Riderless Horse

Life in the wood during the winter was relatively quiet. The most trouble the patrols had seen was a bear that wandered into the settlement looking for food. And so the days passed in quiet laziness. Families gathered by their fireplaces to share stories and good food. One day, however, something happened that shook everyone's hearts.

The watch was coming back into the settlement when a familiar horse wandered into the square. Thelyn recognized it immediately.

"Windhoof!" Thelyn said in horror. "Where is Legolas?"

Cilmo paled, "This is his horse? He returns without his master?"

Alcon dismounted and caught the reins. The saddlebags were still packed full, and another bag was strapped over them. His bow was here as well, and Alcon cringed at the thought of Legolas being left unarmed.

"We must organize a search immediately," Thelyn said.

"Someone should send word to Aragorn," Alcon said. "He will want to hear of this."

Thelyn and Cilmo unpacked and stowed the horse and then the search parties were divided up. They tracked the horse's trail out of the wood and into the open land just north of the wood where the trail just stopped. No one had an explanation for the abrupt loss of the trail. After circling the wood twice in ever widening patterns, they returned to the settlement to regroup. Everyone was sick in heart at the thought that something had happened to their beloved leader.

Aragorn was sitting in his hall, meeting with some of his knights when the messenger form Ithilien arrived. Anwaner strode in with the gravest expression on his face. Aragorn immediately rose and went to meet him.

"What news, Ranger?" Aragorn asked, feeling a strange sense of foreboding at the sight of him.

Anwaner bowed and looked at him gravely, "My Lord, Legolas' horse returned to the settlement early this morning without his master. The search is under way, but there was no sign of him yet when I left."

Aragorn closed his eyes and cringed inwardly. He'd been worried about Legolas for the last two months and now his fears seemed to be coming true. The thought of his friend being lost and hurt somewhere was plaguing him.

"I will return with you and join the search," Aragorn finally said. "Please sit and take some rest while I gather some men to help search. Thank you for coming so quickly." He turned and headed out of the hall, beckoning to Fretho and Bergo as he went. The conference began on the run as he issued orders quickly. He was looking for Eldarion, and then he'd be packing. He wanted to be on the evening ship within the hour. Every moment was precious now. He refused to accept the loss of this friend. He would find him, and avenge him if necessary.

Upon arrival in Ithilien, Aragorn and Cilmo searched through Legolas' things. In his saddlebags they found nothing unusual, but the other bag contained all of his weapons. Aragorn was disturbed by that, but what he found in the bottom of the bag confounded him. There was a pair of silk shoes with ribbon ties and strange clothing. The shoes were very small, and had wood blocks in the toes. Aragorn had no explanation for their purpose or owner. What would Legolas be doing with such strange things? With no clues as to his location, he ordered the search parties to split up. They would have nothing to go on, and there was a large area to cover, like all of Middle Earth.

With the help of Aragorn and his knights, Polodrin and his Rangers and the Elves, the search continued. For weeks the search parties rode as far north as Emyn Lasgalen, as far west as Fangorn and Lorien and as far east as the Sea of Rhûn. There was no sign of him, nor was there any who had seen him. It was a difficult decision to make when Aragorn finally called off the search. He returned to Minas Tirith with heavy heart. He received few guests at the hall after that, remaining in solitude from all save his family.

It was early spring when Arwen managed to get Aragorn to return to his normal duties. He rode down to the gates to join the outgoing patrol. He needed to get back into the routine of caring for his people. He'd wallowed in his grief for far too long. Legolas would not want him to neglect his role as King.

"I will ride with you," Aragorn said to his gathered knights.

Fretho bowed to him and gave him a smile, "It is good to have you with us, Lord."

Aragorn smiled at him, "Thank you, Fretho. It is good to be back."

Their reunion was interrupted from a call up on the battlements. "Sire, there is a light in the Pelennor…"

Aragorn rode to the gate to look and stared in wonder. A great bright light shone from about the center of the field, and as it faded he saw someone sitting in the grass. It was too far to see them but somehow he knew this was a significant event. Magic was at work here, and he had to investigate this matter himself.

"Bergo, Fretho, Froderick, come with me," Aragorn said and then rode out to meet this person who arrived in so mysterious a manner. As he approached, he could see that there were in fact two people sitting there, a woman, and a man lying half hidden in the grass.

"Identify yourselves," Aragorn demanded as he came within earshot of them.

"This is Legolas and I am Skye," she said quickly. "He is hurt and needs help right away."

Aragorn leapt from his horse and threw his helmet off as he knelt beside him. He checked his pulse and ripped his shirt open to examine the wound. The woman leaned back to give him room until he finally looked up at her.

"What manner of weapon caused this tiny wound?" Aragorn asked in panic.

"It is a small metal projectile," she said. "It is still inside and must be removed."

Aragorn scowled at her description but calmly lifted Legolas into his arms and stood. Bergo helped him put Legolas on his horse and they headed back toward the city. They never looked back, but Aragorn remembered the woman and called back to her.

"You'd best come with us," he said flatly.

He was both horrified and relieved to see his friend. Relieved to find that he is alive, and horrified at the strange wound. Where was he, and what was that light? He walked quickly, leading the horse straight to the House of Healing. He carefully lifted him down from the horse and carried his wounded friend inside. Ioreth, who now ran the place, met him at the door with deep concern on her face.

"Is that Lord Greenleaf, sire?" she asked.

"Yes, he is sorely wounded, and will need the best care we can offer," Aragorn said.

He took his fallen friend to a room and laid him down. He had been so happy when the woman said the name Legolas. It had been many months since he'd left, and two months since his horse wandered into Ithilien without his rider. Aragorn had feared the worst when the message came. The search went on for weeks with no sign of him. Aragorn had been heartbroken. And now, here he was, but with a wound like he'd never seen before. He immediately went to work, and he had the help of those that tended here.

Aragorn found the piece of metal the woman spoke of and sewed up the wound. Legolas was suffering from a severe fever, but there was nothing to do now but wait. He wiped the sweat from his brow and heaved a sigh. Legolas was always so strong and sure. In some of the bloodiest battles they'd been it, he always seemed to come out without so much as a scratch. And now, he was deathly pale and shivering with chills from his fever.

"My lord, go and rest," Ioreth said. "I will stay and tend him. There is nothing more we can do right now."

Aragorn nodded and left. He found the woman in the hall, sitting on the floor with Bergo and Fretho watching her. Her attire was unfamiliar, or was it? It reminded him of Jamie's or Miranda's. Legolas' attire had been similarly unfamiliar as well. The woman was still holding his helmet and she tried to see past him into the room. She looked positively sick with worry.

"You are…?" Aragorn asked.

"My name is Skye," she said. "How is he?"

"Not good," Aragorn said truthfully as he held out his hand.

Skye handed him the helmet and then hugged her knees against her chest.

"What happened?" Aragorn asked. "Where has he been these past months?"

"Months?" Skye asked in confusion. "Days, just a few days."

"Where?" Aragorn asked more firmly, losing his patience.

"He was in my world," she said. "Some wizard sent him there."

Aragorn frowned and mumbled to himself, "Radagast, the old sneak! What was he up to?"

"Legolas said it was his wish, to see what it was like there," she said. "He found out it wasn't very nice."

"Who did this to him?" Aragorn demanded. This was a serious wound, and possibly a mortal one. He would make someone answer for it.

"It is a long story," Skye said. "It was not his fault; it was simply difficult for him to fit in there. I am very sorry for what happened."

This woman was no help at all. Her answers were vague and useless. "Why are you here?" Aragorn asked angrily. "Haven't you done enough damage?"

Skye visibly flinched at the harsh question, and Bergo gave Aragorn a disapproving look. He knew he was being rude and taking out his frustration on her. He knew nothing about her. He could not assume this was her fault.

"I'm sorry," Aragorn said quickly. She brought him home, and he was grateful. He was just angry at having no one to punish for this.

"No, I'm sorry," Skye said quietly. "He was protecting me when it happened."

Aragorn nodded, that was very likely true. Legolas could be very protective of women, even strangers. He had a feeling that there was some connection between them. Aragorn could see that she felt guilty over his condition, and didn't want to make her feel worse. She'd left her world to help him, and that was a very brave thing for her to do.

"You can see him if you wish," Aragorn said.

Skye was on her feet quickly and went to the door. When she opened it, Aragorn called Ioreth away. He waited by the door while she visited. He listened intently as she spoke to Legolas with a quiver in her voice. Skye sat on the bed beside him, touching his cheek with obvious tenderness. "You didn't have to go and get yourself shot to get me to come with you. I told you I would go." She bent down and kissed his forehead. "You get better, you hear me? Don't you dare die on me; I don't want to stay here without you."

Aragorn watched her with interest. He wondered what had passed between her and Legolas while he'd been away. Then he saw Legolas move his hand to clasp hers. It was a hopeful sign, and Aragorn felt relieved. He closed the door to leave them alone for a little while. He had a feeling that the woman was the best medicine for Legolas. When Aragorn turned around, Bergo stood with his arms crossed and confronted him.

"You were most unkingly with her, Sire," he said with a disapproving frown.

"Indeed," Aragorn admitted. "You did not see what was done to him. The wound was most severe. He is in bad shape."

"The woman did not do it, she brought him home to us," Fretho said. "Perhaps the magic we saw was hers."

Aragorn shook his head, "I don't think so."

"What do you think?" Bergo asked.

"I think I wonder if she has small feet," Aragorn said thoughtfully, remembering the shoes he'd found. He was most interested to learn more about the whole situation, but for now all he could think about was Legolas recovering.

Fretho sighed and gave Aragorn a sympathetic look. "Go eat something and try to rest. We will stay to watch the door."

"Go home; I do not think she will leave him. It is obvious that there is affection between them," Aragorn said.

"Are you sure?" Bergo asked.

"Go home, Bergo."

The knights departed, and Ioreth returned and looked at Aragorn with a firm expression, "Sire, go to the hall. There is a meal prepared for you."

"I'm not hungry, Ioreth," Aragorn said.

"Do not argue with a healer," she said firmly.

Aragorn sighed, "Yes, my lady." He retreated to the hall and sat to eat. He picked at his meal, and stared at the fire. He was worried. He'd never seen Legolas in such bad shape before. He was afraid of losing him.

Aragorn had finally fallen asleep, resting his head on his arms on the table when Ioreth woke him.

"Sire, Lord Greenleaf is awake," she said excitedly. "He looks much better."

Aragorn was on his feet and heading down the hall before she ever finished talking. He opened the door and as confronted by the sight of Legolas staring at the woman with pure desire in his eyes. He looked like he was just fine.

"So, you went on an adventure and didn't invite me," Aragorn accused with a twinkle in his eyes, trying not to smile. The rascal had put him through months of worry in the pursuit of a woman!

"It was an impulse," Legolas admitted. "The opportunity came and I took it."

"I should let you two talk," Skye said quietly as she stood to go, but Legolas caught her wrist and urged her to sit back down.

"No, you belong with me, Skye," Legolas said. "Aragorn, this is Blazing Skye, from San Francisco. She is a great dancer, and she is my wife."

Aragorn stepped around the bed and gave her a bow. The title of wife surprised him, but he could see the obvious signs of love in Legolas' eyes. He now felt even worse for his rude treatment of her. "You should have told me of this before," Aragorn said. "You have conquered a guarded heart, my lady. Welcome to Minas Tirith."

"Skye, this is Aragorn, the King of Gondor," Legolas said.

"I am pleased to meet you, your majesty. I'm sorry I addressed you so informally before, I didn't know that you were a king," she said.

"We save the formalities for court," Aragorn said. "My name is just Aragorn to my family and friends." She was a very lovely woman, and he could see that she was soft-spoken and kindhearted.

"So, what have I missed?" Legolas asked Aragorn.

"Oh, a few minor skirmishes with Easterlings on the eastern borders, and of course, a few births in Ithilien. I expect there is a certain Dwarf that will be most relieved to see you, and then most angry at being left behind," Aragorn said.

"Gimli would have had a harder time than I fitting into that world. I doubt a hat would have covered it," Legolas said humorously.

"A hat didn't keep you out of trouble," Skye said dryly.

"No indeed," Legolas admitted. "The land is full of reavers and villains."

"Not all are like that," Skye said.

Legolas looked at her with tenderness in his eyes, "There are treasures there as well," he said softly as he reached a hand out to touch her cheek. "All the misfortune I found was but a small price to pay for what I have."

Skye blushed but said nothing. She smiled and held his hand. It was a sweet picture, and Aragorn suddenly felt like his presence was a hindrance.

Aragorn cleared his throat. "You'll be staying here for a few days, until that wound starts to mend. I'll send word to Ithilien that you have returned safely."

Legolas nodded, and turned his attention back to the delicate woman beside him. Aragorn watched them looking into each other's eyes and just rolled his. It was bound to happen sooner or later, but it took him over an age to find a woman. It would take a little getting used to.

"Dare I ask how this all happened?" Aragorn asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

"That is a long story," Legolas said.

"I look forward to hearing it when you feel up to it. I will be sure to inform Ioreth to knock before she returns for that tray," Aragorn added with a smirk before leaving. Life was getting interesting around here. He wondered just how these two met, and what manner of courtship took only a few days.