Title: Despair and Hope
Chapter 11: Being Strong
"Is she going to be alright?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas stopped pacing for a moment and said, "The healers said I got her back in time, she didn't lose as much blood as she could have. They're working on closing the shoulder wound right now. She was lucky. The blade was not poisoned."
He continued to pace. It was as if he was trying to escape himself, escape the pain of losing a friend, and the only way he could do that by walking up and down, up and down, ceaselessly.
Aragorn watched him thoughtfully. He knew something was wrong. His friend did not seem at all happy about the victory of Helm's Deep. Now that Aragorn had come to terms with the fact that he was no longer the Hope of all Men, some of his perceptivity was coming back to him. He could see that Legolas was in a great deal of pain and that he was struggling to hide it.
Legolas? he asked.
Legolas made no reply, he merely glanced in Aragorn's direction, and continued to pace.
Legolas, is something wrong? Aragorn asked cautiously.
Legolas opened his mouth to lie, but the look on his friend's face stopped him. His friend would find out anyway. It was best that he know now.
Aragorn- he stopped.
Yes? Aragorn urged him
Aragorn, Haldir, he-
What? Tell me quickly Legolas. Aragorn's voice was full of fear.
Legolas drew a deep breath and turned away from his friend. Haldir is dead, Aragorn.
What? Aragorn said in bewildered shock. What did you say?
Haldir is dead Aragorn. He died in the blast. He didn't get inside in time. Legolas's voice was harsh.
Legolas-
I'm sorry Aragorn. I can't hear this right now. I know you're hurting but- He stopped, unable to continue.
Come here mellonamin, Aragorn said softly. Let us help each other. Please.
No we can't, Legolas said, his voice shaking in anger. Only Estel can help me. And you are not Estel anymore. You are Aragorn.
There was a short pause.
"How long have you known?" Aragorn asked him in a hollow voice.
"Since when I went out to talk to Eowyn. She told me."
There was another longer pause.
"I'm sorry, Aragorn. I'm supposed to be helping you be strong. But I can't deal with that right now. One of my best friends is dead. No one can help me deal with that, perhaps not even Estel."
He turned and strode out of the room. Aragorn watched his retreating back shake with an aching heart.
Oh please, he begged, harder than he had all that dark night. Please let me be Estel again. Oh Valar, I implore you, give me my hopes back. To help my friend. Please…please…please…
.......
Far away, unknown to Aragorn, his prayers were being answered.
Saruman cowered before the palantir, bowing to the wrathful Eye of Sauron.
"You said that the battle was won if Isildur's heir lost his hope. Does it seem won to you?!"
"My lord-"
"He was the one who came up with the entire plan which defeated us. They lost very few people and we died by our own weapon!" Sauron seethed.
"My lord, it was unanticipated that-"
"Unanticipated! Of course it was unanticipated you fool! Who would have thought that the man would be even stronger without his hopes than with them? Nevertheless, I still blame you."
"What do you propose, my lord?"
"I propose that you release that Man's hopes at once! It is proving disastrous for us that he doesn't have them. Release them immediately."
"But my lord, think of the possibilities-"
"When I say something, I expect it to be followed without question."
"Yes, my lord. It will be done."
"Good." The Eye faded away from the palantir. Saruman plunged his hand it to his robes and took out… a small box.
........
Notes from the Stoneage:
Hello, all! Thank you very, very much to all those who reviewed! I appreciate it. I'm so sorry I haven't updated in so many ages. My music exam got over day-before-yesterday and I'm now as free as a bird so you can expect quick updates from now on!
So how did you like the conversation between Sauron and Saruman? I'm always so unsure with conversations of that sort- did it read well to you? Please give me loads of criticism. Don't flame though. Please?
And if you just want to R&R, you're welcome to, just click on the purple button in the corner. PLEASE? The same goes for my silent readers (you know who you are)! Why don't you review? Just this once?
Guess what else, guys? There's only one chapter left for this story to be completed! Yipee!
P.S. This stupid quick edit thingy has erased my usual scene shifting symbol. Now I'm having to use dots.