Disclaimer:
Basically, I own nothing!!! No copyright infringement intended in any way.
Rating:
R for later chapters.
A/N: Three…
CHAPTER THREE
The sun had begun her slow descent far too soon for the Elf's liking. The Prince had depended upon the daylight to brighten his hopes and give him something to focus upon. He knew well that upon reaching Rivendell, more questions might be asked of him…questions he would not answer lest he dare to-
"Legolas?"
Tensing slightly, the Prince prepared himself for another prying question and turned his head toward his companion with a painfully forced smile.
"Yes?"
Aragorn glanced across at his friend, his soulful gaze softened by the kiss of the setting sun.
"What business do you have in Rivendell, would a social visit be too hopeful of me?"
Shifting slightly upon the back of the horse, Legolas lifted his head to gaze at the path ahead.
"My father and I discussed the matter, which is what led to our argument. At length he decided it better to just send me from his sight."
"Oh." The ranger frowned slightly, wondering if it had been better to have said nothing,
That does not answer my question. The man frowned.
"Why would he have not wanted you to go?" Aragorn asked, glancing sidelong at the elf.
Had Legolas had the heart to have found humour in his constant grasping for untruths then perhaps a small flicker of amusement might have dulled the shadows that lingered within the depths of his eyes. If only that had been so.
"You know my father, Aragorn." Legolas murmured, "You know how he feels about Lord Elrond. I am surprised that he dare ask his assistance."
"Assistance?" Aragorn echoed, interested.
"Aye, Mirkwood darkens with shadow each day."
"Orcs and spiders, I assume." The ranger muttered, more to himself as he turned his eyes toward the darkening skies.
"Aye." Legolas confirmed, his own eyes darting around the woodland as the shadows closed in.
Nightfall would soon be upon them and no doubt Aragorn would wish for them to settle for the night.
Jerking the reins of his horse, Aragorn's steed slowed to a halt and bobbed its head lightly. Legolas' horse also slowed and the Elf glanced once at the ranger before turning his eyes back toward the forest, hating the insecurities that prickled his skin. Shadows appeared to curl like foul figures waiting to pounce, contorting as the last rays of sunlight faded against the sky.
Now, you'll scream
"Legolas?"
Turning his head sharply toward Aragorn, the Elf tried not to look irritated. The mortal was starting to aggravate him with his constant questions and despite his many years, he found his patience wearing thin. However, gazing into the concerned eyes of his friend, Legolas softened slightly. It was clear that Aragorn cared and thus, his questions were not directed at the Elf to vex his temper.
Aragorn dismounted, scratching the steed fondly beneath its chin before looping the reins lightly over a tree branch. Removing the bedroll from the saddle he wandered over to the middle of the chosen site, dropping the roll to the ground. All the while, Legolas remained upon the back of his steed, sharp elven eyes staring out into the depths of the forest as if trying to discern shadow from tree…darkness from the figure of a-
"Legolas!"
Blinking from his state of concentration the Elf lowered his gaze. Frowning, the ranger glanced around the forest ere lifting his eyes to his friend.
"Do you plan to sleep upon the back of your horse?" the man chuckled.
The idea of sleep was cruel.
I shall find none here.
Flaunting another deceptive smile, the fair being dismounted with a little less grace than usual, hoping that Aragorn did not observe this with his usual scrutiny. Lucky, the man had already turned back to his own business and Legolas quietly stepped forward, wishing that they had never stopped.
"We shall need to get a fire going." The man advised as he combed a hand back through his windswept hair. The mortal turned, about to leave the copse, "I shall collect some firewood and-"
"No!" Legolas blurted, eyes wide as the word left his lips.
Aragorn turned on his heel and stared at his friend, face awash with utter bemusement.
"What?" he asked, extremely slowly, as if worried for his friend's mental state.
"I shall get it." The Elf declared.
For a moment, the man just stared into the depths of his friend's eyes, as if searching for some unknown emotion or sign. Legolas felt the tension curl within him like a spring and he held his friend's gaze, praying to the Valar that Aragorn would concede and just laugh, turning his strange outburst into a jest. Instead the mortal nodded and stepped aside, motioning to the forest with his hand in a gesture to tell Legolas that he was free to pass.
"I shall return shortly."
With that, the golden-haired immortal vanished between the trees as the darkness swallowed him.
Aragorn's eyes narrowed slightly and he cast a glance at his horse, which stared back at him, wide-eyed. Chewing the inside of his bottom lip the ranger frowned slightly as he contemplated the behaviour he had just witnessed.
Legolas squared his shoulders as he stepped deeper into the tangled depths of the forest, lifting his eyes to the sky. The stars burned brightly and he immediately averted his gaze.
With a sigh, he bent gracefully to retrieve the brushwood needed for the fire. His golden hair spilled over his shoulders as he bowed, shimmering silver in the moonlight. The snap of a twig caused Legolas to jerk upright and he instantly reached for his bow only to find his wrist enclosed in a strong grip the moment he tried. Memory assaulted him in a drowning wave of emotion.
Not again!
Wheeling around, the Elf tore his hand free and was about to strike his unknown assailant but stepped back suddenly when his eyes fell upon those of Aragorn's. The man was staring at him, though no shock or surprise tainted his expression, which meant only one thing.
He expected me to react this way…
"A little remiss in your usual vigilance." The mortal commented, arching an eyebrow slightly, "Usually you would have heard my approach ere I got this close."
Legolas blinked to clear the haze from his mind and still the panic that had arisen within him, all the while hoping for some convincing retort.
"Usually, I would not have the need to be so guarded around a friend." Legolas commented, hoping to invoke guilt in the human as well as turn the attention away from himself.
"You should always be on your guard; you never know what lurks around these lands in the times that have fallen."
The words, though not spoken with any intention to have brought pain to the Elf, hurt more than any strike.
On your guard…You should always be on your guard…you should have been on your guard when it happened…when-
"I did not mean to startle you, though I am happy that I can use this against you in the future." The man smiled, trying to lighten the tension his previous words had caused.
"I am glad I was the object of your pointless jest, Aragorn." Legolas snapped, turning away from the man to retrieve the branches and logs that he had dropped.
The hostility was undeserved and stepping forward, the man bent to aid his friend.
"Are you a sore loser, Legolas?" the man asked softly, "Tis' most unbecoming of you."
Snatching the branches from Aragorn's hand, Legolas turned his fiery gaze upon the man.
"Nay, I do not appreciate being followed." The Elf clarified, taking a step around the mortal as he headed back toward the copse.
"I came to help you." The mortal affirmed, wheeling around to trail after his friend.
Once back at the site, the Elf dropped the firewood to the earth with a noisy clatter and sighed heavily.
"I do not need your help."
"So you keep saying." Aragorn muttered, coming to a stop behind his companion.
Turning around to face the mortal, Legolas's eyes flashed, "Since when did you think me incapable of carrying firewood?"
"I did not think you incapable." Aragorn corrected, "I merely wondered at your previous reaction and thought it best to question you."
"Question me? Why are you reading so much into every movement or word that I say?"
"Because seldom have your moods been so capricious…I also believe you are in pain."
Legolas lifted his head defiantly, "Aragorn, healer you may be, but you are seeking to heal things that no ill has befallen."
"No, not yet."
With an irritated sigh the Elven Prince turned away, only to have Aragorn block his path.
"What happened to you?" the man pressed, "Why have you been acting so strangely?"
Legolas locked eyes with the man, uncertain how much longer he could retain him clam if Aragorn continued to push him. The mortal stared stubbornly into the blue eyes, his own never flickering with doubt or fear.
"When I met you on the road to Rivendell, you looked weary and sombre."
"The journey has been taxing." The Elf ground out between clenched teeth, feeling his anger rising, "Why do you seem unable to accept that-"
"Legolas, you never look weary or sombre." The man cut in, his eyes gentle.
A bitter laugh caught in the immortal's throat and he shook his head.
"Aragorn, you shall make me far more weary by the end of our journey if you continue to harass me with false allegations."
"Yet you keep proving to me that they are more than mere allegations." The man pressed, taking a step back as Legolas took one forward, still blocking the Elf's path.
"I do not know what it is that I am doing to fuel your dramatic imagination, but I would like to rest, lest I too, become as absurd as yourself." The immortal teased, praying that the humour he forced into his tone would convince the man.
Aragorn seemed to relent for a moment as he cocked his head, observing his friend.
"I just worried at your weariness." The man murmured, touching a hand to his friend's shoulder.
A soft, sad smile touched Legolas' lips for a moment and he nodded, touching a hand to Aragorn's shoulder in like.
"Tis' no more than my own worries at my father's temper." The Elf reassured his friend, "You need not look for signs in me Aragorn, they will not lead you to any grand revelation."
"So you say," the man smiled, releasing his friend's shoulder, "I do not mean to badger you."
"All is well." The Elf lied, stepping past the mortal to take a seat near the pile of wood.
Aragorn quietly crouched down near the kindling and started a fire, all the while lifting his eyes now and then to fleetingly glance at Legolas. The Elf appeared transfixed by the fire which sparked to life before their eyes. No more words were exchanged between them that night and as the man settled down to sleep, the Elf gazed hauntingly at the woodland, searching for eyes that would stare straight back at him, through the darkness.