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Chapter 7

'I'm free at last!'

Night wore on.

Legolas remained with Aragorn, after the hobbits had treated his injuries and left to collect their things from camp, allowing the elf to help the human if need be. Aragorn did not stir for a while and in that time the Prince found himself getting worried ever more, for he feared the blow to the head had affected him.

His worry decreased when at last Aragorn returned to the light. The first thing the elf noted was a light shining in the man's grey eyes, something he had not seen for many months. To the elf, it proved something that Aragorn had believed impossible.

He had defeated the evil grip on him.

"How are you feeling?" Legolas asked.

"Like someone's sat a large boulder on my head."

Legolas grinned slightly. "Try not to move too much then."

"I won't."

"What do you remember?"

Aragorn looked to the elf, a sad light seemed to twinkle in his eyes before it faded. "The Knights coming and taking me. They used me for their own purpose of power. And then you came and were hurt. You asked me for help. I defeated them."

"What about inside? What are your feelings now? Do you still wish to leave Middle-Earth?" The elf realised it was a dumb question to ask even before he had opened his mouth, but he had to know what Aragorn was feeling.

Aragorn fell silent for a while.

Legolas spoke: "Forget it. Ignore what I've just asked."

"No," Aragorn waved his hand in the air. "It's okay. I admit I feel an aching wound in my heart but the Knight's death has changed me. They are no longer there to manipulate my feelings. The shadow of evil isn't weighing as heavy upon my soul then it did before. I feel better, but…" he hesitated, "but I have a longing for the sea still my friend. I will not remain in Middle-Earth forever but for now I am content with who I am. I'm free at last, but not from the call of my heart. The sea will only be my home when I have lived a full life in Gondor. Legolas, if it weren't for you then I'd have never summoned the courage to defeat the Knights. Your suffering made me realise my fears. I could not bear to let a dear friend die because of me, especially an elf at that. I have not truly healed, the ache remains as does memory but I'm not like I was before."

"Then I'm glad that I could be of service to you." The elf smiled. He was glad that he had been able to help Aragorn, but was also afraid in the way he had assisted the men. It terrified him of the thought that Aragorn had only summoned the courage to defeat the Knights because of his best friend's suffering.

The night dragged on.

Aragorn eventually fell asleep. From looking at him the Prince could see the changes in his friend's face. He looked worn and pale, but happy. His once brown hair was tinged with grey, and a smile pulled at his lips.

Sitting their reflecting upon his past, Legolas recalled a memory of Aragorn and the twins, back when the human had returned from perils in the East. He had changed so much then.

The man that stood before them was no longer the happy child that they had watched grow up, but he was sad and sincere. The man's face had aged only little but it was the signs of weariness that confused Legolas. Aragorn had been fighting in the wars of men since his departure many years ago. The cares rested heavily in his facial features.

"Estel!" Elladan cried as he ran forward, embracing his brother tightly. "We've all missed you!"

Elrohir gave the human a slight hug. "Yes, when you were here you filled our hearts with joy. The shadow of doubt draws away from us now that our little brother is home again."

Elladan ran a gentle hand down the human's face inspecting the fading cuts and bruises that Aragorn had sustained during the wars between Gondor and the Corsairs. "You have changed. No longer are you a boy, but a man. War has changed you. I fear that the little brother we knew will never emerge again. Yet if it does it will be only when you and Arwen receive the greatest gift of all."

At that meeting Legolas had known that the twins would be downcast to know that their Estel was no longer Estel but Aragorn. It lightened the elf to believe that. Aragorn's misfortune in early life had scarred him. Losing his parents at a young age; having to take the burden of responsibility of the future of Gondor on his shoulders; having to fight in a war with his kin – something the elf knew that Aragorn really hadn't wanted to do – and ruling over Arnor and Gondor, and most of all what had happened on Numenor, had emotionally as well as physically scared the man. All the trials he had seen through his life had made him who he was. Estel was a part of him that had been free. He knew that his friend wished to remain Estel forever but it was impossible.

Estel's days were over; Aragorn's had barely begun.

The hobbits returned a while later, exhausted but happy the rescue had gone so well. They sneaked in quietly for both Aragorn and Legolas were sleeping. The elf had not meant to sleep but a certain drowsiness had overcome him and he had curled up beside Aragorn, but he was alert and ready for anything, for when the hobbits arrived, he woke up but not registering any threat he fell back to sleep.

As night gave way to the sun strokes of day, the camp came alive with laughter and bustle. Legolas' injuries was checked and both Aragorn and Frodo were forced to be checked over in case the Knights had done any serious harm. It turned out they hadn't.

With relieve the companions began to tread back to Minas Tirith.

And for the first time in many months Aragorn sang an elvish song for his mind was set upon Arwen and what she must have thought through the time he had been ill. He realised that he was not truly rid of the evil or pain inside him, but what he had done had calmed his spirit enough for him to feel better about himself. For once in many months he truly felt happy.

He could go home and rest with his family. Nothing would ever touch him or his family again.

He was finally free.

TBC

The story is now coming to an end. I'm working on the last chapter now so it will be a while before that chapter is up. However there is still another chapter to come before the end. The final chapter will explain in detail the end of Aragorn and Arwen's life and what their choices are. Chapter 8 is very short so bear in mind it is leading up to Chapter 9 which regrettably is the last chapter.

REVIEW RESPONSES

Got-lotr: Yeah, Aragorn did do a fatal blow to that Knight. Good thing to or he wouldn't be healed. Hope you have a good move to the US. I wish I lived there…

Galadriel Evenstar: Thanks for the review!

Celebdil-Galad and Tinulaure: Sorry that there wasn't much Legolas angst. It's the best I could do. The original chapter title for 6 was: Legolas to the Rescue. But I thought it sounded too clichéd. Thanks for the review!

Sielge: Aragorn's my fave character too. He should be back to normal now. Thanks for reading.

Usagipeguses: Your review was greatly appreciated!