"lo all. Sorry I got this in so late. It's true, holidays are the word times to write. Everything kept coming up and I had no time. But they're over now so thing with hopefully go back to normal. Here's the next chapter and sorry to say that this story is coming to an end soon. Look for my sequel next. I don't have a name for it yet but when I do I'll tell you all. Enjoy
Look to my first chapter for all the ramblings and disclaimers.
Chapter nine
Walking Free
There's a certain kind of pain that can numb you
There's a type of freedom that can tie you down
Sometimes the unexplained can define you
And sometimes the silence is the only sound
-Nickel Creek
Stopping not far into the woods, Aragorn shrugged off Elladan's arm and walked to Col. Col tried to blink back the tears that threatened to drop from his eyes. Swallowing back the lump in his throat he gratefully excepted Aragorn's embrace.
"This is as far as you go Col. Your people will be worried, and I would not have them think you've had anything to do with us. If you go back now it will seem I have kept my promise and have sent you back to them. Go now, we will meet again."
Col could do nothing more than nod against Aragorn's shoulder.
"Where do you say I can find you?" Col let his arms drop to his sides and his warm brown eyes penetrated into Striders.
"It is not for you to know right now Col. Our paths will cross again, that is where I say you can find me." Col bowed his head, accepting Aragorn's answer with a heavy heart.
He in turn nodded his farewell to the elves and grasped Legolas's hand tightly, offering silent gratitude and a goodbye. Stopping at the edge of the forest, Col looked back at the now distant figures. His spirits lifted a bit. Strider had said they would meet again one day. For now his eyes were open and his hope was that he would not have to wait long.
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As soon as they judged that they were far enough away from the town, Elladan and Elrohir eased the ranger and wood elf to the ground. Legolas's broken ribs scraped together painfully. Although a wince was all there was to betray his condition, Aragorn knew his friend all to well. Legolas was harboring a greater hurt than himself.
Trying to fend off Elrohir proved to much of a task at present, so Legolas allowed the Noldor elf to examine his injuries. Any muttering of "fine" fell on completely deaf ears.
Through gentle probing, Elrohir found that six of the wood elf's ribs were broken. It was a wonder that none of them pierced a lung. He left Legolas leaning with his back against a tree. Walking over to Elladan's side he took the bag his brother held and rummaged around in it till he came upon a roll of white bandages. Once his ribs were bound they would no longer be life threatening , Legolas would no longer be in danger of them puncturing a lung or tearing through the skin. As sore as he might be tomorrow from the bandaging, it was well worth it.
A sharp hiss caused Elladan to look up at Estel and away from his work. A few bones had been broken in Estel's hand. And no matter the endurance of the ranger, setting bones was painful although now he was only checking where the breaks were.
"Easy Estel, I have hardly done anything. Hold on now, I am going to set the bones."
Against his will Aragorn's sharp cry caused Legolas to jerk his head up from it's resting place against the tree, though when he saw that the ranger did not require his aid he lay back again. Legolas would have liked to be with Estel. But he very much doubted that Elrohir was going to let him up. He felt a strange leaded sensation that begged to let him close his eyes and sleep.
Catching his breath while Elladan wrapped his hand and put it back into the sling Col had made, Aragorn turned his gaze on Legolas. The site of the elf with closed eyes sent a small thrill of panic through Aragorn. Trying to tell himself that Legolas was just tired did not seem to make the fear resting in his stomach any better. Elladan firmly sat him back down when he started to rise, wanting to go to Legolas.
Denying that the feeling of his ribs scraping back into place hurt would have been a flat out lie. Although this didn't keep Legolas from insisting that he was fine when Estel finally was allowed to come to his side. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Legolas had enough gall to question Estel on his own injuries, however less severe, and demand to inspect them. Fighting not to smile and fending off his brothers attempts to get him to drink from a the canteen of tea, Estel seated himself stiffly by Legolas and let him lean against his shoulder.
Legolas's eyes were beginning to slip shut without the helpful herb that Elladan had added in good quantities to the canteen of tea he tried to press on the wood elf. Giving into to his brothers to avoid making him drink by force, Estel let himself swallow a few mouthfuls and before long he realized that he was lying on his back next to Legolas. One of his brothers had draped a cloak over him. No longer fighting sleep Estel allowed himself to be pulled under by the warm darkness.
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Elladan nudged his brother into helping him to gather dry kindling and wood for a fire. Although they had rations in the lone pack for only a few days, there was nothing that could not be found in the forest this time of the year. When they awoke, Estel and Legolas did not need cold stream water and dried beef rations.
The sparks from Elladan's flint and tinder soon caught and the dry wood he had stacked started a smokeless fire. Cracking and popping merrily, the flames gave off heat that was comforting even if it was almost useless in the warm summer night. The light however, was rather useful, even elven eyes could not see too clearly in the pitch blackness of the night.
While Elladan followed the sounds of a nearby stream, Elrohir stood watch over the two sleeping forms of the elf and ranger. Pacing around the camp and peering through the dark, he watched for any signs of the wargs returning. So far it seemed that they really had gone in search of other prey, Elrohir sighed mentally in relief. It would be hard enough to make it back to Imladris before something else happened. Smiling and glancing up at the stars Elrohir continued his rounds.
Soon Elladan was able to pick out the campfire from a ways off. The only bag they had salvaged was in his hands. He had successfully been able to locate a nice patch of thyme growing not far from the stream. The stream itself held an abundance of supplies. Water to make a soup for when Estel and Legolas awoke filled the canteens, and Elladan found a good crop of watercress growing in the shallows of the brook. Of course there was always a laden berry bush to find in summer. They were a bit too sweet this late, closer to winter now, but they made for a fine snack.
"El." said Elladan as he slipped into camp. He caught his brothers attention before tossing his the bag and seating himself next to the fire.
Popping a few of the berries into his mouth Elladan watched his brother digging though the bag. A small pot and lid was the only item they had to cook in. Shrugging, Elrohir started to prepare the soup. After adding the stream water, he shredded a handful of the dried beef they had brought as rations. It would add a healthy taste and nutrients that would provide strength for the injured pair.
The watercress and thyme were to merely add flavor to the soup and make it more pleasant to eat. If anything Elrohir was a better cook that Elladan But his could hardly be called good either, just better than his brother. Eyes skimming across the landscape, Elladan lay down next to the fire and propped himself up on his elbows. Tossing a berry at Elrohir filling the pot with water Elladan laughed quietly.
"I pray that Estel and Legolas wake soon. I shudder to think that I might have to live on your cooking until we see home once more."
Elrohir caught the berry in his mouth and chewed reflectively, "If you insult my cooking again brother, I just might let you try your hand at it."
Wrinkling his nose, the elder twin shook his head ruefully. "Nay, I do not seek to poison us with my skill in cookery."
For all the talk, Elrohir produced a palatable and filling soup of sorts. Bowls fashioned by Elladan out of large leafs made sipping the steaming soup easier. When Estel and Legolas awoke something to help them regain strength would be just what they needed.
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Lying quietly for some time before getting up, Estel peered at the sky through the canopy of trees overhead. A cooling breeze ruffled his hair and made the treetops creak in a haunting song. Rising slowly to prevent vertigo that would undoubtedly ground him again, Aragorn got to his feet and swayed over towards the fire to sit next to his brothers. Elrohir placed a cunningly folded leaf bowl into his hand. And urged him to sip at the hot broth.
"How long did I sleep?" Asked Aragorn after swallowing.
"Only a few hours Estel. How do you feel?"
"Idle." Replied the dúnadan with a grin as he stole of handful of the sweet berries from Elladan.
"Not idle Estel, resting. You needed the rest, as did Legolas." Elrohir managed to do a startling impression of Lord Elrond's disapproving frown.
"Yes of course Father." smirked Aragorn while Elrohir pretended to be outraged and Elladan looked over his brother.
Suppressing a wince of pain, Aragorn allowed him to take his injured hand out of it's sling and check the brace he had fashioned for it.
"It will mend soon. It causes you pain still?"
"I'm fine." came the expected response.
With a sigh of long suffering, Elladan reproached the ranger. "I did not ask if you were fine Estel, I asked if it causes you pain."
Before he could reply and tell his brother off for mothering him, a moan escaped his lips betraying the throbbing through his hand. Deliberately not looking at his brother, Aragorn decided that the thing would be to stay silent for now.
Taking a few selected herbs from the supply in their haversack, Elladan took the lid from the pot they had used to cook in and filled it with some of the water from the canteen. Placing the lid on the fire he waited for the water to get hot. Adding the herbs when the water was steaming, Elladan wrapped the warm aromatic plants in a cloth and pressed them gently to Aragorn's hand. The hot compress made Aragorn sigh with pained relief.
Elladan leaned Aragorn back against a tree and covered him with his cloak. He fell into a light doze, the heat from the fire warming his face.
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Legolas's first conscious thoughts were of why his eyes were closed. Muddled thoughts crowded his mind and when he remembered what happened his heart began to race for he thought himself still back in the town. But the sounds of the crackling fire and the twin's quiet bickering calmed his speeding heart. Trying to open his eyes proved harder than it would at first seem. It took a few tries before he was successful.
Soft groaning brought Elladan and Elrohir's attention to the wood elf. Legolas's eye's were opened and he was looking blurrily towards the fire. Elrohir moved next to Legolas and helped him to sit up.
Trying to stop everything from whirling about, Legolas closed his eyes and let himself lean against Elrohir's chest. He could not catch his breath lest the burning ache in his ribs flare to life like bellows fanning fire. His ragged breathing slowed as Elrohir whispered soothing words in Sindarin. A cough racked through his body causing him to cry out.
The cry awakened Aragorn like a shot. Injured or not, He was at Legolas's side at an instant. Brushing the elf's hair from his face, he added his own smile and received a shaky grin from Legolas in return.
"How is it my friend that we are never able to walk back home unaided or unscathed each time we decide to go for a walk. I am beginning to think we are cursed." Legolas's grin grew as he spoke.
"Yes, a curse, that must be it. Whether it be truth or just another excuse to blame our failed luck on." Aragorn's face was the perfect picture of curious wonderment.
Elladan and Elrohir were both beginning to chuckle and elbow each other, they were able to recognize one of Estel and Legolas's battle of words by now.
Legolas looked a bit steadier now that he was more awake. Elrohir allowed him to sit with his back against a sturdy tree before going to sit next to his brother. Feigning outrageous indignity with the air and ease only achieved by one who has had much practice, Legolas arched an eyebrow at the grinning ranger.
"Our failed luck! As I can recall, it was you that got me into this situation in the first place. If my memory serves me correctly, I would say that it has always been you who has gotten me into all sorts of trouble. I pray that the Valar be merciful to you for treating an elf so!"
Aragorn managed a passable glare that his father used when they dragged themselves home. "And if my memory serves me, my good elf, you were more than willing to come with me on most of our "walks". Was it not you who told Glorfindel that my brothers were tormenting the cooks so we could get away?"
At this Elladan and Elrohir looked expectantly at Legolas looking for all the world like spectators at a performance. But the wood elf did not need to respond at all. A light coloring flushed into his cheek and the tips of his pointed ears.
"You forced me to!" Countered Legolas "In a way." He added after a minute.
Aragorn laughed innocently "Forced you to, how did I do that?"
Looking a bit peeved, Legolas frowned at Estel "If I did not tell him that your brothers were pestering the cooks you would have locked him in a closet."
Elladan and Elrohir were nearly rolling on the ground with laughter.
"Well…someone would have found him eventually, there were many about."
Shaking his head, Legolas glared at Aragorn in mock anger knowing he had lost.
"Our failed luck." Concluded Aragorn with a highly triumphant look.
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Later, after Estel and Legolas had eaten the soup and the twins had seen that they drank every drop, they were bedded down, reading for sleep. Only Elrohir was pacing around the camp for watch. He would wake Elladan later for his turn. Estel and Legolas were nearly asleep.
Aragorn kept his hand close to his body and Elrohir new it still pained him even after the draught he had given him. And Legolas's eye's were still closed as he slept, which was not a good sign even if he felt up to joking. What they really needed was to get home. It was only a week or so and they might make good time considering it was summer and no storms were likely to come around.
The summer night was undisturbed but for the comforting creak of the trees and the sky was clear so that all the stars were noticeably defined and shining. Estel was laying close to Legolas so he would be there if he should need him. Singing softly in tune with the wind whistling through the tree boughs, Elrohir leaned back against a tree and tapped his foot, keeping rhythm to the sparks from the fire.
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Miss attitude: Woohoo no spelling errors, I'll be sure to congratulate my beta Kris that this chapter passed your inspection. He'll be so proud. I know, I would love to write really long chapters, and someday they will be longer. The sequel to this story will have longer chapters on the account of I actually have a plot for that one. There's gonna he a freakin' long series for my stories if I have anything to do with it and they'll get better with hopefully good plots my constantly wandering mind will think up.
Elfmage: Mwahahah, your good advise and encouragement are as good as my beta prodding me with a stick. I have a long way to come before I'm as good as the other long time residents of FF.net, like Cassia and Siobhan. But if you think I'm good, I must be doing something right. I just love to write and I'm glad I give you such a good mental picture, that was my goal.
Leggylover03: Oh yes, some serious Estel pain and one angry elf lord. You think he'd have enough of patching up Estel and Legolas, but we'll see how long it takes before he has a break down.
Red Tigress: Very much so God bless the twins. I love 'em as much as I do Estel or Legolas. Just in a different way. Yeah, If I can manage it I'm gonna do a series like Cassia's and Sio's. It might take a while before I'm as good as them…but for now only Elrond can see the future.
Lauranna Starbreeze: Oh yeah! I had to make sure that little Dal knows he's no match for our Ranger. And he beat up on Legolas, that can't go unpunished. Thanks for liking' the chapter, sorry this one came in so late.
Shauna: I'm continuing as fast as ideas flow from my wandering mine. If I was able, the stories would go on as long as Legolas and Aragorn are still drawing breath. But sadly they will be forever, so one day I'll have to end the stories, but not soon and that day is so far out of sight it won't find me for a freakin' long time.
Heiwen: Finally I updated Of course I'd like to read your stories. But you didn't leave your e-mail address and FF.net says we can't put any more chapters of just author's notes. Yeah maybe they should have stayed in town. Elladan and Elrohir won't be much better off when they come home either. It'll be interesting won't it. Sorry Col doesn't get to go with them. But we'll see in some other story down the road.
Elven kitten: Wow! One of your favorite. I'm blushing now eve as I write…or type…as it were. Yeah, I think I'll have either eleven or twelve chapters in this one. The next might be longer, it actually has a better plot than this one so most likely longer.
Wolf Maid: I love Estel and Legolas friendship stories. That's why I love Cassia. The twins are one of my favorites God bless them. The comic relief and the brotherly care for both Legolas and Estel.
Snow-Glory: Yeah sorry, they kind of did escape the town. I just hope Elladan and Elrohir gave them enough of a scare. Col went home as you see. Sorry to disappoint you, but he's not lucky enough to be captured by everyone's favorite elf and ranger.
Just Jordy: Yeah, my spelling in the first few chapters is pretty bad and some more after that. But I got's myself a beta now and he's good at it. He's trying his best to make these chapter shine for all of you.
TBC…