Legolas stopped at the water's edge of the pool, looking anxiously around
him. This was exactly where the rest of the Fellowship had said they were
going to be, but apart from himself and a small bird pecking for worms, the
clearing a little larger than their own, was empty.
The Elf crouched down and trailed a hand slowly along the ground. There were sets of small footprints dotted around, yet none belonging to Gandalf or the other two larger beings. It was strange though, for Legolas' sharp Elven hearing had not picked up any sounds of struggle.
"Legolas, I did not mean to..." Aragorn, who had just come through the trees, broke off and looked around him in concern. "Where have the others gone off to?"
"I do not know," replied Legolas, still down on one knee and examining the ground. "There are footprints of the Hobbits, but that is the only sign that they were here."
Aragorn worriedly bit his lip, and went to stand next to his friend. "This is indeed strange. Are you sure that-
The Ranger was suddenly cut off by the sounds of people running somewhere behind them. Legolas jumped up and whirled around, only to have something fly into him. Caught off his guard, the Elf was knocked backwards, and fell -though it was rather gracefully- into the pool. Aragorn drew in a sharp breath and reached down to help his friend, though that proved to be a mistake on his part, for the next thing he knew, somebody had careered into his back. Surprised, the Ranger fell forwards, and landed heavily in the water, creating a large splash. Legolas closed his eyes as water was sent all over him.
"Foolish Hobbits!" came a sudden angry voice from behind them. It was Gandalf, and needless to say, he was furious.
"What do you..." began Aragorn. However, he turned around in the water, realisation dawning as he heard the sounds of laughter from the bank.
Merry and Pippin were rolling around on the ground, both unable to speak, thanks to being overcome with giggles. They were clearly very impressed with their joke. Boromir and Gimli had just emerged from the trees with the other two Hobbits, both of whom knew not whether to be amused or irritated. Gimli however, found the misfortune that had befallen Legolas, absolutely hilarious.
"I said we could hide from them, not push them into the pool!" stormed Gandalf. "Unless you two had forgotten, that is the future King of Gondor and the Prince of Mirkwood. What were you thinking?"
Rolling his eyes, Aragorn swam with Legolas over to the edge of the pool, and pulled himself out. "I am glad that you enjoyed your little joke just then. Never fear, we will pay you back. Won't we, Legolas?"
"Of course," muttered the Elf, shooting the still chuckling Hobbits and Gimli, a nasty glare. He pushed his sopping wet hair across shoulder, turned sharply on his heel, and without saying another word, left through the trees.
"I think you may well have touched a nerve," said Gimli in amusement.
"We're sorry," said Merry, getting to his feet and looking up at the irritated Ranger. "We didn't know that you or Legolas would not find it funny."
Aragorn was just about to ask how that was possible, but quickly decided against it, as he wasn't really in the mood to listen to stammered explanations. "Alright, just don't do anything like that again. You two should remember that we are not here to have fun." With that, he shook his head and followed Legolas.
"That was close. I thought that Strider would explode," muttered Pippin.
Merry dug his friend in the ribs, clearing his throat in a way far from subtle. Towering above them was Gandalf, and he was so angry, that he looked ready to explode at any moment.
............................................................................................................
"Are you alright?" asked Aragorn, concealing a smile as he heard the sounds of Gandalf's shouting coming through the trees.
"Oh yes, absolutely fine," muttered Legolas, taking a fistful of golden hair, and wringing it out. "Just perfect, thank you. And yourself?"
"They did not mean anything by it," said Aragorn, surprised at the bitterness in his friend's voice. "Merry and Pippin were only playing around. You know what they are like."
Legolas glared at Aragorn, before kicking off his boots to empty them of water. "I care not for the antics of those two Hobbits. They can do as they wish, so long as their foolishness does not involve me."
"Can I ask you something, Legolas?" asked Aragorn, taking off his drenched overcoat. Without waiting for an answer, the Ranger proceeded with his question. "Why do you build walls between yourself and those who care?"
"I don't really know. After all, they only seem to be knocked down by the likes of you," said Legolas quietly.
"Well, it's a good job there are people like me around to do that," blazed Aragorn. "If those walls were left standing, you would become even more withdrawn and unhappy than now. You are a mere shadow of your former self, Legolas. And to be quite honest with you, I much preferred the way that you used to be."
"As do I. But do you think that if there was a way to go back to how I used to be, I would not do it?" snapped Legolas.
Aragorn reached out and put a strong hand on his friend's shoulder. "You have had *so* many chances to do that. But you don't take them. You could speak to me, Thranduil, Elladan, Elrohir or my father. Instead, you lock yourself away. We are all here for you, and would willingly help if only you would let us in."
"How many times must I tell you that I need no help?" asked Legolas through gritted teeth.
"Alright, have it your way," said Aragorn, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "But I tell you now, that I truly despair of you. Every time I try and help, you push me further away, you shut me out. It's getting to the point where I don't know what to do."
"So don't do anything," said Legolas quietly. "Forget about the problems that you think I have, and continue your life. Stop worrying about me."
Aragorn looked into the defiant silver eyes in front of him for a brief moment, before nodding curtly, and turning away to sit next to the fire. "As you wish, mellon nin."
'I did not mean it,' thought Legolas desperately, staring at Aragorn, willing him to look up. 'Please, Estel, I need you, whatever denial comes from my mouth.'
Despite everything that Legolas had said, the disguise he chose to wear, and the way he refused help, the Elven Prince was truly lost without Aragorn. He so wanted to speak to his friend, and tell him exactly how he felt. But it seemed impossible to do that. Whenever he opened his mouth, the same bitter and cold words of rejection came out. Inside however, his soul was screaming, crying to be heard.
............................................................................................................
silverhope2001: Yeah, I think that Legolas should open up to the Fellowship as well. But he's just a little ashamed of his past, really.
Aranel of Mirkwood: I'm not saying anything about Calaen! How evil is that? LOL
Mellaithwen-Angel Maiden: Sure I'll go check out your story!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Yeah, I guess so. But then, he did go through a heck of a lot when he was young.
Gollum Girl: I'm actually not sure if Haldir will come along, I haven't planned that far ahead. But he may do...
Legolas-gurl888: Hiya, is everything going OK with your friend yet? I hope so! In 'Ned Kelly', Joe's surname is pronounced the same way that you pronounce the word 'burn'. I think. I sent you an e-mail earlier, and that was a really good idea that you had!
Jennifer: Well, I have to confess that I kinda did something stupid. I didn't actually work the ages out properly, I just thought that it would be a good idea to have Estel in there. Though, I know now that I could've done it without him. Ah well. But I estimated him to be the same age (well, not really) as Legolas in 'A Brother's Jealousy'. Obviously, with the whole Elf years and human years and...I'm confusing myself.
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! The next chapter will be up some time tomorrow. Probably in the afternoon, but I'm not sure. Anyway, speak to you soon! Luv Misto x-x
The Elf crouched down and trailed a hand slowly along the ground. There were sets of small footprints dotted around, yet none belonging to Gandalf or the other two larger beings. It was strange though, for Legolas' sharp Elven hearing had not picked up any sounds of struggle.
"Legolas, I did not mean to..." Aragorn, who had just come through the trees, broke off and looked around him in concern. "Where have the others gone off to?"
"I do not know," replied Legolas, still down on one knee and examining the ground. "There are footprints of the Hobbits, but that is the only sign that they were here."
Aragorn worriedly bit his lip, and went to stand next to his friend. "This is indeed strange. Are you sure that-
The Ranger was suddenly cut off by the sounds of people running somewhere behind them. Legolas jumped up and whirled around, only to have something fly into him. Caught off his guard, the Elf was knocked backwards, and fell -though it was rather gracefully- into the pool. Aragorn drew in a sharp breath and reached down to help his friend, though that proved to be a mistake on his part, for the next thing he knew, somebody had careered into his back. Surprised, the Ranger fell forwards, and landed heavily in the water, creating a large splash. Legolas closed his eyes as water was sent all over him.
"Foolish Hobbits!" came a sudden angry voice from behind them. It was Gandalf, and needless to say, he was furious.
"What do you..." began Aragorn. However, he turned around in the water, realisation dawning as he heard the sounds of laughter from the bank.
Merry and Pippin were rolling around on the ground, both unable to speak, thanks to being overcome with giggles. They were clearly very impressed with their joke. Boromir and Gimli had just emerged from the trees with the other two Hobbits, both of whom knew not whether to be amused or irritated. Gimli however, found the misfortune that had befallen Legolas, absolutely hilarious.
"I said we could hide from them, not push them into the pool!" stormed Gandalf. "Unless you two had forgotten, that is the future King of Gondor and the Prince of Mirkwood. What were you thinking?"
Rolling his eyes, Aragorn swam with Legolas over to the edge of the pool, and pulled himself out. "I am glad that you enjoyed your little joke just then. Never fear, we will pay you back. Won't we, Legolas?"
"Of course," muttered the Elf, shooting the still chuckling Hobbits and Gimli, a nasty glare. He pushed his sopping wet hair across shoulder, turned sharply on his heel, and without saying another word, left through the trees.
"I think you may well have touched a nerve," said Gimli in amusement.
"We're sorry," said Merry, getting to his feet and looking up at the irritated Ranger. "We didn't know that you or Legolas would not find it funny."
Aragorn was just about to ask how that was possible, but quickly decided against it, as he wasn't really in the mood to listen to stammered explanations. "Alright, just don't do anything like that again. You two should remember that we are not here to have fun." With that, he shook his head and followed Legolas.
"That was close. I thought that Strider would explode," muttered Pippin.
Merry dug his friend in the ribs, clearing his throat in a way far from subtle. Towering above them was Gandalf, and he was so angry, that he looked ready to explode at any moment.
............................................................................................................
"Are you alright?" asked Aragorn, concealing a smile as he heard the sounds of Gandalf's shouting coming through the trees.
"Oh yes, absolutely fine," muttered Legolas, taking a fistful of golden hair, and wringing it out. "Just perfect, thank you. And yourself?"
"They did not mean anything by it," said Aragorn, surprised at the bitterness in his friend's voice. "Merry and Pippin were only playing around. You know what they are like."
Legolas glared at Aragorn, before kicking off his boots to empty them of water. "I care not for the antics of those two Hobbits. They can do as they wish, so long as their foolishness does not involve me."
"Can I ask you something, Legolas?" asked Aragorn, taking off his drenched overcoat. Without waiting for an answer, the Ranger proceeded with his question. "Why do you build walls between yourself and those who care?"
"I don't really know. After all, they only seem to be knocked down by the likes of you," said Legolas quietly.
"Well, it's a good job there are people like me around to do that," blazed Aragorn. "If those walls were left standing, you would become even more withdrawn and unhappy than now. You are a mere shadow of your former self, Legolas. And to be quite honest with you, I much preferred the way that you used to be."
"As do I. But do you think that if there was a way to go back to how I used to be, I would not do it?" snapped Legolas.
Aragorn reached out and put a strong hand on his friend's shoulder. "You have had *so* many chances to do that. But you don't take them. You could speak to me, Thranduil, Elladan, Elrohir or my father. Instead, you lock yourself away. We are all here for you, and would willingly help if only you would let us in."
"How many times must I tell you that I need no help?" asked Legolas through gritted teeth.
"Alright, have it your way," said Aragorn, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "But I tell you now, that I truly despair of you. Every time I try and help, you push me further away, you shut me out. It's getting to the point where I don't know what to do."
"So don't do anything," said Legolas quietly. "Forget about the problems that you think I have, and continue your life. Stop worrying about me."
Aragorn looked into the defiant silver eyes in front of him for a brief moment, before nodding curtly, and turning away to sit next to the fire. "As you wish, mellon nin."
'I did not mean it,' thought Legolas desperately, staring at Aragorn, willing him to look up. 'Please, Estel, I need you, whatever denial comes from my mouth.'
Despite everything that Legolas had said, the disguise he chose to wear, and the way he refused help, the Elven Prince was truly lost without Aragorn. He so wanted to speak to his friend, and tell him exactly how he felt. But it seemed impossible to do that. Whenever he opened his mouth, the same bitter and cold words of rejection came out. Inside however, his soul was screaming, crying to be heard.
............................................................................................................
silverhope2001: Yeah, I think that Legolas should open up to the Fellowship as well. But he's just a little ashamed of his past, really.
Aranel of Mirkwood: I'm not saying anything about Calaen! How evil is that? LOL
Mellaithwen-Angel Maiden: Sure I'll go check out your story!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Yeah, I guess so. But then, he did go through a heck of a lot when he was young.
Gollum Girl: I'm actually not sure if Haldir will come along, I haven't planned that far ahead. But he may do...
Legolas-gurl888: Hiya, is everything going OK with your friend yet? I hope so! In 'Ned Kelly', Joe's surname is pronounced the same way that you pronounce the word 'burn'. I think. I sent you an e-mail earlier, and that was a really good idea that you had!
Jennifer: Well, I have to confess that I kinda did something stupid. I didn't actually work the ages out properly, I just thought that it would be a good idea to have Estel in there. Though, I know now that I could've done it without him. Ah well. But I estimated him to be the same age (well, not really) as Legolas in 'A Brother's Jealousy'. Obviously, with the whole Elf years and human years and...I'm confusing myself.
Thanks to everyone else who reviewed! The next chapter will be up some time tomorrow. Probably in the afternoon, but I'm not sure. Anyway, speak to you soon! Luv Misto x-x