Disclaimer:
Basically, I own nothing!!! No copyright infringement intended in any way.
Rating:
R for later chapters.
A/N: And here be four…
CHAPTER FOUR
"Mae govannen, Legolas."
The Lord of Rivendell dipped his head kindly, whilst undertaking the traditional gesture of Elvish greeting mirrored by Legolas who, in turn, touched his hand above his heart before extending it toward Lord Elrond.
"Hîr nín." The Prince replied respectfully, avoiding the dark eyes that sought his own.
If Elrond thought anything amiss with the young Prince, he kept such thinking to himself and instead of probing the young Elf further, turned his kind eyes toward the man who stood beside Legolas. Elrond arched an eyebrow at the dishevelled appearance of the mortal and let his unimpressed gaze wander over the mud-caked garments, ere lifting his eyes.
Meeting the Elf Lord's disapproving, parental gaze, the human smiled sheepishly, though a spark of uncertainty danced within the depths of his eyes. A moment of tension seemed to descend uncomfortably, at which Elrond's stern, aloofness almost caused Aragorn to hesitate and shift from foot to foot.
Legolas let his gaze wander between the two, feeling as though he were interrupting a private moment…he wished for nothing more than the darkness of a solitary room. However, when Aragorn and Elrond's eyes met once more, all creases of Elrond's frown vanished from his brow as the corner of the Elf's lips curved in a smile. With a gentle chuckle, the Lord of Rivendell stepped forward to embrace the man who he had eagerly awaited for months.
"Mae govannen, iôn nín."
Aragorn slipped out of Elrond's study, moving quietly down the familiar hallways out into the open gardens of Rivendell. Inhaling the scent of his old home a gentle smile touched his lips.
It has been too long.
The ranger mused as he enjoyed the caress of the evening breeze. Leaning against the aged pillars of stone, he admired the beauty that Rivendell encompassed. At the same time, he wondered where Legolas had disappeared to. The Elf prince had humbly accepted Lord Elrond's offer for clean attire and succulent refreshments and had been led away to his room by one of the servants. Aragorn had pondered speaking with Elrond of Legolas' strange behaviour, but then, perhaps his imagination was, as the Elf had so eloquently put it…vivid.
With a sigh, the ranger allowed his thoughts to wander as he let his feet lead him through the homely grounds. He could not forget the haunting look that he had seen within his friends eyes when they had met upon the road to Imladris. Legolas had appeared somewhat…dishevelled…this in itself had been naught compared to the strange glare that he had been met with and the Elf's sudden wariness.
The ranger paused near a large tree, placing a hand to the bark as he considered his own concerns for his friend. That familiar comfort of companionship had dissolved into awkward silences and hostility, with rare surfaces of his old friend's nature.
And you tell me your father is the root of your behaviour…I think not.
Turning his eyes toward the forests again, Aragorn was surprised when his gaze fell upon the form of Legolas. The Elven Prince was engaged in a practice of archery, his hand whipping over his shoulder to unleash one arrow after another, straight into the thick trunk of a tree. A frown tugged at the Elf's brow and his eyes appeared strangely fierce, as if he were unleashing far more than the arrow from his ritual session.
Watching with admiration for his friend's seemingly unbeatable talent, the mortal clapped loudly when the last arrow hit its target, jerking Legolas out of his state of concentration.
When his eyes fell upon the grinning man, Legolas felt the tension within him constrict painfully and he lowered his bow, turning his eyes away.
"I was unaware I had an audience." The Elf replied softly.
"It appears that your talent has only improved." the mortal smiled, stepping forward.
A shy laugh escaped the Elf's lips and he shook his head. As he did so, the shimmering veil of golden hair billowed lightly on the forest breeze, causing Aragorn to catch a glimpse of a strange wound on the back of Legolas's neck. Blinking in shock the mortal frowned, but ere he could comment or step closer to examine it, the Elf had moved to collect his arrows. Aragorn patiently stayed his curiosity and made do with gritting his teeth for a moment. Legolas returned, slinging the quiver onto his back once more. Lifting his eyes to level his gaze with the man's, Legolas noticed the questioning stare.
"Is something wrong?" the Elf asked, tilting his head.
The ranger hesitated for a moment, uncertain whether to speak or hold his tongue, either way, he would most probably enrage Legolas. As the man gazed at him expectantly the immortal sighed heavily, as realisation dawned.
"Ai Aragorn, why must you plague me with your insecurities?" the Elf muttered, gripping his bow tightly as he began a slow walk back toward his chamber.
"I have said nothing to you." The man murmured in response, turning on his heel to follow the Elf.
A bitter laugh, "As if you really need to say anything, tis' in your eyes." The Elf seethed irritably.
"Did your father strike you?"
Legolas could not have been more shocked if Aragorn had reached out and stabbed him. Wheeling around he locked gazes with his friend, eyes wide with disbelief at the question.
"What are you saying?" the Elf asked, aghast.
"Did he?"
"Of course not!" the Elf snapped, "Why would-"
"I merely asked."
"What you ask is offensive and improper."
"Apparently whatever it was that your father said to you, was also offensive and improper."
"Aragorn," the Elf growled, his temper fraying…Seldom did he lose it…at least not before he-
"Legolas, heed what I say…At least do this for me and I shan't bother you again on this matter. I –"
"Baw!" Legolas snapped, his blue eyes flashing coldly, "Le lasto enni!"
Aragorn nearly took a step back as his friend advanced, golden hair shimmering under the light of sun and the caress of the breeze. Never had he seen Legolas so enraged…Certain that he had the man's attention the Elf continued.
"Im broniant ann-lend." He barked angrily before his words softened, "Agwannen mbar nín ah balch peth an nín adar a o hon an nín."
Aragorn lowered his eyes at his friend's words, uncertain what it was that crawled within his own heart…uncertainty, doubts…questions…
"Saes, Estel." Legolas murmured as he took a step closer to the man, seeing the concern that lit the depths of the mortal's eyes, "All is well, mellon nín."
It took all the strength Legolas possessed in that moment to reach out and touch his friend's shoulder, allowing the false smile that he believed he had mastered, to touch his lips and lighten his friend's heart. He did not wish for this constant argument to continue between them, constantly being played out every time he failed to appear normal. However, the Elf wondered what it was that he had done to arouse suspicion; he would need to be more careful.
Raising his eyes, Aragorn gripped Legolas' shoulder and sighed heavily.
"Aranna nín?" The man whispered, trying to conceal his doubt behind a smile.
"-moe edhored, Aragorn." The Elf replied, hating the pain that stirred within his heart, he ignored it....he would not be overcome.
"All is well." He promised.
The sun burned fiercely as she lingered just above the horizon, her fiery rays casting a magnificent sunset within the skies. Tilting his head, Legolas observed every splash of colour, unaware of how tightly he was gripping the stone railing of the balcony. Once again, when the light managed to reach across the vast distance and touch his cheek, it sparked off a silver tear, turning it golden as it traced the surface of a pale cheek. Legolas frowned and reached up to touch it, nearly having to jerk his hand from the balcony after realising just how tightly he had been gripping the cold stone beneath his fingers. Touching the tips of his fingers to his cheek he caught the tear and stared at it.
"Legolas Thranduilion,"
Elrond's voice cut through the stillness of the evening and turning to face the Elven Lord, Legolas dipped his head politely, hoping that his fingertips had erased all traces of the tear.
"Hîr nín." The young Elf replied.
"What tidings bring you to Imladris?"
Avoiding Elrond's eyes, Legolas straightened as he dutifully explained the situation in Mirkwood and his father's grave request for assistance. All the while, the Elven Lord remained silent and still, his thoughts and feelings inscrutable. However, his gaze appeared to be burning a hole through Legolas. The prince avoided those dark eyes, which seemed to wish to strip away the barriers he had constructed around himself. The weight of Elrond's stare appeared to intensify after the young Prince finished his account and a heavy silence descended between the two Elves, filling the atmosphere with tension so thick, that Legolas was sure his Elven blades would have silenced through it with less ease than he would have liked. After too long a silence, the dark-haired Elf tilted his head back.
"I see."
Two words. Just two words and Legolas felt as though the world were about to give way beneath him.
"We shall speak more of this matter, in the morn, perhaps?" the kindness in the tone did not go unheeded and Legolas nodded once in acquiescence.
Smiling, the Elven Lord gazed out at the horizon, his brows pulled low over his eyes as it appeared as though he disapproved of the darkness descending. Noticing this, Legolas stepped aside, as if not wishing to block the Lord's view of the darkening skies. Noticing this, Elrond smiled slightly at the young Elf and when their eyes met, his smile faded.
"You must be tired." He alleged, more than asked.
"Aye, the journey was long."
Elrond's right eyebrow twitched at the comment, as though he did not find the words convincing. Immediate panic stirred within Legolas, though he quelled it and met the Lord's gaze with equal composure, his stature regal and thus radiating his noble heritage. The stance was more for defence than for means of eminence.
Meet his gaze. Do not give him reason to doubt you.
As memories threatened to escape the cell he had created for them within the blackest depths of his mind, the once clear blue eyes appeared to become unfocused and sadness lingered there.
"You appear weary, Legolas." The Elven Lord commented, and much to the Prince's dismay.
Blinking innocently, Legolas tilted his head in a gesture to display his apparent confusion, banishing all previous thoughts and memories from his mind. Elrond's eyes narrowed slightly, as though he could see right through the guise.
"I mean not in appearance, but in spirit. Does something ail you?"
"Law, Hîr nín." Legolas replied, his smile bordering on pathetic. If only he had prepared himself for the question, he would have easily have been able to have fooled the Elven Lord.
Unconvinced, though not willing to pressure the young Elf, Elrond merely dipped his head and turned to leave. After confirming that they would speak more in the morning, Legolas watched in silence as the Elf Lord departed the guest chamber.
Silence filled the aching stillness and Legolas turned away from the balcony. Stepping into the chamber he paused in the middle of the room, turning his head when he caught a flicker of moment out the corner of his eye. A candle burned brightly upon the nightstand, flickering now and then as it fought to stay alight. The symbolism was foreboding and anger burned as brightly as that flame, which continued its struggle to stay alight. Anger. Helplessness. In the darkness these emotions returned to him, he could not fight them; in the darkness he was vulnerable…
Vulnerable…
The word sickened him and with a vicious sweep of his hand he sent the candlestick flying across the room, uncaring of the hot wax spilling onto his flesh as he dealt the blow.
The flame died before it hit the cold floor.
Darkness swallowed the room, save for the light of the moon that crept into the chamber. Legolas stood still for a moment, breathing deeply as he sought to quell the emotions that began their deadly surface…So lost was he in the mesh of his emotions, which he struggled to ignore and refused to accept, he nearly bolted as a calm, emotionless voice sounded from the balcony archway.
"All is well?" the voice drawled sarcastically, though not without a hint of sorrow, "You lie through your teeth, mellon nín."
Chapter 4 Sindarin Elvish Translations
Mae govannen – Well met
Hîr nín – My Lord
Mae govannen, iôn nín – Well met, my son.
mellon nín – my friend
Law - No
Le lasto enni – You listen to me
Im broniant ann-lend - I endured a long journey
Agwannen mbar nín ah balch peth an nín adar a o hon an nín - and left my home with cruel words to my father and from him to me.
Saes, Estel – Please, Estel (Aragorn's elven name)
Aranna nín?– forgive me?
U-moe edhored, Aragorn – There is nothing to forgive, Aragorn
Legolas Thranduilion – Legolas, son of Thranduil
A/N: The next four chapters shall be up a.s.a.p! Thanks again Reviewers! x.x.x.x
Silver Thorne