Last Stand

by Mirrordance

Concluded! The battle at the Black Gate leaves Legolas strange wounds that do not heal. He knows he is slowly dying & keeps it a secret, as he tours the fleeting mortal pleasures of the world before his last breath.

5. Strider: A Memory

Author: Mirrordance

Title: Last Stand

Summary: The battle at the Black Gate leaves Legolas strange wounds that do not heal. He knows he is slowly dying & keeps it a secret, as he tours the fleeting mortal pleasures of the world before his last breath. He finds an unwilling coconspirator in Eomer

* * *

5: Strider: A Memory I

* * *

Bree, 2953

* * *

      ~My lord, you must come, quick!~ the urgency in his oft-composed commander's voice sent fire through the Mirkwood prince's veins.  He shot to his feet and dashed behind the soldier, past the guarded doors of the quarters he had taken in the humble town inn.

      They sailed down to the streets, navigated the winding alleys.  Legolas noticed that the sun was shining over their heads, casting the streets in a dim yellow glow.  He's been closeted in his room, pondering all the information he and the troop assigned to him had gathered, since early evening the night before.

      They halted at a dead end, where a hooded adan and one of his soldiers were swinging knives at each other.  By instinct, he stepped forward between them, blocking the sword of his own soldier as it descended towards a killing blow.

      ~My lord!~ the elf exclaimed, pulling back his weapon and stepping back.

      ~Lower your weapon,~ Legolas snapped at him, and whipped around to face the human he had just defended, "Drop your weapon."

      The adan's eyes shone from beneath the shadow of his hood.  He glanced at the other elf, the commander who had brought Legolas to the alley.  He was outnumbered.  He lowered his sword to his side, but did not release it altogether.  Legolas was satisfied with the compromise.

      "What does this mean?" Legolas asked, his eyes darting from the three other parties involved.

      ~The adan--~ the commander began, only to be cut off.

      "In Westron," Legolas ordered him tersely, "If the man is to be accused, he must understand the charges laid before him."

      "They exchanged insults in the bar, sir," the commander explained, immediately complying, "The man called our kin cowards who do not give aid and flee this world.  Our soldier only saw it fit to demand satisfaction and defend our honor.  I discovered this duel just moments ago."

      "A duel," Legolas said dispassionately, turning to the transgressor, "You must let these things slide.  Your courageous actions in the war shall speak all the better for you, rather than these embarrassing encounters."

      "I'm sorry," the soldier said, cowed, "I'm sorry, my lord.  It will not happen again—"

      The exchange was interrupted by the urgent arrival of a pair of men, hooded just as the dueling adan was.  Legolas knew that he was dealing with the mysterious Rangers of the North, of whom he heard much of in his missions and travels.

      "Strider, I can explain—" the dueling adan said suddenly.

      "The situation has already been well explained to me," the burlier one of the pair of new arrivals said gravely.  He glanced at the other elves in the dank corner of the bustling city.  There was something about his resonating voice, and his piercing silver eyes that struck a curious chord in Legolas' heart.

      "I see the situation has already been resolved," he said evenly, "You are excused," he said to the man whom he ran with, and the dueler, "As a matter of fact, I do not wish to lay my eyes upon your face for the next few days."

      "Are you certain—" the man beside 'Strider' asked, hesitant to leave his Chieftain.

      "Yes, go," Strider ordered, casually waving his hand and stepping toward Legolas.  The two men left with a backward glance at him.

      ~Thank you,~ Strider said to the elf who seemed in charge, ~It looks to me as if you have successfully diffused the situation just ahead of me.  I apologize for the inconvenience.~

      ~I too, must apologize,~ said Legolas, not missing a beat though he pondered the mystery of this adan who could speak his tongue so fluently and naturally, ~It is a poor reflection upon our kin.  The situation will be remedied.~

      They looked at each other, and a hesitant smile curved the Ranger's lips.  He seemed to be uncertain, just before he pushed away his hood and revealed his face to the elf.

      Legolas thought it was a pleasant face, with kind eyes that were very, very wise.  They were of a distinct silver-gray, and of a distinct disposition.  He was struck by their familiarity, and he knew at once that they must have come across each other before, though he was unsure where.

      The adan wondered about the elf as well… Granted, a lot of elves generally looked the same.  But this one was particularly beautiful, and particularly known to him for some reason or other. 

      Their eyes must have lit up in understanding and recollection at the same time.

      Estel, Legolas realized, just as the Ranger remembered this elf's face from his distant childhood.

      ~You've not changed in all these years,~ Strider told him, smiling with some reserve, ~I've grown since you saw me last, though.  Now I really am as big as you."

      Legolas smiled as well.  ~Estel.  It has been…~ he paused in thought, ~Fifteen years,~ he said flatly, realizing and surprising himself, ~Such a time simply passes an elf by, I'm afraid.  I meant to return to Imladris, but I suppose I never got around to.  Has it really been too long? I hadn't noticed.  How fares your father?~

      ~The times give him much to worry for,~ Estel replied, ~But we are all well.~

      ~That is very good,~ Legolas nodded, studying the adan's face.  ~You look very hardy, Estel.  Or should I call you Strider? A very curious incarnation.~

      ~Much has happened since my ada sent you away in good health,~ Estel told him, ~And you can call me whatever you want.~

      ~I think I shall try Strider,~ Legolas laughed, shaking his head in awe, ~I'm astonished to find the years could still surprise me.~

* * *

      They sat along the main hall of the Prancing Pony Inn, across from each other in a corner, lagers atop the weathered wood of the old table.  Legolas reflected that it was a very grown-up thing to do, still marveling at the man before him, whom he always saw in his mind and heart as a young, spirited boy who had once lent him strength.

      Estel's brows rose at him quizzically over his glass, although his clever all-seeing eyes were already well-aware of what the elven warrior was thinking.  

      ~Are you afraid my ada would take me to task for the beer?~ Estel asked him wryly.

      ~Yes,~ Legolas admitted with an embarrassed smile.

      Estel nodded to the untouched glass before the elf.  ~I think by now, I've had far more than even you.~

      ~I wouldn't be surprised,~ Legolas said wryly.

      ~What brings you to Bree?~ Estel asked him, ~If you do not mind my asking.  Not many elves come through here.~

      ~We thought to bring one of our injured here,~ Legolas replied, his voice strangely suddenly icy, ~He needed a warm bed, and a roof over his head.  I think it will all be to no avail.~

      ~I know some of the healing arts,~ Estel told him, ~From ada-- Do not look so skeptical.~

      ~I'm not,~ Legolas lied, his cheeks flushing in the thankfully dim room.  The doubt was more than reasonable; Estel had grown from an abstract vision of a seven-year-old to a Ranger of the North, and a healer to boot.  What puzzled him more was how the adan so easily understood and saw through him.  A feat matched by very few… as a matter of fact, he could think of none off the top of his head.  Damn those eyes.

     

      ~I can help,~ Estel told him, ~Really.~

      ~I…~ Legolas studied the eager man's face, ~I bet.~

      Estel's brows rose… Oh would you?

      Legolas reached for the glass before him and took a huge gulp. 

* * *

      The elf soldier was practically lying before the Halls of Mandos.  Sunken, dark-rimmed eyes were closed in an unnatural sleep, his hands folded over a chest that barely rose and fell in shallow breath that did not even bother to labor, or to struggle.

      Estel frowned, and stepped closer.  The soldier watching guard over the ailing elf hesitated, but let him do whatever he desired.  Legolas, standing behind him, must have signaled some sort of thing. 

      Estel sat on the bed, next to the dying one's elbow.  The sight was all too familiar to Legolas… some habits Estel had not lost, changed though he may be.

      Legolas watched the adan's hands.  They were sure, un-shaking, and held no hesitations at all.  The adroit digits were a sight to behold as they worked.

      ~The most rudimentary of aids,~ Estel murmured, pulling away the sheets that covered the elf's bandaged torso, ~You aided him as best you could.  This is good work.~

      ~There is nothing else to do then?~ Legolas asked, and there was a tone to his voice that made Estel look up at him.  His words were conveyed so neutrally, so disinterestedly, and Estel found in the elven prince an unmoved expression to match.  His brows furrowed.  This was much different from the heartbroken prince he met nearly two decades ago, or to the delightfully surprised elf he re-encountered earlier this night.

      ~There is always something to do,~ Estel told him evenly, turning away and focusing his attention upon his patient.  He drew out some herbs from his packs.

      Legolas diligently watched him work.  ~I should not have doubted,~ he said quietly.

      Estel worked silently, and for a moment Legolas wondered if his apology was heard at all. 

      ~Well.  You were always very discouraged,~ Estel said distractedly, and Legolas opened his mouth to resent the statement, just as Estel looked up at him quickly and shot him a teasing glance.  Legolas let it go.

      ~You've a way with the athelas,~ Legolas commented as Estel finished, ~I'm surprised you've not encountered any trouble with regard to it's legend.  Mortals oft believe it is magical in the hands of their King.~

      Estel covered the ailing elf with the sheets.  He looked up at Legolas with a curious expression on his face, ~Oh do they?~ he murmured, smiling at the elf jauntily.  He patted the unconscious elven soldier's slack hands.  The motion reminded Legolas all too much of Lord Elrond.  ~He will be well now, if you just give him some time.~

* * *

      They seemed hesitant to take their leave of each other.

      Estel trailed Legolas to his room, and the elf seemed to expect it.  They stepped inside, and Legolas strode toward his desk, strewn with papers.  He fished around beneath sheaf after sheaf, and seemed to find at last what he's been looking for.  It was a slim dagger with an intricate hilt, vines and flowers and encrusted with pearls and colored stones.  Estel noted that there was something curiously feminine about it.  Legolas handed it to him with a slight bow.

      Hesitantly, the adan took the offering, and studied the blade.  It was old, almost dull, but so stubbornly beautiful.  The bottom of the hilt bore an engraving of the standard of the Royal House of Mirkwood.

      ~A gift,~ said Legolas, ~For all of your aid, now… as… as then.~

      Estel wondered what that meant.  ~Then?~

      ~A present much delayed, I admit,~ Legolas said quickly, ~for which I apologize.  I suppose I've long meant to have something sent but… another thing I never got around to doing.~

      ~I could not possibly--~ Estel began.

      ~It was my mother's,~ Legolas told him, ~And now mine to give.  And yours to accept, I'm afraid.  I owe you much.  If it is far too little--~

      ~Nay,~ Estel said quickly, ~It is far too much… you would give it to me for seeing to you soldier? They are much loved.~

      ~Then consider it a gift for the House of Elrond,~ said Legolas, turning away from the penetrating silver eyes and pretending to busy himself with the papers, ~For your aid before.  You, and Lord Elrond.  And now too.  Please.  I wish I could offer you more.~

      ~I owe you much,~ Legolas said again, and borrowed a tone from his formidable father the King of Mirkwood, ~I will not suffer your refusal.~

      Estel's brows rose, more in amusement than offense, ~As you wish, sire.  Thank you.~

* * *

     

      The Rangers of the North lorded over a corner of the dining hall of the inn.  The other side was held by a contingent of elven soldiers in Mirkwood colors, and Strider noted that Legolas was not among them.

      As a matter of fact, the Chieftain of the Rangers knew precisely when the elven prince entered, because there was a notable change in the decorum of his subordinates.  They all rose from their seats to greet him, bow slightly, and scramble to make a place for him.  The air was suddenly wrought with rigid formality.  Strider could see very well that Legolas was well-respected, possibly even awe-inspiring to them, though he was not particularly loved.

      It was soon plain to see why.  He spoke little, smiled and laughed even less.  There was almost a shyness to it, or perhaps more of a conscious, well-controlled reserve.  The smiles and laughter Estel had been previously graced with was rare, and the adan soon realized it was probably because he had caught the prince unawares.  The casual, almost disinterested and distinctly cold reservation was more of who he was, and Estel was strangely disappointed. 

      He first thought Legolas hadn't changed at all, but it seems he's probably changed more than Estel himself.  Gone was the prince he met more than a decade ago, the elf who was dying of a broken heart.  In his place was an incarnation that walked through life as if he didn't even have one.

      Legolas ate and ran.  He had little food, and then politely excused himself.  His soldiers did not look surprised, and rose respectfully as their elven commander strode away. 

      Legolas passed the Rangers by, greeting them with a subtle nod.  Estel returned the cold courtesy, feeling as if they did not even know each other at all…

      Which was probably the case… After all, the first and last time they met until now was just for a few days almost two decades ago.  It could not, and should not have meant much to an elf who lived a thousand lifetimes and have seen a million faces, or to a sprightly child who had years and faces ahead of his own life to see.

      Estel watched him leave, and then turned to his own party.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Hehe… naturally they wouldn't be friends right away after fifteen years, now could they? So it's like being back at square one :)

The next post takes us back to 3019, and the death of an old friend… 'til then!!! :)

THANKS TO ALL WHO TOOK THE TIME TO READ!!!

THANKS ALSO TO ALL MY REVIEWERS: andruil1043, specialfeel, tychen, sundiata, elveneyes, kit cloudkicker, lady of the twilight woods, halandleg4ever, MSL, kitty, ladyjanelly, stoneage woman, platy, karri, gozilla, mystic23, angelmouse5, starlit hope, LOTRfaith, Kelsey, elessar*lover, grumpy, dragonfly, knight Kenobi of eryn lasgalen and Kirsten.

To andruil1043: wow, thank you :) eomer was a gamble for me, I admit.  I'm glad you don't think he veers away from how he seems as represented in the books and movies :)

To specialfeel: I'm sorry if it seems uncharacteristic or not properly representative :) I did say this was a leap for me and I'm trying very hard to keep it from being too out of line.  He's my favorite character so I guess all I can say is that though it seems not too plausible, the piece is written with much love and much effort.  More reasons will be given in the chapters to come and I hope they will leave you with a more complete feeling.  Thanks for the c&c's.  they give me much to ponder and hopefully repair :) I have a bit of wariness over a profoundly emotionally helpless legolas too (I just had no idea I represented him thus), and I always try to infuse my representation with strength and dignity, despite the tragic context.  This effort shall be further reinforced :) thanks!

To tychen: estel has a champion in you… or more like a lobbyist, haha.  I've now figured out two endings.  This fic will be about 18 chapters (I'm trying fervently to make it 20 because I have a fixation for 'round' numbers' but we'll see), and I'm stuck at 10 so things can definitely change :)

To elveneyes: I think the whole 'torture' genre is based on the archetype of the fallen hero.  It's like wanting to see beyond the oft-represented invulnerability, or to magnify their importance by showing a world where their loss is such a grave possibility :) it's strange, I know, but that's how I've always understood it :)

To halandleg4ever: your right… mr. rohan man will figure it out by chapter eight :)

To kitty: likely not, haha.  The point of the structure of the story is for us to always want Estel to be more than a memory, to come in and save the day.  It's supposed to be how Legolas feels but doesn't want to act toward.  This is my whole 'medium is the message' fixation :)

To stoneage woman: haha, I'm not offended at all.  It's actually a rather easy question, you know :) I don't review because I don't read closely and I don't think it would be fair to review unless I already have.  If you noticed my handful of reviews, they're for shorter stories (means they took less time to read), or midway of a story and then stops altogether (I started reading and then I didn't have time to continue).  Most of my faves list are actually faves because I think they may be interesting (I kind of just flip through them.  One chapter every three or so), and 'bookmark' them to read in case I one day find the time.  I'm more of a writer than a reader, I think.  I just get so caught up I can't do anything else until I'm done with a story and usually, by the time that happens, I want to work on something else.  And then I won't stop 'til it's done, etc., etc.  It's a disease, I know, haha.  

To platy: actually I already thought of another ending.  I'm just trying to weight it now :) anyway, I have time to think.  This story will go up to about 18 chapters ++, and I'm stuck at 10 :)

To karri: haha, I'm not sure if you'd still get to read this but I hope I didn't do anything to traumatize you! :) I'm not that disturbed, really!!! :) thanks for taking the time to read some of the story anyway :)

To dragonfly: I think you found my muses because they went and gave me an alternate ending.  I'm still torn though :) we'll see :) btw, I hope you didn't hurt them too bad, haha.

THANKS EVERYONE!!! 'TIL THE NEXT POST!!!