((A/N 1: Next chapter! I'm so evil...how do y'all put up with me?))
Chapter Five
The roof fell loose with a roar. Legolas managed to jump back in time to avoid the main onslaught, but a large stone struck him in the back, knocking him to the floor and pinning him.
"Legolas!" Aragorn shouted, ignoring Talagan's warning and running back to his friend.
Legolas fought with the confines, struggling to breathe through the dust. A muted cry of pain escaped him as several rocks landed on his legs, cutting him deeply.
Aragorn reached him and began working frantically to pry his friend loose. "Easy, Legolas," he said, gripping his friend's flailing arm. "Calm down."
"Easy...for...you...to...say," Legolas gasped sarcastically, but he calmed down slightly. Aragorn gripped the stones that pinned his friend down and flung them away from the Prince.
Legolas' eyes grew wider as his air ran out. "Go," he mouthed to Aragorn.
"Not a chance," Aragorn grunted, trying to move the rock on Legolas' back. His efforts only made it shift and settle more firmly on Legolas. The Elf felt iron bands clamp his chest, and he realized that at least one rib was cracked, maybe even broken.
Realizing he didn't have a lot of time left, Aragorn grabbed Legolas' hands and pulled with all his strength. Legolas helped as he could, though he felt unconsciousness struggling to take him.
'No,' Legolas thought grimly. 'I did not come back from comfortable darkness to die like this.' This in mind, the Elf twisted and slid free, though he got badly scraped up in the process.
Talagan allowed the friends a moment to catch their collective breath, then he urged, "Come on!"
Legolas, gasping for air, struggled to his feet, Aragorn supporting him. Together, they kept going onward.
Maybe ten minutes later, though it felt like longer, the smell of fresh air hit Legolas' nose like a battering ram. "Ah!" he cried, breaking free of Aragorn's grip and running for the source of the smell.
Aragorn picked up his speed as well, catching up with his friend as the passageway opened into a larger, well-lit cave. Legolas stumbled outside the cave and fell to his knees on the green grass, his eyes tightly closed and his head tipped back, absorbing the sun and the cool air.
Aragorn dropped beside his friend, burying his face in the grass and inhaling deeply.
They both remained motionless for some time, simply enjoying the freshness. Legolas opened his eyes and asked, "Where are we?" His voice cracked a bit.
Aragorn sat up and looked about them, gauging the landscape, smells, and feels of the land...and nearly fell back down when he realized it. "We're in Rohan," he answered. "Land of horses, the Rohirrim, and peace, for the most part. Why was there a tunnel leading here?" His question was not directed at anyone in particular.
"Who is to know, Estel?" Legolas asked, wincing as he pushed his still- bleeding legs out in front of him.
The motion caught Aragorn's attention and he moved over to the Elf Prince. "Let me see to those cuts, Legolas. Please." The 'please' was obviously a last moment add-on, as Aragorn's eyes said plainly that Legolas was going nowhere before the Human took care of his injuries.
"I should argue, but I will not," Legolas sighed, leaning back on his elbows and letting Aragorn tend to the injuries.
Aragorn winced as he carefully peeled the cut, blood stained leggings away from the injuries. Legolas' eyes were closed and his face gave away no emotion, yet Estel had the sense that if they'd been alone; Legolas would have at least winced.
Talagan watched the friends with something akin to amazement. Despite his brief acquaintances with other Elves, he had never really gotten to know any of them as well as Thorongil obviously knew Legolas. An undertone of teasing ran through everything they did, even in the dark of the cell where he had found them. It was amazing to Talagan that Legolas took the cleansing of his wounds so calmly; any other being would have been screaming by now, possibly even lashing out at the one who tried to help. But Legolas just sat there. In fact, the two very different beings seemed to be very close in age; had Talagan not known better, he would have sworn they were brothers.
He was almost right. Legolas and Aragorn had been friends for years now, and trust ran very deep between them; trust so deep, it had cemented them together like brothers.
Legolas winced slightly as Aragorn's gentle hands touched a very deep wound. "Are you trying to hurt me, or is that just a benefit?" he asked in faintly sarcastic Elvish.
"Neither," Aragorn replied, chewing his lip. "I'm just trying to help here."
"I know," Legolas replied, the teasing gone.
A pause followed as Aragorn cut strips from Legolas' cloak to bind off the worst of the cuts. He accidentally tied one too tight, and Legolas' neck arced in a silent expression of pain.
"Sorry...sorry," Aragorn murmured, loosening the offensive bandage.
When Legolas recovered his breath, he said in a reflective tone, "I wish I was in Rivendell, with your father making badly veiled jests about how you and I seem to seek out trouble."
"So do I, Legolas. So do I. I'm sure Lord Elrond wouldn't tie a bandage too tightly..." Aragorn said through his teeth. He missed Rivendell, especially at times like this. He knew the healing arts fairly well, but not nearly as well as his father did, and he was reminded of this every time he made a mistake that hurt one of his friends worse.
They had been speaking in Common, forgetting Talagan's presence. They were reminded of his presence when he leaned forward. "Thorongil, you have been to Rivendell?" Talagan wasn't surprised to know that Legolas had been there; he assumed every Elf visited the other Elven realms often. But Thorongil being to Rivendell...that could explain a few odd things about him.
Aragorn closed his eyes briefly, realizing what they had said. His eyes met Legolas' briefly. His Elven friend was concerned as well; Aragorn's time in Rivendell was a carefully guarded secret.
At last, Aragorn said, "I was raised in Rivendell...for a time." That's all he would say.
"Oh," was all Talagan could think to say for a moment. Then, "That's why you speak Elvish so well. And why when you speak Common, a faint Elvish accent lingers. That's how you know Legolas so well."
"Yes, to all. But I do not discuss this often. I would appreciate it if you would keep this to yourself." Aragorn's words were laced with steel.
"Fine with me." Talagan's words were light.
Aragorn tied off the last bandage--taking care not to hurt Legolas any more- -and stood, helping Legolas up. "We should move on," he said quietly. "Legolas and I are bound for Rivendell. Where you go is up to you."
"As I told you, Thorongil, I intend to go back to Minas Tirith and ask for a new post. I know nothing beyond Gondor and the Corsairs, and I am quite happy to keep it that way. I'd like to try and forget what I've become over the last ten years." Talagan said quietly, his brown eyes fixed on the ground between his feet.
Aragorn considered that. "If you ever have success, be sure and send a message to me in Rivendell. I will want to know how you do it."
Talagan looked at Aragorn, confused. Aragorn continued quietly, "I have seen many things; some of those things are what make up my nightmares. In a time of war against the Corsairs, I learned many things that I am not proud to remember. But that's part of me now." Aragorn paused, thinking. He moved forward and clasped Talagan's shoulder. "May the Valar watch over your steps," he said, looking into the other Man's eyes.
"Same to you, Thorongil. May we meet again someday," Talagan replied, clasping the Captain's shoulder in return.
With those words, the trio parted ways; one to seek out his old life, two to find peace and safety for a time, at least.
Legolas came out of his memories with a blink...and a faint smile. Aragorn and Legolas had bought two horses from a family of horse breeders and ridden to Rivendell, traveling both day and night. They arrived in Rivendell two weeks later, very nearly dead on their horses. Legolas' wounds re-opened so many times it was not even funny, and Elrond had been deeply concerned when they reached Rivendell.
Legolas remembered that night vividly...
"We made it, Legolas," Aragorn gasped as the friends rode through the archway of Rivendell. "We made it."
There was no answer from his Elven friend, and Aragorn turned to look at him...just as the Elf slid off his horse and hit the ground. Fortunately for Legolas, they weren't on the cobblestones that paved the courtyard later, but on softer dirt. Even so, it was a hard fall.
Filling his lungs with as much air as possible, Aragorn shouted, "Ada! Lord Elrond! Aaada!" The first call woke several people, the second brought people to the windows, and the third produced Elrond himself, a robe thrown hurriedly over his sleep clothes.
"Estel!" he called, rushing to his son, who had dismounted by that time, and embracing him tightly.
More footsteps clattered down the stairs and two identical Elves appeared at the bottom, hair and clothes mused. With identical cries of "Estel!" they rushed the human and embraced him warmly.
Aragorn pushed them all away, whispering, "Legolas..." His main concern was his Elven friend, who had endured so much, but he could not complete the sentence. His grey eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed. Elrond stepped forward in time to catch the ranger, grunting as the full dead weight of the younger human was transferred to his arms.
"Ada!" Elladan, the eldest of the twins, had gone to see what worried Aragorn so much. He found the blonde Elf Prince crumpled in a heap of torn, bloody skin and clothing.
Elrohir ran to his brother's side and stared in horror at the Prince.
"Do not just stand there, gwanûn," Elrond said, his tone strained as he picked the ranger up as he would a toddler: one arm under his legs, the other supporting his shoulders. "Get the Prince to his room." Twins.
Nodding quickly, the identical twins picked Legolas up between them and followed their father up the stairs towards Aragorn's quarters and the guest chambers attached to them. Legolas had become such a permanent part of the house, however, that Aragorn's guest chambers had come to be known as 'Legolas' rooms'.
The three Elven healers worked between the two all night, working to stave off a sickness in Estel's body and to seal up Legolas' cuts. By the time morning rolled around, Elrond was exhausted.
Sitting in one of the comfortable armchairs in Aragorn's room, Elrond told the twins to go get some rest. They left Aragorn's room...and set up camp in the armchairs in Legolas' room. Elrond shook his head with a weary smile. He knew his sons; he only hoped they would be sensitive to Legolas' needs when he woke up.
Elrond had examined Legolas while his sons tended to Estel's illness, and, from what he had seen; he could make an educated guess as to what had happened. His father's heart ached for Legolas, ached for the pain the young Elf had been through.
Elrond wasn't aware of dozing off until movement in the bed woke him. He lifted his head and looked toward where his son lay...or had been lying. Aragorn was now sitting up in bed, reaching for a glass of water that was just beyond his reach.
Aragorn felt dizzy and disorientated. His mouth was unbearably dry, and he couldn't think any farther than getting that drink. In the back of his mind, he wondered if this comfortable place was just a dream, but he didn't care, so long as that water was real.
Elrond was fortunate he possessed Elven reflexes. They barely enabled him to catch Aragorn as the ranger collapsed again.
"What were you doing?" Elrond asked, mildly amused.
"I was trying to get a drink, Ada," Aragorn replied through thick, uncooperative lips. "So thirsty..."
Elrond heaved the ranger back onto the bed and tucked him in again. "When you want something, Estel, you need to ask for it. Right now is not a good time for you to be moving about."
"All right, Ada..." Aragorn's eyes moved to the water glass. "Can I please have a drink?"
"Certainly," Elrond replied, reaching over and deftly plucking the glass off the nightstand. Supporting Aragorn with one arm, the Elf Lord tipped the glass into the ranger's mouth. Estel drank thirstily, draining the entire glass within seconds.
"Can I have some more?" he asked, his mouth feeling clearer, but his throat still ached for water.
This continued until the entire water pitcher was empty. Only then did Aragorn relax against the pillows. "How is Legolas?" he asked, feeling horribly selfish for having taken care of his own needs before inquiring about his friend.
"He is sleeping right now, I think," Elrond replied, glancing in the direction of Legolas' room. "I tended to many of his wounds." His gaze looked through Estel, asking what couldn't be asked aloud.
Aragorn just closed his eyes. "Ask him. I don't know his side of it all yet. We never talked about it." By the end of his sentence, he was asleep, his body working to recover itself from both the injuries he had sustained and the lack of substance he had endured for days.
Elrond nodded grimly. It was as he had guessed; his son was unwilling to talk about any of it without Legolas' permission and/or approval. That showed sensitivity greater than his years.
Speaking of sensitivity...the Elf Lord got up and walked into Legolas' room, where he heard soft talk and quiet laughter.
Legolas was awake and talking quietly to the twins, his chin propped on his palms. Elrond leaned against the doorframe and watched the interaction silently, noting what wasn't being said. Legolas' blue eyes had a haunted look to them, and he involuntarily flinched every time one of the twins touched him, though the twins didn't notice.
Legolas glanced up and noticed Elrond. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but shame quickly covered the fair face and the Prince looked away.
"Elladan, Elrohir, can you two please leave us alone for a moment?" Elrond asked, moving into the room.
Elladan glanced up at his father and, noting the serious cast on the older Elf's face, got up and dragged his brother up as well. "We shall be back when Ada is done talking to you, Legolas," he promised, pulling Elrohir out the door.
Legolas didn't answer. He seemed to suddenly find his pale hands very interesting, watching his long fingers pull the coverlet one way, then another.
Elrond took a seat in the chair Elladan had vacated. He said nothing, just watched the younger Elf fiddle with his coverlet.
"Dare I hope you do not know what happened?" Legolas finally asked, breaking the silence.
Elrond didn't say anything for a long moment, and then he shook his head slowly. "You may hope, indeed, but that hope would be futile."
Legolas sighed slowly. "And you have naught to say?" he asked softly.
"No," Elrond said, leaning forward and attempting to meet Legolas' eyes. "I have naught to say, just a question to ask."
"Ask." Legolas' tone was expressionless, as was his face.
"Why did you choose to stay?" Elrond asked, genuinely curious. He had sensed, when he was tending to Legolas, that the choice had been decided of Legolas' free will, and he wondered why the Elf choose to stay, when he had had no hope beyond the walls of the small cell he had been imprisoned in.
Startled, Legolas met Elrond's eyes. "Because..." he paused, trying to remember. It seemed like a million years ago, and yet so very unbearably close. "Because Aragorn reminded me I had something to live for," he finished quietly, remembering the sweet strains of the heart-broken song, reaching through the dark and touching the despairing heart. "He reminded me that there had once been sunlight, starlight, joy and peace, and that there was much yet to live for."
Elrond listened silently, and as Legolas fell silent, the Elf Lord reached out to touch the Prince's hand. Legolas flinched a bit, but he relaxed after an instant. Closing his eyes momentarily, Legolas looked at Elrond again, meeting the concerned grey eyes with quiet reassurance. "When it was over," Legolas said after a moment, "I had honestly forgotten the feel of the wind on my face, the sound of a forest in peace, the smell of a spring morning. Estel reminded me of all those."
Elrond smiled. Aragorn had always been that way, even when he was a young child. That was one of the reasons they named him 'Hope'. "And what are your thoughts now, Legolas? Do you regret staying?"
"Regret staying?" Legolas repeated quietly, twinging a piece of thread between his fingers. "No, I do not think so. How can I regret staying to torment the twins? Or regret seeing Isil bathe Rivendell in her peaceful gleam, and Anor driving away the shadows of the night? As beautiful as Valinor may be, I will wait to leave these shores until my tasks have been completed."
"That is well," Elrond said, smiling. "I would not wish to be the one to bear the news to Estel."
"Bear what news to me?" asked a familiar voice from the doorway.
Both Elves jumped as they turned to look in the direction of the youthful voice. Aragorn stood there, his dark hair messy from sleep and his eyes tired. He had to cling to the doorframe in order to remain standing, but a smile glinted in his silvery eyes.
Elrond jumped to his feet and moved quickly to his son's side, saying, "Estel, did I or did I not tell you to remain in bed?"
"I don't have Elf ears; I couldn't eavesdrop on you two from my bedroom. I came to see if Legolas was ok," Aragorn said, moving a hand to his father's shoulder.
A silvery laugh flowed from the bed and both father and son turned to look at Legolas. The Elf Prince was leaning on his hands for support, gasping for breath.
"What's so funny?" Aragorn asked, stumbling as he leaned on Elrond. The Elf Lord moved carefully towards Legolas' bed, his human son in tow.
"You were trying to eavesdrop on us?" Legolas demanded, moving over and patting the bed beside him. "Why?"
"You and Ada always have interesting conversations," Aragorn protested, sitting down beside his friend with a groan.
"I think that is supposed to be a compliment," Elrond remarked dryly as he retrieved his chair and pulled it closer to the bed.
"I know I should be worried," Legolas chuckled. As if the sound was a trigger, his mouth opened in a huge yawn. His eyes suddenly looked just as tired as Aragorn's did.
Elrond glanced between the two and got up. His steps soundless, he went into his small herb closet.
Legolas watched the Elf Lord go and smiled as he guessed what Elrond was up to.
Aragorn voiced what both friends were thinking. "Watch out...Ada's making tea!" he said loudly enough to be heard in both rooms.
The friends shared a chuckle that was joined by Elrond as he exited the herb room, two mugs in hand. "And is that so bad, ion-nin?" My son.
"Depends on the tea, Ada," Aragorn retorted, taking the offered mug in both hands. He lowered his face to it and sniffed it long and suspiciously. When he lifted his head, his eyes were full of rueful accusation. "Aren't we tired enough, Ada?"
"Are you asleep?" Elrond asked rhetorically, handing the Elf prince the other mug. Leaning close to his human son, Elrond scrutinized the bleary silver-blue eyes. "Unless you have taken to sleeping with your eyes open, as our prince does, you are not asleep, therefore you are not tired enough."
Legolas rolled his eyes at all the discussion. Placing his lips against the rim of the cup, he drank deeply, nearly draining the cup with one gulp. His eyelids drooped and he barely managed to get the cup to the bedside table before he collapsed, asleep before he hit the pillow.
Aragorn looked from Elrond to Legolas with a long-suffering look before he also drank deeply from the mug. The results were much faster with the human as opposed to the sleeping Elf prince. Aragorn's eyes dropped closed and he fell back against the pillows, the cup falling from his nerveless fingers and spattering its contents all over the floor.
Elrond smiled and pulled a blanket over the two unconscious friends. Scooping the cup up off the floor, the Elf Lord pulled the curtains closed so the rising sun wouldn't disturb the friends and exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
((A/N 2: I think that's the end of the cliffies...so much for that science experiment. disappointed, then brightens Oh well, I'll just have to wait until next story. BTW, this isn't the end of the story. Almost there, but not quite. Ok, enough of that. Reviewer responses!
LegolasGreenleafGil-Estel: Yes, cave-ins. After all, no excursion into a cave with a terrified elf is complete without one! And yes, he should live, though his recovery time might be long...but it was destined to be so anyway. The challenge I was referring to is here: http:www.aragorn- ting with the strange people who enjoy my cliffies pointed look and moving to those who regularly review Cassia and Sio's stuff.
Evil little person? Me? innocent angel look You must be referring to some other Vana. LOL.
About the food thing...I can't give much away, but that 'wolfing' thing comes into play in the next chapter...but that's all I can say!
giggles When I was first mentally writing this story, I had the three 'El's (Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir) come charging in to rescue them. Then I realized how ludicrous that sounded, dropped that idea, and conceived the thought of a sheep in wolf's clothing while I was scrubbing a shower floor. (I'm a housecleaner by trade...kinda nice...gives me a lot of vacuum time when no one bothers the story-writing thoughts.)
Pity me? Naw, I love your reviews. Really, I pity you, being forced to stop at such a crucial part.
Maybe not much more physical angst, but remember that poor Legolas is still dealing with emotional trauma, some of which we see here and more in the next chappy.
BTW, I'd be honored if you'd check out my other stories here. Some are emotionally wrenching, others are just fun.
KingThranduil007: But cliffies are fun! Welcome!
Crispy: Yeth, mathter. Again, cliffies are our friends!
Kenobisaqt: checks Kenobsaqt's pulse You look ok...but this is for you!
Until next time!))
Chapter Five
The roof fell loose with a roar. Legolas managed to jump back in time to avoid the main onslaught, but a large stone struck him in the back, knocking him to the floor and pinning him.
"Legolas!" Aragorn shouted, ignoring Talagan's warning and running back to his friend.
Legolas fought with the confines, struggling to breathe through the dust. A muted cry of pain escaped him as several rocks landed on his legs, cutting him deeply.
Aragorn reached him and began working frantically to pry his friend loose. "Easy, Legolas," he said, gripping his friend's flailing arm. "Calm down."
"Easy...for...you...to...say," Legolas gasped sarcastically, but he calmed down slightly. Aragorn gripped the stones that pinned his friend down and flung them away from the Prince.
Legolas' eyes grew wider as his air ran out. "Go," he mouthed to Aragorn.
"Not a chance," Aragorn grunted, trying to move the rock on Legolas' back. His efforts only made it shift and settle more firmly on Legolas. The Elf felt iron bands clamp his chest, and he realized that at least one rib was cracked, maybe even broken.
Realizing he didn't have a lot of time left, Aragorn grabbed Legolas' hands and pulled with all his strength. Legolas helped as he could, though he felt unconsciousness struggling to take him.
'No,' Legolas thought grimly. 'I did not come back from comfortable darkness to die like this.' This in mind, the Elf twisted and slid free, though he got badly scraped up in the process.
Talagan allowed the friends a moment to catch their collective breath, then he urged, "Come on!"
Legolas, gasping for air, struggled to his feet, Aragorn supporting him. Together, they kept going onward.
Maybe ten minutes later, though it felt like longer, the smell of fresh air hit Legolas' nose like a battering ram. "Ah!" he cried, breaking free of Aragorn's grip and running for the source of the smell.
Aragorn picked up his speed as well, catching up with his friend as the passageway opened into a larger, well-lit cave. Legolas stumbled outside the cave and fell to his knees on the green grass, his eyes tightly closed and his head tipped back, absorbing the sun and the cool air.
Aragorn dropped beside his friend, burying his face in the grass and inhaling deeply.
They both remained motionless for some time, simply enjoying the freshness. Legolas opened his eyes and asked, "Where are we?" His voice cracked a bit.
Aragorn sat up and looked about them, gauging the landscape, smells, and feels of the land...and nearly fell back down when he realized it. "We're in Rohan," he answered. "Land of horses, the Rohirrim, and peace, for the most part. Why was there a tunnel leading here?" His question was not directed at anyone in particular.
"Who is to know, Estel?" Legolas asked, wincing as he pushed his still- bleeding legs out in front of him.
The motion caught Aragorn's attention and he moved over to the Elf Prince. "Let me see to those cuts, Legolas. Please." The 'please' was obviously a last moment add-on, as Aragorn's eyes said plainly that Legolas was going nowhere before the Human took care of his injuries.
"I should argue, but I will not," Legolas sighed, leaning back on his elbows and letting Aragorn tend to the injuries.
Aragorn winced as he carefully peeled the cut, blood stained leggings away from the injuries. Legolas' eyes were closed and his face gave away no emotion, yet Estel had the sense that if they'd been alone; Legolas would have at least winced.
Talagan watched the friends with something akin to amazement. Despite his brief acquaintances with other Elves, he had never really gotten to know any of them as well as Thorongil obviously knew Legolas. An undertone of teasing ran through everything they did, even in the dark of the cell where he had found them. It was amazing to Talagan that Legolas took the cleansing of his wounds so calmly; any other being would have been screaming by now, possibly even lashing out at the one who tried to help. But Legolas just sat there. In fact, the two very different beings seemed to be very close in age; had Talagan not known better, he would have sworn they were brothers.
He was almost right. Legolas and Aragorn had been friends for years now, and trust ran very deep between them; trust so deep, it had cemented them together like brothers.
Legolas winced slightly as Aragorn's gentle hands touched a very deep wound. "Are you trying to hurt me, or is that just a benefit?" he asked in faintly sarcastic Elvish.
"Neither," Aragorn replied, chewing his lip. "I'm just trying to help here."
"I know," Legolas replied, the teasing gone.
A pause followed as Aragorn cut strips from Legolas' cloak to bind off the worst of the cuts. He accidentally tied one too tight, and Legolas' neck arced in a silent expression of pain.
"Sorry...sorry," Aragorn murmured, loosening the offensive bandage.
When Legolas recovered his breath, he said in a reflective tone, "I wish I was in Rivendell, with your father making badly veiled jests about how you and I seem to seek out trouble."
"So do I, Legolas. So do I. I'm sure Lord Elrond wouldn't tie a bandage too tightly..." Aragorn said through his teeth. He missed Rivendell, especially at times like this. He knew the healing arts fairly well, but not nearly as well as his father did, and he was reminded of this every time he made a mistake that hurt one of his friends worse.
They had been speaking in Common, forgetting Talagan's presence. They were reminded of his presence when he leaned forward. "Thorongil, you have been to Rivendell?" Talagan wasn't surprised to know that Legolas had been there; he assumed every Elf visited the other Elven realms often. But Thorongil being to Rivendell...that could explain a few odd things about him.
Aragorn closed his eyes briefly, realizing what they had said. His eyes met Legolas' briefly. His Elven friend was concerned as well; Aragorn's time in Rivendell was a carefully guarded secret.
At last, Aragorn said, "I was raised in Rivendell...for a time." That's all he would say.
"Oh," was all Talagan could think to say for a moment. Then, "That's why you speak Elvish so well. And why when you speak Common, a faint Elvish accent lingers. That's how you know Legolas so well."
"Yes, to all. But I do not discuss this often. I would appreciate it if you would keep this to yourself." Aragorn's words were laced with steel.
"Fine with me." Talagan's words were light.
Aragorn tied off the last bandage--taking care not to hurt Legolas any more- -and stood, helping Legolas up. "We should move on," he said quietly. "Legolas and I are bound for Rivendell. Where you go is up to you."
"As I told you, Thorongil, I intend to go back to Minas Tirith and ask for a new post. I know nothing beyond Gondor and the Corsairs, and I am quite happy to keep it that way. I'd like to try and forget what I've become over the last ten years." Talagan said quietly, his brown eyes fixed on the ground between his feet.
Aragorn considered that. "If you ever have success, be sure and send a message to me in Rivendell. I will want to know how you do it."
Talagan looked at Aragorn, confused. Aragorn continued quietly, "I have seen many things; some of those things are what make up my nightmares. In a time of war against the Corsairs, I learned many things that I am not proud to remember. But that's part of me now." Aragorn paused, thinking. He moved forward and clasped Talagan's shoulder. "May the Valar watch over your steps," he said, looking into the other Man's eyes.
"Same to you, Thorongil. May we meet again someday," Talagan replied, clasping the Captain's shoulder in return.
With those words, the trio parted ways; one to seek out his old life, two to find peace and safety for a time, at least.
Legolas came out of his memories with a blink...and a faint smile. Aragorn and Legolas had bought two horses from a family of horse breeders and ridden to Rivendell, traveling both day and night. They arrived in Rivendell two weeks later, very nearly dead on their horses. Legolas' wounds re-opened so many times it was not even funny, and Elrond had been deeply concerned when they reached Rivendell.
Legolas remembered that night vividly...
"We made it, Legolas," Aragorn gasped as the friends rode through the archway of Rivendell. "We made it."
There was no answer from his Elven friend, and Aragorn turned to look at him...just as the Elf slid off his horse and hit the ground. Fortunately for Legolas, they weren't on the cobblestones that paved the courtyard later, but on softer dirt. Even so, it was a hard fall.
Filling his lungs with as much air as possible, Aragorn shouted, "Ada! Lord Elrond! Aaada!" The first call woke several people, the second brought people to the windows, and the third produced Elrond himself, a robe thrown hurriedly over his sleep clothes.
"Estel!" he called, rushing to his son, who had dismounted by that time, and embracing him tightly.
More footsteps clattered down the stairs and two identical Elves appeared at the bottom, hair and clothes mused. With identical cries of "Estel!" they rushed the human and embraced him warmly.
Aragorn pushed them all away, whispering, "Legolas..." His main concern was his Elven friend, who had endured so much, but he could not complete the sentence. His grey eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed. Elrond stepped forward in time to catch the ranger, grunting as the full dead weight of the younger human was transferred to his arms.
"Ada!" Elladan, the eldest of the twins, had gone to see what worried Aragorn so much. He found the blonde Elf Prince crumpled in a heap of torn, bloody skin and clothing.
Elrohir ran to his brother's side and stared in horror at the Prince.
"Do not just stand there, gwanûn," Elrond said, his tone strained as he picked the ranger up as he would a toddler: one arm under his legs, the other supporting his shoulders. "Get the Prince to his room." Twins.
Nodding quickly, the identical twins picked Legolas up between them and followed their father up the stairs towards Aragorn's quarters and the guest chambers attached to them. Legolas had become such a permanent part of the house, however, that Aragorn's guest chambers had come to be known as 'Legolas' rooms'.
The three Elven healers worked between the two all night, working to stave off a sickness in Estel's body and to seal up Legolas' cuts. By the time morning rolled around, Elrond was exhausted.
Sitting in one of the comfortable armchairs in Aragorn's room, Elrond told the twins to go get some rest. They left Aragorn's room...and set up camp in the armchairs in Legolas' room. Elrond shook his head with a weary smile. He knew his sons; he only hoped they would be sensitive to Legolas' needs when he woke up.
Elrond had examined Legolas while his sons tended to Estel's illness, and, from what he had seen; he could make an educated guess as to what had happened. His father's heart ached for Legolas, ached for the pain the young Elf had been through.
Elrond wasn't aware of dozing off until movement in the bed woke him. He lifted his head and looked toward where his son lay...or had been lying. Aragorn was now sitting up in bed, reaching for a glass of water that was just beyond his reach.
Aragorn felt dizzy and disorientated. His mouth was unbearably dry, and he couldn't think any farther than getting that drink. In the back of his mind, he wondered if this comfortable place was just a dream, but he didn't care, so long as that water was real.
Elrond was fortunate he possessed Elven reflexes. They barely enabled him to catch Aragorn as the ranger collapsed again.
"What were you doing?" Elrond asked, mildly amused.
"I was trying to get a drink, Ada," Aragorn replied through thick, uncooperative lips. "So thirsty..."
Elrond heaved the ranger back onto the bed and tucked him in again. "When you want something, Estel, you need to ask for it. Right now is not a good time for you to be moving about."
"All right, Ada..." Aragorn's eyes moved to the water glass. "Can I please have a drink?"
"Certainly," Elrond replied, reaching over and deftly plucking the glass off the nightstand. Supporting Aragorn with one arm, the Elf Lord tipped the glass into the ranger's mouth. Estel drank thirstily, draining the entire glass within seconds.
"Can I have some more?" he asked, his mouth feeling clearer, but his throat still ached for water.
This continued until the entire water pitcher was empty. Only then did Aragorn relax against the pillows. "How is Legolas?" he asked, feeling horribly selfish for having taken care of his own needs before inquiring about his friend.
"He is sleeping right now, I think," Elrond replied, glancing in the direction of Legolas' room. "I tended to many of his wounds." His gaze looked through Estel, asking what couldn't be asked aloud.
Aragorn just closed his eyes. "Ask him. I don't know his side of it all yet. We never talked about it." By the end of his sentence, he was asleep, his body working to recover itself from both the injuries he had sustained and the lack of substance he had endured for days.
Elrond nodded grimly. It was as he had guessed; his son was unwilling to talk about any of it without Legolas' permission and/or approval. That showed sensitivity greater than his years.
Speaking of sensitivity...the Elf Lord got up and walked into Legolas' room, where he heard soft talk and quiet laughter.
Legolas was awake and talking quietly to the twins, his chin propped on his palms. Elrond leaned against the doorframe and watched the interaction silently, noting what wasn't being said. Legolas' blue eyes had a haunted look to them, and he involuntarily flinched every time one of the twins touched him, though the twins didn't notice.
Legolas glanced up and noticed Elrond. A faint smile tugged at his lips, but shame quickly covered the fair face and the Prince looked away.
"Elladan, Elrohir, can you two please leave us alone for a moment?" Elrond asked, moving into the room.
Elladan glanced up at his father and, noting the serious cast on the older Elf's face, got up and dragged his brother up as well. "We shall be back when Ada is done talking to you, Legolas," he promised, pulling Elrohir out the door.
Legolas didn't answer. He seemed to suddenly find his pale hands very interesting, watching his long fingers pull the coverlet one way, then another.
Elrond took a seat in the chair Elladan had vacated. He said nothing, just watched the younger Elf fiddle with his coverlet.
"Dare I hope you do not know what happened?" Legolas finally asked, breaking the silence.
Elrond didn't say anything for a long moment, and then he shook his head slowly. "You may hope, indeed, but that hope would be futile."
Legolas sighed slowly. "And you have naught to say?" he asked softly.
"No," Elrond said, leaning forward and attempting to meet Legolas' eyes. "I have naught to say, just a question to ask."
"Ask." Legolas' tone was expressionless, as was his face.
"Why did you choose to stay?" Elrond asked, genuinely curious. He had sensed, when he was tending to Legolas, that the choice had been decided of Legolas' free will, and he wondered why the Elf choose to stay, when he had had no hope beyond the walls of the small cell he had been imprisoned in.
Startled, Legolas met Elrond's eyes. "Because..." he paused, trying to remember. It seemed like a million years ago, and yet so very unbearably close. "Because Aragorn reminded me I had something to live for," he finished quietly, remembering the sweet strains of the heart-broken song, reaching through the dark and touching the despairing heart. "He reminded me that there had once been sunlight, starlight, joy and peace, and that there was much yet to live for."
Elrond listened silently, and as Legolas fell silent, the Elf Lord reached out to touch the Prince's hand. Legolas flinched a bit, but he relaxed after an instant. Closing his eyes momentarily, Legolas looked at Elrond again, meeting the concerned grey eyes with quiet reassurance. "When it was over," Legolas said after a moment, "I had honestly forgotten the feel of the wind on my face, the sound of a forest in peace, the smell of a spring morning. Estel reminded me of all those."
Elrond smiled. Aragorn had always been that way, even when he was a young child. That was one of the reasons they named him 'Hope'. "And what are your thoughts now, Legolas? Do you regret staying?"
"Regret staying?" Legolas repeated quietly, twinging a piece of thread between his fingers. "No, I do not think so. How can I regret staying to torment the twins? Or regret seeing Isil bathe Rivendell in her peaceful gleam, and Anor driving away the shadows of the night? As beautiful as Valinor may be, I will wait to leave these shores until my tasks have been completed."
"That is well," Elrond said, smiling. "I would not wish to be the one to bear the news to Estel."
"Bear what news to me?" asked a familiar voice from the doorway.
Both Elves jumped as they turned to look in the direction of the youthful voice. Aragorn stood there, his dark hair messy from sleep and his eyes tired. He had to cling to the doorframe in order to remain standing, but a smile glinted in his silvery eyes.
Elrond jumped to his feet and moved quickly to his son's side, saying, "Estel, did I or did I not tell you to remain in bed?"
"I don't have Elf ears; I couldn't eavesdrop on you two from my bedroom. I came to see if Legolas was ok," Aragorn said, moving a hand to his father's shoulder.
A silvery laugh flowed from the bed and both father and son turned to look at Legolas. The Elf Prince was leaning on his hands for support, gasping for breath.
"What's so funny?" Aragorn asked, stumbling as he leaned on Elrond. The Elf Lord moved carefully towards Legolas' bed, his human son in tow.
"You were trying to eavesdrop on us?" Legolas demanded, moving over and patting the bed beside him. "Why?"
"You and Ada always have interesting conversations," Aragorn protested, sitting down beside his friend with a groan.
"I think that is supposed to be a compliment," Elrond remarked dryly as he retrieved his chair and pulled it closer to the bed.
"I know I should be worried," Legolas chuckled. As if the sound was a trigger, his mouth opened in a huge yawn. His eyes suddenly looked just as tired as Aragorn's did.
Elrond glanced between the two and got up. His steps soundless, he went into his small herb closet.
Legolas watched the Elf Lord go and smiled as he guessed what Elrond was up to.
Aragorn voiced what both friends were thinking. "Watch out...Ada's making tea!" he said loudly enough to be heard in both rooms.
The friends shared a chuckle that was joined by Elrond as he exited the herb room, two mugs in hand. "And is that so bad, ion-nin?" My son.
"Depends on the tea, Ada," Aragorn retorted, taking the offered mug in both hands. He lowered his face to it and sniffed it long and suspiciously. When he lifted his head, his eyes were full of rueful accusation. "Aren't we tired enough, Ada?"
"Are you asleep?" Elrond asked rhetorically, handing the Elf prince the other mug. Leaning close to his human son, Elrond scrutinized the bleary silver-blue eyes. "Unless you have taken to sleeping with your eyes open, as our prince does, you are not asleep, therefore you are not tired enough."
Legolas rolled his eyes at all the discussion. Placing his lips against the rim of the cup, he drank deeply, nearly draining the cup with one gulp. His eyelids drooped and he barely managed to get the cup to the bedside table before he collapsed, asleep before he hit the pillow.
Aragorn looked from Elrond to Legolas with a long-suffering look before he also drank deeply from the mug. The results were much faster with the human as opposed to the sleeping Elf prince. Aragorn's eyes dropped closed and he fell back against the pillows, the cup falling from his nerveless fingers and spattering its contents all over the floor.
Elrond smiled and pulled a blanket over the two unconscious friends. Scooping the cup up off the floor, the Elf Lord pulled the curtains closed so the rising sun wouldn't disturb the friends and exited the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
((A/N 2: I think that's the end of the cliffies...so much for that science experiment. disappointed, then brightens Oh well, I'll just have to wait until next story. BTW, this isn't the end of the story. Almost there, but not quite. Ok, enough of that. Reviewer responses!
LegolasGreenleafGil-Estel: Yes, cave-ins. After all, no excursion into a cave with a terrified elf is complete without one! And yes, he should live, though his recovery time might be long...but it was destined to be so anyway. The challenge I was referring to is here: http:www.aragorn- ting with the strange people who enjoy my cliffies pointed look and moving to those who regularly review Cassia and Sio's stuff.
Evil little person? Me? innocent angel look You must be referring to some other Vana. LOL.
About the food thing...I can't give much away, but that 'wolfing' thing comes into play in the next chapter...but that's all I can say!
giggles When I was first mentally writing this story, I had the three 'El's (Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir) come charging in to rescue them. Then I realized how ludicrous that sounded, dropped that idea, and conceived the thought of a sheep in wolf's clothing while I was scrubbing a shower floor. (I'm a housecleaner by trade...kinda nice...gives me a lot of vacuum time when no one bothers the story-writing thoughts.)
Pity me? Naw, I love your reviews. Really, I pity you, being forced to stop at such a crucial part.
Maybe not much more physical angst, but remember that poor Legolas is still dealing with emotional trauma, some of which we see here and more in the next chappy.
BTW, I'd be honored if you'd check out my other stories here. Some are emotionally wrenching, others are just fun.
KingThranduil007: But cliffies are fun! Welcome!
Crispy: Yeth, mathter. Again, cliffies are our friends!
Kenobisaqt: checks Kenobsaqt's pulse You look ok...but this is for you!
Until next time!))