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Chapter 12
The path of feelings
In the Fangorn forest the three companions met Gandalf, who was changed from the grey, to the white. They were amazed but very relieved; suddenly everything seemed so much easier, although they were well aware of the efforts that were waiting for them, and the small chance of success.
The wizard told them they had to go to Rohan, to king Theoden, who wass under the spell of Saruman. They rode off, Legolas riding with Gimli behind him on the horse. During the ride Legolas noticed that Gandalf sometimes looked at him with concern. The elf wondered what he was thinking, what he saw, because just as often his gaze went over to Aragorn and at these moments his expression went even more troubled.
Aragorn and Legolas could not stop themselves from seeking each other´s eyes from time to time, and their glances spoke of the feelings they harbored for each other, as clear as if they had shouted them out for everyone to hear. The elf suddenly felt a wave of despair running through him, he was well aware that this had gone completely out of hand and developed in to something far beyond their control.
"Was it really this you intended, Galadriel?" he whispered to himself as he drove Hasufell on. But he knew that she had been right about one thing; both he and Aragorn was more focused on their task, despite their growing feelings, despite the loss of Boromir, the breaking of the fellowship, the worry for Frodo and the elf´s continuing attacks of pain and bleeding.
"Do you expect an answer from her? Or do you just prefer to talk to anyone except me, no matter how far away they are?"
Legolas laughed, he knew that the dwarf was joking. Since their talk at the steam they had not uttered another word of the subject, but he elf knew that Gimli did a lot of thinking around it. Much to Aragorn´s apparent confuse but also slight amusement, the dwarf had adopted an almost protective attitude towards the elf.
At Edoras Gandalf freed Theoden from Sarumans curse, bringing the king back to his senses. The evil wizard´s disciple Worm- tongue was banished and they, especially Aragorn , made the acquaintance of Eowyn, the lady of Rohan. After the funeral of Theodred , Theodens son, Gandalf went away on Shadow-fax to get help from Eomer and the rohirrim.
Legolas and Aragorn had barely any time at all for themselves, the human spent a lot of time with the king and Eowyn, while the elf and the dwarf investigated Edoras. Much to their own surprise they enjoyed each other´s company quite much, as much as they could considering the circumstances and the growing threat from Isengard. Due to this threat Theoden decided that they should leave for Helm´s deep, a decision Aragorn did not approve with.
In the meantime Legolas watched Aragorn´s interactions with Eowyn with a hint of grief, on her behalf. The ranger treated her nice, talked to her and, to the elf, it was obvious that the maiden of Rohan interpreted that for something else.
"She fancies you, be careful," he told Aragorn in elvish while they were standing in the corridor outside the elfs and the dwarf´s sleeping quarters.
"She has not seen many men that are not from Rohan, and she has been feeling trapped, I guess that´s why she finds me interesting "the man answered.
"Don't underestimate her feelings...and your charm, for that matter."
Aragorn smiled and tenderly brushed a finger against the curve of Legolas´ lips.
"You flatten me," he said softly." However, I must go and see the king although I wish that we could go inside your room and be alone for a while, Eowyn may be nice but you are all that I want."
The archer began to protest, but the human silenced him with a kiss that was intended to be gentle, but instead became almost forceful and passionate. They clung to each other, for a short time they were both lost in the meeting of tongues and lips, before they parted.
"It´s dangerous to loose control like this" Legolas said." We should be more careful, now go on with your doings, I will go and fetch Gimli, wherever he is. We will come to the hall of Meduseld."
The elf turned and walked in the opposite direction, trying hard to block out the stubborn pain in the back of his head.
"Is that a common way of greeting among the –so called- fair folk?" a voice smirked behind Legolas. He turned to see six rough-looking men, moving around him as he looked. He could read malice in their eyes and appearances, but also something else. The elf shrugged, not wishing to dwell on it or analyze it further.
"The greeting ceremonies of the elves are hardly something that hold your interest," he said, trying not to sound too arrogant, the situation was threatening.
The leader, the one who had addressed him, a dirty man with a neglected red beard, stepped closer to him, trying to cup his chin. Legolas flinched backwards, disgusted by both the touch and the man's bad breath.
"You are right about the habits of the elves" he began, but at the elf´s sudden movement he continued: "So.... men from Rohan are not good enough for you, you prefer the ranger from north ". He leaned in closer. "Well, him it is hard to blame, you are so tempting and more fair than any of our women...you could tempt one to do just the same unnatural things as the rang..."
Legolas, who struck him hard in the face with his fist, so hard that his nose broke and blood started to pour out like a fountain as he fell on the floor with a loud crash, interrupted him. For an elf one man was no match to handle, but now Legolas was attacked by the other five at one time, and that proved to be more of a challenge.
"What's going on here?"
Because of his keen elven hearing Legolas immediately recognized the lady of Rohan´s voice, but in the tumult he was the only one who heard it. It made him fight even harder and he brought two of the men down as he managed to pull out the knives he always carried on himself. The glimpse of the steel made the last three to give up and seeing the king´s niece, they ran away, dragging their nearly unconscious leader with them.
After they had left, she stepped forward, looking anxiously at Legolas. His hair was a tangled mess and his clothes in disorder, but as it seemed, whole.
"What happened? Did they assault you? "she asked.
"Well, they tried, but they did not succeed, neither to assault nor injure me. I´m just a little bruised, that´s all". Who were they?"
"Some of the disciples of Worm-Tongue that unfortunately not were banned together with him. Now, let me look at you ...."
Just in the same instant they heard fast steps approach. Soon Aragorn, king Theoden and some of the king´s guards came into view.
"What was all this noise about? "Theoden called. At the same time Aragorn ran towards Legolas, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"What has happened, my friend?" he asked, looking apprehensively at the elf, with an immense flood of love in his light-blue eyes.
"Those men tried to attack me" he said, not wishing to explain the reason, at least not in front of the others. "I'm not injured, I think they got worse off than me" with these words he attempted a brief smile, but it didn´t wipe out the concern in the rangers face.
"You know how they are, uncle" Eowyn said. "They were trying to molest him, I heard them."
"WHAT?" Aragorn howled.
"It´s definitely not an excuse for what they did, but most of the men here have never seen an elf before" Theoden said." And your companion is beautiful beyond compare; even among the elves I have seen. I will these brutes hunt down and severely punished for what they were trying to do."
The king looked at Legolas who stood with his arms crossed, not saying a word. The assault had shaken him more than he wished to show. Aragorn followed his gaze and said:
"I know you will do what you can. We must part soon, but I wish to speak to my friend alone for a while first." Theoden nodded.
"That is the least we could do, although a small compensation."
Both he, Eowyn and the guards were surprised to see that instead of going to the elf´s room, the man took the archer to the chambers he had been given.
As soon as Aragorn had closed and locked the door, the elf began to tremble, still not uttering a word. The ranger took him in his arms and guided him to the narrow bed where they sat down, the human leaning against the wall with Legolas in his arms. They sat like that for a long time, completely silent, just enjoying the nearness of one another. From time to time Aragorn ran his fingers through the elf´s golden hair and kissed him on the forehead as he caressed his back. When he looked down at the archer he saw that he had closed his eyes, a look of despair on his face as he leaned into the human´s touch. Aragorn softly touched the elf´s lips with his own.
"Legolas"he said in his most tender voice.
The archer opened his eyes and looked up in the ranger´s lovingly face.
"They saw us kissing which made them draw their own conclusions" he said, his first words since they had entered Aragorn´s room.
"That they could have their own way with you...oh, Legolas I´m so sorry...."
"That is not what ails me "the elf whispered. "I already know elves are temptations to many men, especially if they have not seen one before. The problem is how they reacted to seeing us together, they so well embodies how humans look at liaisons as ours. This will be an even greater complication to you than expected."
"Perhaps, but it is a complication I want. Don´t think that I will let you go so easily."
A look of unspeakable sadness crossed over the elf´s face at those words.
"That is not a choice you can make, Aragorn" he said, turned and started to fix his braids, not wanting to show the single tear that spilled down his cheek." I will stand by your side until this task is finished, after that you belong to another."
The ranger laid a hand on the archer's shoulder, forcing him to turn around.
"Something has to be done about that" he said "for my heart belongs only to you, as it always has and always will. You know that, don´t you?"
Legolas nodded.
"I know, but it´s not making it any easier. Our hearts has chosen a path that can only cause grief in the end. However, we have lingered much longer than we should, it´s time to get going".
The man just nodded, currently not having enough strength to speak.
They headed for the hall of Meduseld, both feeling quite miserable. On their way they met Gimli who was very upset, having heard about the assault. He went silent, which were very unusual, when he saw the grim looks on their faces.
(At Rivendell)
"He´s drifting from me, father" Arwen said as she stood gazing out in the air.
"The quest brings his mind a lot to dwell upon, my daughter" Elrond said, from where he sat behind her in a chair.
"You know of what I speak. His heart is turning in another direction, away, far away". She sobbed. Elrond rose and came over, to stand by her side.
"A part of his heart has always belonged to the prince of Mirkwood. Now more than just a part has chosen this path. That was a risk that was taken when they went away with the fellowship. But know this, my child: the archer´s love will make him strong, stronger than he would have been otherwise."
"I know that already, and I know Legolas´ noble soul."
Elrond looked at her in silence for a moment, then he started to talk about the Undying Lands, that she should take the ship to Valinor, as also Aragorn had asked her to do.
On their way to Helm´s Deep Legolas took the lead as usual, running far ahead to scout the surroundings, while the others remained behind, talking and having a rather nice time. He enjoyed the solitude, having been around men for so long. He had always needed time for himself, not being able to it made him weary so this felt good even if it was only for scanning.
And soon enough, he saw the warg-riders. He quickly shot an arrow before he yelled at he others.
They managed to slay the beasts and the orcs that were riding them. It nevertheless ended in disaster since Aragorn tumbled off a cliff, bringing a beast with him.
Legolas found the pendant of the Evenstar at the edge. He slowly picked it up, terror in his heart.
As they rode back he suddenly realized something, with a clarity that shone above everything else.
"He´s alive" he told Gimli , who sat behind him on the horse as usual.
"What, crazy elf? Has your grief driven you mad?"
"No, he´s alive. If he had been dead I would have felt it." The elf stared out in the open air, like he was searching for something. "Alive, but unconscious".
The dwarf muttered something under his breath, and then he said:
"You make me worried, lad. I know you loved him, but...."
"That´s wrong. I love him" the elf corrected him. In a way he found it ironic, being so easy to tell Gimli that he loved Aragorn, although he had never uttered those words to the man himself.
He heard a sigh behind his back.
"Well, you apparently need some rest, I will make sure you get some."
Legolas did not protest, the dwarf´s words suited his plans just fine.
Therefore, when they reached Helm´s Deep, Legolas was given a small chamber giving him the opportunity to be alone for a while. Theoden had immediately granted the dwarf´s request, moved by the look he had seen in the elf's face when they were standing at the edge of the cliff.
As soon as Gimli had left him alone, he laid down on the bed and closed his eyes, emptying his psyche from all other thoughts as he reached out in search for Aragorn. After a long time he found him, the rangers´s mind still dazed and barely conscious. The man was seemingly floating in water.
"Now, my beloved" he whispered "come back, let your dreams wake you up". He clutched the pendant in his hand so hard that it hurt, sending Aragorn images of Arwen , to stimulate his memories of her. Doing so made his heart almost break, but he still felt it more suitable, the best thing to do, wishing to hinder the love between himself and Aragorn to plunge in to even further depths.
There is someone whose light shines even brighter to me. A light that glimmers above all others. Legolas, where are you?
It was Aragorn´s voice. Legolas eyes popped open in surprise, but he had no time to dwell on what this meant since a white lightning of pain blocked all coherent thoughts from his mind. He had restrain himself from screaming when blood started to pour out from his nose and he also felt the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth.
"Not this as well" he gasped as he drifted away into an alluring darkness.
TBC.