alone. He felt empty,numb,and already he felt the loss of Legolas. The Elf was going to Mordor. He hadn't stopped it from being decided and now it was inevitable.

Aragorn absent - mindedly went to the armory chamber, and, by chance, Legolas was there. He was already dressed in his shoulder pauldrons, vambraces,and a chain mail shirt over his clothing.His bow, knives, and quiver of arrows were at his back.

Legolas turned from his thoughts, only to see Aragorn in the doorway. It startled him, though he did not show it.

" You're anxious to go ", said Aragorn.

" I will do my duty ", Legolas answered.

" It isn't your duty to go to Mordor. It never was. It still isn't. You want to go."

" I am not afraid, Aragorn. And I have the ability to do it."

" No one ever said you didn't have the ability or the courage. You have nothing to prove."

" I'm going, Aragorn", Legolas said.

" You go to meet death."

" Do you so doubt me as a warrior that you already believe I am destined for death? " Legolas questioned in anger and disbelief.

" Being a skilled warrior has nothing to do with it, Legolas. This is Mordor we're talking about."

" I cannot believe you have so little faith in me, Aragorn."

" I do have faith in you, Legolas, but this is beyond anyone."

" It's what must be done. "

" It's suicide ", Aragorn exclaimed.

" You are being so ridiculous ", Legolas said impatiently.

" I'm not the one anxious for Mordor."

" I never thought the ranger would turn into a coward."

" I am not a coward ", said Aragorn defensively.

" No, you're exasperating."

" And you're impossible."

" You are being so juvenile ", Legolas said as he turned away.

" You're insane ", remarked Aragorn.

" Oh, wonderful. Now I'm the insane, disturbed Elf ", Legolas muttered.

" Why do you have to be so irrational?"

" Why do you have to be so over protective?"

" Because you are a spoiled prince who is so selfish, he thinks he's invincible."

Legolas spun around at this.

" Well, you are nothing but an insufferable child ", the Elf spat.

" Well then you are a cold, heartless, selfish, pathetic excuse for an Elf."

That hit Legolas deeply.

" You are as weak as the blood that runs in your veins", he retorted mercilessly.

Aragorn was silent for a moment.

" You are a disgrace to your people ", the ranger said.

Legolas stared at him, a ringing sound in his ears.

" No one is more unworthy of the Evenstar."

Oh, that really got to the ranger.

" The dirt beneath the feet of the Uruk Hai is worth more than you ", he retaliated brutally slowly.

Legolas felt the fury rise in him, consuming him like fire.

" I pray to the Valar you fall to the forces of Isengard so that Gondor may be spared from failing under such a useless, worthless king."

" May Mordor's Uruk Hai swipe your head from your shoulders before you reach hell."

" Cursed be the day you came into the world ", Legolas screamed.

" I hate you with every fiber of my being ", yelled Aragorn vehemently.

Fury and hatred blinded Legolas, but that was the worst possible blow he could have ever received. He swept past Aragorn without a word or a glance back, but the tears came as he reached Arod.

And the man who used to be his best friend wept alone once he had gone.