Disclaimer: Don't own anything. Wish I have my own private Legolas though
=)
Please, please review. They are my fuel.
************************************************************************
Chapter 1: So close, yet so far
Aragorn was with playing with his children in the courtyard when the messenger from Rohan arrived, accompanied by several of his high-ranking officials. Without a word spoken, the King knew Éomer needed his help. "What news do you bring from the Mark?" asked Aragorn in his regal tone, instantly switching from loving father to the dignified King of Men.
"The Dunlendings had returned in great numbers, your majesty. They roam freely through our countryside, pillaging and burning as they go. My King had sent out riders in pursuit, but the enemies' course was erratic and their movement swift. Thus far, we were unable to track them to mount a decisive assault. We seek Gondor's aid, my Lord," said the messenger humbly, anxiety clear in his voice.
"I will send word to Faramir. He will lead a host of Gondor's finest warriors to assist your King," replied Aragorn, not wishing to leave his children so soon after Arwen's death.
"With all due respect, my liege, the situation in Rohan could not wait," objected his Royal Advisor, Mundus. The old man was the highest official in his court and the third most powerful Man in Gondor.
"There is none other I can trust with this task besides my Steward," said the King quietly, understanding fully what the nobleman was hinting at. What he could not figure out was why his advisor wanted him to lead the assault in person.
"No, my liege," agreed the old man softly.
Under the pressure of the expectant stares from his officials, Aragorn reluctantly revealed his concerns. "I cannot leave my children in Gondor."
"You can take them with you, my Lord. Edoras itself is in no danger of being attacked, you majesty," suggested the messenger, now hopeful that the great King of Gondor would come in person to their aid.
"Yes, my liege. My daughter, Kathleen, would be honored to accompany the Royal children to Edoras. She can watch over them while you ride with the Rohirrim," concurred Mundus, noting how the little Prince regarded them with excitement in his eyes.
Now, Aragorn understood why the old Man wanted him to visit Rohan. Mundus saw this as an opportunity to force the King to spend more time with his daughter. It was a month ago that the Royal Advisor presented Kathleen in court as the apparent successor to the title of Queen of Gondor. On many occasions, the maiden herself had dropped subtle hints on Aragorn of her interest in becoming his second wife. Though remarrying would significantly lessen his burden, the King had ignored her amorous advances. His heart belonged solely to Legolas; he could not bring himself to be with another again.
The Man was about to reject the suggestion when his son pleaded, "Father, please take us along."
Eldarion had been practicing swordsmanship and archery since the age of six. But his over-protective mother had never allowed him to join other children on outdoors adventures, even hunts supervised by adults. He had always felt that his training was wasted within these castle walls. This trip seemed the perfect opportunity to test his skills.
When Aragorn looked at the boy doubtfully, fearing that his mischievous son would unwittingly endanger himself, the young Prince added, "Don't worry, father. I won't get into trouble. I will just stay with Lady Kathleen within the keep." Though Eldarion did not like the woman who was determined to become his stepmother, being supervised by Kathleen was a price he was willing to pay in exchange for his first grand adventure.
The Princess was well aware of her brother's predicament. Though young, she was the Evenstar's only daughter and had inherited much of her mother's powers. As the young girl understood that with powers came responsibilities, Aradia was much more mature than her age suggested. Like Eldarion, she was not fond of Lady Kathleen; she could sense the woman's greed and ambition. But she loved her brother dearly and wished to help him. Besides, she had a feeling that destiny awaited in Rohan - something there would alter their lives and ease the pain of losing their mother, if they allowed it. In her sweetest voice, she too pleaded, "Please, father. We'll be good and do whatever you or Lady Kathleen says."
Aragorn did not have the heart to refuse his children's pleas. Perhaps it was good for them to spend some time away from the castle, where Arwen's shadow lingered and everything reminded them of their lost mother. Nodding to his children, the Man turned towards the messenger and his advisor and said with quiet authority, "Very well. A host of three hundred warriors and my Royal Guards will ride with us at first light tomorrow. Mundus, see to the preparations."
************************************************************************
The Valar watched as the Golden Prince took his first breath on Arda after eleven years' absence. Now that the resurrection ritual was complete, the only task remaining was to bring Legolas back to Middle Earth. They were aware that the King of Gondor was on route to Rohan to answer Éomer's call for aid. It was decided that Ulmo, God of the Waters, would carry the still unconscious Elf through the rivers to the Kingdom of the Horselords. There, the slumbering beauty would be delivered into the arms of his lover. As the time limit begins as soon as Legolas wakes, their plan ensured that the Man would have the full one-month period to court his beloved Prince. After the Golden Elf was returned to Middle Earth, they could no longer interfere. For all their powers, the Valar could only hope for the best.
**************************************************************************** **
"We rest here," commanded the King as he signaled to his men to halt. The warriors had been traveling for the past ten days. The group was now within a day's ride to Edoras. Though the Man preferred to press on, he knew the journey had been difficult for his children and Kathleen. On more than one occasion, the maiden had requested stops to 'freshen up'. The Man could not understand why someone sitting in a carriage would need a reprieve, but he was not one to question a lady's demands. But due to the frequent stops, the usual four-day's ride had taken more than twice as long.
As the maiden alighted from the carriage with the help of a soldier, her eyes immediately sought her would-be husband, who was at the head of the group. Ordering the children to hurry along, she walked gracefully towards the King with a winsome smile. "These lands are beautiful, my lord."
"Yes, these plains are the breeding grounds of the best horses in Middle Earth, milady," replied Aragorn stiffly before turning to smile at his children. "Have you been behaving?"
"Yes, father," chimed both with a grin. They had been too enthralled with the rustic beauty of the countryside to cause their guardian any trouble.
"Good," said Aragorn before turning towards his second. "Take a team of warriors and scout ahead. I will lead another team to fetch water for the horses."
"Who will protect us while you are away, sire?" asked Kathleen, all of a sudden looking anxious and afraid. She was certain there was no danger; but this was supposed to be the chance to spend time with Aragorn. It would not do for the King to leave her with the children.
"I will be leaving the majority of the warriors here, milady. You will be safe at the camp," replied the Man, barely able to keep himself from rolling his eyes at her antics. He never truly appreciated how wonderful and accommodating his dead wife was until now. Compared to the conniving ladies trying to court him, the Evenstar truly was a gem among maidens.
"Can I come along, father?" pleaded Eldarion, wanting to further explore these beautiful lands.
The Man considered the request for a while before answering. He knew his son had been deprived of outdoors adventures due to Arwen's over- protectiveness. Since the group was close to Edoras and should be in no danger of being attacked, Aragorn could see no harm in allowing his son to come along. Besides, this would be a good bonding activity. "All right. But you will stay beside me at all times."
"You have my word, father," vowed the young Prince solemnly, with thinly veiled excitement. Today, he would finally set out on his first expedition.
************************************************************************
Brilliant white light burned his eyes. Willing his arm into motion, the lone figure shielded his delicate azure orbs from the harsh illumination. With his hand over his face, he lied frozen for several moments, disorientated, uncertain of where he was. Slowly, his senses returned; he could hear the trickle of the flowing river, the whispers of the gentle breeze and the song of the swaying grass. Slowly, he sat up and was taken back by the sudden rush of stars in front of his eyes. Blinking to banish the uninvited twinkles that hindered his vision, the figure leaned forward to study the reflection in the water.
Looking up at him with a curious expression was a creature with pointy ears and a long flaxen mane. His features were delicately sculpted; completing the exquisite face were his elegant brows and bow-shaped lips. The blue hue of the water masked his complexion and the color of his eyes; but everything seemed to fit perfectly together to form a masterpiece of surreal beauty. Searching his memories, the figure was able to identify his reflection as that of an Elf, an immortal being of Middle Earth. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not remember who he was, or how he arrived at this riverbed.
Certain that the reflection could offer no further hints to his identity, the Elf rose gracefully to his feet. He noted that he was dressed in a fine midnight blue velvet cloak and robes made of soft gray silk. Perhaps he was from a family of great wealth and power. He was in the midst of pushing further into his consciousness for clues when noises assaulted his sensitive hearing. Voices - men shouting, men screaming, men dying, sounds that sent shivers down his spine. Though repulsed, the Elf felt drawn to their source, as if a piece of his past awaited him there, a missing part of him longing to be rediscovered. Abandoning caution, the lone figure headed towards the noise; he could not deny his destiny.
************************************************************************
"Get behind me!" yelled Aragorn as he pushed his child out of the way of a stray arrow. The King never thought the Dunlendings would dare set an ambush so close to Rohan's capital city. Swinging Anduril in a deadly arc, the Man slashed at the enemy closest to him as he pushed his son further back in retreat. The Gondorians were hopelessly outnumbered. The King had sent a runner to call for reinforcements. They must survive the assault until the main force arrived.
The young Prince was not altogether helpless in this fight. By virtue of his training and Elven blood, Eldarion had picked off some of their enemies with his bow while his father shielded him from close range attacks. But the boy knew his presence was a hindrance in the battle for survival. The Gondorians could not fight at their full strength when they needed to keep a constant eye on him to ensure his safety. Though it chaffed his pride as a warrior, it would be best to try to find a place to hide. His pondering was cut short when a Dunlending broke through the protective circle formed by his father's soldiers and grabbed him. "Move and he dies!"
The King knew their enemies had no intention of letting them live, even if they surrendered. But if they did not, Eldarion would be killed immediately. They would have to do as their enemies commanded, hoping the army would get here in time to rescue them. After signaling to his men to lay down their weapons, Aragorn reluctantly sheathed Anduril as he glared defiantly at the leader of the Dunlending troops.
"Who would have thought, the great King of Gondor at my mercy. What should I do? Behead him or hack him into pieces limb by limb."
"You will die before your stroke fell," commented a lilting voice at the edge of the battlefield.
Immediately, the King knew the speaker was his beloved Legolas. Aragorn would recognize his pure golden voice anywhere, the melodic sound that filled his dreams nightly, giving him the courage to carry on. Yet, this could not be. The Golden Prince was gone, living only in his fantasies. The King turned to look at the newcomer, hoping for a miracle, but was dismay to find the figure's features concealed under a rich velvet cloak. All he could see was that the stranger's drawn bow with two arrows notched, aiming at his captor.
Aragorn's appraisal of the brave archer was cut short when the leader of the Dunlendings pressed a sword against his throat and laughed, "You arrogant fool! I see that you have stolen a bow from one of my men. But what can one archer do against fifty of us?"
Inside, the Elf was brimming with worry and confusion. The King of Gondor was the familiar stranger who guided him back to the world of light. He knew the dark-haired Man was the key to his past, the one he came here to seek. Deep inside his heart was the urge to protect the stranger at all cost, the firm belief that his life would mean nothing if this Man was not with him. Every fiber of his being knew this person; the Man's face, voice, touch and scent, all etched forever into his soul. Yet, despite his best efforts, the Elf could not remember why he knew the King so intimately; in fact, he could not even recall his name.
But the Elf knew now was not the time to dwell on his personal troubles. Many lives hung in the balance; depended on his ability to make his enemies believed he had everything under control. He would not let them see his inner turmoil. Instead, the Golden Elf let out a peal of melodic laughter, targeting his two arrows at the leader of the group and the man holding the child hostage. "You misunderstand me. I am not your opponent. The army behind that hill is. I only interfered because I cannot stand the sight of grown warriors using a child as leverage."
The Dunlendings glanced at each other in fear before turning to look at their leader. The Hillman regarded the Elf with suspicion and said, "You are bluffing."
"You are welcome to stay and find out," smiled the Elf sweetly as the sound of galloping horses filled his senses. Two large groups of soldiers were heading this way. His enemies should be able to hear the thundering hooves soon enough. "But if you let your hostages go now, you can escape unscathed."
"I think I will just kill..."
The Hillman never got a chance to finish his sentence. Before he could slash Aragorn's throat, he fell prey to the Golden Elf's arrow. As the King disentangled himself from his dead assailant and drew his sword, he noticed that the archer's other arrow was embedded in the skull of the soldier who captured Eldarion. Aragorn had never seen such bow skills, not even among Elves. Only one archer he knew might be able to make those shots, and that was his beloved Legolas.
After narrowing dodging an attack, Aragorn decided he would defer trying to discern his savior's identity. Enraged at the death of their leader, the Dunlendings charged the Gondorians full force. But before they could succeed in annihilating Aragorn's men, the meadows rumbled under the force of cavalries charging towards them. Though leaderless, the Hillmen knew their chance of victory had past. In an organized manner that greatly surprised the King of Gondor, the enemies retreated into the mountains.
**************************************************************************** **
"Are you all right?" asked the Elf as he helped the young Prince rose. The intelligent Eldarion had stayed on the floor, using dead bodies as shields during their latest struggle with their enemies.
"Yes, thanks to you," smiled the boy as he squinted, trying to get a better look at his savior. Sensing the child's curiosity, the figure lowered his hood to reveal his face and returned Eldarion's smile. The boy had always thought his late mother was the most gorgeous being on Middle Earth; but gazing at the Elf in front of him, even he had to admit none could compare to the stranger in beauty. "I am Eldarion. What's your name?"
**************************************************************************** **
Aragorn was stunned beyond words when he saw the stranger's face. It took every ounce of his self-control to not rush to Legolas and smother him in a tight embrace. But such display would be strange for his men, who had no memories of the Golden Prince who saved them all. He would keep his urges under control, seeing to his duty as leader of his soldiers before approaching his beloved Elf.
"So, he's the one. No wonder you pine for him, even after all these years," remarked Èomer, noting the way Aragorn's attention drifted to the Golden Elf as soon as the older Man finished giving orders to his troops.
The King of the Mark was leading a patrol in the area when one of his scouts sighted a skirmish by the river. He was glad he had arrived in time to save Aragorn from the Dunlendings' ambush. It was the first time they had struck so close to Edoras. The enemies' increasing boldness was rather disconcerting. He would discuss this with his lover when he returned. Perhaps, Haldir would have some insights to this perplexing new development.
Aragorn could only nod in response to his friend's statement, as his senses were once again captured by his beloved's gorgeous form. The dark-haired Man noted with concern that Legolas no longer smiled. What he would give to hold the beautiful Elf and kiss the frown away. But as the King of Gondor and the father of the Royal Children, he could not. In fact, he did not even know what to say when it was time to join his son and his beloved Prince.
Sensing the older Man's hesitation, Éomer decided to take the initiative and give his friend a push. He did not know how an Elf could turn into an Uruk-Hai, then back into an Elf again, but he knew Legolas and Aragorn had waited long enough for their chance to be with each other. The couple deserved to be happy after everything they had done for Middle Earth. "Oh, come on. You have to introduce us properly," said the Rohirrim as he approached the Golden Elf with the King of Gondor in tow.
The two kings were only a few feet away from the conversing pair, when they froze at Eldarion's sympathetic words. "That must be horrible, having no memories at all."
When the Elf nodded sadly, what at first seemed to be a perfect fantasy disintegrated into Aragorn's worst nightmare. It was just as he dreamt a month ago - the one he loved was lost; standing before him was just a stranger with the face of his angel.
Please, please review. They are my fuel.
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Chapter 1: So close, yet so far
Aragorn was with playing with his children in the courtyard when the messenger from Rohan arrived, accompanied by several of his high-ranking officials. Without a word spoken, the King knew Éomer needed his help. "What news do you bring from the Mark?" asked Aragorn in his regal tone, instantly switching from loving father to the dignified King of Men.
"The Dunlendings had returned in great numbers, your majesty. They roam freely through our countryside, pillaging and burning as they go. My King had sent out riders in pursuit, but the enemies' course was erratic and their movement swift. Thus far, we were unable to track them to mount a decisive assault. We seek Gondor's aid, my Lord," said the messenger humbly, anxiety clear in his voice.
"I will send word to Faramir. He will lead a host of Gondor's finest warriors to assist your King," replied Aragorn, not wishing to leave his children so soon after Arwen's death.
"With all due respect, my liege, the situation in Rohan could not wait," objected his Royal Advisor, Mundus. The old man was the highest official in his court and the third most powerful Man in Gondor.
"There is none other I can trust with this task besides my Steward," said the King quietly, understanding fully what the nobleman was hinting at. What he could not figure out was why his advisor wanted him to lead the assault in person.
"No, my liege," agreed the old man softly.
Under the pressure of the expectant stares from his officials, Aragorn reluctantly revealed his concerns. "I cannot leave my children in Gondor."
"You can take them with you, my Lord. Edoras itself is in no danger of being attacked, you majesty," suggested the messenger, now hopeful that the great King of Gondor would come in person to their aid.
"Yes, my liege. My daughter, Kathleen, would be honored to accompany the Royal children to Edoras. She can watch over them while you ride with the Rohirrim," concurred Mundus, noting how the little Prince regarded them with excitement in his eyes.
Now, Aragorn understood why the old Man wanted him to visit Rohan. Mundus saw this as an opportunity to force the King to spend more time with his daughter. It was a month ago that the Royal Advisor presented Kathleen in court as the apparent successor to the title of Queen of Gondor. On many occasions, the maiden herself had dropped subtle hints on Aragorn of her interest in becoming his second wife. Though remarrying would significantly lessen his burden, the King had ignored her amorous advances. His heart belonged solely to Legolas; he could not bring himself to be with another again.
The Man was about to reject the suggestion when his son pleaded, "Father, please take us along."
Eldarion had been practicing swordsmanship and archery since the age of six. But his over-protective mother had never allowed him to join other children on outdoors adventures, even hunts supervised by adults. He had always felt that his training was wasted within these castle walls. This trip seemed the perfect opportunity to test his skills.
When Aragorn looked at the boy doubtfully, fearing that his mischievous son would unwittingly endanger himself, the young Prince added, "Don't worry, father. I won't get into trouble. I will just stay with Lady Kathleen within the keep." Though Eldarion did not like the woman who was determined to become his stepmother, being supervised by Kathleen was a price he was willing to pay in exchange for his first grand adventure.
The Princess was well aware of her brother's predicament. Though young, she was the Evenstar's only daughter and had inherited much of her mother's powers. As the young girl understood that with powers came responsibilities, Aradia was much more mature than her age suggested. Like Eldarion, she was not fond of Lady Kathleen; she could sense the woman's greed and ambition. But she loved her brother dearly and wished to help him. Besides, she had a feeling that destiny awaited in Rohan - something there would alter their lives and ease the pain of losing their mother, if they allowed it. In her sweetest voice, she too pleaded, "Please, father. We'll be good and do whatever you or Lady Kathleen says."
Aragorn did not have the heart to refuse his children's pleas. Perhaps it was good for them to spend some time away from the castle, where Arwen's shadow lingered and everything reminded them of their lost mother. Nodding to his children, the Man turned towards the messenger and his advisor and said with quiet authority, "Very well. A host of three hundred warriors and my Royal Guards will ride with us at first light tomorrow. Mundus, see to the preparations."
************************************************************************
The Valar watched as the Golden Prince took his first breath on Arda after eleven years' absence. Now that the resurrection ritual was complete, the only task remaining was to bring Legolas back to Middle Earth. They were aware that the King of Gondor was on route to Rohan to answer Éomer's call for aid. It was decided that Ulmo, God of the Waters, would carry the still unconscious Elf through the rivers to the Kingdom of the Horselords. There, the slumbering beauty would be delivered into the arms of his lover. As the time limit begins as soon as Legolas wakes, their plan ensured that the Man would have the full one-month period to court his beloved Prince. After the Golden Elf was returned to Middle Earth, they could no longer interfere. For all their powers, the Valar could only hope for the best.
**************************************************************************** **
"We rest here," commanded the King as he signaled to his men to halt. The warriors had been traveling for the past ten days. The group was now within a day's ride to Edoras. Though the Man preferred to press on, he knew the journey had been difficult for his children and Kathleen. On more than one occasion, the maiden had requested stops to 'freshen up'. The Man could not understand why someone sitting in a carriage would need a reprieve, but he was not one to question a lady's demands. But due to the frequent stops, the usual four-day's ride had taken more than twice as long.
As the maiden alighted from the carriage with the help of a soldier, her eyes immediately sought her would-be husband, who was at the head of the group. Ordering the children to hurry along, she walked gracefully towards the King with a winsome smile. "These lands are beautiful, my lord."
"Yes, these plains are the breeding grounds of the best horses in Middle Earth, milady," replied Aragorn stiffly before turning to smile at his children. "Have you been behaving?"
"Yes, father," chimed both with a grin. They had been too enthralled with the rustic beauty of the countryside to cause their guardian any trouble.
"Good," said Aragorn before turning towards his second. "Take a team of warriors and scout ahead. I will lead another team to fetch water for the horses."
"Who will protect us while you are away, sire?" asked Kathleen, all of a sudden looking anxious and afraid. She was certain there was no danger; but this was supposed to be the chance to spend time with Aragorn. It would not do for the King to leave her with the children.
"I will be leaving the majority of the warriors here, milady. You will be safe at the camp," replied the Man, barely able to keep himself from rolling his eyes at her antics. He never truly appreciated how wonderful and accommodating his dead wife was until now. Compared to the conniving ladies trying to court him, the Evenstar truly was a gem among maidens.
"Can I come along, father?" pleaded Eldarion, wanting to further explore these beautiful lands.
The Man considered the request for a while before answering. He knew his son had been deprived of outdoors adventures due to Arwen's over- protectiveness. Since the group was close to Edoras and should be in no danger of being attacked, Aragorn could see no harm in allowing his son to come along. Besides, this would be a good bonding activity. "All right. But you will stay beside me at all times."
"You have my word, father," vowed the young Prince solemnly, with thinly veiled excitement. Today, he would finally set out on his first expedition.
************************************************************************
Brilliant white light burned his eyes. Willing his arm into motion, the lone figure shielded his delicate azure orbs from the harsh illumination. With his hand over his face, he lied frozen for several moments, disorientated, uncertain of where he was. Slowly, his senses returned; he could hear the trickle of the flowing river, the whispers of the gentle breeze and the song of the swaying grass. Slowly, he sat up and was taken back by the sudden rush of stars in front of his eyes. Blinking to banish the uninvited twinkles that hindered his vision, the figure leaned forward to study the reflection in the water.
Looking up at him with a curious expression was a creature with pointy ears and a long flaxen mane. His features were delicately sculpted; completing the exquisite face were his elegant brows and bow-shaped lips. The blue hue of the water masked his complexion and the color of his eyes; but everything seemed to fit perfectly together to form a masterpiece of surreal beauty. Searching his memories, the figure was able to identify his reflection as that of an Elf, an immortal being of Middle Earth. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not remember who he was, or how he arrived at this riverbed.
Certain that the reflection could offer no further hints to his identity, the Elf rose gracefully to his feet. He noted that he was dressed in a fine midnight blue velvet cloak and robes made of soft gray silk. Perhaps he was from a family of great wealth and power. He was in the midst of pushing further into his consciousness for clues when noises assaulted his sensitive hearing. Voices - men shouting, men screaming, men dying, sounds that sent shivers down his spine. Though repulsed, the Elf felt drawn to their source, as if a piece of his past awaited him there, a missing part of him longing to be rediscovered. Abandoning caution, the lone figure headed towards the noise; he could not deny his destiny.
************************************************************************
"Get behind me!" yelled Aragorn as he pushed his child out of the way of a stray arrow. The King never thought the Dunlendings would dare set an ambush so close to Rohan's capital city. Swinging Anduril in a deadly arc, the Man slashed at the enemy closest to him as he pushed his son further back in retreat. The Gondorians were hopelessly outnumbered. The King had sent a runner to call for reinforcements. They must survive the assault until the main force arrived.
The young Prince was not altogether helpless in this fight. By virtue of his training and Elven blood, Eldarion had picked off some of their enemies with his bow while his father shielded him from close range attacks. But the boy knew his presence was a hindrance in the battle for survival. The Gondorians could not fight at their full strength when they needed to keep a constant eye on him to ensure his safety. Though it chaffed his pride as a warrior, it would be best to try to find a place to hide. His pondering was cut short when a Dunlending broke through the protective circle formed by his father's soldiers and grabbed him. "Move and he dies!"
The King knew their enemies had no intention of letting them live, even if they surrendered. But if they did not, Eldarion would be killed immediately. They would have to do as their enemies commanded, hoping the army would get here in time to rescue them. After signaling to his men to lay down their weapons, Aragorn reluctantly sheathed Anduril as he glared defiantly at the leader of the Dunlending troops.
"Who would have thought, the great King of Gondor at my mercy. What should I do? Behead him or hack him into pieces limb by limb."
"You will die before your stroke fell," commented a lilting voice at the edge of the battlefield.
Immediately, the King knew the speaker was his beloved Legolas. Aragorn would recognize his pure golden voice anywhere, the melodic sound that filled his dreams nightly, giving him the courage to carry on. Yet, this could not be. The Golden Prince was gone, living only in his fantasies. The King turned to look at the newcomer, hoping for a miracle, but was dismay to find the figure's features concealed under a rich velvet cloak. All he could see was that the stranger's drawn bow with two arrows notched, aiming at his captor.
Aragorn's appraisal of the brave archer was cut short when the leader of the Dunlendings pressed a sword against his throat and laughed, "You arrogant fool! I see that you have stolen a bow from one of my men. But what can one archer do against fifty of us?"
Inside, the Elf was brimming with worry and confusion. The King of Gondor was the familiar stranger who guided him back to the world of light. He knew the dark-haired Man was the key to his past, the one he came here to seek. Deep inside his heart was the urge to protect the stranger at all cost, the firm belief that his life would mean nothing if this Man was not with him. Every fiber of his being knew this person; the Man's face, voice, touch and scent, all etched forever into his soul. Yet, despite his best efforts, the Elf could not remember why he knew the King so intimately; in fact, he could not even recall his name.
But the Elf knew now was not the time to dwell on his personal troubles. Many lives hung in the balance; depended on his ability to make his enemies believed he had everything under control. He would not let them see his inner turmoil. Instead, the Golden Elf let out a peal of melodic laughter, targeting his two arrows at the leader of the group and the man holding the child hostage. "You misunderstand me. I am not your opponent. The army behind that hill is. I only interfered because I cannot stand the sight of grown warriors using a child as leverage."
The Dunlendings glanced at each other in fear before turning to look at their leader. The Hillman regarded the Elf with suspicion and said, "You are bluffing."
"You are welcome to stay and find out," smiled the Elf sweetly as the sound of galloping horses filled his senses. Two large groups of soldiers were heading this way. His enemies should be able to hear the thundering hooves soon enough. "But if you let your hostages go now, you can escape unscathed."
"I think I will just kill..."
The Hillman never got a chance to finish his sentence. Before he could slash Aragorn's throat, he fell prey to the Golden Elf's arrow. As the King disentangled himself from his dead assailant and drew his sword, he noticed that the archer's other arrow was embedded in the skull of the soldier who captured Eldarion. Aragorn had never seen such bow skills, not even among Elves. Only one archer he knew might be able to make those shots, and that was his beloved Legolas.
After narrowing dodging an attack, Aragorn decided he would defer trying to discern his savior's identity. Enraged at the death of their leader, the Dunlendings charged the Gondorians full force. But before they could succeed in annihilating Aragorn's men, the meadows rumbled under the force of cavalries charging towards them. Though leaderless, the Hillmen knew their chance of victory had past. In an organized manner that greatly surprised the King of Gondor, the enemies retreated into the mountains.
**************************************************************************** **
"Are you all right?" asked the Elf as he helped the young Prince rose. The intelligent Eldarion had stayed on the floor, using dead bodies as shields during their latest struggle with their enemies.
"Yes, thanks to you," smiled the boy as he squinted, trying to get a better look at his savior. Sensing the child's curiosity, the figure lowered his hood to reveal his face and returned Eldarion's smile. The boy had always thought his late mother was the most gorgeous being on Middle Earth; but gazing at the Elf in front of him, even he had to admit none could compare to the stranger in beauty. "I am Eldarion. What's your name?"
**************************************************************************** **
Aragorn was stunned beyond words when he saw the stranger's face. It took every ounce of his self-control to not rush to Legolas and smother him in a tight embrace. But such display would be strange for his men, who had no memories of the Golden Prince who saved them all. He would keep his urges under control, seeing to his duty as leader of his soldiers before approaching his beloved Elf.
"So, he's the one. No wonder you pine for him, even after all these years," remarked Èomer, noting the way Aragorn's attention drifted to the Golden Elf as soon as the older Man finished giving orders to his troops.
The King of the Mark was leading a patrol in the area when one of his scouts sighted a skirmish by the river. He was glad he had arrived in time to save Aragorn from the Dunlendings' ambush. It was the first time they had struck so close to Edoras. The enemies' increasing boldness was rather disconcerting. He would discuss this with his lover when he returned. Perhaps, Haldir would have some insights to this perplexing new development.
Aragorn could only nod in response to his friend's statement, as his senses were once again captured by his beloved's gorgeous form. The dark-haired Man noted with concern that Legolas no longer smiled. What he would give to hold the beautiful Elf and kiss the frown away. But as the King of Gondor and the father of the Royal Children, he could not. In fact, he did not even know what to say when it was time to join his son and his beloved Prince.
Sensing the older Man's hesitation, Éomer decided to take the initiative and give his friend a push. He did not know how an Elf could turn into an Uruk-Hai, then back into an Elf again, but he knew Legolas and Aragorn had waited long enough for their chance to be with each other. The couple deserved to be happy after everything they had done for Middle Earth. "Oh, come on. You have to introduce us properly," said the Rohirrim as he approached the Golden Elf with the King of Gondor in tow.
The two kings were only a few feet away from the conversing pair, when they froze at Eldarion's sympathetic words. "That must be horrible, having no memories at all."
When the Elf nodded sadly, what at first seemed to be a perfect fantasy disintegrated into Aragorn's worst nightmare. It was just as he dreamt a month ago - the one he loved was lost; standing before him was just a stranger with the face of his angel.