Woohoo! Chapter 20! I'm very happy with myself. This chapter is a
little wordy to warn you, much of Aragorn's philosophical thoughts.probably
stemming from the fact that I'm taking Philosophical Ethics. The end is
more exciting probably, and borne out of a really bad night that I felt I
needed to make happier. Hope it worked. Ok, so for real I'm actually
going to respond to you guys this time because you've been so faithful to
review my story. Thank you all so much! Tell me what you think about this
chapter!
Arabella Thorne - Thank you so much for your encouragement. I am glad to know that my characterizations have come out to be as much like Aragorn and Legolas as possible. Your praise means a lot to me. I hope you keep reading (
Arabiasil - I'm glad you've been following the story. Yes, classes do keep my very busy, but as long as you all like the story, I will not abandon it. God Bless you too.
Jay of Lasgalen - Thank you for the constructive criticism. While I love writing, I was an attrocious speller from an early age. If you would like to be my beta reader, that would be wonderful, you can start on the next chapter if you wish! Email me at shellpep3@aol.com if you are up for it.
Estelcontar - Alas, I toyed with the idea of making Cressen a girl, but was frightened that I would have people jumping all over me for creating some sort of "mary sue", which is not at all what I intended, especially afte what I wrote concerning Arwen. I did however want to take a closer look at the life of the Rangers and make Aragorn's relationship with them seem more in depth and tight.
Annakas - Thanks for the review! I promise I'll keep going!
Lasse-Lanta - Thank you for your reviews, they bring a smile to my face. Never fear, Thranduil makes his grand appearance next chapter, though I'm not quite sure exactly how I will have his reaction to be, so we are both in suspence!
Thanks again!!!! Sorry if I missed anyone.
The wind blew harshly through the trees and the leaves, turned golden in the changing of the season, fluttered in the onslaught, many of them dropping from the trees to litter the ground. Aragorn, leaning heavily against Evaria's strong neck, looked on with quiet admiration of the way nature worked. The Ranger felt unduly tired and would have sighed in exhaustion were it not for the company he kept. Directly to his right was Legolas who was riding straight and tall on the back of his horse Alutier. The elf's eyes were scanning to woods in front of them as they rode. To Aragorn's left was Resiran, who seemed to be keeping a watchful eye on Aragorn and it was plain to see that the Ranger was concerned for his captain. Havad and Shalen, one of the Rangers who had arrived in time to help fight off the wargs, rode in front, having taken the lead long before. Aragorn turned to look over his shoulder, noting that Lancen and Cressen, the two brothers, rode side by side, chatting quietly as if they had been apart for months. Behind the two boys were the two other Rangers, Hebran and Dorlien and also Methil. They seemed to be keeping up a stony watch of the rear.
Aragorn turned his attention back to his own position, shifting uncomfortably in the saddle. The results of the quick movement were enough to draw a sharp breath from the Ranger, causing Legolas to look at him for the first time since they had mounted their steeds. Aragorn cursed silently and the stitches that pulled at his now re-opened wound. Though he had no intention of admitting it, Legolas had been right, he needed medical attention. The Ranger glanced at his left arm, hanging limply at his side and frowned in frustration. He felt helpless, holding Evaria's reigns with his good right hand and surrounded by his men as if he could not take care of himself.
The issue had flared when they had moved to continue their journey. The elves had left and Aragorn had been sorely tempted to leave then also, and not to continue on to Mirkwood. The indifference of the elves to his men had angered and unsettled the wise Ranger and he was afraid of more conflict were he and his men to continue on to Mirkwood, especially after what had transpired when Cressen had unknowingly attacked Legolas. Aragorn would not risk Cressen's life, he had gone through too much to save it earlier in the boy's life and it was pointless to throw that away. Still, he had promised Legolas that he would escort the elf to Mirkwood and he did have a message from his father for the King of Mirkwood. The issue of the damage done to his body had been moot in his opinion until he had tried to mount Evaria. There had been many a time when he was forced to mount one handed, in times where a sword in his hand was more important than the ease of mounting his steed. However, there had not been a time when his body had been injured in the way the open and torn stitches of the healing wound were. He had involuntarily let out a grunt of pain as he tried to mount, causing him to instantly be surrounded by his Rangers, Legolas peering at him in a most concerned way from the sidelines. Cressen had been the first one to demand that Aragorn release his stubborn pride and allow help in mounting. It was then that Aragorn realized that he did indeed need some sort of medical relief were he to make it back to the Ranger outpost without further risk to himself or his men.
With great trepidation, Aragorn had reluctantly accepted help. There would be no point in arguing, especially since Cressen would not press on until he knew that Aragorn would be all right. The boy's tenacity was irritating to Aragorn, but he would not argue. He could not help but smile as he and Lancen had embraced, for they were very close. He had observed them secretly as Lancen had given Cressen the dagger that Elrohir had not so long ago given into Aragorn's care for him to do as he wished. Aragorn had no doubt that Elrohir knew exactly what his younger brother Estel had in mind for the ornate weapons. The two boys were very special to Aragorn.
As they had continued on their journey, Aragorn had felt that a small rift had grown between Legolas and himself. It was hard for the Ranger to let down his guard now, especially entertaining the thoughts of more wargs and the danger of the elves, whom should have been his allies. He knew that Legolas realized that and he also knew that their minds ran alike, both trying to discover how to reach some sort of way to get through the impasse that they had come to. Legolas had watched as his people had shown their true colors towards the Rangers. Aragorn had watched as his men had been placed in danger. There had to be words to say. Aragorn knew well that he would have to not only apologize for Cressen's behavior, but he would also be called upon to forgive the elven archers for their harsh words. No one would officially ask him to do this, though Legolas was likely to take the time to try. The elf was obviously shocked at what had transpired and was entirely unsure what he should do to try to fix the damage that had been done. Deep inside of him, Aragorn knew that he should try to help the Prince with this. A deep sense of moral justice told him that he should merely let the issue go, falling from sight as the leaves on this day did. However, that would not take into account the danger Aragorn and his men would face when arriving in Mirkwood.
Aragorn, a student of the ways of Middle Earth knew well that no two clans of men were alike. The Gondorians were entirely different from the horsemen of Rohan, and neither of them would come close to the ways of the remaining Numenor, the Rangers of the North. He was also aware that the elves could not be placed in the same categories. The wood elves were totally unlike the elves of Imladris. Even there in Imladris, tolerance towards men was short, evidence in being when the heir of Isildur had been teased and had his ears pulled on as a child because he was Edain and not elven. Their acceptance of men though was much higher than the elves of Mirkwood. Aragorn, with great understanding and wisdom, knew that the reasons were good, the men of the area often causing trouble on the elven border. Still, the elves did not even trust the Rangers, who served to keep the peace. Thranduil was a stern and unyielding elf lord who was clear that he would prefer and age where men were far less powerful. Through persuasion, the elf lord had been forced in a way to ally with the Rangers for their help. He was not entirely intolerant and trusted Aragorn with much. Though Thranduil and Elrond rarely agreed on most things, the two lords respected each other and Thranduil had accepted Aragorn as the coming King and a Ranger to be trusted readily. He was less accepting of Aragorn's men, but some he held in high esteem, such as Halbarad and Methil. The rest he kept a wary eye on, using his archers to make sure that no trouble would be caused.
For this reason alone, Aragorn thought ill of traveling with so many of his men into Thranduil's home, but Legolas left him little choice. The elf was stubborn if nothing else. It was a trait that Aragorn had come to respect in him. Therefore, he trusted the elf. He just wasn't ready to tell Legolas that as of yet. Let the elf sweat it out.
Their silence had stretched on for hours as they had traveled, and it was a strange silence between these new friends. Aragorn felt uneasy about it, but felt it necessary. He was not a man to be toyed with. It wasn't in his nature. Isildur had never yielded, and while Aragorn surely would have wished it otherwise when it came to the unspeakable ring, he could not help the blood that ran through his veins. Therefore, Legolas would have to be the one to broach the subject of the altercation between Cressen and the archers.
Beside Aragorn, Legolas cleared his throat and looked point blank at the Ranger. Aragorn could feel Legolas' eyes assessing him.
"Aragorn, it is not much further.are you in much pain?" These were the first words Legolas had spoken to Aragorn since an initial concern at the pained look that Aragorn had adopted while mounting Evaria. Aragorn was silent for a moment, trying to decide how to answer Legolas.
"I'm fine," the statement Aragorn made was gut reaction and the answer he was always most likely to give. He turned to look at the Prince and almost laughed. Legolas was practically glaring at him in unbelief. It took all of his anger at the earlier situation to keep from smiling.
"By Elbereth! You are not fine! You have not lifted your arm to even let Resiran look at it and it hangs, bleeding by your side, as if it is dead. I have been watching you for nigh on the last two hours and slowly you have been leaning more and more on Evaria as you twitch in pain. I see your hand shake Strider! You cannot fool the eyesight of an elf! And I am not blind to the fact that even your cloak has begun to soak with blood from your open stitches," Legolas' tirade consisted of pent up anger at the situation and his frustration. Once the words had left his mouth, he looked stunned, as if shocked that he had spoken such things. His eyes widened a bit as if expecting some sort of backlash from Aragorn.
The Rangers were also stunned as their speech stopped and they stared at Legolas, who had plainly spoken in the common tongue. Their eyes moved from the elf to their leader, to see exactly what his reaction would be. With all eyes on him, Aragorn knew he had to temper himself. In truth, his first reaction was to laugh. It was more than comical that Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, had lost his cool due to a stubborn human. What was more rewarding though, was that Legolas sounded like Aragorn's beloved brothers when their exasperation had turned to fear and worry. Elladan and Elrohir had also been corrupted by emotions most elves thought should be more reserved. Aragorn knew that the men expected him to be angry, or at least diplomatically cold. But, what Aragorn had always tried to impress upon each creature that he met was one fact, there was nothing predictable about his behavior. He did not grow angry, and he did not laugh. Instead, he shrugged as best he could and nodded slowly.
"Aye, you are right," his voice was softly comical as he turned his attention from Legolas and his men to the road before him. He could practically hear Legolas almost start to defend himself when the elf realized that Aragorn had not reproved him.
"I am right?" He sounded confused, almost as if he thought the clever Ranger was trying to trick him.
"Yes Legolas, you are right. My arm is broken and it hurts at the smallest movement. I fear even to wrap it to stop the bleeding. I hope your father has a master healer on hand, or I shall be forced to entrust my care to Cressen, and he is hardly trained." Aragorn turned to face Legolas, knowing his face displayed his honesty. Legolas stared back at him, then looked back at the boy called Cressen who was watching with huge eyes.
"I can assure you that my father has the finest healers aside from perhaps Mithrandir and Lord Elrond, and perhaps yourself is what I have heard is true." Legolas spoke hesitantly, still apparently expecting Aragorn to pull something fast on him.
"Well then, I should not worry. I feel we will soon be in your gates then, Lord of Mirkwood, and there I will be relieved of my pain." As Aragorn said this, the company came around a turn in the road to see large gates made of the finest wood, carved ornately as only elves could carve. Royal guards awaited their arrival, obviously having been forewarned of the coming of the Prince by the scouting party. They looked warily at the Rangers, but relieved to see Legolas. Aragorn noted that they seemed to have complete trust in their Prince. As it should have been. Aragorn turned to look at Legolas again and smiled this time, obviously putting the elf at ease. "I pray we are in your good hands, my friend." He knew that his words carried great weight and this pleased him, especially when Legolas smiled back.
"You have my word," Legolas said with a gentle smile, leaning closer to Aragorn, "son of Arathorn." At that, Aragorn knew that for a time, he could rest at ease.
Arabella Thorne - Thank you so much for your encouragement. I am glad to know that my characterizations have come out to be as much like Aragorn and Legolas as possible. Your praise means a lot to me. I hope you keep reading (
Arabiasil - I'm glad you've been following the story. Yes, classes do keep my very busy, but as long as you all like the story, I will not abandon it. God Bless you too.
Jay of Lasgalen - Thank you for the constructive criticism. While I love writing, I was an attrocious speller from an early age. If you would like to be my beta reader, that would be wonderful, you can start on the next chapter if you wish! Email me at shellpep3@aol.com if you are up for it.
Estelcontar - Alas, I toyed with the idea of making Cressen a girl, but was frightened that I would have people jumping all over me for creating some sort of "mary sue", which is not at all what I intended, especially afte what I wrote concerning Arwen. I did however want to take a closer look at the life of the Rangers and make Aragorn's relationship with them seem more in depth and tight.
Annakas - Thanks for the review! I promise I'll keep going!
Lasse-Lanta - Thank you for your reviews, they bring a smile to my face. Never fear, Thranduil makes his grand appearance next chapter, though I'm not quite sure exactly how I will have his reaction to be, so we are both in suspence!
Thanks again!!!! Sorry if I missed anyone.
The wind blew harshly through the trees and the leaves, turned golden in the changing of the season, fluttered in the onslaught, many of them dropping from the trees to litter the ground. Aragorn, leaning heavily against Evaria's strong neck, looked on with quiet admiration of the way nature worked. The Ranger felt unduly tired and would have sighed in exhaustion were it not for the company he kept. Directly to his right was Legolas who was riding straight and tall on the back of his horse Alutier. The elf's eyes were scanning to woods in front of them as they rode. To Aragorn's left was Resiran, who seemed to be keeping a watchful eye on Aragorn and it was plain to see that the Ranger was concerned for his captain. Havad and Shalen, one of the Rangers who had arrived in time to help fight off the wargs, rode in front, having taken the lead long before. Aragorn turned to look over his shoulder, noting that Lancen and Cressen, the two brothers, rode side by side, chatting quietly as if they had been apart for months. Behind the two boys were the two other Rangers, Hebran and Dorlien and also Methil. They seemed to be keeping up a stony watch of the rear.
Aragorn turned his attention back to his own position, shifting uncomfortably in the saddle. The results of the quick movement were enough to draw a sharp breath from the Ranger, causing Legolas to look at him for the first time since they had mounted their steeds. Aragorn cursed silently and the stitches that pulled at his now re-opened wound. Though he had no intention of admitting it, Legolas had been right, he needed medical attention. The Ranger glanced at his left arm, hanging limply at his side and frowned in frustration. He felt helpless, holding Evaria's reigns with his good right hand and surrounded by his men as if he could not take care of himself.
The issue had flared when they had moved to continue their journey. The elves had left and Aragorn had been sorely tempted to leave then also, and not to continue on to Mirkwood. The indifference of the elves to his men had angered and unsettled the wise Ranger and he was afraid of more conflict were he and his men to continue on to Mirkwood, especially after what had transpired when Cressen had unknowingly attacked Legolas. Aragorn would not risk Cressen's life, he had gone through too much to save it earlier in the boy's life and it was pointless to throw that away. Still, he had promised Legolas that he would escort the elf to Mirkwood and he did have a message from his father for the King of Mirkwood. The issue of the damage done to his body had been moot in his opinion until he had tried to mount Evaria. There had been many a time when he was forced to mount one handed, in times where a sword in his hand was more important than the ease of mounting his steed. However, there had not been a time when his body had been injured in the way the open and torn stitches of the healing wound were. He had involuntarily let out a grunt of pain as he tried to mount, causing him to instantly be surrounded by his Rangers, Legolas peering at him in a most concerned way from the sidelines. Cressen had been the first one to demand that Aragorn release his stubborn pride and allow help in mounting. It was then that Aragorn realized that he did indeed need some sort of medical relief were he to make it back to the Ranger outpost without further risk to himself or his men.
With great trepidation, Aragorn had reluctantly accepted help. There would be no point in arguing, especially since Cressen would not press on until he knew that Aragorn would be all right. The boy's tenacity was irritating to Aragorn, but he would not argue. He could not help but smile as he and Lancen had embraced, for they were very close. He had observed them secretly as Lancen had given Cressen the dagger that Elrohir had not so long ago given into Aragorn's care for him to do as he wished. Aragorn had no doubt that Elrohir knew exactly what his younger brother Estel had in mind for the ornate weapons. The two boys were very special to Aragorn.
As they had continued on their journey, Aragorn had felt that a small rift had grown between Legolas and himself. It was hard for the Ranger to let down his guard now, especially entertaining the thoughts of more wargs and the danger of the elves, whom should have been his allies. He knew that Legolas realized that and he also knew that their minds ran alike, both trying to discover how to reach some sort of way to get through the impasse that they had come to. Legolas had watched as his people had shown their true colors towards the Rangers. Aragorn had watched as his men had been placed in danger. There had to be words to say. Aragorn knew well that he would have to not only apologize for Cressen's behavior, but he would also be called upon to forgive the elven archers for their harsh words. No one would officially ask him to do this, though Legolas was likely to take the time to try. The elf was obviously shocked at what had transpired and was entirely unsure what he should do to try to fix the damage that had been done. Deep inside of him, Aragorn knew that he should try to help the Prince with this. A deep sense of moral justice told him that he should merely let the issue go, falling from sight as the leaves on this day did. However, that would not take into account the danger Aragorn and his men would face when arriving in Mirkwood.
Aragorn, a student of the ways of Middle Earth knew well that no two clans of men were alike. The Gondorians were entirely different from the horsemen of Rohan, and neither of them would come close to the ways of the remaining Numenor, the Rangers of the North. He was also aware that the elves could not be placed in the same categories. The wood elves were totally unlike the elves of Imladris. Even there in Imladris, tolerance towards men was short, evidence in being when the heir of Isildur had been teased and had his ears pulled on as a child because he was Edain and not elven. Their acceptance of men though was much higher than the elves of Mirkwood. Aragorn, with great understanding and wisdom, knew that the reasons were good, the men of the area often causing trouble on the elven border. Still, the elves did not even trust the Rangers, who served to keep the peace. Thranduil was a stern and unyielding elf lord who was clear that he would prefer and age where men were far less powerful. Through persuasion, the elf lord had been forced in a way to ally with the Rangers for their help. He was not entirely intolerant and trusted Aragorn with much. Though Thranduil and Elrond rarely agreed on most things, the two lords respected each other and Thranduil had accepted Aragorn as the coming King and a Ranger to be trusted readily. He was less accepting of Aragorn's men, but some he held in high esteem, such as Halbarad and Methil. The rest he kept a wary eye on, using his archers to make sure that no trouble would be caused.
For this reason alone, Aragorn thought ill of traveling with so many of his men into Thranduil's home, but Legolas left him little choice. The elf was stubborn if nothing else. It was a trait that Aragorn had come to respect in him. Therefore, he trusted the elf. He just wasn't ready to tell Legolas that as of yet. Let the elf sweat it out.
Their silence had stretched on for hours as they had traveled, and it was a strange silence between these new friends. Aragorn felt uneasy about it, but felt it necessary. He was not a man to be toyed with. It wasn't in his nature. Isildur had never yielded, and while Aragorn surely would have wished it otherwise when it came to the unspeakable ring, he could not help the blood that ran through his veins. Therefore, Legolas would have to be the one to broach the subject of the altercation between Cressen and the archers.
Beside Aragorn, Legolas cleared his throat and looked point blank at the Ranger. Aragorn could feel Legolas' eyes assessing him.
"Aragorn, it is not much further.are you in much pain?" These were the first words Legolas had spoken to Aragorn since an initial concern at the pained look that Aragorn had adopted while mounting Evaria. Aragorn was silent for a moment, trying to decide how to answer Legolas.
"I'm fine," the statement Aragorn made was gut reaction and the answer he was always most likely to give. He turned to look at the Prince and almost laughed. Legolas was practically glaring at him in unbelief. It took all of his anger at the earlier situation to keep from smiling.
"By Elbereth! You are not fine! You have not lifted your arm to even let Resiran look at it and it hangs, bleeding by your side, as if it is dead. I have been watching you for nigh on the last two hours and slowly you have been leaning more and more on Evaria as you twitch in pain. I see your hand shake Strider! You cannot fool the eyesight of an elf! And I am not blind to the fact that even your cloak has begun to soak with blood from your open stitches," Legolas' tirade consisted of pent up anger at the situation and his frustration. Once the words had left his mouth, he looked stunned, as if shocked that he had spoken such things. His eyes widened a bit as if expecting some sort of backlash from Aragorn.
The Rangers were also stunned as their speech stopped and they stared at Legolas, who had plainly spoken in the common tongue. Their eyes moved from the elf to their leader, to see exactly what his reaction would be. With all eyes on him, Aragorn knew he had to temper himself. In truth, his first reaction was to laugh. It was more than comical that Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, had lost his cool due to a stubborn human. What was more rewarding though, was that Legolas sounded like Aragorn's beloved brothers when their exasperation had turned to fear and worry. Elladan and Elrohir had also been corrupted by emotions most elves thought should be more reserved. Aragorn knew that the men expected him to be angry, or at least diplomatically cold. But, what Aragorn had always tried to impress upon each creature that he met was one fact, there was nothing predictable about his behavior. He did not grow angry, and he did not laugh. Instead, he shrugged as best he could and nodded slowly.
"Aye, you are right," his voice was softly comical as he turned his attention from Legolas and his men to the road before him. He could practically hear Legolas almost start to defend himself when the elf realized that Aragorn had not reproved him.
"I am right?" He sounded confused, almost as if he thought the clever Ranger was trying to trick him.
"Yes Legolas, you are right. My arm is broken and it hurts at the smallest movement. I fear even to wrap it to stop the bleeding. I hope your father has a master healer on hand, or I shall be forced to entrust my care to Cressen, and he is hardly trained." Aragorn turned to face Legolas, knowing his face displayed his honesty. Legolas stared back at him, then looked back at the boy called Cressen who was watching with huge eyes.
"I can assure you that my father has the finest healers aside from perhaps Mithrandir and Lord Elrond, and perhaps yourself is what I have heard is true." Legolas spoke hesitantly, still apparently expecting Aragorn to pull something fast on him.
"Well then, I should not worry. I feel we will soon be in your gates then, Lord of Mirkwood, and there I will be relieved of my pain." As Aragorn said this, the company came around a turn in the road to see large gates made of the finest wood, carved ornately as only elves could carve. Royal guards awaited their arrival, obviously having been forewarned of the coming of the Prince by the scouting party. They looked warily at the Rangers, but relieved to see Legolas. Aragorn noted that they seemed to have complete trust in their Prince. As it should have been. Aragorn turned to look at Legolas again and smiled this time, obviously putting the elf at ease. "I pray we are in your good hands, my friend." He knew that his words carried great weight and this pleased him, especially when Legolas smiled back.
"You have my word," Legolas said with a gentle smile, leaning closer to Aragorn, "son of Arathorn." At that, Aragorn knew that for a time, he could rest at ease.