Authors Note: Well, I had to go back and fix this chapter…thanks for
pointing that out to me, as you can tell I was in a hurry and didn't proof
read ;) My computer crashed while I was writing this chapter and I
retrieved most of the document, but I must have re-typed some of it…sorry
about the inconvenience. I hope you enjoy the fixed version…lol.
Valin~ Thank you for your review…and yes, Lady Winter does apply to Tycho Celchu's wife….I am very very impressed! If you have some time, I have another story that is a wip and will be updated soon. It is called Winter's Orders…if you are a fan of RS or at least Tycho and Winter. ;)
Legolas turned to look at Aragorn as he affirmed that he had some sort of idea of who the riders in front of them were. The Ranger's voice had been strangely impassive as he had spoken. Aragorn had not seemed worried or afraid, but neither had he sounded relieved or happy. As Legolas turned to look at his friend, he found that while Aragorn's voice had not betrayed him, his face had. Aragorn was smiling broadly and his eyes seemed light.
"Indeed I do know who they are, Legolas," he repeated himself. "Come." Aragorn kicked Evaria in the side and she started up at a trot again and Legolas, still feeling wary of these newcomers, followed at what he felt was a safe distance behind. He noted that even Evaria seemed pleased to see the riders, for her step was lighter than it had been since they had entered the wood. It seemed still that Alutier was also wary of these riders and Legolas had long ago come to trust the senses of his horse.
The riders stayed where they were, hoods still drawn up over their heads. They made no move to reach for their swords or their bows, but neither did they remove their hoods in greeting. They seemed impassive, as if they were stone. Their horses stirred restlessly, pawing at the ground. When they were within ten feet of the four riders, Aragorn slowed Evaria and she walked towards them with comfort. Legolas stayed where he was, ready for action if there was a need. Aragorn seemed to have no fear of them at all and was soon directly in front of them. The Ranger was smiling broadly and reached out a hand. The rider of the first horse also reached out his hand, and they grasped each other, shaking firmly.
"Methil, I did not expect to meet you on the path," Aragorn's voice was curious and light. Legolas was even more surprised that Aragorn called this man by a name. Apparently he had not been understating the thought when he had told Legolas he knew them.
"Nor did we expect to meet you on the path, but we do so with great joy," the voice of the rider was indeed happy and mostly relieved. The rider drew back his hood to reveal a lean hard face, framed by dirty locks of yellow hair. He wore a long beard and seemed very old to Legolas.
"Halbarad sent us…" a faltering voice said unexpectedly from one of the other horses. Aragorn turned with a smile to the owner of the voice.
"Speak your peace Lancen, you have naught to fear from my companion. This is Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood. Legolas," Aragorn turned to find his friend and Legolas rode forward, feeling safer. "These are my kin…some of the Rangers of the North. This is Methil, Lancen, Havad, and Resiran," as he listed of their names, each Ranger removed his hood. They were all weather beaten men, who seemed to carry great burdens on their shoulders. All were older than Aragorn except for Lancen, who seemed to watch his captain with special interest. Legolas noted the look was one like he often had on his own face while watching his oldest brother in battle before he was yet old enough to use a sword. Legolas had the feeling that he was in the company of some of the bravest men who walked the ground of Middle Earth. Though they were dirty and disheveled from the time they spent away from any sort of civilization, they bore great dignity and honor in their eyes.
"I am honored to meet you, I have never had such a privilege," Legolas' words were laced with humility and truth and it seemed to surprise each of the Rangers, who looked to their Captain for confirmation of his legitimacy. Aragorn smiled at them to give his own testimony of his trust regarding Legolas.
"It is an honor to meet you also…" Havad's voice was rough and gravely, most likely from little use.
"I know little of you, Prince, except to say that you are spoken of because of your skill with your bow," Lancen said, eyeing the bow that Legolas had on his back. Suddenly, his eyes widened, as if he realized that he had just spoken those words aloud. He looked in alarm at Legolas, and then to Aragorn, as if expecting a reproof. Legolas turned to gauge Aragorn's response. Both Lancen and Legolas were relieved to see an amused smile creep onto Aragorn's lips.
"Perhaps you will be able to honor the prince later by bearing witness to his skill, but for now, we should move on, I will not risk your lives by spending any more time in this wood," Aragorn's voice held and edge of command that even Legolas respected. The Rangers nodded in agreement and turned their horses around. They made room for Legolas and Aragorn to ride in between them, with two Rangers on each side. "Halbarad sent you?" Aragorn asked Methil, clearly the leader of the four.
"He was…concerned about you, my Lord," the last part of his sentence, Aragorn's title, was said in a whisper. Legolas could guess that Aragorn preferred that none of the Ranger refer to him in that way, but clearly Methil felt it unfitting the future King of Gondor.
"Did not Lord Elrond's messengers reach you?"
"Indeed they did. Shirken brought us the first news that you were gravely wounded. We held vigil, as it is our custom, and none rested, waiting for more news of your health." Legolas listened in interest as Methil related this to Aragorn. Clearly the Rangers were a society in themselves. Perhaps it was something like the difference between the Rivendell Elves, the Lorien Elves, and the Mirkwood. Perhaps a man was either Gondorian or a Ranger. Legolas realized at that moment how little he knew of men. He knew that men lived in more places than just Gondor, but he had been deeply immersed in elf-lore, not man-lore. In fact, he realized that he had hardly traveled out of the boundaries of Mirkwood, lest it was to go to Rivendell when he was younger. He had only seen Lorien once, and that was when he was but a real elf-child. Surely Aragorn had seen most of Middle Earth.
"You should have not worried yourself on my account," Aragorn's voice held regret.
"That would hardly have been possible," Resiran said with a laugh. "Though I dare not speak of it here, you know who you are and what you represent in Middle Earth and most of all to the Dunedain." Aragorn nodded at Resiran.
"I will try not to argue with you."
"After Shirken rode back to Rivendell, we waited for news, though it seemed long in coming. Finally Elasirn rode to our camp to tell us that you were yet alive and recovering. Lord Elrond bid us be patient to wait for you to recover, then you would return to us bearing your tale."
"If Elasirn brought you word, why then are you riding to Rivendell to find me?" Aragorn was curious, cocking.
"As Methil said, Halbarad was worried…" Havad supplied, glancing at his Captain.
"Halbarad knows you well, as we all do, and we thought that despite a terrible wound, as soon as you could carry your sword you would be on your way back. Halbarad feared it was past time that your impatience would have surfaced and he was concerned something ill had befallen you once more. We set out twelve days ago, and here we are, half way to Rivendell," Resiran added.
"Twelve days ago Legolas and I set out, for I could not…tear myself away sooner. Truth be told, I am not fully healed"
"Well enough to ride though, and ride fast we have," Legolas confirmed. "Strider has been teaching me the way of riding through hard places with great haste."
"A better teacher, you could not have," Havad confirmed, nodding at Legolas.
"Tell me, Prince, why you ride with my Captain?" Lancen asked, gaining a sharp reproving glance from Methil.
"Legolas rides with me because we agreed to travel together as far as Mirkwood. I owe him my life, for he rescued me while I lay dying in the wood," Aragorn supplied the answer for Legolas, and for one of the first times in his life, Legolas felt embarrassed by the praise.
"Yet I was only able to do so because you rescued me, Strider," he reminded the Ranger.
"A mere technicality," Aragorn said with a laugh.
"We owe you much, Master Elf," Methil said gravely. The other Rangers nodded their heads and Legolas turned away, once again unsure of himself. Elves hardly spoke with such emotional thoughts and it was quite a change for him.
"I am only glad to have saved Aragorn, and for that I take only that now we are friends as my reward."
"Yes my friend, you are noble," Aragorn said quietly and patted Legolas on the shoulder. Legolas smiled at him, feeling at last comfortable in the presence of the Rangers. "Come no more talk of dark deeds, tell me how Halbarad fares with his lady," Aragorn turned to the other men who burst into laughter at the mention of the subject.
"What a story it is…" Havad promised. And so they passed through the darkening woods, laughing at the folly of a man in love with a woman.
Valin~ Thank you for your review…and yes, Lady Winter does apply to Tycho Celchu's wife….I am very very impressed! If you have some time, I have another story that is a wip and will be updated soon. It is called Winter's Orders…if you are a fan of RS or at least Tycho and Winter. ;)
Legolas turned to look at Aragorn as he affirmed that he had some sort of idea of who the riders in front of them were. The Ranger's voice had been strangely impassive as he had spoken. Aragorn had not seemed worried or afraid, but neither had he sounded relieved or happy. As Legolas turned to look at his friend, he found that while Aragorn's voice had not betrayed him, his face had. Aragorn was smiling broadly and his eyes seemed light.
"Indeed I do know who they are, Legolas," he repeated himself. "Come." Aragorn kicked Evaria in the side and she started up at a trot again and Legolas, still feeling wary of these newcomers, followed at what he felt was a safe distance behind. He noted that even Evaria seemed pleased to see the riders, for her step was lighter than it had been since they had entered the wood. It seemed still that Alutier was also wary of these riders and Legolas had long ago come to trust the senses of his horse.
The riders stayed where they were, hoods still drawn up over their heads. They made no move to reach for their swords or their bows, but neither did they remove their hoods in greeting. They seemed impassive, as if they were stone. Their horses stirred restlessly, pawing at the ground. When they were within ten feet of the four riders, Aragorn slowed Evaria and she walked towards them with comfort. Legolas stayed where he was, ready for action if there was a need. Aragorn seemed to have no fear of them at all and was soon directly in front of them. The Ranger was smiling broadly and reached out a hand. The rider of the first horse also reached out his hand, and they grasped each other, shaking firmly.
"Methil, I did not expect to meet you on the path," Aragorn's voice was curious and light. Legolas was even more surprised that Aragorn called this man by a name. Apparently he had not been understating the thought when he had told Legolas he knew them.
"Nor did we expect to meet you on the path, but we do so with great joy," the voice of the rider was indeed happy and mostly relieved. The rider drew back his hood to reveal a lean hard face, framed by dirty locks of yellow hair. He wore a long beard and seemed very old to Legolas.
"Halbarad sent us…" a faltering voice said unexpectedly from one of the other horses. Aragorn turned with a smile to the owner of the voice.
"Speak your peace Lancen, you have naught to fear from my companion. This is Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood. Legolas," Aragorn turned to find his friend and Legolas rode forward, feeling safer. "These are my kin…some of the Rangers of the North. This is Methil, Lancen, Havad, and Resiran," as he listed of their names, each Ranger removed his hood. They were all weather beaten men, who seemed to carry great burdens on their shoulders. All were older than Aragorn except for Lancen, who seemed to watch his captain with special interest. Legolas noted the look was one like he often had on his own face while watching his oldest brother in battle before he was yet old enough to use a sword. Legolas had the feeling that he was in the company of some of the bravest men who walked the ground of Middle Earth. Though they were dirty and disheveled from the time they spent away from any sort of civilization, they bore great dignity and honor in their eyes.
"I am honored to meet you, I have never had such a privilege," Legolas' words were laced with humility and truth and it seemed to surprise each of the Rangers, who looked to their Captain for confirmation of his legitimacy. Aragorn smiled at them to give his own testimony of his trust regarding Legolas.
"It is an honor to meet you also…" Havad's voice was rough and gravely, most likely from little use.
"I know little of you, Prince, except to say that you are spoken of because of your skill with your bow," Lancen said, eyeing the bow that Legolas had on his back. Suddenly, his eyes widened, as if he realized that he had just spoken those words aloud. He looked in alarm at Legolas, and then to Aragorn, as if expecting a reproof. Legolas turned to gauge Aragorn's response. Both Lancen and Legolas were relieved to see an amused smile creep onto Aragorn's lips.
"Perhaps you will be able to honor the prince later by bearing witness to his skill, but for now, we should move on, I will not risk your lives by spending any more time in this wood," Aragorn's voice held and edge of command that even Legolas respected. The Rangers nodded in agreement and turned their horses around. They made room for Legolas and Aragorn to ride in between them, with two Rangers on each side. "Halbarad sent you?" Aragorn asked Methil, clearly the leader of the four.
"He was…concerned about you, my Lord," the last part of his sentence, Aragorn's title, was said in a whisper. Legolas could guess that Aragorn preferred that none of the Ranger refer to him in that way, but clearly Methil felt it unfitting the future King of Gondor.
"Did not Lord Elrond's messengers reach you?"
"Indeed they did. Shirken brought us the first news that you were gravely wounded. We held vigil, as it is our custom, and none rested, waiting for more news of your health." Legolas listened in interest as Methil related this to Aragorn. Clearly the Rangers were a society in themselves. Perhaps it was something like the difference between the Rivendell Elves, the Lorien Elves, and the Mirkwood. Perhaps a man was either Gondorian or a Ranger. Legolas realized at that moment how little he knew of men. He knew that men lived in more places than just Gondor, but he had been deeply immersed in elf-lore, not man-lore. In fact, he realized that he had hardly traveled out of the boundaries of Mirkwood, lest it was to go to Rivendell when he was younger. He had only seen Lorien once, and that was when he was but a real elf-child. Surely Aragorn had seen most of Middle Earth.
"You should have not worried yourself on my account," Aragorn's voice held regret.
"That would hardly have been possible," Resiran said with a laugh. "Though I dare not speak of it here, you know who you are and what you represent in Middle Earth and most of all to the Dunedain." Aragorn nodded at Resiran.
"I will try not to argue with you."
"After Shirken rode back to Rivendell, we waited for news, though it seemed long in coming. Finally Elasirn rode to our camp to tell us that you were yet alive and recovering. Lord Elrond bid us be patient to wait for you to recover, then you would return to us bearing your tale."
"If Elasirn brought you word, why then are you riding to Rivendell to find me?" Aragorn was curious, cocking.
"As Methil said, Halbarad was worried…" Havad supplied, glancing at his Captain.
"Halbarad knows you well, as we all do, and we thought that despite a terrible wound, as soon as you could carry your sword you would be on your way back. Halbarad feared it was past time that your impatience would have surfaced and he was concerned something ill had befallen you once more. We set out twelve days ago, and here we are, half way to Rivendell," Resiran added.
"Twelve days ago Legolas and I set out, for I could not…tear myself away sooner. Truth be told, I am not fully healed"
"Well enough to ride though, and ride fast we have," Legolas confirmed. "Strider has been teaching me the way of riding through hard places with great haste."
"A better teacher, you could not have," Havad confirmed, nodding at Legolas.
"Tell me, Prince, why you ride with my Captain?" Lancen asked, gaining a sharp reproving glance from Methil.
"Legolas rides with me because we agreed to travel together as far as Mirkwood. I owe him my life, for he rescued me while I lay dying in the wood," Aragorn supplied the answer for Legolas, and for one of the first times in his life, Legolas felt embarrassed by the praise.
"Yet I was only able to do so because you rescued me, Strider," he reminded the Ranger.
"A mere technicality," Aragorn said with a laugh.
"We owe you much, Master Elf," Methil said gravely. The other Rangers nodded their heads and Legolas turned away, once again unsure of himself. Elves hardly spoke with such emotional thoughts and it was quite a change for him.
"I am only glad to have saved Aragorn, and for that I take only that now we are friends as my reward."
"Yes my friend, you are noble," Aragorn said quietly and patted Legolas on the shoulder. Legolas smiled at him, feeling at last comfortable in the presence of the Rangers. "Come no more talk of dark deeds, tell me how Halbarad fares with his lady," Aragorn turned to the other men who burst into laughter at the mention of the subject.
"What a story it is…" Havad promised. And so they passed through the darkening woods, laughing at the folly of a man in love with a woman.