Chapter Seven



"Your highness!"

Legolas looked up at the sound of the whisper. It did not bear the usual mockery and sarcasm, but the elf was still wary. 'Who are you?" he asked.

"A friend," came the reply.

That helped relieve the prince's suspicions some, but it was not quite enough. "If you are a friend, show yourself," Legolas challenged.

A figure stepped out from the shadows in front of the door of the elven prince's cell. "Please," the figure spoke again. "I want to help you."

"No!" Legolas cried quietly. "You're a man! It was your people who kidnapped me and killed my friends. It was your king who deceived my father and convinced him to betray me! And you're a guard! You guards all hate me! It's just a plot to bring more misery into my life!" His voice was hoarse from weeping, Strider could hear the elven beauty, as well as the grief behind the words, in the young elf's speech.

"Please, just listen to me for one minute!" the guard pleaded. "I--"

Legolas stiffened. "Why should I listen?" he cried, beginning to weep. "Why should I listen to those who have been torturing me?!"

"Your fa--" Aragorn protested.

"Just go away and leave me in peace!" Legolas sobbed, his voice rising. "Please, isn't it enough to make me watch the slaughter of my friend and teacher?" He was desperate. The young elf did not think he could survive much more.

The guard sighed sadly as he left to stand beside the door. Alone once more, Legolas leaned forward on the floor until he lay on the slabs of black stone that made the floor, pillowing his head on his arms and cried until he had no tears left.

********

That afternoon, Aragorn paced his room, muttering almost constantly. Inziladun brought him his dinner, but he had no stomach for food. All the young officer could think about was the elven prisoner and his grief and desperation. He longed to comfort the prince's heartache and ease his suffering, but if Legolas had been too badly hurt to trust any man Aragorn could not make any attempt.

Finally, Inziladun thought he could take it no more. "Sir!" the lad interrupted his master's thoughts. "Please, won't you eat something?"

Strider stopped in mid-stride and looked at the boy. "No, lad," he said tenderly. "I cannot eat tonight. I thank you all the same, friend. You eat it."

"Sir, what's bothering you?" the lad asked.

Aragorn looked at the boy, startled with Inziladun's perception.

"You normally don't act like this unless something is bothering you," the other mortal explained. "Won't you tell me? Is there some way I can help?"

Estel sighed. "It's Legolas," he said. "I spoke to him after the execution today."

"And happened?" Inziladun held is breath, without realizing it.

"He is afraid to trust any mortal," Aragorn explained. "He seems to think that all humans hate elves now and that they were betrayed by his father. Add to that the fact that I am a captain of the guard, well, to sum it all up, the young prince refuses to trust me and I don't know what to say to convince him."

"Would he listen to me, sir?" the boy asked quietly.

"Nay, lad," Strider said thoughtfully. "You are human as I am. He would merely think you are trying to help me win his trust so I can brake it."

"Then who might he listen to?" the boy pressed.

"An elf who knows me," the ranger replied. "But I don't know how--"

"I do!" Inziladun beamed. "You said the elf brought in the other day is your brother?"

"Yes," Aragorn replied, not really understanding what the adan youth was getting at.

"Well, then you move him to the cell next to that of Legolas, and guard them both yourself!" Inziladun smiled excitedly. "It's that simple! Surely your brother will recognize you and say something that Legolas will hear."

Aragorn stared at the boy. Of course! It was the obvious solution! He wondered why he had no thought of it. Then he smiled. "Thank you, Inziladun!" Strider exclaimed softly, as he embraced the youth. "I think it will work! I will do it in the morning."