A/N: Ai, thank u all for the wonderful reviews! It has cheered me greatly.
Unfortunately, I will be away from Wednesday to Sunday. I'll try updating
again tomorrow and most definitely next Monday. Sorry for the shortness of
the following few chappies. Again, thank you millions for the reviews. It
keeps me going in life and not just writing. ^_^
Part 44
Legolas caught sight of Aragorn finally. The ranger had been gone all morning and the Elf had only recently woken up. He wore his silver tunic and leggings, his soft boots silent when he walked. Aragorn seemed to be in a huff as he swept down the halls, but his expression lightened a bit when he saw Legolas.
" What's wrong? " Legolas asked as the ranger walked past and he followed at his side.
" I just attended another meeting ", Aragorn informed him.
" I did not wish to wake you, but to let you take rest ", he said before Legolas could protest as to why he was not told there even was a meeting.
" And what was discussed? " the Elf asked.
" Theoden has decided to return to Isengard ", Aragorn grumbled.
" Isengard? But why? " Legolas asked appalled.
" When the men marched to Isengard while you went to Mordor, we only fought on the plains, and we knew from the start Saruman was holding back on purpose. We easily outnumbered the Uruk Hai and we know for a fact his armies are considerably more numerous. He wants this to go on, he wants us to come back and try again. He's toying with us ", Aragorn said with loathing in his voice.
" But if that's what he wants, then why give it to him? " Legolas asked logically.
" I thought the same, even though we would eventually battle again until this whole damn war ends. But Theoden knows this too. He knows there are battles yet to come, and he said he would rather go to them before they come to us. And so we're returning to blasted Isengard."
" Are all of the men going? " Legolas inquired.
" As far as I know. Theoden will take every able man there is. Eomer will lead his band of riders as well, and I shall
accompany him with Gimli."
" And I shall ride with you ", Legolas said.
" Legolas, I don't want you going back to battle so soon.
Not after Mordor. You're not even fully healed yet. It's
too dangerous ", Aragorn said darkly.
" Aragorn, I'm going. You can't keep me locked away
while you ride to battle. I'm fine now, there's no reason
I shouldn't go. And I cannot let you and Eomer and Gimli go
without me. Valar forbid, but if any of you were to fall, I
would never see you yet alive again. And the guilt that I
could have been there to save you would weigh upon me
forever."
Aragorn laid a hand on the Elf's shoulder.
" Please let me go, Aragorn ", Legolas pleaded.
The ranger looked hesitant for a moment.
" All right, you may come with us. But I vow to the Valar
I won't let you out of my sight."
Legolas smiled both from being allowed to go and by the very troubled yet determined look on his best friend's face.
" Hannon le, mellonin ", he said.
Part 44
Legolas caught sight of Aragorn finally. The ranger had been gone all morning and the Elf had only recently woken up. He wore his silver tunic and leggings, his soft boots silent when he walked. Aragorn seemed to be in a huff as he swept down the halls, but his expression lightened a bit when he saw Legolas.
" What's wrong? " Legolas asked as the ranger walked past and he followed at his side.
" I just attended another meeting ", Aragorn informed him.
" I did not wish to wake you, but to let you take rest ", he said before Legolas could protest as to why he was not told there even was a meeting.
" And what was discussed? " the Elf asked.
" Theoden has decided to return to Isengard ", Aragorn grumbled.
" Isengard? But why? " Legolas asked appalled.
" When the men marched to Isengard while you went to Mordor, we only fought on the plains, and we knew from the start Saruman was holding back on purpose. We easily outnumbered the Uruk Hai and we know for a fact his armies are considerably more numerous. He wants this to go on, he wants us to come back and try again. He's toying with us ", Aragorn said with loathing in his voice.
" But if that's what he wants, then why give it to him? " Legolas asked logically.
" I thought the same, even though we would eventually battle again until this whole damn war ends. But Theoden knows this too. He knows there are battles yet to come, and he said he would rather go to them before they come to us. And so we're returning to blasted Isengard."
" Are all of the men going? " Legolas inquired.
" As far as I know. Theoden will take every able man there is. Eomer will lead his band of riders as well, and I shall
accompany him with Gimli."
" And I shall ride with you ", Legolas said.
" Legolas, I don't want you going back to battle so soon.
Not after Mordor. You're not even fully healed yet. It's
too dangerous ", Aragorn said darkly.
" Aragorn, I'm going. You can't keep me locked away
while you ride to battle. I'm fine now, there's no reason
I shouldn't go. And I cannot let you and Eomer and Gimli go
without me. Valar forbid, but if any of you were to fall, I
would never see you yet alive again. And the guilt that I
could have been there to save you would weigh upon me
forever."
Aragorn laid a hand on the Elf's shoulder.
" Please let me go, Aragorn ", Legolas pleaded.
The ranger looked hesitant for a moment.
" All right, you may come with us. But I vow to the Valar
I won't let you out of my sight."
Legolas smiled both from being allowed to go and by the very troubled yet determined look on his best friend's face.
" Hannon le, mellonin ", he said.
