Here is the beta-ed version! Hehe. Many thanks to Jay who has been
very busy but still manages to help me out! Thanks so much! Please r&r (
Gwyndolen Rhionne - Thanks for your review. I do try to get these out, but I hope you can be patient with me, I am a most busy college student with a hectic life that often explodes! I hope this chapter makes sense to you.
Arabella Thorne - Well, I hoped to make Thranduil not as stern and foreboding as I often see him. I picture him far different from Elrond, yet not cold to the point of lack of compassion. He is no fool, he knows who Aragorn is. Hopefully the lack of herbs will be explained in this chapter.
Valin - I hope you enjoy this! I do love Aragorn and though some like to make him suffer for odd reasons, I wanted to show that his life was never as easy as it could have been.
None - Whoever you are, thank you! I hope you read and enjoy this!
Annakas - Thanks! I hope this chapter suits you! I think it has a few tender spots.
Aralondwen - Thank you! Well, Aragorn strikes me as the type to get himself into quite a few scrapes. Hehe. I am glad you enjoy my writing style, I hope I have continued to improve!
Angel of the Elves - Here you go! Sorry it took so long!
Estelcontar - Your reviews are always so wonderful! I hope that Thranduil comes across as not overly fond of Aragorn, yet still concerned with the Ranger. I figure that Aragorn belittles his own pain because he sees it as a weakness, not only b/c of being raised by elves (very good point though! Imagine being raised with Elladan and Elrohir) but also because he fears he is weak b/c of Isildur. Hopefully this chapter will show a little more of how Cressen and Lancen came to stay with the Rangers.
Untouchable Heart - So here it is! I did my best to get it out, and I see you read it before ff.net deleted it.or whatever happened! Thank you so much for emailing me, you really got me moving! Hopefully I will be able to get the other chapter out soon!
Nili - Thank you so much for seeing that it disappeared! If I hadn't checked my reviews I never would have known! Thanks!!!!
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Legolas reluctantly left Aragorn with his father, and went in search of Cressen. He hated to leave his friend at a time like this, but he could hardly refuse the Ranger's plea for the boy's help. Legolas well knew that at this time of year, the last of the healing herbs and medicines were in short supply. Even then the gathering parties had surely been sent into the wilderness to replenish the stock that Mirkwood normally would have had. It was not unusual for a place of such peace to be without healing herbs.
This boded ill for Aragorn, but as always, the Ranger seemed prepared. While in Rivendell, Elladan had told Legolas of Aragorn's uncanny ability to heal, and Legolas had been reminded of some prophetic words he had heard when he was much younger. They drew close to saying that the hands of the King were the hands of the healer. Legolas supposed now that this naturally meant Aragorn would be prepared to handle a medical incident. This of course bypassed the fact that many Rangers faithfully carried herbs and medicines on their long journeys in the quiet.
Legolas soon came into an elegant part of Thranduil's royal home. He was met by archers, who answered only to his father, standing guard over one of the rooms kept for guests of Mirkwood. Legolas nodded at them and without a word, they cleared a path so that the Prince could enter the room. Legolas took a moment to compose himself. He was an elven prince and there was no need for him to show any sort of weakness or worry in front of these unruly and dirty Rangers. Slowly and with deliberation, the elf stepped lightly through the door and into the room. The Rangers were spread about in various places, but they all looked up in surprise when the elf entered, nearly silently. They all looked even more unhappy than they had before they had entered Mirkwood, and they had not changed or cleaned themselves up at all. They all wore their dirty and torn cloaks, and seemed nervous.
"Prince," Methil bowed low to the ground, approaching Legolas with respect. Legolas could feel the uncertainty of the man. Clearly the Rangers did not know if they could trust even Legolas. Without Aragorn there to convince them, it would be hard for Legolas to make them trust him. Cressen and Lancen watched him with suspicion and worry, and the other Rangers had all tensed.
"At ease Methil, you need not fear me. You know that I need not ask you to show me trust or respect, for I have every opportunity to command it here, but I do indeed ask you for it. I traveled many a day with you, and you know that Strider trusted me. I only mean to help him," Legolas chose his words carefully, making sure they knew he was not to be intimidated. They remained quiet for a moment, their body language unchanged.
"How fares our captain?" Resiran asked finally, stepping down from the stair that led to an outdoor balcony.
"I will be completely honest with you. His wounds are treatable beyond a shadow of a doubt, but they are grievous at the moment, and even Mirkwood runs low on supplies. I regret to say that it is the season for the search of new medicines and our supplies here are low." At this news, all of the Rangers exchanged looks of masked concern. Hebran took a bold step forward towards Legolas.
"Are you saying that your father cannot help him?" the Ranger's voice was very quiet and held an edge to it that Legolas could not quite place. Hebran seemed to be the oldest Ranger in the group, his gray hair long and thin. However, his eyes held something that Legolas could only place as being something akin to wisdom, but not exactly knowledge.
"Nay, the King will do his best. Strider requested that Cressen come to be of aid if he is needed, and to bring whatever medicines and herbs that Strider had with him." Legolas turned to face the youngest of the group. Cressen jumped up from his seat, hurrying to pick up Aragorn's well worn traveling pack. Opening it, Cressen did not at first come up with the leather pouch that Aragorn carried his healing agents in, but rather a letter, folded and sealed with red wax. He stared at it for a moment, before turning to face the others.
"What is it, lad?" Shalen asked, approaching Cressen.
"A letter. It is addressed in Elvish. I do not think Strider knew that it was here."
"What does it say?" Legolas asked, suddenly curious, stepping closer to the boy.
"It is written in the gray tongue. It says simply, my beloved. But who would place such a letter in Strider's supply pack?" the boy asked, perplexed, handing the letter to Legolas as he went back to searching for the herbs. "It is not as if Strider is in love."
Legolas bit back the urge to laugh, some of the tension in the room melting. He looked up to find Resiran smiling merrily at him.
"Aye, Cressen. It is not as if Strider is in love. What indeed would such a man as Strider need with a woman?" Resiran's words were spoken with a soft jest but the humor of the situation went directly over Cressen's head as the boy continued his search.
Legolas looked down at the carefully scripted words on the thin paper. He would have recognized the script anywhere. It could not be mistaken as anything but Arwen's hand, and the prince could not help but wonder which of her brothers she had convinced to hide it in Aragorn's pack.
"Indeed, what would Strider need with a woman?" Legolas smiled again at Resiran, emphasizing the word woman. He could only guess that Resiran somehow had gained knowledge of Aragorn's devotion to Arwen.
"Ah, I found it," Cressen held the small leather pouch, embroidered carefully in some time long past with intricate detail in a design that no doubt belonged to the ancestors of Gondor.
Legolas placed the letter into his tunic, hoping that in a moment of privacy he could give it to Aragorn. His friend would no doubt find strength in the words of the creature who loved him so dearly that she would give up what was most important to her. "Come then Cressen, Aragorn thinks you may be able to help." The boy nodded and shed his dirt stained cloak. Lancen was waiting with a clean cloak and the boys smiled at each other in a way that only brothers understood. Legolas made a quick promise that he would inform the Rangers on Aragorn's situation, then he hurried out, followed by Cressen.
"Prince, it is best that you do not worry about Strider. He will amaze you at how strong he truly is," Cressen said softly, catching Legolas off guard.
"Aye, so I've seen. Cressen, how does it come to pass that a boy of your age should travel as a Ranger and also so closely with Strider?" Legolas had been wondering for some time how the boy had come to be in the company of Aragorn and the others.
"A sad story it is, my Prince. My parents made their home in one of the villages that was used as a base for the Rangers. Many of the Rangers lived there when they did not travel, and as would be expected the village was mainly of women and children descended from the line of Numenor. Both of my parents, including my father who was a Ranger, were murdered by Orcs and men of evil character in a raid on the village. They were searching for the Heir of Isildur, though I do not know why." here the boy paused, glancing up, his confusion evident.
Legolas was shocked. Cressen was not aware of Aragorn's identity. It dawned on him that many of the Rangers most likely did not know the truth of their leader's destiny. His respect grew again as he realized that the Rangers followed Aragorn blindly, believing that he indeed have a destiny, but not being fully aware of what it was.
"That is strange," Legolas found it was almost difficult to choke out the words. "How did you escape the massacre?"
"Strider. He and a group of Rangers came upon the battle, having been warned by our network of the attack. They came nearly too late and most of the company was killed. Strider was wounded, but he found Lancen and I, we were but children, I only 10 and Lancen a mere 14. We had hidden in the barns as mother had bidden us. I do not know how the orcs did not find us, yet Strider did."
Legolas paused for a moment to glance at the boy. His brilliant blue eyes were clouded with the pain of the memory. "I am sorry, Cressen."
"Do not apologize my prince, my father would be pleased that Lancen and I have come to be trained as we are, especially under Strider. My father often spoke of him, though there is no leader of our kind, everyone merely follows Strider. He is our Captain." the boy spoke with something close to hero-worship. Legolas could not help but smile. He had no doubt that Aragorn would hardly be pleased with such admiration. The Ranger was a simple and humble man, and that was what would make him the greatest king Gondor would ever see. Of this, Legolas had no doubt.
"I respect your determination to succeed," Legolas responded and the boy nodded. Legolas motioned him gently into the room where he had earlier led Aragorn. Indeed, the Ranger and the King of Mirkwood were there still. There was a healer there also with some herbs and a basin of hot water.
Aragorn was sitting on the couch type bed leaning forward, his arm still dangling at his side. Thranduil seemed to be looking at the stitches on the man's back. Coming closer, Legolas observed that his father had cleaned the wound and was now painstakingly sewing stitches back in place. Aragorn's eyes were squeezed tightly shut, his good hand balled into a fist as he grit his teeth.
"Strider!" Cressen quickly knelt by the side of the man he clearly idolized. Aragorn opened his eyes and Legolas for once found himself expecting the pained smile that Aragorn managed to give the boy.
"Peace, Cressen, it is naught but pain. Have you brought my pouch?" Aragorn's voice was rough as though he had not used it in months. Legolas frowned and glanced at his father. Thranduil gave him a comforting nod and motioned to Aragorn's back. Most of the finely sewn stitches that Elrond had spent so much time on had been torn and pulled out, causing a cascade of blood and the reopening of the wound where the skin had not sufficiently healed. It was easy for Legolas to determine which stitches had been done by his father, for they were larger and not as precise as Elrond's, but they would suffice quite well.
"I have," Cressen offered Aragorn the pouch. "Is there nothing they can give you for the pain?"
Aragorn managed another smile. "The King has already mixed a tea for me, but there is naught to let me sleep. There are some things in life Cressen, that you will have to bear, that are unpleasant. I do not wish to see you in such a situation, but I do need you to help the King and the Prince."
Legolas watched as the boy nodded gravely. It was a hard thing for a boy to see the man he looked up to, to be in pain. While Legolas observed the boy, Aragorn fumbled with the pouch in his good hand. Cressen took it from him and handed it to Legolas.
"Do not worry Strider," he said quietly, touching his friend on the shoulder. Aragorn smiled up at him.
"I will do my best not to," the Ranger said quietly. Legolas turned to find his father had circled around to face the two men and his son.
"We will do our best Estel, I have done what I can on your back, and I will do what I can on your chest now, but then we will have to deal with your arm."
"I am ready, my King." Legolas stepped back to watch his friend, noting the brave and stoic look that crossed Aragorn's noble face. Legolas knew then that it would be some time till he saw Aragorn smile again.
Gwyndolen Rhionne - Thanks for your review. I do try to get these out, but I hope you can be patient with me, I am a most busy college student with a hectic life that often explodes! I hope this chapter makes sense to you.
Arabella Thorne - Well, I hoped to make Thranduil not as stern and foreboding as I often see him. I picture him far different from Elrond, yet not cold to the point of lack of compassion. He is no fool, he knows who Aragorn is. Hopefully the lack of herbs will be explained in this chapter.
Valin - I hope you enjoy this! I do love Aragorn and though some like to make him suffer for odd reasons, I wanted to show that his life was never as easy as it could have been.
None - Whoever you are, thank you! I hope you read and enjoy this!
Annakas - Thanks! I hope this chapter suits you! I think it has a few tender spots.
Aralondwen - Thank you! Well, Aragorn strikes me as the type to get himself into quite a few scrapes. Hehe. I am glad you enjoy my writing style, I hope I have continued to improve!
Angel of the Elves - Here you go! Sorry it took so long!
Estelcontar - Your reviews are always so wonderful! I hope that Thranduil comes across as not overly fond of Aragorn, yet still concerned with the Ranger. I figure that Aragorn belittles his own pain because he sees it as a weakness, not only b/c of being raised by elves (very good point though! Imagine being raised with Elladan and Elrohir) but also because he fears he is weak b/c of Isildur. Hopefully this chapter will show a little more of how Cressen and Lancen came to stay with the Rangers.
Untouchable Heart - So here it is! I did my best to get it out, and I see you read it before ff.net deleted it.or whatever happened! Thank you so much for emailing me, you really got me moving! Hopefully I will be able to get the other chapter out soon!
Nili - Thank you so much for seeing that it disappeared! If I hadn't checked my reviews I never would have known! Thanks!!!!
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Legolas reluctantly left Aragorn with his father, and went in search of Cressen. He hated to leave his friend at a time like this, but he could hardly refuse the Ranger's plea for the boy's help. Legolas well knew that at this time of year, the last of the healing herbs and medicines were in short supply. Even then the gathering parties had surely been sent into the wilderness to replenish the stock that Mirkwood normally would have had. It was not unusual for a place of such peace to be without healing herbs.
This boded ill for Aragorn, but as always, the Ranger seemed prepared. While in Rivendell, Elladan had told Legolas of Aragorn's uncanny ability to heal, and Legolas had been reminded of some prophetic words he had heard when he was much younger. They drew close to saying that the hands of the King were the hands of the healer. Legolas supposed now that this naturally meant Aragorn would be prepared to handle a medical incident. This of course bypassed the fact that many Rangers faithfully carried herbs and medicines on their long journeys in the quiet.
Legolas soon came into an elegant part of Thranduil's royal home. He was met by archers, who answered only to his father, standing guard over one of the rooms kept for guests of Mirkwood. Legolas nodded at them and without a word, they cleared a path so that the Prince could enter the room. Legolas took a moment to compose himself. He was an elven prince and there was no need for him to show any sort of weakness or worry in front of these unruly and dirty Rangers. Slowly and with deliberation, the elf stepped lightly through the door and into the room. The Rangers were spread about in various places, but they all looked up in surprise when the elf entered, nearly silently. They all looked even more unhappy than they had before they had entered Mirkwood, and they had not changed or cleaned themselves up at all. They all wore their dirty and torn cloaks, and seemed nervous.
"Prince," Methil bowed low to the ground, approaching Legolas with respect. Legolas could feel the uncertainty of the man. Clearly the Rangers did not know if they could trust even Legolas. Without Aragorn there to convince them, it would be hard for Legolas to make them trust him. Cressen and Lancen watched him with suspicion and worry, and the other Rangers had all tensed.
"At ease Methil, you need not fear me. You know that I need not ask you to show me trust or respect, for I have every opportunity to command it here, but I do indeed ask you for it. I traveled many a day with you, and you know that Strider trusted me. I only mean to help him," Legolas chose his words carefully, making sure they knew he was not to be intimidated. They remained quiet for a moment, their body language unchanged.
"How fares our captain?" Resiran asked finally, stepping down from the stair that led to an outdoor balcony.
"I will be completely honest with you. His wounds are treatable beyond a shadow of a doubt, but they are grievous at the moment, and even Mirkwood runs low on supplies. I regret to say that it is the season for the search of new medicines and our supplies here are low." At this news, all of the Rangers exchanged looks of masked concern. Hebran took a bold step forward towards Legolas.
"Are you saying that your father cannot help him?" the Ranger's voice was very quiet and held an edge to it that Legolas could not quite place. Hebran seemed to be the oldest Ranger in the group, his gray hair long and thin. However, his eyes held something that Legolas could only place as being something akin to wisdom, but not exactly knowledge.
"Nay, the King will do his best. Strider requested that Cressen come to be of aid if he is needed, and to bring whatever medicines and herbs that Strider had with him." Legolas turned to face the youngest of the group. Cressen jumped up from his seat, hurrying to pick up Aragorn's well worn traveling pack. Opening it, Cressen did not at first come up with the leather pouch that Aragorn carried his healing agents in, but rather a letter, folded and sealed with red wax. He stared at it for a moment, before turning to face the others.
"What is it, lad?" Shalen asked, approaching Cressen.
"A letter. It is addressed in Elvish. I do not think Strider knew that it was here."
"What does it say?" Legolas asked, suddenly curious, stepping closer to the boy.
"It is written in the gray tongue. It says simply, my beloved. But who would place such a letter in Strider's supply pack?" the boy asked, perplexed, handing the letter to Legolas as he went back to searching for the herbs. "It is not as if Strider is in love."
Legolas bit back the urge to laugh, some of the tension in the room melting. He looked up to find Resiran smiling merrily at him.
"Aye, Cressen. It is not as if Strider is in love. What indeed would such a man as Strider need with a woman?" Resiran's words were spoken with a soft jest but the humor of the situation went directly over Cressen's head as the boy continued his search.
Legolas looked down at the carefully scripted words on the thin paper. He would have recognized the script anywhere. It could not be mistaken as anything but Arwen's hand, and the prince could not help but wonder which of her brothers she had convinced to hide it in Aragorn's pack.
"Indeed, what would Strider need with a woman?" Legolas smiled again at Resiran, emphasizing the word woman. He could only guess that Resiran somehow had gained knowledge of Aragorn's devotion to Arwen.
"Ah, I found it," Cressen held the small leather pouch, embroidered carefully in some time long past with intricate detail in a design that no doubt belonged to the ancestors of Gondor.
Legolas placed the letter into his tunic, hoping that in a moment of privacy he could give it to Aragorn. His friend would no doubt find strength in the words of the creature who loved him so dearly that she would give up what was most important to her. "Come then Cressen, Aragorn thinks you may be able to help." The boy nodded and shed his dirt stained cloak. Lancen was waiting with a clean cloak and the boys smiled at each other in a way that only brothers understood. Legolas made a quick promise that he would inform the Rangers on Aragorn's situation, then he hurried out, followed by Cressen.
"Prince, it is best that you do not worry about Strider. He will amaze you at how strong he truly is," Cressen said softly, catching Legolas off guard.
"Aye, so I've seen. Cressen, how does it come to pass that a boy of your age should travel as a Ranger and also so closely with Strider?" Legolas had been wondering for some time how the boy had come to be in the company of Aragorn and the others.
"A sad story it is, my Prince. My parents made their home in one of the villages that was used as a base for the Rangers. Many of the Rangers lived there when they did not travel, and as would be expected the village was mainly of women and children descended from the line of Numenor. Both of my parents, including my father who was a Ranger, were murdered by Orcs and men of evil character in a raid on the village. They were searching for the Heir of Isildur, though I do not know why." here the boy paused, glancing up, his confusion evident.
Legolas was shocked. Cressen was not aware of Aragorn's identity. It dawned on him that many of the Rangers most likely did not know the truth of their leader's destiny. His respect grew again as he realized that the Rangers followed Aragorn blindly, believing that he indeed have a destiny, but not being fully aware of what it was.
"That is strange," Legolas found it was almost difficult to choke out the words. "How did you escape the massacre?"
"Strider. He and a group of Rangers came upon the battle, having been warned by our network of the attack. They came nearly too late and most of the company was killed. Strider was wounded, but he found Lancen and I, we were but children, I only 10 and Lancen a mere 14. We had hidden in the barns as mother had bidden us. I do not know how the orcs did not find us, yet Strider did."
Legolas paused for a moment to glance at the boy. His brilliant blue eyes were clouded with the pain of the memory. "I am sorry, Cressen."
"Do not apologize my prince, my father would be pleased that Lancen and I have come to be trained as we are, especially under Strider. My father often spoke of him, though there is no leader of our kind, everyone merely follows Strider. He is our Captain." the boy spoke with something close to hero-worship. Legolas could not help but smile. He had no doubt that Aragorn would hardly be pleased with such admiration. The Ranger was a simple and humble man, and that was what would make him the greatest king Gondor would ever see. Of this, Legolas had no doubt.
"I respect your determination to succeed," Legolas responded and the boy nodded. Legolas motioned him gently into the room where he had earlier led Aragorn. Indeed, the Ranger and the King of Mirkwood were there still. There was a healer there also with some herbs and a basin of hot water.
Aragorn was sitting on the couch type bed leaning forward, his arm still dangling at his side. Thranduil seemed to be looking at the stitches on the man's back. Coming closer, Legolas observed that his father had cleaned the wound and was now painstakingly sewing stitches back in place. Aragorn's eyes were squeezed tightly shut, his good hand balled into a fist as he grit his teeth.
"Strider!" Cressen quickly knelt by the side of the man he clearly idolized. Aragorn opened his eyes and Legolas for once found himself expecting the pained smile that Aragorn managed to give the boy.
"Peace, Cressen, it is naught but pain. Have you brought my pouch?" Aragorn's voice was rough as though he had not used it in months. Legolas frowned and glanced at his father. Thranduil gave him a comforting nod and motioned to Aragorn's back. Most of the finely sewn stitches that Elrond had spent so much time on had been torn and pulled out, causing a cascade of blood and the reopening of the wound where the skin had not sufficiently healed. It was easy for Legolas to determine which stitches had been done by his father, for they were larger and not as precise as Elrond's, but they would suffice quite well.
"I have," Cressen offered Aragorn the pouch. "Is there nothing they can give you for the pain?"
Aragorn managed another smile. "The King has already mixed a tea for me, but there is naught to let me sleep. There are some things in life Cressen, that you will have to bear, that are unpleasant. I do not wish to see you in such a situation, but I do need you to help the King and the Prince."
Legolas watched as the boy nodded gravely. It was a hard thing for a boy to see the man he looked up to, to be in pain. While Legolas observed the boy, Aragorn fumbled with the pouch in his good hand. Cressen took it from him and handed it to Legolas.
"Do not worry Strider," he said quietly, touching his friend on the shoulder. Aragorn smiled up at him.
"I will do my best not to," the Ranger said quietly. Legolas turned to find his father had circled around to face the two men and his son.
"We will do our best Estel, I have done what I can on your back, and I will do what I can on your chest now, but then we will have to deal with your arm."
"I am ready, my King." Legolas stepped back to watch his friend, noting the brave and stoic look that crossed Aragorn's noble face. Legolas knew then that it would be some time till he saw Aragorn smile again.