AN: To all readers: I love you guys!! Thanks for all the reviews. I hope this was worth the wait!!
Chapter 37
Lothlórien and Parth Galen
For pilgrim it's a long way
To find out who you are...
" Against my will, we passed into Moria to our loss. And now we must enter the Golden Wood, you say? In Gondor it is said that once you enter here, few leave unscathed."
Gritting his teeth unnaturally, Aragorn took several deep breaths and prayed despretely to Eru that he would resist the bubbling urge to fling his sword from his scabbard and do something he might regret later. Legolas took a step forward, and rested a hand on Aragorn's tense wrist, silently beseeching for the man to loosen his death grip upon the poor sword. Icy gray swirls laced with ice glared at Boromir, daring the man to contest with anything the Elf said.
" Aragorn leads us. There is no ill in the Golden Wood."
Boromir lifted his chin, apparently willing to challenge the Elf.
" You, Elf, just told us that you had not journeyed there. What do you know?"
Aragorn put a hand on Legolas' chest.
" Hold your tongue." He muttered, directing a look that bid Legolas to listen or risk worsening Aragorn's brewing temper.
Legolas pressed his lips together, a bit stung, as Aragorn moved forward.
" Gondor has fallen if they say that this Wood is ill or enchanted."
Boromir noted at that moment that he stood alone. He sighed.
" Then lead on, but it is perilous."
Aragorn shook his head.
" Would you think it to be any other way?
~*~
Aragorn stared into the trees, barely listening as Legolas enchanted the Fellowship with the 'Tale of Nimrodel'. Aragorn sighed.
*At least it is not the 'Lay of Lúthien'…
He sighed again, drawing a bow from his quiver and proceeding to inspect its fletching though he had no need to. Every arrow had been meticulously created by Glorfindel and the Twins ere the Fellowship left Imladris.
*This is too good. There is not a sign of an Elf.
Aragorn raised his eyes from his unneeded inspection, his sharp eyes piecing the shadows that seemed to fall over his very spirit.
*This is the Northern Boarder. Haldir's territory. I hope he and his brothers remember me.
~*~
Haldir's cold eyes grazed over Aragorn with a flash of surprise before bowing slightly. Haldir motioned for his archers to lower their bows.
" Estel?"
Aragorn nodded, touching his chest in a respectful gesture.
" Haldir."
The Elf sent a cool gaze sweeping over them before spouting something in a soft Elvish to one of his obvious blood relatives. Haldir's gaze landed on the only Elf and then Aragorn before raising his hands peaceably.
" You will follow me."
~*~
Aragorn was allowed a fine talan where he and the others were allowed to sleep. Gimli looked around with a hint of apprehension. It was obvious the other Elves did not approve of him. Legolas climbed up wearily.
" Well?" Gimli gruffly grunted.
Legolas glanced at Gimli with a bit of exasperation.
" They have not shot us. Be glad they heard my song or we would all be dead."
Aragorn snorted before replying.
" They would have made sure we were not foe. Leastways, they know me."
Legolas nodded.
" You have the favor of the Lady."
Aragorn nodded, looking at his hands.
" You have been here before then?" Boromir asked, a light fire burning in his eyes feverishly.
Aragorn nodded, leaning back.
" It has been many, many years since I have been here." Aragorn glanced at Legolas. " Antanyë Arwen cormamma (I gave Arwen our rings here)."
Legolas only shook his head.
" Ta ná cólolla an au-rácinalyë vestalë (It is your burden for you broke off the wedding)." Legolas replied simply.
Aragorn pursed his lips before moving off by himself to sleep.
*Cursed Elf. Why must he always be right?
~*~
The air tasted like honey. Every sweet breath left the sugary taste in their mouths. A fresh fragrance filled the air, sweeter than that taste on the tips of their tongues. Aragorn closed his eyes, letting his shoulders slump with a sigh of relief. A reminiscing smile lifted his lips slightly. He opened his eyes, taking in the Elves above.
*The Elves are few now.
Her voice infiltrated his head.
*My people are leaving these shores. The Sea calls to them.
Aragorn lifted his eyes. Through the bright lights surrounding one particular talan that they were being led to, he could just barely perceive the outline of a she-Elf. He bowed his head in respect.
*Galadriel…
Her sad smile made Lórien brighten and the song in his heart jumped.
*I am pleased to see you safe, Son of Arathorn. Lately you have filled my thoughts.
Legolas nudged Aragorn.
" Where are we going?"
Aragorn sent him a smile.
" Celeborn and Galadriel will want to speak with us. They do not know…" Aragorn trailed off. " Gandalf."
Legolas nodded a tinge of sadness marring his features and making him seem aged for a small moment before apprehension set in.
" Why cannot you just go?"
Aragorn grinned, arching an eyebrow teasingly his spirits suddenly glad.
" All your long years you have waited to travel here and now you just want to leave?"
Legolas rolled his eyes, moving away at a hobbit's call.
~*~
Aragorn walked alone among the trees, hands clasped behind his back in a familiar gesture so as he did not pick at the fine robes. He had found some of his old clothes still here.
" You look as fair as you did when you came the last time."
Aragorn turned, instinctively freezing for a moment at the shining image of perfection before him.
" Galadriel."
The glimmering lady approached him, a sad smile on her lips. She sighed softly.
" We have never had the time to speak, Aragorn."
Aragorn shrugged, his shaggy hair tickling his cheeks as he tilted his head towards the ground.
" You are a busy lady."
Galadriel touched his cheek and gently raised his chin.
" You are nearly part of my family, but you keep yourself from the love offered."
Aragorn turned away.
" She deserves to live."
Galadriel shook her head.
" I have seen what she deserves and it is you, Estel. She would die of grief if the two of you are ever sundered."
Aragorn looked at the tree before him.
" She is forsaking these shores." He turned, a pained look on his face. " Elrond told me I may not return from this journey."
The intensity with which Galadriel spoke her next words surprised them both.
" Well, Elrond is wrong!"
Galadriel cleared her throat. Her maidens entered the clearing. Galadriel smiled sadly, looking like a fallen star.
" I hope we are able to speak again, Estel."
Aragorn bowed, watching her turn away. He sadly stared after her, his thoughts unknowingly perceived by her.
*I crave to believe her words; but I cannot find solace, knowing reality.
Galadriel suddenly turned back, touching his cheek with a forlorn smile.
*Here in Lórien, reality is a dream. Be at peace, my child. Be at peace.
~*~
Aragorn sniffed softly once he was away from the group. He coughed into his hand, seeing the Son of Gondor sitting nearby. Sam's song had affected him more than he wanted to believe. Aragorn sat beside Boromir.
" You should rest, my friend. These borders are well protected."
Boromir shook his head.
" I already told you I will not rest."
Aragorn looked up, his eyes narrowing a bit as he looked up into the branches. He and Boromir had already spoken a bit earlier.
" I would not have you bearing down our mission."
Boromir's head turned, his eyes flashing angrily.
" I am no green soldier, Ranger." He growled. "I am the Son of the Steward." Boromir rose. " I can keep up, Strider. Have no disillusions in your mind." Boromir's eyes flitted up and he clamped his mouth shut.
Legolas stood there, his eyes keenly on Boromir, as if the two were locked in a battle of wills. It was Boromir who finally looked away, unable to hold the intense gaze of the immortal. Legolas jumped over a large root, crossing his arms as he came to a standstill before the man. The future Steward mumbled some excuse and then brushed by the Elf. Aragorn shook his head as he watched the hot tempered man stalk away.
" I do not need your protection, Legolas. I am not a boy anymore."
Legolas sat down beside him.
" Ah, but it is amusing to."
Aragorn just pushed his eyebrows up for a split second.
" Where were you last night? You did not sleep with the Fellowship."
Legolas waggled his eyebrows.
" Now you best not start acting like a mother hen to me. I am far past the age of boyhood."
Aragorn chuckled.
" You are old." He teased.
Legolas just smiled.
" So they say."
Aragorn glanced at him.
" The Fellowship is already wary of the Elves. I would rather you remain around the camp, then cavorting off with the March-Wardens."
Legolas scowled though the sparkle in his eyes did not.
" They are teaching me some new archery skills I may be able to put to use. Have you seen their bows? They are beautiful!"
Aragorn shook his head trying and failing to hide a smirk at the Elf's enthusiasm.
" I am more of a sword person."
Legolas grinned.
" Aye, where is old Narsil?"
Aragorn's spirits died and he rose.
" Narsil has been put away."
Legolas just pressed his hands together.
" Someday, my friend, you will have to confront this."
Aragorn turned away, his words barely reaching even Legolas' keen ears.
" Maybe, but today is not that day."
AN: Most of this is taken directly from the FOTR book. I did expand on it a bit, but I tried to keep it as in canon as possible. If you find a problem with that, please tell me in a review. Thanks…