Hi!
I decided to upload the next chapter right away (story has 10 chapters so far), hope you like it.
Enjoy!
Alinah
PS: PLEASE review! Thanks so much.
Hidden Truths
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: It´s Tolkien´s, not mine...
Flight
"It would be wise to be gone from these woods before darkness falls" Daramus pointed out. The silence between him and Aragorn had lasted several minutes, minutes that the ranger´s mind had run through his possibilities again and again.
He knew that everything pointed to trusting the old man, yet some instinct recoiled from his help just as Legolas had from his touch. He knew that Legolas´ reaction could not seriously be held against the stranger, as he was delirious and had drawn away from Aragorn, too, during the morning. Now, the ranger almost gladly took the other´s comment as a sign that his distrust had a just cause.
"The wood seemed save enough to me last night", he countered in an icy voice, "I cannot imagine that it minds hosting a ranger and a woodland elf."
Daramus didn´t react to the younger man´s harsh tone at all. "So it seems", he said kindly, "but this forest holds more than trees and squirrels. Both you and your friend look as if you have encountered something less than friendly in the not so distant past. What will you do when faced with the same evil again? Why are you so sure it will not find you here? Of course the choice is yours, but believe me when I say that many people have travelled here never to return. This wood is unstable, young ranger, and I would rather see you and especially your wounded friend somewhere safe. I would take you to my village, which is no more than three hours from here. If you do not trust me enough to follow me, so be it. Just tell me to leave and I will."
Aragorn frowned at the old man´s words. He wondered how much he knew of what he himself had forgotten, how much of the monsters Legolas had seen in his fever dream. He felt vulnerable, both because he could not recall the foes they had faced and because the harsh fact remained that he was not fit to defend himself and his friend against any serious enemy. If Daramus indeed intended to harm them, all he had to do was catch the ranger unawares. And that would be an easy thing to do during a long night of caring for a sick elf.
Finally making up his mind, Aragorn nodded curtly. "I accept your help, Daramus, and thank you for your offer." With that, he extinguished the fire and bent to pick up the elf. It was a slow and painful process, his knee protesting against the strain he put it through. He tried his best to hide his pain and if Daramus noticed, he didn´t let it show. Neither did he offer any assistance. He rather stayed away from the two friends, keeping a distance that Aragorn felt glad for.
Once the elf was safely resting in the ranger´s arms, Daramus turned without a word and slowly walked further down the brook, moving away from the clearing Aragorn had woken up in the night before. The younger man followed, his eyes fixed on the other´s back, watching his every move. He felt not happy with the situation, although he could still not place where his distrust really came from. He knew that there was good magic and greatly appreciated its benefits, but not knowing this man´s intentions - or, for that matter, the extend of his power - made him nervous.
He would need to keep his defences up at all times and could only hope that Legolas would wake up soon. He sorely missed his friend´s company and advice. Although, he reflected with a slight smile, the elf would not call it advice, of course. Most elves shied away from giving direct advice, as they could never be sure exactly where it would lead. Legolas would call it an exchange of opinions, and he was able to voice his opinions clearly, very clearly at times. The ranger knew very well that one "opinion" the elf would surely and forcefully voice now if he could would be for his friend to heed the warning signs his body was giving him and take a rest.
Aragorn looked down at his friend with a mixture of compassion and worry. He could feel the fevered heat that radiated from the elf rising again. Sweat was beginning to shine on his forehead, and his breathing was not as even as the ranger would have liked. He needed a safe place where he could properly care for his friend. He could only hope that the old man would provide one.
As time wore on, Aragorn´s body began to protest in earnest. His knee throbbed unmercifully now, and every step sent a jolt of pain through the left side of his body. Although the elf he carried was much lighter than a human would have been, the strain set his back on fire. His footing grew less sure, and he stumbled several times, catching his balance at the last moment and grinding his teeth against the pain which by now, unasked for, occupied a large part of his attention.
"I could ease some of your pain." Daramus´ words shook the ranger out of his thoughts. He silently berated himself for letting his guard down and was relieved to find the older man still several feet away from him, eyeing him with apparent kindness. "It would only take a minute and make walking less troublesome." Obviously sensing Aragorn´s doubts, he added: "It would also help to actually reach my house before nightfall. If we keep this pace, we will have to walk in darkness."
The way he said it, darkness meant danger. A danger Aragorn could not risk getting Legolas into. And besides, there was no way of avoiding contact with Daramus forever. He would have to put this man´s good intentions to the test at some point, and now was better than later. Or so he tried to convince himself.
Being careful to keep a safe distance to Daramus, Aragorn genty lowered the elf to the ground. It took much more self control than he would have liked not to let his friend drop when hot knives laced through his knee at the movement. He was so concentrated on the task that Legolas´ sudden movement caught him completely by surprise.
Aragorn had only just managed to place the elf on the grass when a pale hand shot out and gripped his arm. Caught between alarm and hope, the ranger let himself drop down painfully beside his friend. Throwing a quick glance at Daramus, he was pleased to see that the old man had settled on a rock several feet away, watching with interest but making no move to come closer. He turned his attention back to his fevered friend. The elf´s eyes remained tightly shut. Where his face had mirrored pain and exhaustion before, these feelings were now mingled with fear.
"Legolas?" the ranger asked, running a gentle hand over the other´s cheek. "Na hethw" //[It] is foggy.// , the elf whispered, so faintly that Aragorn barely caught the sound, "na hethw..." He took a deep breath, and his agitation grew visibly. "Anglennatha...anglennatha!" //He will come closer.// Legolas clearly struggled to open his eyes now, and even though Aragorn feared to upset him more, his hope prevailed to get some sort of hint from his friend that might help him protect them both from the danger he had forgotten. He carefully shifted the elf against his chest to hold him still and offer comfort and asked urgently: "Man, Legolas? Pedo anim.." //Who? Tell me...//
At that, the elf´s eyes shot open and he tried to get to his feet. Aragorn tightened his grip on him and held him fast. "Sidh, mellon-nin, sidh, le oltha" //Peace, my friend, peace, you dream.// he soothed, thoroughly unsettled now. He could see that his friend´s eyes were clouded, almost like in elven sleep, obviously seeing something he could not.
Legolas´ heart raced, hammering against Aragorn´s restraining hand, his chest heaving in an effort to draw breath more quickly. "Anglennatha!" //He will come closer!// he repeated urgently, sweat streaking down his face. He tried to rise once more and then fell back, exhausted. His eyes remained open though, as he whispered "Gawad...lalaith, lasto...Lasto, Estel..." //Howling...laughter, listen...listen, Estel...//
Aragorn tensed hopefully at the sound of his elven name and tried to find a hint of recognition in Legolas´ face. To his immense relief, there was some. Their eyes connected, and for a moment the clouds over the elf´s vision cleared. "Meatho ha, Estel", //Fight it, Estel.// he whispered, then his eyes slowly closed and his breathing grew more even.
Aragorn sat still for several moments as he tried to come to terms with what he had heard. Images appeared in front of him in reaction to Legolas´ words, a wall of mist swirling around him, and there was an acute sense of danger, but to his frustration he could not remember more...
At the thought of danger, though, he quickly glanced up to see that Daramus had remained seated. When the ranger looked at him, he raised a questioning eyebrow and asked: "Your friend´s state has not worsened, I hope?" In all truth, Aragorn was not sure, but he felt at least a little comforted at the thought the Legolas had recognised him. "I don´t believe so, no" he answered guardedly, "his fever troubles him with bad dreams."
"All the more reason to get to my house quickly, don´t you agree?" Daramus rose and walked over as the younger man did the same, careful not to disturb his friend. "Let me feel your knee then."
The old men bent down and rested his hand over Aragorn´s knee. After a few moments, a gentle coolness spread over the ranger´s leg, numbing the pain. He was amazed at the extend of relief he got from the simple gesture. Daramus straightened up, a look of light content on his face, but the words he spoke were urgent.
"Let us be gone, young friend. I can feel the night approaching, and it is hungry." Without any explanation he resumed his way down the brook, leaving Aragorn to pick up his friend and follow.
They made much better progress now, and the ranger grew painfully aware that their slow speed before had had nothing to do with the other man´s age. He set a brisk pace, and Aragorn matched it. The light around them grew dimmer as the trees slowly fell away to admit them into a lush landscape of gently rolling green hills. There was no sign of fields, though, and they did not treat a path but made their way over seemingly undisturbed meadows, still following the brook.
Daramus began to look more tense as his strides lengthened in the pale evening´s light. For the first time, he turned to Aragorn. "We must hurry!" His voice was tinged with urgency, and the gentle sparkle had left his eyes to be replaced by harsh resolve. "Quicken your steps, it is not far now."
Aragorn only nodded and complied. His senses grew alert as they also detected the danger Daramus reacted to, although there was nothing around them but a peaceful evening. The ranger could feel his blood pumping through his veins, his muscles tense for a fight, as he hurried up the gentle slope of yet another hill. His knee, which had begun to hurt again, fell strangely numb as if giving its owner the chance to run for his life at any second.
Even Legolas, who had not so much as moaned for more than an hour, grew restless and began to shift in his friend´s grip, straining Aragorn´s arms.
They reached the crest of the hill and could finally see the village Daramus had spoken of. It lay nestled among the hills, a cluster of maybe twenty houses surrounded by a few fields. A bit apart from the rest lay a water mill, fed by the little stream.
It was there that Daramus directed his ever fastening steps. Aragorn hurried after him. Suddenly, the very air seemed to freeze and stop around them. The last light, although still there, paled rapidly. With wide eyes the ranger glanced about him as he caught up with the old man.
A movement to his left made him whip his head around, only to feel the same to his right, behind him...Dread settled over him at the overwhelming impression of being surrounded on an open meadow, with nothing there to be seen but clear air and empty hills that showed no sign of life.
Legolas writhed in his arms, panting. "Duath, duath teli..." //Darkness, darkness comes...//
"Its night itself, young friend", Daramus grit out between clenched teeth, "darkness closes in..." To his utter surprise, Aragorn suddenly understood. He could see it now...a menacing shadow that raced over the landscape, turning green grass grey and then black at an unnatural speed, rolling in on them from all sides. Gripping Legolas tightly, Aragorn began to run.
TBC
I decided to upload the next chapter right away (story has 10 chapters so far), hope you like it.
Enjoy!
Alinah
PS: PLEASE review! Thanks so much.
Hidden Truths
Rating: PG 13
Disclaimer: It´s Tolkien´s, not mine...
Flight
"It would be wise to be gone from these woods before darkness falls" Daramus pointed out. The silence between him and Aragorn had lasted several minutes, minutes that the ranger´s mind had run through his possibilities again and again.
He knew that everything pointed to trusting the old man, yet some instinct recoiled from his help just as Legolas had from his touch. He knew that Legolas´ reaction could not seriously be held against the stranger, as he was delirious and had drawn away from Aragorn, too, during the morning. Now, the ranger almost gladly took the other´s comment as a sign that his distrust had a just cause.
"The wood seemed save enough to me last night", he countered in an icy voice, "I cannot imagine that it minds hosting a ranger and a woodland elf."
Daramus didn´t react to the younger man´s harsh tone at all. "So it seems", he said kindly, "but this forest holds more than trees and squirrels. Both you and your friend look as if you have encountered something less than friendly in the not so distant past. What will you do when faced with the same evil again? Why are you so sure it will not find you here? Of course the choice is yours, but believe me when I say that many people have travelled here never to return. This wood is unstable, young ranger, and I would rather see you and especially your wounded friend somewhere safe. I would take you to my village, which is no more than three hours from here. If you do not trust me enough to follow me, so be it. Just tell me to leave and I will."
Aragorn frowned at the old man´s words. He wondered how much he knew of what he himself had forgotten, how much of the monsters Legolas had seen in his fever dream. He felt vulnerable, both because he could not recall the foes they had faced and because the harsh fact remained that he was not fit to defend himself and his friend against any serious enemy. If Daramus indeed intended to harm them, all he had to do was catch the ranger unawares. And that would be an easy thing to do during a long night of caring for a sick elf.
Finally making up his mind, Aragorn nodded curtly. "I accept your help, Daramus, and thank you for your offer." With that, he extinguished the fire and bent to pick up the elf. It was a slow and painful process, his knee protesting against the strain he put it through. He tried his best to hide his pain and if Daramus noticed, he didn´t let it show. Neither did he offer any assistance. He rather stayed away from the two friends, keeping a distance that Aragorn felt glad for.
Once the elf was safely resting in the ranger´s arms, Daramus turned without a word and slowly walked further down the brook, moving away from the clearing Aragorn had woken up in the night before. The younger man followed, his eyes fixed on the other´s back, watching his every move. He felt not happy with the situation, although he could still not place where his distrust really came from. He knew that there was good magic and greatly appreciated its benefits, but not knowing this man´s intentions - or, for that matter, the extend of his power - made him nervous.
He would need to keep his defences up at all times and could only hope that Legolas would wake up soon. He sorely missed his friend´s company and advice. Although, he reflected with a slight smile, the elf would not call it advice, of course. Most elves shied away from giving direct advice, as they could never be sure exactly where it would lead. Legolas would call it an exchange of opinions, and he was able to voice his opinions clearly, very clearly at times. The ranger knew very well that one "opinion" the elf would surely and forcefully voice now if he could would be for his friend to heed the warning signs his body was giving him and take a rest.
Aragorn looked down at his friend with a mixture of compassion and worry. He could feel the fevered heat that radiated from the elf rising again. Sweat was beginning to shine on his forehead, and his breathing was not as even as the ranger would have liked. He needed a safe place where he could properly care for his friend. He could only hope that the old man would provide one.
As time wore on, Aragorn´s body began to protest in earnest. His knee throbbed unmercifully now, and every step sent a jolt of pain through the left side of his body. Although the elf he carried was much lighter than a human would have been, the strain set his back on fire. His footing grew less sure, and he stumbled several times, catching his balance at the last moment and grinding his teeth against the pain which by now, unasked for, occupied a large part of his attention.
"I could ease some of your pain." Daramus´ words shook the ranger out of his thoughts. He silently berated himself for letting his guard down and was relieved to find the older man still several feet away from him, eyeing him with apparent kindness. "It would only take a minute and make walking less troublesome." Obviously sensing Aragorn´s doubts, he added: "It would also help to actually reach my house before nightfall. If we keep this pace, we will have to walk in darkness."
The way he said it, darkness meant danger. A danger Aragorn could not risk getting Legolas into. And besides, there was no way of avoiding contact with Daramus forever. He would have to put this man´s good intentions to the test at some point, and now was better than later. Or so he tried to convince himself.
Being careful to keep a safe distance to Daramus, Aragorn genty lowered the elf to the ground. It took much more self control than he would have liked not to let his friend drop when hot knives laced through his knee at the movement. He was so concentrated on the task that Legolas´ sudden movement caught him completely by surprise.
Aragorn had only just managed to place the elf on the grass when a pale hand shot out and gripped his arm. Caught between alarm and hope, the ranger let himself drop down painfully beside his friend. Throwing a quick glance at Daramus, he was pleased to see that the old man had settled on a rock several feet away, watching with interest but making no move to come closer. He turned his attention back to his fevered friend. The elf´s eyes remained tightly shut. Where his face had mirrored pain and exhaustion before, these feelings were now mingled with fear.
"Legolas?" the ranger asked, running a gentle hand over the other´s cheek. "Na hethw" //[It] is foggy.// , the elf whispered, so faintly that Aragorn barely caught the sound, "na hethw..." He took a deep breath, and his agitation grew visibly. "Anglennatha...anglennatha!" //He will come closer.// Legolas clearly struggled to open his eyes now, and even though Aragorn feared to upset him more, his hope prevailed to get some sort of hint from his friend that might help him protect them both from the danger he had forgotten. He carefully shifted the elf against his chest to hold him still and offer comfort and asked urgently: "Man, Legolas? Pedo anim.." //Who? Tell me...//
At that, the elf´s eyes shot open and he tried to get to his feet. Aragorn tightened his grip on him and held him fast. "Sidh, mellon-nin, sidh, le oltha" //Peace, my friend, peace, you dream.// he soothed, thoroughly unsettled now. He could see that his friend´s eyes were clouded, almost like in elven sleep, obviously seeing something he could not.
Legolas´ heart raced, hammering against Aragorn´s restraining hand, his chest heaving in an effort to draw breath more quickly. "Anglennatha!" //He will come closer!// he repeated urgently, sweat streaking down his face. He tried to rise once more and then fell back, exhausted. His eyes remained open though, as he whispered "Gawad...lalaith, lasto...Lasto, Estel..." //Howling...laughter, listen...listen, Estel...//
Aragorn tensed hopefully at the sound of his elven name and tried to find a hint of recognition in Legolas´ face. To his immense relief, there was some. Their eyes connected, and for a moment the clouds over the elf´s vision cleared. "Meatho ha, Estel", //Fight it, Estel.// he whispered, then his eyes slowly closed and his breathing grew more even.
Aragorn sat still for several moments as he tried to come to terms with what he had heard. Images appeared in front of him in reaction to Legolas´ words, a wall of mist swirling around him, and there was an acute sense of danger, but to his frustration he could not remember more...
At the thought of danger, though, he quickly glanced up to see that Daramus had remained seated. When the ranger looked at him, he raised a questioning eyebrow and asked: "Your friend´s state has not worsened, I hope?" In all truth, Aragorn was not sure, but he felt at least a little comforted at the thought the Legolas had recognised him. "I don´t believe so, no" he answered guardedly, "his fever troubles him with bad dreams."
"All the more reason to get to my house quickly, don´t you agree?" Daramus rose and walked over as the younger man did the same, careful not to disturb his friend. "Let me feel your knee then."
The old men bent down and rested his hand over Aragorn´s knee. After a few moments, a gentle coolness spread over the ranger´s leg, numbing the pain. He was amazed at the extend of relief he got from the simple gesture. Daramus straightened up, a look of light content on his face, but the words he spoke were urgent.
"Let us be gone, young friend. I can feel the night approaching, and it is hungry." Without any explanation he resumed his way down the brook, leaving Aragorn to pick up his friend and follow.
They made much better progress now, and the ranger grew painfully aware that their slow speed before had had nothing to do with the other man´s age. He set a brisk pace, and Aragorn matched it. The light around them grew dimmer as the trees slowly fell away to admit them into a lush landscape of gently rolling green hills. There was no sign of fields, though, and they did not treat a path but made their way over seemingly undisturbed meadows, still following the brook.
Daramus began to look more tense as his strides lengthened in the pale evening´s light. For the first time, he turned to Aragorn. "We must hurry!" His voice was tinged with urgency, and the gentle sparkle had left his eyes to be replaced by harsh resolve. "Quicken your steps, it is not far now."
Aragorn only nodded and complied. His senses grew alert as they also detected the danger Daramus reacted to, although there was nothing around them but a peaceful evening. The ranger could feel his blood pumping through his veins, his muscles tense for a fight, as he hurried up the gentle slope of yet another hill. His knee, which had begun to hurt again, fell strangely numb as if giving its owner the chance to run for his life at any second.
Even Legolas, who had not so much as moaned for more than an hour, grew restless and began to shift in his friend´s grip, straining Aragorn´s arms.
They reached the crest of the hill and could finally see the village Daramus had spoken of. It lay nestled among the hills, a cluster of maybe twenty houses surrounded by a few fields. A bit apart from the rest lay a water mill, fed by the little stream.
It was there that Daramus directed his ever fastening steps. Aragorn hurried after him. Suddenly, the very air seemed to freeze and stop around them. The last light, although still there, paled rapidly. With wide eyes the ranger glanced about him as he caught up with the old man.
A movement to his left made him whip his head around, only to feel the same to his right, behind him...Dread settled over him at the overwhelming impression of being surrounded on an open meadow, with nothing there to be seen but clear air and empty hills that showed no sign of life.
Legolas writhed in his arms, panting. "Duath, duath teli..." //Darkness, darkness comes...//
"Its night itself, young friend", Daramus grit out between clenched teeth, "darkness closes in..." To his utter surprise, Aragorn suddenly understood. He could see it now...a menacing shadow that raced over the landscape, turning green grass grey and then black at an unnatural speed, rolling in on them from all sides. Gripping Legolas tightly, Aragorn began to run.
TBC
