Ok I'll say right now that I'm kinda unhappy with this chapter. I realize
that all of you will most likely enjoy it, but it's the pivotal point in
this story and frankly I expected better of myself. On that dreary note...
P.S. I have no idea when I'll be able to update again.
wispykitty: Yikes I did all that? Wow.er.you're welcome?
Tithen Min: Now hold up! I read one of your stories and I loved it! I'm hooked! Mine is SO not better then yours!
Paper Crane: Yes things are definitely heating up, boiling even.
Ankhesanamun: Ok
Tamara: I know.they're ALL too short. Wasn't my intent but that's how it wound up.
Raven: I have found that far too many people struggle with this. It's an issue that NEEDS to be raised, People need to know that this is out there...and prevalently.
Anthem: Things were getting better, but I dunno it seems to be starting to slide downhill again.
orion: You've re-read this? I cannot fathom why! *scratches head* Nope.doesn't compute. Ok.here's the deal.longer chapters, or posts more often. Choose; you can't have both. =P Sry but that's the way it has to be for now.
~*~
~ I am a little bit insecure, a little unconfident.
Cause you don't understand I do what I can but sometimes I don't make sense.
I say what you never wanna say but I've never had a doubt.
It's like no matter what I do I can't convince you for once just to hear me out.
So I let go, watching you turn your back like you always do.
Face away and pretend that I'm not.
But I'll be here 'cause you're all that I've got ~
~ Linkin Park ~
Moonlight filtered through leaves tinged red gold by the changing seasons. The whispering air stirred them with a light breeze carrying the lingering warmth of a late autumn.
But Aragorn did not feel the warmth. He was cold from the inside out. Kept frozen by his current all encompassing terror.
Things only seemed to be getting worse...gradually escalating to a degree that threatened to shatter his own sanity as well as that of his friend. For the young ranger was helpless to stop any of it. Left alone, without any way to give Legolas aid. It was a suffocating feeling, seeking to steal his sleep, and at times his very breath, away from him.
And he was finding it very hard to breath at the moment...very hard indeed. The air his lungs were screaming for caught in his throat, and for now he had almost forgotten how to inhale. Snatches of conversation floated in and out of his awareness; he barely heard it over the rushing in his ears. *It can't be...* the anguished thought was torn out of his desperation, his burning need for this to be dream he would soon wake from.
But fate would not be so kind to the young man. This was no dream, and the words his friend had spoken repeated themselves over and over within the tortured confines of his mind.
~
Several minutes previous...
~
True to prediction the first meeting HAD been long and boring, and Aragorn had in fact nearly fallen asleep. Now the soft glow that clung to all elves could be seen all about the gardens as they leisurely walked the winding paths, some chatting amongst themselves or quietly singing to the stars.
Aragorn, Legolas, and their friend Valina, sat off by themselves not really saying anything. Valina was perched on the lowest branch of the tree they had chosen to rest under, one leg bent before him the other dangled in the air, swinging back and forth as the elf absently twirled a twig in his fingers. Legolas sat on the marble bench with his head bowed and his arms wrapped tightly around him; he had barely spoken since arriving at Imladris and didn't seem at all interested in changing that now. Aragorn for his part had flopped to ground in typical human fashion, leaning back against the bench Legolas was seated on and trying his best to ignore the silence pressing down on the trio.
A loud sigh broke the stillness followed by the sound of a twig snapping in two. "That's it..." Valina grumbled before jumping down from the tree. No sooner had his feet touched the ground then the elf was marching towards Legolas. He dropped to the bench with a soft 'wuff' of air and stared at the prince until Legolas raised his head to look at him. "What's wrong?" he demanded.
Legolas said nothing and simply dropped his gaze back and the fallen leaves that littered the ground.
"What is wrong?" Valina repeated himself, with more force behind his words. He wanted answers to why his friend was acting thus and he would not be put off.
The prince of Mirkwood slowly raised his head and stared straight in front of him, blue eyes devoid of all emotion. Valina waited, searching his friend's face, content for now to let the younger elf answer in his own time. Finally Legolas sighed, "I lost my sanity." he whispered.
Valina blinked, uncertain if perhaps his ears were deceiving him, "You what?"
"I lost my sanity" Legolas repeated, not moving in the slightest. "And I really regret it...for now I must live with the scars."
A sudden intake of air caught in Aragorn's throat, forcing its way out as a strangled gasp, *No...*
"What are you talking about?" Valina asked in deep confusion.
Legolas did not answer, but slid his arm guard off and offered his wrist to the other elf, letting that speak for him. Valina frowned, searching Legolas' face again. Finding nothing to help him he let his gaze drop to the prince's wrist. Green eyes widened in stunned disbelief.
Twisting around the ranger peered over the marble seat, trying to see without calling attention to himself. But even with the full moon, the light was too dim for his mortal eyesight and he turned back around, pressing against the white marble till it bit into his back. He did not need to see.
His fear had been confirmed.
~
So here the young man sat, withering grass beneath his clenched fists, stars shimmering far overhead, surrounded by peace but with chaos inside. Thought refused to focus but ran unchecked without destination or purpose in meaningless circles about his suffering mind.
Eventually he realized that his name had been mentioned and worked his way up through the sea of turmoil to where he could drag his attention back to present as best he could. He blinked, Legolas and Valina were staring at him. "What?" he asked.
Legolas shook his head with a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth and Valina chuckled. "Never mind."
Aragorn nodded and turned back around surmising they had asked if he was listening. He had heard enough however. Sifting through his jumbled thoughts the ranger could dimly recall Valina offering Legolas words of comfort, but just barely.
It wasn't long, at least to his reckoning that the human wasn't sure he could even trust, before Valina sighed, "It is late," he announced. "We should retire for the night."
The trio rose and walked the path through the garden that would lead them back to the main house. The moon at their back cast distorted shadows on the path before them. All the while Aragorn raked his brain for something he could say to Legolas. What was there to be said? By the time they had entered the hall where they were forced to part ways and go to their separate rooms he could think of only one thing to say.
He embraced his friend, not in the manner of elves, but an honest to goodness human hug. Legolas stiffened a bare second before returning the gesture, letting himself melt into the human's arms.
"I'm sorry." Aragorn whispered.
Legolas gave his shoulder a squeeze and smiled dimly, "We will talk later."
Aragorn watched him walk down the hall to his room, waiting till he heard the door click closed before turning and retreating to his own room. The ranger closed his door with a shuddering breath, leaning against the carved wood and wiping a stray tear off his cheek.
TBC...
P.S. I have no idea when I'll be able to update again.
wispykitty: Yikes I did all that? Wow.er.you're welcome?
Tithen Min: Now hold up! I read one of your stories and I loved it! I'm hooked! Mine is SO not better then yours!
Paper Crane: Yes things are definitely heating up, boiling even.
Ankhesanamun: Ok
Tamara: I know.they're ALL too short. Wasn't my intent but that's how it wound up.
Raven: I have found that far too many people struggle with this. It's an issue that NEEDS to be raised, People need to know that this is out there...and prevalently.
Anthem: Things were getting better, but I dunno it seems to be starting to slide downhill again.
orion: You've re-read this? I cannot fathom why! *scratches head* Nope.doesn't compute. Ok.here's the deal.longer chapters, or posts more often. Choose; you can't have both. =P Sry but that's the way it has to be for now.
~*~
~ I am a little bit insecure, a little unconfident.
Cause you don't understand I do what I can but sometimes I don't make sense.
I say what you never wanna say but I've never had a doubt.
It's like no matter what I do I can't convince you for once just to hear me out.
So I let go, watching you turn your back like you always do.
Face away and pretend that I'm not.
But I'll be here 'cause you're all that I've got ~
~ Linkin Park ~
Moonlight filtered through leaves tinged red gold by the changing seasons. The whispering air stirred them with a light breeze carrying the lingering warmth of a late autumn.
But Aragorn did not feel the warmth. He was cold from the inside out. Kept frozen by his current all encompassing terror.
Things only seemed to be getting worse...gradually escalating to a degree that threatened to shatter his own sanity as well as that of his friend. For the young ranger was helpless to stop any of it. Left alone, without any way to give Legolas aid. It was a suffocating feeling, seeking to steal his sleep, and at times his very breath, away from him.
And he was finding it very hard to breath at the moment...very hard indeed. The air his lungs were screaming for caught in his throat, and for now he had almost forgotten how to inhale. Snatches of conversation floated in and out of his awareness; he barely heard it over the rushing in his ears. *It can't be...* the anguished thought was torn out of his desperation, his burning need for this to be dream he would soon wake from.
But fate would not be so kind to the young man. This was no dream, and the words his friend had spoken repeated themselves over and over within the tortured confines of his mind.
~
Several minutes previous...
~
True to prediction the first meeting HAD been long and boring, and Aragorn had in fact nearly fallen asleep. Now the soft glow that clung to all elves could be seen all about the gardens as they leisurely walked the winding paths, some chatting amongst themselves or quietly singing to the stars.
Aragorn, Legolas, and their friend Valina, sat off by themselves not really saying anything. Valina was perched on the lowest branch of the tree they had chosen to rest under, one leg bent before him the other dangled in the air, swinging back and forth as the elf absently twirled a twig in his fingers. Legolas sat on the marble bench with his head bowed and his arms wrapped tightly around him; he had barely spoken since arriving at Imladris and didn't seem at all interested in changing that now. Aragorn for his part had flopped to ground in typical human fashion, leaning back against the bench Legolas was seated on and trying his best to ignore the silence pressing down on the trio.
A loud sigh broke the stillness followed by the sound of a twig snapping in two. "That's it..." Valina grumbled before jumping down from the tree. No sooner had his feet touched the ground then the elf was marching towards Legolas. He dropped to the bench with a soft 'wuff' of air and stared at the prince until Legolas raised his head to look at him. "What's wrong?" he demanded.
Legolas said nothing and simply dropped his gaze back and the fallen leaves that littered the ground.
"What is wrong?" Valina repeated himself, with more force behind his words. He wanted answers to why his friend was acting thus and he would not be put off.
The prince of Mirkwood slowly raised his head and stared straight in front of him, blue eyes devoid of all emotion. Valina waited, searching his friend's face, content for now to let the younger elf answer in his own time. Finally Legolas sighed, "I lost my sanity." he whispered.
Valina blinked, uncertain if perhaps his ears were deceiving him, "You what?"
"I lost my sanity" Legolas repeated, not moving in the slightest. "And I really regret it...for now I must live with the scars."
A sudden intake of air caught in Aragorn's throat, forcing its way out as a strangled gasp, *No...*
"What are you talking about?" Valina asked in deep confusion.
Legolas did not answer, but slid his arm guard off and offered his wrist to the other elf, letting that speak for him. Valina frowned, searching Legolas' face again. Finding nothing to help him he let his gaze drop to the prince's wrist. Green eyes widened in stunned disbelief.
Twisting around the ranger peered over the marble seat, trying to see without calling attention to himself. But even with the full moon, the light was too dim for his mortal eyesight and he turned back around, pressing against the white marble till it bit into his back. He did not need to see.
His fear had been confirmed.
~
So here the young man sat, withering grass beneath his clenched fists, stars shimmering far overhead, surrounded by peace but with chaos inside. Thought refused to focus but ran unchecked without destination or purpose in meaningless circles about his suffering mind.
Eventually he realized that his name had been mentioned and worked his way up through the sea of turmoil to where he could drag his attention back to present as best he could. He blinked, Legolas and Valina were staring at him. "What?" he asked.
Legolas shook his head with a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth and Valina chuckled. "Never mind."
Aragorn nodded and turned back around surmising they had asked if he was listening. He had heard enough however. Sifting through his jumbled thoughts the ranger could dimly recall Valina offering Legolas words of comfort, but just barely.
It wasn't long, at least to his reckoning that the human wasn't sure he could even trust, before Valina sighed, "It is late," he announced. "We should retire for the night."
The trio rose and walked the path through the garden that would lead them back to the main house. The moon at their back cast distorted shadows on the path before them. All the while Aragorn raked his brain for something he could say to Legolas. What was there to be said? By the time they had entered the hall where they were forced to part ways and go to their separate rooms he could think of only one thing to say.
He embraced his friend, not in the manner of elves, but an honest to goodness human hug. Legolas stiffened a bare second before returning the gesture, letting himself melt into the human's arms.
"I'm sorry." Aragorn whispered.
Legolas gave his shoulder a squeeze and smiled dimly, "We will talk later."
Aragorn watched him walk down the hall to his room, waiting till he heard the door click closed before turning and retreating to his own room. The ranger closed his door with a shuddering breath, leaning against the carved wood and wiping a stray tear off his cheek.
TBC...