Authors Note: Here is the next installment…leaving Imladris. Hope
you enjoy. Tell me what you think of this chapter. Thanks!
Legolas waited patiently at the stable, holding on to Alutier's harness. The morning was cool and damp and the horse was anxious to get moving. Evaria, also already saddled, paced nervously on the lead rope, which Elladan held lightly in his hand, ignoring the restlessness of Aragorn's horse. Legolas observed Lord Elrond in the door of the stable, staring facing out, towards the gardens. Aragorn had left them a quite some time ago, explaining in hushed tones that he had not yet said goodbye to Arwen. Elrond had nodded, as if giving the Ranger some kind of consent, and Aragorn had hurried out, his direction and destination being the garden. Elrohir had smiled slightly, but seemed unconcerned. Finally, Elrond turned back to face his sons and Legolas. Legolas smiled at him.
"Lord Elrond, I wanted to thank you for your hospitality. I found nothing but peace and rest here in Rivendell…"
"Legolas, I am more than happy to have you here. It is far too rare a thing that I see any of my dear friends from Mirkwood. One would think that our race would take more care to stay in touch, yet we are almost worse than the dwarves in that respect," Lord Elrond smiled warmly. Legolas frowned. He had met several dwarves and liked none of them. Elladan recognized the face he was making and grinned at him. Legolas laughed.
"You are right my Lord. Perhaps I will be able to convince my father that he must travel to visit you in the near future."
"Not in these dangerous times Legolas. You are a brave elf."
"Nay, my Lord. I am naught but a regular elf…"
Lord Elrond laughed softly. Legolas looked at him in some confusion.
"Legolas, I believe my father meant that you were brave to travel with Estel. After all, our brother is known to have quite a few brushes with all that is not right in Middle Earth. This you have already seen fist hand. Perhaps you might rethink traveling with so unlucky a companion?" Elrohir's voice was light and filled with mirth. Legolas smiled at the older elf.
"Surely it is not that bad?"
"I would have to agree with my brother…but since it seems that someday you may travel with him quite a bit, you had best get used to Estel's traveling habits now," Elladan winked at Legolas. Elrond was smiling for the first time that morning, obviously recalling some far off memories that had been buried for some time. Elladan looked as if he were about to add something else, but curtailed the remark due to a curious glance by Elrohir. The eye contact the two brothers made caused Legolas to glance at the door. There he saw the reason for the use of the silent message between the twins. Aragorn, dressed mostly in black and gray, with the same old leather boots yet a new gray cloak, walked hand in hand with a creature of stark contrast to himself. Arwen was dressed in a mantle of blue and silver that lit her pale complexion. She seemed even whiter this morning than she normally did and Legolas could not have missed the anguish that resided in her eyes.
She aches because he leaves her. It is a sad legend that will be told someday of a rugged man, whose inner self displayed the likeness of a king, that stole the heart of the most beautiful creature this world had ever seen. His love for her was so strong he could have gone the length of time with only a touch, but each time he bid her that he must leave, her heart broke for him alone and tore her from her people. Legolas shook the thoughts from his head, trying to smile at his childhood friend. Aragorn too looked grieved, but his longing seemed to have turned into a determination that Legolas had already learned to recognized. When they reached the stable door, Aragorn released his lady's hand and let her pass before him. She went to the safety of her father's side and seemed to collect herself there.
"I am sorry to have kept our journey Legolas. Are you ready?" Aragorn's voice seemed calm and he smiled at Legolas.
"At your leisure," he replied. Aragorn nodded and turned to Elladan and Elrohir who stood to the side. Elladan handed Aragorn Evaria's lead rope as Legolas mounted Alutier with ease.
"Take care Estel," Elladan's voice was soft as he touched his foster- brother on the shoulder.
"Remember you are hardly a real elf and are far from immortal," Elrohir said with a mischievous grin. Aragorn smiled warmly back at Elrohir. "Take this my brother…and keep safe." Elrohir offered out a small bound package. Aragorn seemed taken by surprise, but accepted the gift without question, sliding it into his pack without opening it. Legolas wondered at it, but Elrohir seemed pleased with Aragorn's action.
"You will meet me in the spring when the snow melts?" Aragorn asked them, hope in his voice.
"We will. At the break in the river. You know the time…as always," Elladan assured Aragorn with a nod.
"Then I will see you then my brothers. Watch your eastern border…but do not worry." With those cryptic words of advice that the twins seemed to understand, Aragorn turned to Elrond, avoiding the gaze of Arwen. "Goodbye my Lord," he bowed low, offering respect to the old and wise elf. When he stood again, Elrond stepped forward and kissed his forward. "The speed of the wind will take you safely back to your lands Aragorn, or so I hope. You are always welcome here in Imladris…please come more often if your duties permit," Elrond, bound by the ties of formality and a lasting separation, caused by the love that bound two of his children, could not offer what he felt in his heart. Although Aragorn, in all his wisdom, overlooked Elrond's easy dismissal, Legolas saw the pain Elrond experienced, wishing he could say more to the young man that stood in front of him.
In the short time Legolas had been in Rivendell, his eyes had been opened. He had never seen the workings of something so strange as a great Elf Lord that raised a man child like an elf. The repercussions were great, regarding mostly the man's heritage, fate, and destiny. The complications increased, moment by moment it seemed, with a strange twist of fate…that being a love between the great lord's real daughter and the man he regarded as a son. Legolas had seen the complexity of the situation, yet he had not been blind to the emotion and love that was still expressed. It was something he would not forget, even when the sea called to him. Even that could not blur the memory of one of the most spellbinding happenings in Middle Earth, and he would not have wanted that to happen.
Finally, Aragorn turned from Elrond after another bow and mounted Evaria with a swiftness that betrayed the belief Elrond held that Aragorn was still healing. Aragorn turned back to Arwen and a silent expression of trust and care passed between them in an unguarded moment. Then Aragorn dug his heel into Evaria's side ever so gently and the horse gladly made her way out of the stable. Glancing at the four elves that stood in the stable, Legolas waved, noting that Arwen had moved from her father's side to watch Aragorn's retreating form. Giving Alutier a nudge, he too passed through the stable door. As he passed, he was sure that his keen elven ears had heard a thought that Arwen had whispered aloud as she watched her lover leave. The words were dire and heartfelt.
"I still…I still believe, you will return…I know you will… My heart against all odds holds true… Yes still, I still believe…I know as long as I can keep believing, I live, love cannot die, you will return…" Her words were full of hope and passion and Legolas could not bare to bring himself to turn around to see what kind of emotion played across her gentle face. He reigned in Alutier and soon rode right next to Aragorn.
"Fare thee well Imladris…until I return…" Legolas watched as the young Ranger turned to look back at the only family he had. The elf noted the sad expression that marred Aragorn's usually passive features. He could only imagine that this was not the first time that Aragorn had said the quiet words in a resigned elvish. Silence passed between the two companions as they rode under the branches of the great forest that would soon give way to a larger path, leaving behind a place of peace and rest. Time seemed to pass slowly on this part of their journey and it wasn't until they were on the open path that Aragorn turned to Legolas. "Here we are my friend…another journey…another adventure," his last words were said with a curious grin and Legolas smiled.
"I can think of no one better to share such an – adventure – with," Legolas was pleased when Aragorn smiled.
"Good, because I fear you are stuck with me now."
Legolas waited patiently at the stable, holding on to Alutier's harness. The morning was cool and damp and the horse was anxious to get moving. Evaria, also already saddled, paced nervously on the lead rope, which Elladan held lightly in his hand, ignoring the restlessness of Aragorn's horse. Legolas observed Lord Elrond in the door of the stable, staring facing out, towards the gardens. Aragorn had left them a quite some time ago, explaining in hushed tones that he had not yet said goodbye to Arwen. Elrond had nodded, as if giving the Ranger some kind of consent, and Aragorn had hurried out, his direction and destination being the garden. Elrohir had smiled slightly, but seemed unconcerned. Finally, Elrond turned back to face his sons and Legolas. Legolas smiled at him.
"Lord Elrond, I wanted to thank you for your hospitality. I found nothing but peace and rest here in Rivendell…"
"Legolas, I am more than happy to have you here. It is far too rare a thing that I see any of my dear friends from Mirkwood. One would think that our race would take more care to stay in touch, yet we are almost worse than the dwarves in that respect," Lord Elrond smiled warmly. Legolas frowned. He had met several dwarves and liked none of them. Elladan recognized the face he was making and grinned at him. Legolas laughed.
"You are right my Lord. Perhaps I will be able to convince my father that he must travel to visit you in the near future."
"Not in these dangerous times Legolas. You are a brave elf."
"Nay, my Lord. I am naught but a regular elf…"
Lord Elrond laughed softly. Legolas looked at him in some confusion.
"Legolas, I believe my father meant that you were brave to travel with Estel. After all, our brother is known to have quite a few brushes with all that is not right in Middle Earth. This you have already seen fist hand. Perhaps you might rethink traveling with so unlucky a companion?" Elrohir's voice was light and filled with mirth. Legolas smiled at the older elf.
"Surely it is not that bad?"
"I would have to agree with my brother…but since it seems that someday you may travel with him quite a bit, you had best get used to Estel's traveling habits now," Elladan winked at Legolas. Elrond was smiling for the first time that morning, obviously recalling some far off memories that had been buried for some time. Elladan looked as if he were about to add something else, but curtailed the remark due to a curious glance by Elrohir. The eye contact the two brothers made caused Legolas to glance at the door. There he saw the reason for the use of the silent message between the twins. Aragorn, dressed mostly in black and gray, with the same old leather boots yet a new gray cloak, walked hand in hand with a creature of stark contrast to himself. Arwen was dressed in a mantle of blue and silver that lit her pale complexion. She seemed even whiter this morning than she normally did and Legolas could not have missed the anguish that resided in her eyes.
She aches because he leaves her. It is a sad legend that will be told someday of a rugged man, whose inner self displayed the likeness of a king, that stole the heart of the most beautiful creature this world had ever seen. His love for her was so strong he could have gone the length of time with only a touch, but each time he bid her that he must leave, her heart broke for him alone and tore her from her people. Legolas shook the thoughts from his head, trying to smile at his childhood friend. Aragorn too looked grieved, but his longing seemed to have turned into a determination that Legolas had already learned to recognized. When they reached the stable door, Aragorn released his lady's hand and let her pass before him. She went to the safety of her father's side and seemed to collect herself there.
"I am sorry to have kept our journey Legolas. Are you ready?" Aragorn's voice seemed calm and he smiled at Legolas.
"At your leisure," he replied. Aragorn nodded and turned to Elladan and Elrohir who stood to the side. Elladan handed Aragorn Evaria's lead rope as Legolas mounted Alutier with ease.
"Take care Estel," Elladan's voice was soft as he touched his foster- brother on the shoulder.
"Remember you are hardly a real elf and are far from immortal," Elrohir said with a mischievous grin. Aragorn smiled warmly back at Elrohir. "Take this my brother…and keep safe." Elrohir offered out a small bound package. Aragorn seemed taken by surprise, but accepted the gift without question, sliding it into his pack without opening it. Legolas wondered at it, but Elrohir seemed pleased with Aragorn's action.
"You will meet me in the spring when the snow melts?" Aragorn asked them, hope in his voice.
"We will. At the break in the river. You know the time…as always," Elladan assured Aragorn with a nod.
"Then I will see you then my brothers. Watch your eastern border…but do not worry." With those cryptic words of advice that the twins seemed to understand, Aragorn turned to Elrond, avoiding the gaze of Arwen. "Goodbye my Lord," he bowed low, offering respect to the old and wise elf. When he stood again, Elrond stepped forward and kissed his forward. "The speed of the wind will take you safely back to your lands Aragorn, or so I hope. You are always welcome here in Imladris…please come more often if your duties permit," Elrond, bound by the ties of formality and a lasting separation, caused by the love that bound two of his children, could not offer what he felt in his heart. Although Aragorn, in all his wisdom, overlooked Elrond's easy dismissal, Legolas saw the pain Elrond experienced, wishing he could say more to the young man that stood in front of him.
In the short time Legolas had been in Rivendell, his eyes had been opened. He had never seen the workings of something so strange as a great Elf Lord that raised a man child like an elf. The repercussions were great, regarding mostly the man's heritage, fate, and destiny. The complications increased, moment by moment it seemed, with a strange twist of fate…that being a love between the great lord's real daughter and the man he regarded as a son. Legolas had seen the complexity of the situation, yet he had not been blind to the emotion and love that was still expressed. It was something he would not forget, even when the sea called to him. Even that could not blur the memory of one of the most spellbinding happenings in Middle Earth, and he would not have wanted that to happen.
Finally, Aragorn turned from Elrond after another bow and mounted Evaria with a swiftness that betrayed the belief Elrond held that Aragorn was still healing. Aragorn turned back to Arwen and a silent expression of trust and care passed between them in an unguarded moment. Then Aragorn dug his heel into Evaria's side ever so gently and the horse gladly made her way out of the stable. Glancing at the four elves that stood in the stable, Legolas waved, noting that Arwen had moved from her father's side to watch Aragorn's retreating form. Giving Alutier a nudge, he too passed through the stable door. As he passed, he was sure that his keen elven ears had heard a thought that Arwen had whispered aloud as she watched her lover leave. The words were dire and heartfelt.
"I still…I still believe, you will return…I know you will… My heart against all odds holds true… Yes still, I still believe…I know as long as I can keep believing, I live, love cannot die, you will return…" Her words were full of hope and passion and Legolas could not bare to bring himself to turn around to see what kind of emotion played across her gentle face. He reigned in Alutier and soon rode right next to Aragorn.
"Fare thee well Imladris…until I return…" Legolas watched as the young Ranger turned to look back at the only family he had. The elf noted the sad expression that marred Aragorn's usually passive features. He could only imagine that this was not the first time that Aragorn had said the quiet words in a resigned elvish. Silence passed between the two companions as they rode under the branches of the great forest that would soon give way to a larger path, leaving behind a place of peace and rest. Time seemed to pass slowly on this part of their journey and it wasn't until they were on the open path that Aragorn turned to Legolas. "Here we are my friend…another journey…another adventure," his last words were said with a curious grin and Legolas smiled.
"I can think of no one better to share such an – adventure – with," Legolas was pleased when Aragorn smiled.
"Good, because I fear you are stuck with me now."