Summery: Legolas was the pride and joy of his father's heart until a tragic
experience maims his soul and mind, forcing him to leave everything he has
ever known. Aragorn was running away from a world where he felt that he
would never fit in. And when their paths cross, nothing will ever be the
same.
Disclaimer: Owning this story? Yes. Owning Tolkien's work? I can only dream.
Warnings: Elf torture, angst, violence, harassment, fever, blood, etc. I go along the idea that Arathorn and his wife were both killed, so Aragorn's only family is Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir. Aragorn is about twenty and has only recently been told of his heritage. Legolas, for his part, is younger than Elrond, and has only his father for family. Elvish= ~Elvish words~. Flashbacks will be written in //these things//This is my first fic, a.k.a; pardon my mistakes.
After the Storm
Chapter Three: Stirring
//"Why did you wait so long?" the Man demanded.
This was not how it was meant to be. Estel had planned a wonderful life ahead of him, fighting Orc in the shadows as an unknown hero and exploring the wide beauty of Middle Earth. Now his father, nay, his, 'foster parent', was attempting to snatch away that carefree destiny. It was as if someone had thrown a sword into an ocean and told him to spend a lifetime trying to find it. Yet it would come to naught, the waves would pull it beyond his grasp, and he would perish for old age looking for a weapon that was not his. A doom that was not his.
"What matters is not the time, Aragorn, but that you now have the knowledge, and so must fulfill your fate," Elrond replied wisely.
"I am not Aragorn, therefore I will not slave needlessly for a fate that I do not own!" he spat bitterly, saying the name as if it were a disgusting taste in his mouth.
The Elven Lord furrowed his brow in both sympathy and a slight irritation that he refused to let appear in his tone.
"I am greatly sorrowed by your pain, my son, but nevertheless, denial will not give Gondor its rightful King."
His unearthly calm was angering the mortal even further. How could the Elf be so distant?
"He does not care anymore. You are no longer a child who runs crying to his elders with simple ailments that can easily be remedied, and he no longer understands you. He has no further need of you."
Yes. he doesn't want me, Aragorn thought bitterly. He despises my very presence.
Believing that the silence he received was a moment of responsible hindsight, Elrond continued, "You must come to your senses, Estel."
He rested a hand on his adopted son's shoulder.
The pain inside, combined with heartbreak and disbelief, boiled and frothed. All of his rejection through the years, and all of his rage and suppressed tears broke through the barrier, leaving it in desolation.
"He hates you."
Aragorn met his father's eyes.
"He thinks that you are the weakest of the weak, and that you will take his abuse."
A deep loathing filled his eyes, and the young Man shook as all of his emotions finally controlled him.
He rose hastily, towering menacingly over the Lord of Imladris for a few brief, wonderful moments as the hand on his shoulder was shoved away. Aragorn lifted his hand, and slapped Elrond with all of his might. //
The next thing that Aragorn could remember was opening his eyes and squinting in the bright sunlight until his eyes were able to center on the world around him. The sky was clear and the cool wind teased him as it danced across his face. The remains of a fire emitted a comforting smell of burnt wood and cooked rabbit as he sat up, attempting to gather his thoughts with little success.
"Where am I?" he asked the abandoned camp ground. His only answer was the rustling of green leaves above his head, as well as a painful protest from his leg and shoulder at the abrupt movement.but where had he injured himself?
Slowly, his memories trickled into his head; the fight with his father, galloping across the plains, fighting the colossal Orc, and, most of all, the stranger who had saved his life. Where was his mysterious helper?
"Hello?" he called out in fear. The Ranger leapt to his feet at the sound of cracking twigs, his body chastising him immediately.
Thalion snorted at his master's behavior, shoving his large head under Aragorn's arm. He sighed in relief as he rubbed his faithful companion's neck.
"Thalion," Aragorn breathed, letting his guard down. "Were you injured?"
The majestic stallion tossed his head back and forth, his mane dancing and his brown coat glistening in the sunlight. Aragorn stroked the white diamond on the bride of his nose.
"The stranger took pity on you as well," he mused aloud. He looked into large, dark brown eyes thoughtfully. "Is that so?"
Thalion nuzzled him, snuffing at his bare chest. He looked down in curiosity. Where an ugly black arrow had once protruded, there now lay a neat line of stitches, nearly invisible to the naked eye. His anonymous rescuer had clearly been a talented healer. The only other time he had seen a wound so skillfully sewn had been in the presence of his father...Aragorn shook his head. The idea that his former parent was following him was completely absurd.wasn't it?
A pile of clean tunics lay by the ashes of the fire, near a pair of leggings and his boots. Aragorn dressed quickly, wrinkling his nose in disdain at the tattered remnants of his old clothing as he lay them down. In a failed attempt to pull on his boots, the Dùnadan tripped and fell on a pack, containing a blanket, lembas, a bottle of water, a pipe, and a dark green overcoat, which he slid onto his shoulders before breaking a piece of lembas off to chew on in thought.
"Alas, my steed!" he cried softly. "This stranger has done so much for me, yet I am blind to both their name and their whereabouts! Did you see where they went, Thalion?"
But his noble servant only gazed at him mournfully as he slid his pack onto his shoulders and looked about a final time.
"Thank you," Aragorn whispered as he climbed atop his mount. "Whoever you are."
With a silent command, Thalion whinnied in sorrowful farewell and trotted away from the place where their lives had been saved.
The small glade and the forest were both left behind soon enough, and many leagues of long grass were before them. Thalion raced with abandon across the fields, whickering in careless delight. Wind blew the Man's hair behind him as he laughed, despite himself, at his mount's joyful antics, and soon all traces of his rescuer were swept from his mind. By the time that Rivendell was beyond an eagle's keen sight, it appeared that Aragorn had forgotten everything about his close call and the peaceful clearing.
Nightfall came many times faster than either horse or rider could have anticipated, forcing them to set up camp under the nearest tree. Cold rain pelted his face, merciless as he struggled to create a fire. He struck desperately at the firewood with the flint from his pouch, yet to no avail.
"Please," Aragorn muttered. "Only one spark."
An orange flame struck suddenly beneath his fingers, taunting him before flickering and dying with a hiss. Impatience overcame him as he rose and kicked the damp wood in irritation. He gathered Thalion's reins in disgust. They could remain there no longer whilst they lacked a fire.
"Come," he ordered angrily. "We shall find better shelter."
Ignoring the Elven horse's disquiet as he mounted once more, Aragorn did the one thing that he had been told never to do; he took off into the rainy night.
Thunder roared and lightning flashed in fury at him as he rode. Thalion's great sides began to heave as the horse struggled to obey his master, but despite all of his effort, he was slowing down. The fact remained that he had been riding all day and needed rest. Aragorn himself was panting, but the two could not halt until a haven could be found.
"Keep going!" the Ranger insisted, silently pleading with his steed. "Lasto beth lammen! Noro lim!"
He was shaking with cold by the time that a cave appeared in the distance, and quaking violently by the time Thalion reached it. Aragorn dismounted and fed his devoted companion, tending to his needs before his own. Then he sat, now able to begin a fire within the dry comforts of the stone. The moment that the warm smoke rose idly above his head, he felt much better. The illusion of safety was all that he needed.
The Man opened his pack and pulled from it the soft blanket that his protector had given him. Yawning loudly, Aragorn wrapped himself in its large confines.
Once settled, it did not take long for Estel to drift into a light sleep, filled with slain Orc bodies and rain.
Aragorn awoke abruptly, alert for a person or sound, straining to find out what had startled him.
Outside, the drops slapped against the cave in a rage, seeking to destroy the grey stone. Thalion slept peacefully by the entrance. After a while, he began to toss away his doubts, and was beginning to immerse himself in sleep when he heard it; the unmistakable sound of light feet walking across the hard ground of the cave.
Aragorn leapt to his feet, drawing his sword and pursuing the noise behind him deep into the cave. Silence pressed upon his ears, his eyes seeing only the deep stain of night like spilled ink at first, until he closed them for a time. When he opened them once more, a soft glow was apparent not far ahead.
He crept up to the dull light, his heart pounding in his head and his brow slick with sweat. His breath grew faster as he began to make out the blurred form of a slender Man. Aragorn pointed his sword in front of his body for protection.
"Halt!" he shouted. "Who goes there?"
There was no answer.
"Speak thy name!"
The shadow darted past him, intent on its escape. He slashed across its leg, forcing it to stumble. It gripped his wrist and thrust his sword against a boulder. In desperation, Aragorn tackled the thing to the rocky floor. The cloaked one thrashed beneath him, groaning under the Ranger's weight. He pushed down harder, pinning lean arms to the floor. His opponent gasped and kicked him with incredible force, weakening his grip. It darted to its feet as Aragorn staggered to his, knocking the figure against the rough wall with brute strength, their bodies too close for the creature to escape.
Aragorn grew less tense now, like a bowstring loosened after the heat of battle. He tore strips from his inner tunic to bind his enemy's wrists and ankles.
"You are at my mercy, Stranger," he announced in satisfaction. "Answer my questions, lest you suffer the consequences. Who are you, what are you, and what deeds did wish to accomplish?"
Only hastened panting came from the other's mouth.
The son of Arathorn pressed his sword to the being's pale neck, drawing a single drop of ruby blood. He moved closer to the shadowed face.
Now the person was trembling in fear, instilling pity in Aragorn's heart. This was truly a defenseless thing that he was about to slay.
The Ranger's keen eyes watched a lone tear fall from the darkness beneath his captive's hood to the stone below with a soft cry as it splattered on the floor. His sympathy grew as if the single tear had watered his already weakened defenses. A sudden thought dawned upon him.
"I am so sorry," he whispered.
Gently, Aragorn pushed back the green hood, gasping at what he saw underneath.
****************************************************************
Lasto beth lammen- listen to the words of my mouth
Noro lim- ride hard
Alright! That was the longest yet! (Dances around like a leprechaun) And here's the highlight of my day!
LOTRFaith: All of my reviewers have the coolest names! Thanks for the compliments! Yes, Aragorn is better now. And, amazingly, he managed to recover without chocolate! He must have had a really good healer.
trapt130: Thank you so much!! I'm sorry that I couldn't update faster. I have gone on many long vacations without a computer, and I know how tough it can be.No matter when your review comes, I'll be glad to get it!
Elenillor: You're going to make me cry!!!!!!!!! That was so nice!!!!!!!! I swear that I have read your review at least twenty times!!!!!!!!!! (I am in sixth grade, yes, and the homework is meant to be nothing in comparison to high school, but my old teacher gave us little to no homework, so I became a little spoiled over the matter.) Don't sell yourself short, though!!!!! Your work is good reading for any Lord of the Rings fan!!!! The evil voice is cool, true, and I will make the best use of it that I can.Also, there is a slight chance of implied slash in chapter four, but in all honesty, the reader's eyes will miss it entirely!!! Oh, I need to go cry now.
Bill the Pony2: Thanks for the compliment!! I think that you and Thalion will get along great!
Nightshade3: (Yes, foolish mortals! Beg for more!) Uh.alright then! Ignore my muse, please. Here's more! Hope you liked it!
leggylover03: Yeah, chocolate is really good. There wasn't as much angst here, but the next chapter might make someone cry. Elrond might not show up here, but poor Legolas will need many kinds of healing.
:):):):):):):):):):) Thanks to all of my super reviewers!! :):):):):):):):):):)
Next chapter: Aragorn meets his hero, and it wasn't who he expected. Also, I have an alert for Elf lovers!
(Sorry about the last Next Chapter. It wasn't that accurate.)
Please review! How else can I know that my story is worth posting?
Disclaimer: Owning this story? Yes. Owning Tolkien's work? I can only dream.
Warnings: Elf torture, angst, violence, harassment, fever, blood, etc. I go along the idea that Arathorn and his wife were both killed, so Aragorn's only family is Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir. Aragorn is about twenty and has only recently been told of his heritage. Legolas, for his part, is younger than Elrond, and has only his father for family. Elvish= ~Elvish words~. Flashbacks will be written in //these things//This is my first fic, a.k.a; pardon my mistakes.
After the Storm
Chapter Three: Stirring
//"Why did you wait so long?" the Man demanded.
This was not how it was meant to be. Estel had planned a wonderful life ahead of him, fighting Orc in the shadows as an unknown hero and exploring the wide beauty of Middle Earth. Now his father, nay, his, 'foster parent', was attempting to snatch away that carefree destiny. It was as if someone had thrown a sword into an ocean and told him to spend a lifetime trying to find it. Yet it would come to naught, the waves would pull it beyond his grasp, and he would perish for old age looking for a weapon that was not his. A doom that was not his.
"What matters is not the time, Aragorn, but that you now have the knowledge, and so must fulfill your fate," Elrond replied wisely.
"I am not Aragorn, therefore I will not slave needlessly for a fate that I do not own!" he spat bitterly, saying the name as if it were a disgusting taste in his mouth.
The Elven Lord furrowed his brow in both sympathy and a slight irritation that he refused to let appear in his tone.
"I am greatly sorrowed by your pain, my son, but nevertheless, denial will not give Gondor its rightful King."
His unearthly calm was angering the mortal even further. How could the Elf be so distant?
"He does not care anymore. You are no longer a child who runs crying to his elders with simple ailments that can easily be remedied, and he no longer understands you. He has no further need of you."
Yes. he doesn't want me, Aragorn thought bitterly. He despises my very presence.
Believing that the silence he received was a moment of responsible hindsight, Elrond continued, "You must come to your senses, Estel."
He rested a hand on his adopted son's shoulder.
The pain inside, combined with heartbreak and disbelief, boiled and frothed. All of his rejection through the years, and all of his rage and suppressed tears broke through the barrier, leaving it in desolation.
"He hates you."
Aragorn met his father's eyes.
"He thinks that you are the weakest of the weak, and that you will take his abuse."
A deep loathing filled his eyes, and the young Man shook as all of his emotions finally controlled him.
He rose hastily, towering menacingly over the Lord of Imladris for a few brief, wonderful moments as the hand on his shoulder was shoved away. Aragorn lifted his hand, and slapped Elrond with all of his might. //
The next thing that Aragorn could remember was opening his eyes and squinting in the bright sunlight until his eyes were able to center on the world around him. The sky was clear and the cool wind teased him as it danced across his face. The remains of a fire emitted a comforting smell of burnt wood and cooked rabbit as he sat up, attempting to gather his thoughts with little success.
"Where am I?" he asked the abandoned camp ground. His only answer was the rustling of green leaves above his head, as well as a painful protest from his leg and shoulder at the abrupt movement.but where had he injured himself?
Slowly, his memories trickled into his head; the fight with his father, galloping across the plains, fighting the colossal Orc, and, most of all, the stranger who had saved his life. Where was his mysterious helper?
"Hello?" he called out in fear. The Ranger leapt to his feet at the sound of cracking twigs, his body chastising him immediately.
Thalion snorted at his master's behavior, shoving his large head under Aragorn's arm. He sighed in relief as he rubbed his faithful companion's neck.
"Thalion," Aragorn breathed, letting his guard down. "Were you injured?"
The majestic stallion tossed his head back and forth, his mane dancing and his brown coat glistening in the sunlight. Aragorn stroked the white diamond on the bride of his nose.
"The stranger took pity on you as well," he mused aloud. He looked into large, dark brown eyes thoughtfully. "Is that so?"
Thalion nuzzled him, snuffing at his bare chest. He looked down in curiosity. Where an ugly black arrow had once protruded, there now lay a neat line of stitches, nearly invisible to the naked eye. His anonymous rescuer had clearly been a talented healer. The only other time he had seen a wound so skillfully sewn had been in the presence of his father...Aragorn shook his head. The idea that his former parent was following him was completely absurd.wasn't it?
A pile of clean tunics lay by the ashes of the fire, near a pair of leggings and his boots. Aragorn dressed quickly, wrinkling his nose in disdain at the tattered remnants of his old clothing as he lay them down. In a failed attempt to pull on his boots, the Dùnadan tripped and fell on a pack, containing a blanket, lembas, a bottle of water, a pipe, and a dark green overcoat, which he slid onto his shoulders before breaking a piece of lembas off to chew on in thought.
"Alas, my steed!" he cried softly. "This stranger has done so much for me, yet I am blind to both their name and their whereabouts! Did you see where they went, Thalion?"
But his noble servant only gazed at him mournfully as he slid his pack onto his shoulders and looked about a final time.
"Thank you," Aragorn whispered as he climbed atop his mount. "Whoever you are."
With a silent command, Thalion whinnied in sorrowful farewell and trotted away from the place where their lives had been saved.
The small glade and the forest were both left behind soon enough, and many leagues of long grass were before them. Thalion raced with abandon across the fields, whickering in careless delight. Wind blew the Man's hair behind him as he laughed, despite himself, at his mount's joyful antics, and soon all traces of his rescuer were swept from his mind. By the time that Rivendell was beyond an eagle's keen sight, it appeared that Aragorn had forgotten everything about his close call and the peaceful clearing.
Nightfall came many times faster than either horse or rider could have anticipated, forcing them to set up camp under the nearest tree. Cold rain pelted his face, merciless as he struggled to create a fire. He struck desperately at the firewood with the flint from his pouch, yet to no avail.
"Please," Aragorn muttered. "Only one spark."
An orange flame struck suddenly beneath his fingers, taunting him before flickering and dying with a hiss. Impatience overcame him as he rose and kicked the damp wood in irritation. He gathered Thalion's reins in disgust. They could remain there no longer whilst they lacked a fire.
"Come," he ordered angrily. "We shall find better shelter."
Ignoring the Elven horse's disquiet as he mounted once more, Aragorn did the one thing that he had been told never to do; he took off into the rainy night.
Thunder roared and lightning flashed in fury at him as he rode. Thalion's great sides began to heave as the horse struggled to obey his master, but despite all of his effort, he was slowing down. The fact remained that he had been riding all day and needed rest. Aragorn himself was panting, but the two could not halt until a haven could be found.
"Keep going!" the Ranger insisted, silently pleading with his steed. "Lasto beth lammen! Noro lim!"
He was shaking with cold by the time that a cave appeared in the distance, and quaking violently by the time Thalion reached it. Aragorn dismounted and fed his devoted companion, tending to his needs before his own. Then he sat, now able to begin a fire within the dry comforts of the stone. The moment that the warm smoke rose idly above his head, he felt much better. The illusion of safety was all that he needed.
The Man opened his pack and pulled from it the soft blanket that his protector had given him. Yawning loudly, Aragorn wrapped himself in its large confines.
Once settled, it did not take long for Estel to drift into a light sleep, filled with slain Orc bodies and rain.
Aragorn awoke abruptly, alert for a person or sound, straining to find out what had startled him.
Outside, the drops slapped against the cave in a rage, seeking to destroy the grey stone. Thalion slept peacefully by the entrance. After a while, he began to toss away his doubts, and was beginning to immerse himself in sleep when he heard it; the unmistakable sound of light feet walking across the hard ground of the cave.
Aragorn leapt to his feet, drawing his sword and pursuing the noise behind him deep into the cave. Silence pressed upon his ears, his eyes seeing only the deep stain of night like spilled ink at first, until he closed them for a time. When he opened them once more, a soft glow was apparent not far ahead.
He crept up to the dull light, his heart pounding in his head and his brow slick with sweat. His breath grew faster as he began to make out the blurred form of a slender Man. Aragorn pointed his sword in front of his body for protection.
"Halt!" he shouted. "Who goes there?"
There was no answer.
"Speak thy name!"
The shadow darted past him, intent on its escape. He slashed across its leg, forcing it to stumble. It gripped his wrist and thrust his sword against a boulder. In desperation, Aragorn tackled the thing to the rocky floor. The cloaked one thrashed beneath him, groaning under the Ranger's weight. He pushed down harder, pinning lean arms to the floor. His opponent gasped and kicked him with incredible force, weakening his grip. It darted to its feet as Aragorn staggered to his, knocking the figure against the rough wall with brute strength, their bodies too close for the creature to escape.
Aragorn grew less tense now, like a bowstring loosened after the heat of battle. He tore strips from his inner tunic to bind his enemy's wrists and ankles.
"You are at my mercy, Stranger," he announced in satisfaction. "Answer my questions, lest you suffer the consequences. Who are you, what are you, and what deeds did wish to accomplish?"
Only hastened panting came from the other's mouth.
The son of Arathorn pressed his sword to the being's pale neck, drawing a single drop of ruby blood. He moved closer to the shadowed face.
Now the person was trembling in fear, instilling pity in Aragorn's heart. This was truly a defenseless thing that he was about to slay.
The Ranger's keen eyes watched a lone tear fall from the darkness beneath his captive's hood to the stone below with a soft cry as it splattered on the floor. His sympathy grew as if the single tear had watered his already weakened defenses. A sudden thought dawned upon him.
"I am so sorry," he whispered.
Gently, Aragorn pushed back the green hood, gasping at what he saw underneath.
****************************************************************
Lasto beth lammen- listen to the words of my mouth
Noro lim- ride hard
Alright! That was the longest yet! (Dances around like a leprechaun) And here's the highlight of my day!
LOTRFaith: All of my reviewers have the coolest names! Thanks for the compliments! Yes, Aragorn is better now. And, amazingly, he managed to recover without chocolate! He must have had a really good healer.
trapt130: Thank you so much!! I'm sorry that I couldn't update faster. I have gone on many long vacations without a computer, and I know how tough it can be.No matter when your review comes, I'll be glad to get it!
Elenillor: You're going to make me cry!!!!!!!!! That was so nice!!!!!!!! I swear that I have read your review at least twenty times!!!!!!!!!! (I am in sixth grade, yes, and the homework is meant to be nothing in comparison to high school, but my old teacher gave us little to no homework, so I became a little spoiled over the matter.) Don't sell yourself short, though!!!!! Your work is good reading for any Lord of the Rings fan!!!! The evil voice is cool, true, and I will make the best use of it that I can.Also, there is a slight chance of implied slash in chapter four, but in all honesty, the reader's eyes will miss it entirely!!! Oh, I need to go cry now.
Bill the Pony2: Thanks for the compliment!! I think that you and Thalion will get along great!
Nightshade3: (Yes, foolish mortals! Beg for more!) Uh.alright then! Ignore my muse, please. Here's more! Hope you liked it!
leggylover03: Yeah, chocolate is really good. There wasn't as much angst here, but the next chapter might make someone cry. Elrond might not show up here, but poor Legolas will need many kinds of healing.
:):):):):):):):):):) Thanks to all of my super reviewers!! :):):):):):):):):):)
Next chapter: Aragorn meets his hero, and it wasn't who he expected. Also, I have an alert for Elf lovers!
(Sorry about the last Next Chapter. It wasn't that accurate.)
Please review! How else can I know that my story is worth posting?