Severity of Silence
Chapter: Speaking words of truth
Aragorn: 18
Legolas: around the same age
Jerald: 15
Faramir: 16
Boromir: 18
(Two years later.)
:Arathorn:
It was early in the morning on an approaching fall day as I gaze out into the great courtyard of my Kingdom, watching as two young men come racing into the yard, their laughter filtering through the air of early morning. Pulling their horses short I watch as the dark-haired young man jumps from his horse, throwing the reins over the elegant head and looking back at his blonde companion. The other boy leaps from his own horse with ease befitting his Elven heritage as long blonde hair whips in the breeze. Their laughter fills my heart with joy to see them once more, and I quickly go out to great them, meeting my trusted captain Glorfindel and healer Elrond along the way.
" Only they could make so much noise." Elrond mutters and I place a hand on the elf's slim shoulder as we approach the archway where we stand waiting for the youths to notice us. Soon the elf turns and whacks his companion on the shoulder, alerting him to our being there. The dark haired one whips around and bows at the waist while his companion gives the appropriate Elven greeting, placing a hand over his heart and then extending it slightly away from his narrow body.
" Father." The dark haired boy began but I cut him off with a sweep of my hand.
" You are late." I state pointedly. My only son, Aragorn lowers his head and mumbles an apology that I indeed heard but made no indication I did.
" What did you say Wanderer Aragorn?" I ask, addressing my son as his title known through the kingdom of Gondor for since his eighteenth birthday the boy is rarely home.
" I said Forgive me father we ran into a problem on our way home." He says loudly before bringing his grinning face up and I can't help but smile. His Elven companion laughs slightly beside him and I turn stern eyes on him as well.
" And what of you Warrior Legolas?" The elf instantly stops laughing and becomes serious once more.
" Ran into the same problem my lord." He says and gives Aragorn a slight smirk and a wink of silvery-blue eye.
" No injuries I hope." I say glancing sidelong at the house healer and captain.
" No sir." Both answer at the same time and I laugh, not able to keep this up forever.
" Come you both must be starved." I hug my son about the shoulders and lead him into the main dining hall, followed closely by the three elves, now speaking in their own language. The two boys sit, side by side and begin eating, grabbing half's of steaks and almost a plate filled with bread to split between them. I sit and watch the two devour most of the food, thanking the gods I had already eaten. By the time the two have finished the maids have begun to clear away everything and prepare for noon meal.
" Now what detained you both so to make you late?" I ask, leaning closer to the two who were laughing about some private joke. Aragorn stops his laughing and turns to me, eyes serious and even.
" A few villagers decided it would be funny to lame our horses. They were made to tread over sharp stones, their lameness prevented us from riding for two days." He explains and I nod, knowing that the villagers in some of the neighboring villages don't take kindly to wanders.
" Well I'm glad your home now. What news from Rohan?" Legolas takes out a rolled parchment and hands it to Aragorn who hands it to me. Quickly glancing at the words I set my lips in a thin line, before getting to my feet.
" I need to address this matter. I will have a message to be sent back in a few days. Rest up until then." I nod to them and leave the chamber, going to my study to write a response to the new king of Rohan, Theoden King.
:Legolas:
Stepping into the stable I bring my gelding Saipan into his box, the horse nickers happily to feel the soft hay under his feet and stomps his feet as I untack him. Two stalls down I hear Aragorn talking to his mare Wyne, the little horse's feet clomp on the wooden floor. Brushing the gray coat out until it gleams I refill the feed and water bin before patting my long-time companion on the muscular neck before exiting the stall, leaving the horse to enjoy the warmth of the barn. Putting away my bit-less bridle and brushes I wait for Aragorn who has just finished with his horse.
" It's good to be home." The human sighs as we walk from the barn.
" Aye. Been a bit too long." He smiles and points to the field.
" New crop. You going to train them?" He asks and I smile. My training as a warrior with Glorfindel basically took me from my barn duties.
" We'll both need new horses." I comment walking back up the path toward the castle and my room. It has been several months since I last slept in a soft bed.
" True. I'm afraid Wyne is getting a bit too old for these trips." He laughs as we walk up the stairs into the halls. Going down the stone passageways we soon come to a spilt where I go left and Aragorn goes right. He waves a good-bye to me and I smile, heading for my own room. Opening the door I smile at the sight that greets me upon arrival. Both Elladan and Elrohir are sitting on my bed, waiting for me to come in.
" GREENLEAF!" They both shout and I soon find myself encased in a group hug, unable to breathe for the arms squeezing the life from me.
" Off!" I shout when I am able to draw some breath and the twins back away, still smiling, overjoyed. They begin asking me questions since they rarely leave the surrounding woods while I travel with Aragorn all over Middle Earth. Sitting on my bed I sigh and laugh along with my adopted siblings, yes it is good to be home.
:Aragorn:
Going into my room I toss my bags into a corner and flop on my bed, relaxing into the clean, soft, sweet-smelling mattress. It has been about three months of sleeping on the ground and on moth-eaten beds this is so much better. Staring at the ceiling I wonder what matters were so important for father to have to attend to so quickly. Finding myself with no energy to really go and find out I relax further into the bed and think of all the things Legolas and I have been through these past two years, so much has changed for both of us. I am now allowed outside the boundaries of Gondor and often sent on messenger missions for my father and now considered a man. Trained with Glorfindel I can use both sword and bow, though I prefer a sword. Between training, going on runs, learning to be a negotiator, I have found time to become close friends with Legolas. During the winters where we couldn't do any training, with the help of Elrond and his boys we taught Legolas to speak again and now he can talk like a normal person in both Elvish and common. A knock at my door draws me from my thoughts and I go over and open the oak door, revealing a young maiden carrying a tray.
" Lord Aragorn. I brought you some fresh wine and some fruit along with new water for the basin." She says and I back away from the opened door to allow her access. She walks in her pale, lavender dress swishing about her feet and long dark-brown hair sways down her back. I watch the house maiden do her work and when she turns I smile widely.
" Arwen." I laugh at the very annoyed look on her face.
" Sure greet me now. Some way to treat a friend." She huffs but embraces me in a hug, making me happy to be home once more.
" How have things been?" I ask the teen-age girl now sitting on my bed as we drink wine and talk about the past few months.
" Ah, very well. Have you seen Jerald lately?" I shake my head and Arwen giggles
" He's become head stable Master. Danathon died two months ago and left his position open to the young man who knows everything he knew. He was so flabbergasted with this whole thing he passed out in the hall when your father told him." I laugh at the young man's reaction.
" I would have too. Wow.. Stable master at the age of fifteen. Well at least he can now count." I smile and Arwen get up off the bed.
" I need to be getting back to my duties. Shall I see you at dinner this evening?" She asks and I wink at her. Legolas and I would usually not dine with my father and the elders, finding their dinner conversations boring so we would dine with Arwen, Jerald and Gimli out in the loft of the barn or even in the kitchens. The dwarf has become a part of our little group if he likes it or not and often entertains us with tales of his people in the Glittering Caves. Lying back on my soft bed I close my eyes, dropping off into a light doze.
~~~~~
Waking up around evening I quickly was up and dress before heading down to the kitchen where I find Arwen stirring a pot of stew. I grab a few bowls and some bread from the baker I set up the small table and pour some wine. Legolas come into the kitchen next, watching the many workers run in and out while serving father and the elders.
" I guess the Steward is here with his boys." Arwen says and gets up from where she is stirring the stew. I cringe, the steward and his son's have a tendency to hate everything served to them.
" I wonder how Elrond and the others are doing." I look at the blonde elf and notice his mouth pressed into a thin line. I sigh and clasp a hand to my friend's shoulder. Those three hate elves, since their uncle was one of the leaders that annihilated the race or beings before being slain by my father.
" it's not Elrond or Glorfindel I'm worried about." He says smiling " It's the twins." I laugh remembering the first time Boromir and his brother tried to gang up on the warriors. The twins put their faces into the dirt, embarrassing them both in front of many boy's their ages.
" Come let us eat." Arwen says and sits down, spooning some soup into her bowl. Legolas and I sit down, I quickly begin eating but Legolas doesn't his eyes focused on the door.
" Jerald." He breaths and I turn sharply to look at the young man, being accompanied by the blacksmith.
" Ah I see you two come back but never come to see me. All I see are your horses! I know where the friendship lies now." He grumps as he embraces Legolas from the shoulders.
" Ah Lads. Good to see you both back safe." Gimli comments before sitting down to his own soup and bread. Jerald gives me a firm handshake and sits down beside Legolas, also eating his own dinner. We sit in silence until the sounds of an annoyed voice from the dinning hall alerts us all.
" Why would you want an elf as your guard anyway!?" I recognize this as Boromir, who's voice has deepened since I last encountered the young man.
"They are my friends. If you like it naught leave." My father bellows and I cringe. Legolas keeps his eyes lowered to the table, a stern and annoyed expression on his face. Legolas avoids the Stewards boys as much as possible, since all they have to do is anger him and he could kill them and he doesn't want to do that. Steps are heard on the stairs and I tense, expecting one of the brothers to come down but when one of the twin's faces pop in I sigh in relief.
" Greenleaf, Adar wants to speak with you." The elf says and Legolas rolls his eyes before following his friend up the stairs. I exchange a look with the others before following my Elven friend up the stairs.
:Legolas:
At the annoyed shouts coming from the dining hall I know dinner hadn't gone well. Pushing open the door with Elladan behind me I peer into the large room where I see Boromir, Faramir and Elrohir bickering. Smiling as I move swiftly and quietly over to Elrond and Glorfindel who are just watching the three go at it.
" What are they arguing about now?" I ask the elder and he gives me a very annoyed look.
" They are arguing over the rights those killers had to slaughter our people. Arathorn is allowing them so I see no reason to rein Elrohir in." He says to me in Elvish and I roll my eyes. Elrohir is an accomplished negotiator but knows only a bit of how these humans argue. Behind me I hear a light snicker and turn to find Aragorn coming across the floor to watch the argument too.
" Our people did nothing to you." Elrohir shouts, slamming his fist on the table.
" You broke the alliance between men and Elves." Boromir shouts back, eyes a hardening river.
" We broke it! Who did most of the work? At least we didn't lose half our numbers!" He yells and points one thin finger at the man who only stands firm.
" You are wiped off this land, elf. Accept this fate and go to wherever you flee when things get to tough." He says and Elrohir is so enraged that he can't even speak.
" Well.. looks like that little argument is over. Come my boys we have over stayed our welcome." Their father says calmly before walking out of the hall and closing the door. Elladan goes to where his brother is slowly sinking into the chair and talks quietly to him.
" I really hate that man." Arathron grumbles walking around the room.
" Don't we all?" Glorfindel asks.
" Isn't that the truth." The twins Chime in. I nod my head.
" There hasn't been a truer statement."
Immortal Sadness: I can't believe you made me do that at the end!
Dhampir: Hey you asked for help.
Immortal Sadness: True. Yay! Shop week! I'll have more time to work on my fics!
Dhampir: WTF is this! ::Holds up Cyborg 009 book::
Immortal Sadness: My book.. Leave me alone I like it.
Dhampir: you're not human are you?
Immortal Sadness: Pleading the 5th
REVIEW! Please! Review! More this week sometime!