((A/N 1: Sorry it's been so long since I've updated! First finals, then
traveling...it's been really hectic. I hope this chapter is worth your
wait.))
Chapter Six
Day had come and departed again as the two friends slept, neither moving in their abject exhaustion. As night fell again, bringing the stars of Elbereth out clearly, Legolas began having the nightmares.
He was in the cell of the Corsair fortress again, looking frantically for Aragorn. He could have sworn the young human was safely resting in his arms a moment ago, but now he was nowhere to be found, and that scared Legolas.
Then, as dreams do, the dream changed. Now, Legolas was standing in Talnich's throne room. He could see no bonds, but he was incapable of any movement greater than blinking and breathing. On the other side of the room, Aragorn was bound to the floor by chains attached to metal rings firmly affixed to the floor. Talnich stood behind the bound ranger, a smile on his face. Aragorn's shirt was cut down the back, hanging loosely from his broad shoulders.
Talnich lifted the leather whip he held in his hand and began lashing the bound ranger, slowly at first, then faster and faster until Aragorn's cries of pain ran together in a continuous shriek of pain. Legolas fought his bonds, trying to cry out, to do something other than just stand there and watch.
After what seemed like an eternity, Talnich paused for a moment. He ran his fingers down the ranger's bleeding back and held his dripping hand up for Legolas' inspection. "You failed, elfling," he whispered, his dark eyes burning into Legolas' soul "You failed your friend. You're a failure."
"NO!" Legolas finally managed to work the invisible gag off his mouth and shriek with the pain of seeing his friend like that.
The cry, audible to the waking world, shook Aragorn from the dead sleep of the drugged. He sat up, looking about wildly-and groggily-for the source of the heart-rending cry.
"ARAGORN!" The second cry shook the grogginess from Aragorn's mind and he scrambled for Legolas.
The faintly glowing figure was curled in a corner, the coverlet flung away from him. His hands were flung out in a pleading gesture and his wide-open eyes were glazed with terror.
Aragorn crawled over to him and gently grabbed his shoulder. "Legolas," he called. "Wake up!"
In his dream, Aragorn's hands belonged to Talnich, cold and dripping with Aragorn's blood. Legolas screamed again, a wordless shriek of pain and terror, and fought against Aragorn's hands. A lucky shot hit Aragorn in the cheekbone, and he fell back, gasping in pain.
Recovering from the blow, Aragorn grabbed his friend's flailing hands and pinned them against the bed, calling to Legolas in the Grey Tongue.
The words pierced through Legolas' dreams, and he stilled, frowning. That calm voice didn't belong in his dreams...where did it come from? As Aragorn, encouraged by his friend's response, kept calling to him, Legolas surfaced from his dreams and looked wildly about, his eyes finally locking on Aragorn's face, hovering worriedly over him.
"Estel?" he gasped, his eyes settling. "Are you all right?"
Aragorn smiled, relieved. "Am I all right? You're the one who was having the nightmare. Are you all right?"
Legolas looked away, trying to remember how to breathe normally. "I dreamt about Talnich's caves," he whispered, remembering every detail. Slowly, his words halting, he told Aragorn his entire dream.
Aragorn let out a breath. Small wonder the Elf had cried out. "Are you still tired?" he asked after a moment.
Legolas laughed ruefully. "Though it appears we slept all day, yes, I am still quite tired."
"So am I," Aragorn chuckled. "So let's try this. I think part of your dream stemmed from the nights we spent in that freezing cave. You grew accustomed to holding me throughout the night, keeping me warm and safe. This is the first time you've really slept without that."
"I see," Legolas nodded, thoughtful. "Since I did not feel you in my arms, my subconscious mind thought something had happened to you."
"Right. So, since we're both still tired, let's try sleeping like that." Aragorn suggested.
Legolas smiled. "Or is it perhaps because you do not feel safe, even here, and need that contact again?"
"That's part of it, I'll admit readily." Aragorn said, glaring at his Elven friend's soft laughter. "But I also want you to sleep well...and I don't fancy getting another bruise from you." His chuckle was rueful as he rubbed his bruised cheekbone.
Legolas' eyes followed Aragorn's hand and widened imperceptibly. "Did I do that?" he asked, already knowing the truth.
"Yes, but don't worry about it," Aragorn assured. "What matters now is that we need rest."
Legolas nodded in agreement, letting the issue go for now. Scooting forward, the Elf engulfed his friend in his warm embrace and they settled back onto the bed. They lay still for a moment, both friends just enjoying each other's comfort, before Legolas started humming softly. Aragorn snuggled back against his friend as he listened, his back thrumming in time with Legolas' humming.
The song was not one native to the northern lands, but it evoked strong memories for Aragorn. It was the lullaby the Haradrim slaves sang every night in their tents, the gently lilting song soothing tired bodies and frayed emotions. Closing his eyes, Aragorn remembered Mambre and Cabed, his Haradrim parents. Pain was in those memories, particularly the small fact that it took Legolas being beat to a pulp for him to remember who he truly was, but the love the Haradrim had exhibited remained a warm memory for the ranger.
Those memories in mind, Aragorn fell asleep, Legolas not far behind him.
Morning dawned, finding the friends still dead to the world and still curled comfortably together. Legolas had been untroubled by dreams that night, and Aragorn didn't move all night.
They woke up to the sound of the door opening. Legolas lifted his head groggily and propped his chin on Aragorn's shoulder as Aragorn's bleary eyes focused on Elrond, the one who had entered.
"Good morning, Aragorn, Legolas," the Elf Lord greeted. He gingerly set the tray he carried on the table that occupied a corner of the spacious room. Brushing his hands clean, Elrond walked to where the friends still lay, too comfortable to move. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, sitting down on the corner of the bed.
Aragorn let out a huff of a breath that pushed Legolas' stray hair back off the human's face. "Well enough," he replied, eyeing the food hungrily.
Legolas released Aragorn and the two friends disentangled themselves from each other. Their minds were filled with one purpose: getting to the food that sent its tempting vapors whirling through the room.
Elrond followed their gaze and laughed lightly. Picking the tray back up, he carried it to the starving friends and set it down in front of them.
Aragorn looked from the food to Legolas and swallowed. The tray was full of simple foods such as apples, light breads and jerky. He was so hungry, but he also knew his friend hadn't eaten in days. "You go ahead and eat," he said to Legolas, swallowing again and trying to ignore his stomach. "You need it more than I do."
"No I do not!" Legolas protested, eyeing the food hungrily. "I am an Elf. We do not require as much food as you Humans do."
Elrond leaned against the doorframe, watching the discussion before him with concealed amusement.
"Legolas, you haven't eaten in days!" Aragorn argued, his eyes also drawn to the food.
"And what you did eat was rotten," Legolas retorted.
The friends exchanged a look that said more than words...and dove into the food, eating as if it would sprout legs and run away otherwise.
"Slow down, slow down!" Elrond cried, worried and amused. "You will make yourselves sick!"
"It'd be worth it," Aragorn said around a mouthful.
"No, it would not," Legolas contradicted softly, slowing down. "We need to be well enough to head back to Mirkwood as soon as possible. Ada will be frantic."
"I think your father will understand, Legolas," Elrond said, settling down on a chair. "I will send a messenger hawk to him and let him know that you two will be staying here for a time."
"Wonderful," Legolas mumbled around a mouthful of jerky. "That will thrill him."
"You don't have a choice, Legolas," Aragorn pointed out, setting his handful of bread down. "Ada doesn't like to let patients go until he is sure they are completely healed."
Legolas smiled sadly, swallowing. "I cannot remain here that long."
Aragorn winced as he realized what his friend truly meant. "Be that as it may, Legolas, you will need to remain for a time."
"All right, all right!" Legolas agreed, finishing his handful of jerky. "I can see there is no getting out of it."
"Darned right," Aragorn said, resting a hand companionably on Legolas' shoulder. The Prince smiled and squeezed his friend's hand.
Legolas blinked as the sun, rising from behind a hill, shone in his eyes. He smiled as he remembered where he was and he looked at Aragorn, still sleeping on the bed.
The friends had remained in Rivendell for several months, recovering from their traumatic time with the Corsairs and enjoying being in the peace and safety of Rivendell. After two weeks, they were able to get up and move about without Elrond watching them with disapproval and after three weeks Legolas was able to sleep peacefully without Aragorn tucked safely in his arms.
"Ilúvatar watched over us, mellon nin," Legolas murmured quietly aloud. "We should have died, but we did not."
Aragorn stirred, disturbed by his friend's voice. Opening silver blue eyes, the Man looked at his friend blearily. "Didn't you sleep at all?" he asked, sitting up and absently grabbing his sword belt.
"No," Legolas replied, shaking his head and gazing out the window. "But I am all right. I am--"
"An Elf," Aragorn continued, rolling his eyes. "And you don't need much sleep. But we have a long ride to Isengard today."
Legolas' shoulders lifted in the closest thing he ever came to a shrug. "I can sleep astride a horse, you know," he said with a teasing glint to his eyes.
"Aye," added a gruff voice. "But would ye be able to keep us both a-horse, Master Elf, should you fall asleep? I have no desire to fall off from that beast you like so much."
Legolas looked at Gimli, who was now very much awake and enjoying teasing his friend very much. "Yes, I can, Master Dwarf. The better question is: can you remain astride a horse at all?" Legolas' eyes twinkled as he deftly parried his friend's teasing words.
Gimli grumped about that a moment. Legolas managed to avoid the answer by getting up and ducking out of the room, saying quickly to Aragorn in Elvish, "I will go see if there is any food to be had for three hungry warriors."
Aragorn nodded, and Legolas fled, a wide grin on his face. Yes, he knew, it had taken him some time to recover from all that happened. But now, looking back, he realized that he was stronger somehow. He would not have chosen this path on his own, but as it had been chosen for him, he would follow it to the best of his abilities.
May we all follow the path foreordained for us with courage and fortitude.
The End
((A/N: Well, here we are at the end of the story, and that is a blessing and a curse all at once. A blessing for you guys because now you don't have to endure until the next chapter, but a curse for me because I will miss the wonderful comments and reviews you guys have left. Ok, speaking of which, reviewer responses first, then I have a very personal message for everyone reading this, one that I've struggled over for days.
Kenobisaqt: Again, thanks!
Fireball: Wow. I'm completely honored. I know how it is with camping trips, how you feel like dirt for days afterwards. To answer your question, no, no pairing, slash or otherwise. I try to steer clear of all of that.
Jacquelinestel: Thanks! I'm so glad you like my story!
Elithraniel: Yep, but just this last chapter. Aw, don't be envious! Just keep at it!
Inwe Elendil: blushes You guys are so sweet!
I have felt strongly impressed over the past couple days to write this message. I fought the impression hard and long, because what I have to say is strongly controversial. But I cannot, with a good conscience, let this story end without telling you this.
If you have read any of my other stories, particularly Leaving and Return or Grief and Unending Hope, then you should be able to guess where I stand spiritually. I'm a Christian, and I try to write my stories from that perspective. I have felt strongly that I'm to tell you that if you've run away from Father God like Estel ran away from Lord Elrond, or if shame is eating you from the inside out like it tried to eat Legolas, or if you're not sure where you'd wake up if you died today, that I'm to tell you to come to Jesus.
Allow me the privilege of sharing my testimony with you. I understand if you hit 'Back' at any point during this, and I will not be offended if you decide this is worth flaming me about.
I was born to a Christian household and became a believer at a very young age, three or yea about. As I grew up and started entering the teen years, however, I began questioning what I had known as fact since I was very young. When I entered the teen years, I turned my back on God, though I truly didn't know that was what I was doing. I had a pretty mask that I wore in front of my church friends, my family, and even for myself. I messed around a bit sexually...never really went anywhere with it, but I did toy with it.
When I was a bit older, fourteen or so, I went to a church meeting with my family. There I was confronted with the plain and simple fact that what I was doing was wrong. I turned my life back over to God. I wish I could say life's been a field of roses since, but it hasn't. I've had trials and problems like anyone else. But the difference is that now, I have someone bigger than me to cling to.
I can't make any of you accept what I'm saying as truth. But I beg you to at least consider what I'm saying before throwing my words away as trash. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at vanalosswenhotmail.com. I would love to help answer any questions.
Hesitates. That's really all I have to say. Until the next story, I bid all of you farewell.))
Chapter Six
Day had come and departed again as the two friends slept, neither moving in their abject exhaustion. As night fell again, bringing the stars of Elbereth out clearly, Legolas began having the nightmares.
He was in the cell of the Corsair fortress again, looking frantically for Aragorn. He could have sworn the young human was safely resting in his arms a moment ago, but now he was nowhere to be found, and that scared Legolas.
Then, as dreams do, the dream changed. Now, Legolas was standing in Talnich's throne room. He could see no bonds, but he was incapable of any movement greater than blinking and breathing. On the other side of the room, Aragorn was bound to the floor by chains attached to metal rings firmly affixed to the floor. Talnich stood behind the bound ranger, a smile on his face. Aragorn's shirt was cut down the back, hanging loosely from his broad shoulders.
Talnich lifted the leather whip he held in his hand and began lashing the bound ranger, slowly at first, then faster and faster until Aragorn's cries of pain ran together in a continuous shriek of pain. Legolas fought his bonds, trying to cry out, to do something other than just stand there and watch.
After what seemed like an eternity, Talnich paused for a moment. He ran his fingers down the ranger's bleeding back and held his dripping hand up for Legolas' inspection. "You failed, elfling," he whispered, his dark eyes burning into Legolas' soul "You failed your friend. You're a failure."
"NO!" Legolas finally managed to work the invisible gag off his mouth and shriek with the pain of seeing his friend like that.
The cry, audible to the waking world, shook Aragorn from the dead sleep of the drugged. He sat up, looking about wildly-and groggily-for the source of the heart-rending cry.
"ARAGORN!" The second cry shook the grogginess from Aragorn's mind and he scrambled for Legolas.
The faintly glowing figure was curled in a corner, the coverlet flung away from him. His hands were flung out in a pleading gesture and his wide-open eyes were glazed with terror.
Aragorn crawled over to him and gently grabbed his shoulder. "Legolas," he called. "Wake up!"
In his dream, Aragorn's hands belonged to Talnich, cold and dripping with Aragorn's blood. Legolas screamed again, a wordless shriek of pain and terror, and fought against Aragorn's hands. A lucky shot hit Aragorn in the cheekbone, and he fell back, gasping in pain.
Recovering from the blow, Aragorn grabbed his friend's flailing hands and pinned them against the bed, calling to Legolas in the Grey Tongue.
The words pierced through Legolas' dreams, and he stilled, frowning. That calm voice didn't belong in his dreams...where did it come from? As Aragorn, encouraged by his friend's response, kept calling to him, Legolas surfaced from his dreams and looked wildly about, his eyes finally locking on Aragorn's face, hovering worriedly over him.
"Estel?" he gasped, his eyes settling. "Are you all right?"
Aragorn smiled, relieved. "Am I all right? You're the one who was having the nightmare. Are you all right?"
Legolas looked away, trying to remember how to breathe normally. "I dreamt about Talnich's caves," he whispered, remembering every detail. Slowly, his words halting, he told Aragorn his entire dream.
Aragorn let out a breath. Small wonder the Elf had cried out. "Are you still tired?" he asked after a moment.
Legolas laughed ruefully. "Though it appears we slept all day, yes, I am still quite tired."
"So am I," Aragorn chuckled. "So let's try this. I think part of your dream stemmed from the nights we spent in that freezing cave. You grew accustomed to holding me throughout the night, keeping me warm and safe. This is the first time you've really slept without that."
"I see," Legolas nodded, thoughtful. "Since I did not feel you in my arms, my subconscious mind thought something had happened to you."
"Right. So, since we're both still tired, let's try sleeping like that." Aragorn suggested.
Legolas smiled. "Or is it perhaps because you do not feel safe, even here, and need that contact again?"
"That's part of it, I'll admit readily." Aragorn said, glaring at his Elven friend's soft laughter. "But I also want you to sleep well...and I don't fancy getting another bruise from you." His chuckle was rueful as he rubbed his bruised cheekbone.
Legolas' eyes followed Aragorn's hand and widened imperceptibly. "Did I do that?" he asked, already knowing the truth.
"Yes, but don't worry about it," Aragorn assured. "What matters now is that we need rest."
Legolas nodded in agreement, letting the issue go for now. Scooting forward, the Elf engulfed his friend in his warm embrace and they settled back onto the bed. They lay still for a moment, both friends just enjoying each other's comfort, before Legolas started humming softly. Aragorn snuggled back against his friend as he listened, his back thrumming in time with Legolas' humming.
The song was not one native to the northern lands, but it evoked strong memories for Aragorn. It was the lullaby the Haradrim slaves sang every night in their tents, the gently lilting song soothing tired bodies and frayed emotions. Closing his eyes, Aragorn remembered Mambre and Cabed, his Haradrim parents. Pain was in those memories, particularly the small fact that it took Legolas being beat to a pulp for him to remember who he truly was, but the love the Haradrim had exhibited remained a warm memory for the ranger.
Those memories in mind, Aragorn fell asleep, Legolas not far behind him.
Morning dawned, finding the friends still dead to the world and still curled comfortably together. Legolas had been untroubled by dreams that night, and Aragorn didn't move all night.
They woke up to the sound of the door opening. Legolas lifted his head groggily and propped his chin on Aragorn's shoulder as Aragorn's bleary eyes focused on Elrond, the one who had entered.
"Good morning, Aragorn, Legolas," the Elf Lord greeted. He gingerly set the tray he carried on the table that occupied a corner of the spacious room. Brushing his hands clean, Elrond walked to where the friends still lay, too comfortable to move. "Did you sleep well?" he asked, sitting down on the corner of the bed.
Aragorn let out a huff of a breath that pushed Legolas' stray hair back off the human's face. "Well enough," he replied, eyeing the food hungrily.
Legolas released Aragorn and the two friends disentangled themselves from each other. Their minds were filled with one purpose: getting to the food that sent its tempting vapors whirling through the room.
Elrond followed their gaze and laughed lightly. Picking the tray back up, he carried it to the starving friends and set it down in front of them.
Aragorn looked from the food to Legolas and swallowed. The tray was full of simple foods such as apples, light breads and jerky. He was so hungry, but he also knew his friend hadn't eaten in days. "You go ahead and eat," he said to Legolas, swallowing again and trying to ignore his stomach. "You need it more than I do."
"No I do not!" Legolas protested, eyeing the food hungrily. "I am an Elf. We do not require as much food as you Humans do."
Elrond leaned against the doorframe, watching the discussion before him with concealed amusement.
"Legolas, you haven't eaten in days!" Aragorn argued, his eyes also drawn to the food.
"And what you did eat was rotten," Legolas retorted.
The friends exchanged a look that said more than words...and dove into the food, eating as if it would sprout legs and run away otherwise.
"Slow down, slow down!" Elrond cried, worried and amused. "You will make yourselves sick!"
"It'd be worth it," Aragorn said around a mouthful.
"No, it would not," Legolas contradicted softly, slowing down. "We need to be well enough to head back to Mirkwood as soon as possible. Ada will be frantic."
"I think your father will understand, Legolas," Elrond said, settling down on a chair. "I will send a messenger hawk to him and let him know that you two will be staying here for a time."
"Wonderful," Legolas mumbled around a mouthful of jerky. "That will thrill him."
"You don't have a choice, Legolas," Aragorn pointed out, setting his handful of bread down. "Ada doesn't like to let patients go until he is sure they are completely healed."
Legolas smiled sadly, swallowing. "I cannot remain here that long."
Aragorn winced as he realized what his friend truly meant. "Be that as it may, Legolas, you will need to remain for a time."
"All right, all right!" Legolas agreed, finishing his handful of jerky. "I can see there is no getting out of it."
"Darned right," Aragorn said, resting a hand companionably on Legolas' shoulder. The Prince smiled and squeezed his friend's hand.
Legolas blinked as the sun, rising from behind a hill, shone in his eyes. He smiled as he remembered where he was and he looked at Aragorn, still sleeping on the bed.
The friends had remained in Rivendell for several months, recovering from their traumatic time with the Corsairs and enjoying being in the peace and safety of Rivendell. After two weeks, they were able to get up and move about without Elrond watching them with disapproval and after three weeks Legolas was able to sleep peacefully without Aragorn tucked safely in his arms.
"Ilúvatar watched over us, mellon nin," Legolas murmured quietly aloud. "We should have died, but we did not."
Aragorn stirred, disturbed by his friend's voice. Opening silver blue eyes, the Man looked at his friend blearily. "Didn't you sleep at all?" he asked, sitting up and absently grabbing his sword belt.
"No," Legolas replied, shaking his head and gazing out the window. "But I am all right. I am--"
"An Elf," Aragorn continued, rolling his eyes. "And you don't need much sleep. But we have a long ride to Isengard today."
Legolas' shoulders lifted in the closest thing he ever came to a shrug. "I can sleep astride a horse, you know," he said with a teasing glint to his eyes.
"Aye," added a gruff voice. "But would ye be able to keep us both a-horse, Master Elf, should you fall asleep? I have no desire to fall off from that beast you like so much."
Legolas looked at Gimli, who was now very much awake and enjoying teasing his friend very much. "Yes, I can, Master Dwarf. The better question is: can you remain astride a horse at all?" Legolas' eyes twinkled as he deftly parried his friend's teasing words.
Gimli grumped about that a moment. Legolas managed to avoid the answer by getting up and ducking out of the room, saying quickly to Aragorn in Elvish, "I will go see if there is any food to be had for three hungry warriors."
Aragorn nodded, and Legolas fled, a wide grin on his face. Yes, he knew, it had taken him some time to recover from all that happened. But now, looking back, he realized that he was stronger somehow. He would not have chosen this path on his own, but as it had been chosen for him, he would follow it to the best of his abilities.
May we all follow the path foreordained for us with courage and fortitude.
The End
((A/N: Well, here we are at the end of the story, and that is a blessing and a curse all at once. A blessing for you guys because now you don't have to endure until the next chapter, but a curse for me because I will miss the wonderful comments and reviews you guys have left. Ok, speaking of which, reviewer responses first, then I have a very personal message for everyone reading this, one that I've struggled over for days.
Kenobisaqt: Again, thanks!
Fireball: Wow. I'm completely honored. I know how it is with camping trips, how you feel like dirt for days afterwards. To answer your question, no, no pairing, slash or otherwise. I try to steer clear of all of that.
Jacquelinestel: Thanks! I'm so glad you like my story!
Elithraniel: Yep, but just this last chapter. Aw, don't be envious! Just keep at it!
Inwe Elendil: blushes You guys are so sweet!
I have felt strongly impressed over the past couple days to write this message. I fought the impression hard and long, because what I have to say is strongly controversial. But I cannot, with a good conscience, let this story end without telling you this.
If you have read any of my other stories, particularly Leaving and Return or Grief and Unending Hope, then you should be able to guess where I stand spiritually. I'm a Christian, and I try to write my stories from that perspective. I have felt strongly that I'm to tell you that if you've run away from Father God like Estel ran away from Lord Elrond, or if shame is eating you from the inside out like it tried to eat Legolas, or if you're not sure where you'd wake up if you died today, that I'm to tell you to come to Jesus.
Allow me the privilege of sharing my testimony with you. I understand if you hit 'Back' at any point during this, and I will not be offended if you decide this is worth flaming me about.
I was born to a Christian household and became a believer at a very young age, three or yea about. As I grew up and started entering the teen years, however, I began questioning what I had known as fact since I was very young. When I entered the teen years, I turned my back on God, though I truly didn't know that was what I was doing. I had a pretty mask that I wore in front of my church friends, my family, and even for myself. I messed around a bit sexually...never really went anywhere with it, but I did toy with it.
When I was a bit older, fourteen or so, I went to a church meeting with my family. There I was confronted with the plain and simple fact that what I was doing was wrong. I turned my life back over to God. I wish I could say life's been a field of roses since, but it hasn't. I've had trials and problems like anyone else. But the difference is that now, I have someone bigger than me to cling to.
I can't make any of you accept what I'm saying as truth. But I beg you to at least consider what I'm saying before throwing my words away as trash. If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at vanalosswenhotmail.com. I would love to help answer any questions.
Hesitates. That's really all I have to say. Until the next story, I bid all of you farewell.))