BURIED
By: Cheryl W
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with the Lord of the Rings nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Sorry this update is later than I promised. I hate when real life interferes!
Chapter 13 )))))
It was an unnatural silence that blanketed the travelers. Markedly missing were the boisterous stories, teasing insults and easy talk, a constant whenever the three elves and the ranger were together.
'We feel like strangers, traveling together only by chance and necessity,' Legolas darkly thought. Studying Elladan and Elrohir who rode before him, he knew, though they did not speak aloud a word, the twins said much as their eyes constantly met and then shifted to Aragorn and then met again. 'They are not strangers. All three all linked, whether Aragorn wants to accept that or not. I alone am the stranger. I have no place in this family for I can not even claim that an ounce of my blood flows through Aragorn. My friendship is all the connection that binds me to him...to this family..to this journey.' Desperation clawed at his heart. 'And that connection is fading; smothered by this silence, slowly being severed by the hurt and anger Aragorn bestows upon me at his every glance.'
He could not keep his eyes from his friend, noting the stiff set of the man's back and the steady pace with which he lead. If things were not so strained between them, Legolas would have already forced the stubborn human to slow down! None of his companions expected him to ride with his normal proficiency, not injured as he was. Clenching his jaw, Legolas could only pray that Aragorn's brothers soon intervened and would make the man see reason. Legolas scoffed at that thought. 'Reason?! If ANY of us had a morsel of reason we would not be on this journey.' Suddenly his thoughts flew to Elrond. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit he had been disappointed and saddened when Aragorn's father had decided to not accompany his son on such a perilous quest. His current reflections soften his judgment upon Elrond's decision. Maybe the elven lord had made the better choice, a choice that would not force him to watch his son endure more pain and maybe even death in his pursuit of revenge.
Forcing his thoughts from such dismal ponderings, Legolas tried to brace himself for all that lay ahead of them. Aragorn would not divulge the ranger camp's specific location but Legolas knew the general area laid almost a day's ride to the north. He almost sighed. They had been on the trail moments only when he fervently wished their destination was in sight. Now that urgency was being replaced with a feeling of dread. Whatever "need" Aragorn had of his present companions would vanish when he was once again among his men, among his own true kindred.
'I already feel useless and unwanted, how much worse I will feel then,' Legolas bitterly wondered, his heart breaking a little more as he knew the truth of his thoughts. With disdain he rebuked his himself for his self pity, 'You still have time to mend the rift between you and Aragorn. You have this day's journey. Do not waste it sulking in the back, too afraid to speak! You have fought for many things in your life, is not Aragorn's friendship worth an unholy battle?'
His answer came instantaneously and without misgivings. Yes. Aragorn's friendship was worth fighting for...even worth dying for. Tenacity shattered Legolas' depression. He was about to sneak by the twins and gain Aragorn's side when Aragorn's brothers made their own move.
Pain. Aragorn felt it spike through his entire body with every step of his steed but he refused to let it manifest itself into something the others could detect. The three riders behind him could not see the white knuckled grip he had upon the reigns, nor could they see his hard jaw line tensed in agony. 'Valar help me if I was not in the lead, if I had to travel under their incessant scrutiny.'
The thought was barely in his mind when two horses simultaneously swept by him. Then without warning Elladan and Elrohir brought their steeds to practically a stand still, so slow was their gait.
Pulling back upon his reigns to ensure he did not plow into his brothers, Aragorn gritted his teeth in displeasure. He should have expected some foul maneuver like this, he chastised himself, as he was forced to adopt his brothers' far slower pace. "Why do you insist upon leading when you do not know where our journey is to take us?" he testily challenged.
Without turning around, Elladan lightly replied, a hint of a taunt in his words, "We travel upon the only northern path through the woods, Estel. I believe Elrohir and I can manage to lead us from our own woods without your assistance. Unless, of course, the rangers now reside in the woods of Rivendell?"
Unable to dispute Elladan's mocking words, Aragorn grumbled, "At this rate, we will still be in these woods by nightfall," all the while looking for a way to slip by his brothers. But his brothers were nothing but devious. They had timed their move perfectly for now the path was presently too narrow to allow him to pass them. Going off the path was not feasible, for the very trail was hewed out of a mountain side, leaving a sharp drop to Aragorn's right and a steep incline to his left. With an inward curse, Aragorn accepted that in this he was beaten, his brothers had effectively trapped him behind them for the majority of the journey through the woods of Rivendell. A very slow journey at that.
Legolas drew his horse beside Aragorn, earning him a surprised look from the ranger. "How long will you punish me, Aragorn?" the prince quietly asked, his eyes filled with despair.
Focusing once again on the path, Aragorn gruffly denied, "I am not punishing you."
"Yes, yes you are," Legolas contradicted not with anger but sorrow. "You are denying me what I treasure most."
Aragorn's eyes flew to Legolas's in wonder and concern.
"Your friendship," Legolas clarified softly. Then his blue eyes sparked with intensity. "I know my actions have angered you but our friendship has weathered worse storms. Why must I be stripped of your friendship because I dared to put your life above all other considerations?"
Aragorn's reply was upon his tongue but he never gave it voice for at that moment his ranger instincts came alive. Pulling back upon the reigns, he brought his horse to a stop and spun it around, his eyes intently watching the path behind them. Without question, the three elves halted and sought to hear what the ranger had sensed.
Lowly Aragorn announced, "Horse and rider approaching fast," he pointed to the woods behind them, "coming from the south." The ranger reached for his bow at the same time as his elven companions but they all halted mid motion as a low whistle echoed through the woods, signaling that an elf from Rivendell approached.
Wonder and worry tore through Aragorn as he heard the rider grow closer. Had Elrond decided he wanted no more traces of the human he had taken into his home and sent a rider after him, bearing all the personal things he had abandoned? Or was this rider's mission to deliver Elrond's final message to him? Or was it simply an order to never return? Aragorn braced himself to unflinchingly face whatever message the rider bore but he could not loosen the tightness in his heart.
When the rider broke from the forest and entered the path, shock tore through all four traveling companions.
"Ada?!" Elladan greeted in surprise and relief as the elven lord halted his horse directly in front of his youngest son.
For a moment, Aragorn's emotions fluctuated from surprise to fear to hope. What had prompted his father to ride after them? What words had they left unsaid?
Elrond had thought he knew how Aragorn would react to his presence. He had been wrong. It was not anger sparking in his son's eyes but uncertainty. "Sorry that I am late. I had matters to attend to before I could join you."
Disbelief cut off Aragorn's breathing. Surely Elrond did not intend to make this journey?! "You travel with us?" his surprise unmasked.
Elrond, holding Aragorn's eyes with his own gaze, firmly stated, "I will stand at your side and see this through unto the end."
Thrown off balance by Elrond's pledge, Aragorn scarcely knew how to respond. How had things gotten so complicated?! First Barion had involved the rangers and now four elves insisted upon joining the battle as well. Revenge should be a simple matter! A battle waged one on one! "I do not require your presence. In fact, I do not require the presence of any of you," he spoke more loudly for the benefit of the hovering elves but did not pull his gaze from Elrond's.
"You may not have need of me but I have need of you," Elrond ardently declared. Seeing that his words still did not break through his son's barriers, Elrond revealed, "I go with you because I can not bear to let you face this battle without me." Then, for the first time, Aragorn saw hatred brimming in the elf's eyes. "Barion has much to pay for."
Understanding grew in Aragorn. Revenge. It all came down to revenge, his, the twins', Elrond's. It drove them all relentlessly toward Barion. Seeing the elf's set features, Aragorn knew Elrond could not be dissuaded from his decision. "I know I can not sway you in your decision but know one thing: your lordship grants you no power in my world. In the country to the north, the rangers are the law. They will follow my commands and mine alone. They will not bow to your wishes. You would do well to remember that."
Elrond simply bowed his head in acquiescence then set his horse forward upon the path. Elladan and Elrohir studied their brother a moment, then, having determined that the look upon Aragorn's face was one of acceptance, they turned their mounts around and once again lead the way through the forest. Silently, Elrond began to follow them.
Aragorn watched the three elves slowly ride deeper into the forest. To have revenge be the catalyst that brought them together, it felt wrong. Was this all they had in common anymore? Snapping from his reverie, Aragorn realized that Legolas remained at his side, unmoving. Looking at the Mirkwood elf, a crease wrinkled the ranger's brow. Aragorn knew that Elladan, Elrohir and Elrond sought revenge upon Barion for his past transgressions, whatever they may be, while he himself sought revenge upon Barion for his current transgressions. What he could not determine was what was prompting Legolas to seek out Barion? Why had the prince adamantly refused to yield Barion's fate into Aragorn's hands?
Aragorn was on the verge of asking Legolas those very questions when, out of the blue, the truth cut sharply into him. 'Because he is your friend, foolish of all humans!' Shame colored Aragorn's face and he looked away. How could he have been so blind?! He was treating Legolas like an enemy when in truth he was the best type of friend. Legolas was traveling at his side, not to reap revenge upon Barion, but to protect him... with his very own life if need be. Any hatred the prince felt for Barion stemmed from the harm the ex-ranger had ravaged upon his best friend.
Seeing pain flash in Aragorn's eyes, Legolas drew closer and softly said, "You are in pain. It is not too late to turn back. There would be no censure, only unbelievable relief, from us all if you would do so."
Legolas' concerned words lashed another mark upon Aragorn's shame filled heart. Did Legolas not know he deserved none of his kindness or his loyalty?! Not after the way he had treated him! Aragorn could not fathom why Legolas would even contemplate standing at his side? Nor could he understand why the elf wanted his friendship back, especially after he had soiled it with his distrust and anger and his own brand of betrayal! And he certainly did not know why Legolas valued his friendship so highly in the first place!?!
Concerned at Aragorn's lack of response, Legolas lightly gripped Aragorn's arm, "Truly there is no shame in waiting until you are well to make this trip. The rangers will detain Barion until you arrive, no matter how long that may be."
Breaking from his dismal thoughts, Aragorn met Legolas's concerned eyes. "No. I must do this," his voice quiet, and resigned to the task ahead.
Though a spark of hope died in his eyes, Legolas did not protest but simply released his hold upon his friend, bowed his head in agreement and turned his horse around. After a moment, Aragorn joined him and looked ahead to see that Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir had stopped and were looking back expectantly to the last two members of their traveling troupe.
Urging his horse forward, Aragorn found Legolas faithfully at his side. When they came abreast of the Rivendell elves, the twins once again took up the lead leaving Elrond to follow next and Legolas and Aragorn to bring up the rear.
Aragorn found his eyes drawn to the proud figure of the elven lord. Gone were the lordly robes and in their place Elrond wore a simple white shirt, a deerskin coat, pants and riding boots. More startling was the sword that rested along his leg and the bow and quiver secured to his back. This was a side of the elf Aragorn had never glimpsed before. Yes, when he was young he had heard Elrond speak of his warrior days and with his boy's imagination Aragorn had envisioned how the elf would have looked going into battle. His imagination had been faulted though. He had never thought about the elf's eyes, had never guessed that they would burn with a fire that nothing but victory could quench. Or in this case, revenge.
"Why does Barion hate Arathorn?" Aragorn quietly asked, surprising even himself when he spoke aloud, realizing too late that he had not called Arathorn his father.
Aragorn watched as all three Rivendell elves stiffened at his words. He could tell that it was with a conscious effort that none of the elves halted or turned around to face him but instead kept moving along the trail.
It was Elladan who spoke first, "Arathorn banished Barion from the rangers," he stated matter-of-factly as if that was all the information Aragorn would need.
"There is more to the tale than that," Aragorn challenged but his words were met with silence. "For Valar sake! I know the degree of the hatred Barion harbors for Arathorn better than any of you! I alone know the lengths he will go to punish Arathorn!"
Quietly Elrond contradicted, "Arathorn is beyond punishment."
A snort escaped Aragorn. "For my kind, there is no safe sanctuary, not even in death."
Suddenly Elrond spun his horse around, causing Aragorn and Legolas's horses to pull back and paw the ground. Horrible understanding dulled Elrond's eyes as he choked out, "The tomb...he put you in the tomb so that Arathorn would feel you suffer."
Aragorn did not acknowledge Elrond's words...he didn't have to. His eyes said it all. "I have a right to know the truth! The entire truth! Why did Arathorn banish Barion?"
Elladan and Elrohir abandoned their forward motion and turned to face their brother. They alone knew the details Aragorn sought. Meeting Aragorn's probing gaze, Elrohir began to speak of the past he had long buried. "Barion and your father" here he shot an apologetic look to Elrond, feeling as if he had betrayed him by calling another Aragorn's father, before focusing once again on Aragorn, "they were best friends. They grew up together among the rangers and when Arathorn became chieftain, Barion was his second in command."
"Barion told me as much," Aragorn supplied and ignored the shocked looks upon the elven faces. "So what transpired to turn friendship into hatred?"Elladan and Elrohir exchanged glances and Aragorn saw their hesitation to continue. "Hold nothing back from me," he warned.
Sighing, Elladan continued reluctantly, "Barion's wife was killed by Orcs and that changed him."
"Loss changes everyone," Aragorn offhanded supplied before firing back to his brother "How did it change Barion?"
"He was obsessed with eliminating orcs, all orcs," Elladan coldly answered.
Aragorn stared at Elladan, surprised to hear condemnation in the elf's voice, especially when the elf's own philosophy had run concurrent with Barion's after his mother's abuse by Orcs.
Knowing the other's thoughts, Elladan clarified, "He was willing to risk 'anything' and 'anyone' in the pursuit of his revenge."
The pieces were starting to come together for Aragorn. He was a leader of men, he knew the risks of power. Valar, out of all the humans that walked the earth, he understood best the corrupting nature of power! His forefathers had taught him that bitter truth just as surely as they had forced all of Middle Earth to reap the consequences of their obsession with power. It was that very knowledge that dissuaded Aragorn from taking the throne of Gondor, of even 'wanting' to possess that kind of power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
"Barion risked the lives of the rangers under his command to seek out his revenge," Aragorn surmised quietly, without rancor.
Elrohir shook his head and steadily met Aragorn's gaze, "Not the lives of the rangers. Your life. He risked your life."
Stunned, Aragorn stammered, "How? I ..I had to only be a baby at the time," his look swinging between Elrohir and Elladan, their reluctance to continue evident when they did not meet his eyes. "Tell me what part I played in this."
Elladan's eyes shot up to Aragorn's in surprise. "There is no blame upon you! You were an innocent child, just two years of age!"
"And yet, I am involved in this tale. How did Barion risk my life? In what way?"
Taking up where his brother halted, Elrohir quietly recounted, "Arathorn entrusted your life into Barion's hands." Elrohir's eyes flew to his father's as the missing piece of the puzzle fell into place. With startling clarity, Elrohir understood the reluctance Arathorn had displayed all those years ago when he had put the task of protecting his son into Barion's care. Barion had never been Arathorn's first choice for his son's protector, Elrond was.
Renewed shame washed over Elrond. He had not known Arathorn had chosen another to guard his son, had certainly never fathomed Barion had been his choice. How much damage had he inflicted upon all their lives when he rejected Aragorn all those years past?! Even now, Aragorn was paying dearly for Elrond's choice, had almost paid with his very life. "It's OK, Elrohir," Elrond reassured his son. "Tell Aragorn all that you know."
Rage sparked in Elrohir's usually compassionate eyes, "Barion resented having to protect you, he made no mean show of that. When you were two, while Elladan and I hunted with your father, you walked from the ranger camp without anyone's notice. Barion begrudgingly sought you out in the forest with aid of some other rangers. When Barion finally came upon you, he detected Orcs watching you from the trees. Instead of rushing forward to protect you from harm, he used you as bait," Elrohir bitterly bit out, his hatred flaring in his eyes. .
Just when Aragorn thought he could not be shocked any greater, the impossible happened.
Ellandan recalled with anger, "The other rangers wanted to get you to safety but Barion forbade them to do so, instead Barion let you walk deeper into the woods. When the orcs broke from their cover in the trees to attack you, Barion unleashed a volley of arrows and engaged the orcs in battle. We returned from our hunting trip in time to join the battle. All our hearts went cold with terror when we saw you standing there among the carnage. It was only by the grace of the Valar that you were unharmed." Elladan's emotions threatened to overwhelm him as the memories returned sharply. Since he had claimed Aragorn his brother, Elladan's mind replay these memories many times and always he wondered just how very close he had come to losing the human that day? Of being robbed of the immense joy of having Estel come into his life and heart.
Sensing his brother's barely leashed reign on his emotions, Elrohir picked up the story where Elladan had stopped. "Arathorn frantically fought his way to your side and protected you. When the battle was over, he demanded to know how his son had come to be in harm's way. When the other rangers told him how Barion had used his son as a lure, Arathorn attacked Barion and I truly thought he would kill him."
Quietly Aragorn asked, "Why did he not?"
Meeting Aragorn's eyes steadily, Elrohir spoke solemnly, his respect for Arathorn very evident. "Because, in your father's eyes, it would have been murder and he had sworn never to cross that line."
No condemnation hued Aragorn's next words. "So instead he banished Barion." Suddenly, Aragorn could make more sense of the words Barion's had spoken to him. Those words echoed again through Aragorn's mind, "I wanted to see that look in your eyes. That pain, that haunted look of betrayal, that lost feeling in your soul. I wanted you to feel what I once felt...what your father caused me to feel."
Unaware of his brother's deep emersion in his memories, Elrohir continued, "Yes, Barion was banished forever from the rangers but not before he challenged your father's right to be the chieftain. They fought and Barion lost, badly."
'Barion had lied!', sang through Aragorn. The man had said Arathorn never bested him in battle but that had been a lie! At long last the villain had lied about something!
With dismay and censure in his voice, Elladan interjected, "Even after all Barion had done, had tried to do, Arathorn let Barion live. He even gave Barion the choice to let his son stay behind and be protected by the sanctuary the ranger's provided."
"He has a son?" Aragorn asked, somewhat softening at the thought of the ex-ranger having a son.
Elladan shook his head marginally, "No, not anymore. Barion foolishly would not allow his son to stay with the rangers. No more than a month later, Barion's son was killed by some trappers on a desolate trail in the north."
Suddenly, Aragorn no longer perceived Barion's hatred as the emotions of an unstable man. The ex-ranger had a clear cause for his hatred of Arathorn. Barion had not only lost his place in the world but he had also lost his wife and child. He had been left utterly alone without another soul to depend upon. Aragorn knew that feeling a little too well for his peace of mind. Wasn't that the way he had felt after reading Elrond's letters? After discovering his world to be a well constructed lie?
Noticing the softening in Aragorn's eyes, Elladan incredulously accused "You actually feel some compassion for the man?!"
"Do not confuse understanding with compassion!" Aragorn shot back and attempted to push his way through the throng of elves. A strong elven hand gripped his arm and his eyes clashed with Elrond's.
"Do "not" forget what Barion has done to you," Elrond sternly cautioned.
A fire flared in Aragorn's eyes. "I will not forget, I can not," his voice sharp enough to cut glass, as he attempted to pull his arm from Elrond's grasp.
Tightening his hold upon his son, Elrond drew Aragorn closer. No longer could he shut out the question that had burned in his mind ever since Renen had spoken Barion's name. "Does Barion know your destiny, Aragorn?" the seriousness of his demeanor made the very air thick with tension.
Aragorn's own expression darkened, "You mean does he know I am to be the "hope" of Middle Earth?" his voice bitter and low. With a sardonic smile he answered, "Yes, he does. My father told him. I guess he thought Barion would protect me with more urgency if he knew my "importance.""
Terror choked Elrond. Barion knew Aragorn's secret! 'Oh Valar, please do not let it be so!' screamed through his head. If Barion became aware that Aragorn had escaped from the tomb, would he tell the world that an heir to Isildur yet lived?! A shiver coursed visibly through Elrond. If any of Sauron's minions learned this truth, Sauron would unleash all of Mordor to find Aragorn and once he was found...death would be the kindest gift Sauron would bestow upon Isildur's heir.
"Barion 'must' die," Elrond declared gravely.
TBC
Replies to Reviews:
Lady of the Lake2: You are the BEST! I totally don't deserve your loyalty or your friendship but I greedily will never relinquish either of them! Thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me in my writing!
Grumpy: Thanks for your persistence in attempting to review my story! Because you know I would have missed your review and wonder what I had done to make you abandon me! Glad you liked the white lie scene and Aragorn getting the dirt out of his hair! I just couldn't let him suffer that icky feeling any longer. Hope ffnet treats you better this time around for reviewing!
Nefhiriel: No need to apologize! You have every right to think whatever you want! But I'm very glad you are enjoying the angst and like reading the story! Hope to hear from you again!
No Big Deal: So pleased I didn't disappoint you with the twins' scenes last chapter! Thanks for sticking up for Aragorn and seeing his side of things! I loved your sentence "Aragorn...must now deal with his human frailty in a way he never imagined.. a failure in battle" Loved that! Looking forward to your next review!
Tychen: I'm really happy that you fought ffnet and won and were able to review! I would feel very cheated if I couldn't get your thoughts on a chapter! Loved your line the goal of the three elves being "the survival of Hope" Very nicely said! And I agree, I don't think Legolas will do anything to jeopardize Aragorn's respect either! Thank you so much for enjoying my "insightful vignettes" and for seeing the conflict I'm trying to show that Aragorn is going through! And no, I will not be taking Legolas and Aragorn's death "even unto death"!! You know I like happy endings way too well. Can't wait to read your next review!
Onesmartgoalie: Thank you so much for your kind words! As for your ponderings, I'm working hard to cover those very issues. Hope to hear from you again!
Viggomaniac: I really appreciated your review! I'm glad Aragorn's somewhat contradictory actions vs desires didn't seem inconsistent with human nature. I just know that what I say and do isn't what I "really" revealing what I am feeling. Yes, Elrond should make a potion so that he can read Aragorn's human mind! Thanks for reviewing!
Koriaena: I totally agree with you about the ELrondion family vacation thought. This is going to get nastier than MY family vacations...at least none of us come out and say ALOUD that someone has to die. Thanks for reviewing!
Et-spiritus-sancti: I was very pleased that you liked the whole boot scene! I'm totally obsessed with showing how people deal with their injures when normal activities become a painful a chore. So glad you didn't feel the brotherly teasing wasn't out of place I just thought we humans tend to fly from one emotion to the other pretty quickly. Hope to hear from you soon!
Amanda: Thank you so much for saying I have Aragorn's character right! You seem to have a very good grasp on Aragorn's emotions and I agree with everything you said! Yes, he is coping with the stress in the wrong way but you were right when you said he was "wary of being hurt and slow to open himself." Very few of us do the right thing under that kind of pressure. So pleased that you're enjoying reading this story!
Tailspin: I was relieved that you didn't feel I introduced the "thread of hope for future reconciliations" too soon. I just felt that Aragorn would be terribly conflicted when faced with never seeing Elrond again and it seems you agree with that thought too! Yes, I couldn't keep the brothers bitterly apart and Aragorn's softening toward Legolas too as you saw. It's building to the happy reconciliation we all want to see. Ops...I don't think Aragorn did I good job of getting the mud out of his hair! Are you offering to help him with that? Thanks for your wonderful review!
Someone Reading: I could hug you! Thanks for not wanting to slap me but reward me with cookies for "dragging things out"! Yes, the tension between Elrond and Aragorn is pretty thick with all those emotions you mentioned. I personally would have to be in either of their shoes! So glad you liked the Elrohir and Aragorn scene. I just thought Aragorn needed some help and Elrohir would willingly offer it without strings. I'm glad you support Legolas' decision, though it was a heartbreakingly hard one for him to make. Thank you so much for believing that the scenes and characters are being portrayed with believability!! That is such an awesome compliment, especially when I have the character in such terrible circumstances! I always look forward to your reviews so keep them coming!
Lenneth: I really appreciate your loyalty and wonderful reviews!! Glad you like the slowly mending bond between the brothers and as you saw in this chapter, Aragorn is starting to understand how true a friend Legolas is being. That should mean that some of this angst will start to lift...at least between the brothers and Legolas. As for Elrond, well, more work needs to be done on that relationship. Hope to hear from you soon!
Athelassa: I know things still look bleak for Elrond and Aragorn's relationship but at least Aragorn "wanted" to bid Elrond goodbye. That's a step in the right direction! So glad you sympathized with Aragorn and his boot problem. As for brothers...mine would more than likely toss the boot at my head instead of helping me to get it on my foot. Gotta love 'em all the same! Thanks for much for your wonderful review!
Lirenel: Thanks so much for reviewing! I find it a great compliment that my story is killing you! Hope to hear from you again!
Eternal Rose: So it's back to school for you! Hope you have a great year of it! So glad you find the depth of Aragorn and Legolas's friendship intriguing! I know I'm always fascinated how male friendships differ from woman friendships. What's the saying... Men are from mars and Woman are from Venus..there's some truth in that. Glad you liked my line about Aragorn freely walking away! I love conversations like you love grammar so I eat up any compliments in that area! So glad I didn't make any serious errors last chapter but all bets are off on this chapter. I rushed it and then my beta was away and well, it is what it is. Thanks for your wonderful review!
Elven Kitten: Yes, Aragorn's taking that first step now we just have to make sure he doesn't take any steps backward. You hold onto him tight, OK? Like I have to ask that YOU! Thanks for your wonderful review!
Elvengirl3737: Ah.. so you finally had to side with Aragorn! Yeah!!! I was pleased that you liked the boots scene and felt the conversation was off the mark! You really gave me a wonderful compliment when you said I fixed the situations in my stories with believability! That's very important to me! A chocolate covered Estel?!?! You've been holding out on me!!! Thanks so much for your wonderful reviews and the possibility of sharing your chocolate dipped Estel!
Sielge: Thank you for your wonderful review! I know I made you wait nearly two more days for an update than I promised but I know you have a big heart and will forgive me. Right?
MoonFire1: Thank you so much for your wonderful review and liking my "brilliant angsty-goodness"!! You are right, Aragorn is being blinded by revenge but I think he's starting to see the light in this chapter. As for the rift between he and Legolas, he's finally seeing what you've been trying to show him: Legolas's actions are as you said, "motivated by utmost friendship, devotion, and even love." Now the trick is to get the man to "admit" he was wrong. Can't wait for your next review!
Aebbook: No need to apologize I'm just pleased to hear from you! I'm very sorry to hear about your parents. I sent some prayers your way. If you want to send me an email sometime, I'll love to get a chance to really talk to you! You can link to my email through my bio. Thanks for your sneaking the time to review! I really love hearing from you!
Beling2: So I got a GOLD Star for chapter 11! Thanks!! And chapter 12 put a huge smile on your face! I'm loving it! Yes, Aragorn is starting to open his heart once again, finally! But you are right, Aragorn's pride makes him who he is and everyone that loves him doesn't want him to change. Now he has to balance his pride with trust, he has to learn to trust again. Easier said than done...even with family. And speaking of trust...since you trust me, I promise that "eventually" the father and son will make a wonderful reconciliation. I thought they made some headway in this chapter?! So were you pleasantly surprised when Elrond joined the travelers? I gotta get a star for that, right? And Legolas is a very true friend and Aragorn's starting to realize just how true this chapter. But again there is that pride standing in the way of each reconciliation! Aragorn's gotta work on that! Thanks so much for your beautiful compliment!
Marbienl: Sorry but there is no letter stashed in Arathorn's packet to absolve Elrond of his guilt. That would be far to easy, right?! I think Aragorn will reflect on what Elrond has said and slowly it's going to sink in. Glad you liked the departure scenes and yes, Aragorn still does think of himself as Elrond's son but he is also afraid to open himself up to more hurt by letting that vulnerability show. And you just "knew" Elrond wouldn't be left behind! Aragorn is only now starting to understand the lengths Elrond will go to protect him. Aragorn now sees that Legolas's actions are/were motivated by friendship but getting the friendship back on track...that's going to take some doing and like you said, someone's going to have to give up some of his pride. I don't think Legolas values his pride more than his friendship with Estel...I think that comes from living such a long life already. But Estel, he's still "young" and his pride means I lot to him. Sorry I'm late posting this but real life kinda stank this week and even my muse was depressed. I'm really touched that you still want the "Aragorn hurt his back story"!!! I have some of it written but it's not finished...what else is new with my stories right? After I wrap this one up, I'll go back to working on that. I promise! I love getting your emails and hearing your thoughts. Thanks so much for every one of them!!
Thanks for taking the time to read this chapter!
Cheryl W.
By: Cheryl W
Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with the Lord of the Rings nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Sorry this update is later than I promised. I hate when real life interferes!
Chapter 13 )))))
It was an unnatural silence that blanketed the travelers. Markedly missing were the boisterous stories, teasing insults and easy talk, a constant whenever the three elves and the ranger were together.
'We feel like strangers, traveling together only by chance and necessity,' Legolas darkly thought. Studying Elladan and Elrohir who rode before him, he knew, though they did not speak aloud a word, the twins said much as their eyes constantly met and then shifted to Aragorn and then met again. 'They are not strangers. All three all linked, whether Aragorn wants to accept that or not. I alone am the stranger. I have no place in this family for I can not even claim that an ounce of my blood flows through Aragorn. My friendship is all the connection that binds me to him...to this family..to this journey.' Desperation clawed at his heart. 'And that connection is fading; smothered by this silence, slowly being severed by the hurt and anger Aragorn bestows upon me at his every glance.'
He could not keep his eyes from his friend, noting the stiff set of the man's back and the steady pace with which he lead. If things were not so strained between them, Legolas would have already forced the stubborn human to slow down! None of his companions expected him to ride with his normal proficiency, not injured as he was. Clenching his jaw, Legolas could only pray that Aragorn's brothers soon intervened and would make the man see reason. Legolas scoffed at that thought. 'Reason?! If ANY of us had a morsel of reason we would not be on this journey.' Suddenly his thoughts flew to Elrond. If he was honest with himself, he had to admit he had been disappointed and saddened when Aragorn's father had decided to not accompany his son on such a perilous quest. His current reflections soften his judgment upon Elrond's decision. Maybe the elven lord had made the better choice, a choice that would not force him to watch his son endure more pain and maybe even death in his pursuit of revenge.
Forcing his thoughts from such dismal ponderings, Legolas tried to brace himself for all that lay ahead of them. Aragorn would not divulge the ranger camp's specific location but Legolas knew the general area laid almost a day's ride to the north. He almost sighed. They had been on the trail moments only when he fervently wished their destination was in sight. Now that urgency was being replaced with a feeling of dread. Whatever "need" Aragorn had of his present companions would vanish when he was once again among his men, among his own true kindred.
'I already feel useless and unwanted, how much worse I will feel then,' Legolas bitterly wondered, his heart breaking a little more as he knew the truth of his thoughts. With disdain he rebuked his himself for his self pity, 'You still have time to mend the rift between you and Aragorn. You have this day's journey. Do not waste it sulking in the back, too afraid to speak! You have fought for many things in your life, is not Aragorn's friendship worth an unholy battle?'
His answer came instantaneously and without misgivings. Yes. Aragorn's friendship was worth fighting for...even worth dying for. Tenacity shattered Legolas' depression. He was about to sneak by the twins and gain Aragorn's side when Aragorn's brothers made their own move.
Pain. Aragorn felt it spike through his entire body with every step of his steed but he refused to let it manifest itself into something the others could detect. The three riders behind him could not see the white knuckled grip he had upon the reigns, nor could they see his hard jaw line tensed in agony. 'Valar help me if I was not in the lead, if I had to travel under their incessant scrutiny.'
The thought was barely in his mind when two horses simultaneously swept by him. Then without warning Elladan and Elrohir brought their steeds to practically a stand still, so slow was their gait.
Pulling back upon his reigns to ensure he did not plow into his brothers, Aragorn gritted his teeth in displeasure. He should have expected some foul maneuver like this, he chastised himself, as he was forced to adopt his brothers' far slower pace. "Why do you insist upon leading when you do not know where our journey is to take us?" he testily challenged.
Without turning around, Elladan lightly replied, a hint of a taunt in his words, "We travel upon the only northern path through the woods, Estel. I believe Elrohir and I can manage to lead us from our own woods without your assistance. Unless, of course, the rangers now reside in the woods of Rivendell?"
Unable to dispute Elladan's mocking words, Aragorn grumbled, "At this rate, we will still be in these woods by nightfall," all the while looking for a way to slip by his brothers. But his brothers were nothing but devious. They had timed their move perfectly for now the path was presently too narrow to allow him to pass them. Going off the path was not feasible, for the very trail was hewed out of a mountain side, leaving a sharp drop to Aragorn's right and a steep incline to his left. With an inward curse, Aragorn accepted that in this he was beaten, his brothers had effectively trapped him behind them for the majority of the journey through the woods of Rivendell. A very slow journey at that.
Legolas drew his horse beside Aragorn, earning him a surprised look from the ranger. "How long will you punish me, Aragorn?" the prince quietly asked, his eyes filled with despair.
Focusing once again on the path, Aragorn gruffly denied, "I am not punishing you."
"Yes, yes you are," Legolas contradicted not with anger but sorrow. "You are denying me what I treasure most."
Aragorn's eyes flew to Legolas's in wonder and concern.
"Your friendship," Legolas clarified softly. Then his blue eyes sparked with intensity. "I know my actions have angered you but our friendship has weathered worse storms. Why must I be stripped of your friendship because I dared to put your life above all other considerations?"
Aragorn's reply was upon his tongue but he never gave it voice for at that moment his ranger instincts came alive. Pulling back upon the reigns, he brought his horse to a stop and spun it around, his eyes intently watching the path behind them. Without question, the three elves halted and sought to hear what the ranger had sensed.
Lowly Aragorn announced, "Horse and rider approaching fast," he pointed to the woods behind them, "coming from the south." The ranger reached for his bow at the same time as his elven companions but they all halted mid motion as a low whistle echoed through the woods, signaling that an elf from Rivendell approached.
Wonder and worry tore through Aragorn as he heard the rider grow closer. Had Elrond decided he wanted no more traces of the human he had taken into his home and sent a rider after him, bearing all the personal things he had abandoned? Or was this rider's mission to deliver Elrond's final message to him? Or was it simply an order to never return? Aragorn braced himself to unflinchingly face whatever message the rider bore but he could not loosen the tightness in his heart.
When the rider broke from the forest and entered the path, shock tore through all four traveling companions.
"Ada?!" Elladan greeted in surprise and relief as the elven lord halted his horse directly in front of his youngest son.
For a moment, Aragorn's emotions fluctuated from surprise to fear to hope. What had prompted his father to ride after them? What words had they left unsaid?
Elrond had thought he knew how Aragorn would react to his presence. He had been wrong. It was not anger sparking in his son's eyes but uncertainty. "Sorry that I am late. I had matters to attend to before I could join you."
Disbelief cut off Aragorn's breathing. Surely Elrond did not intend to make this journey?! "You travel with us?" his surprise unmasked.
Elrond, holding Aragorn's eyes with his own gaze, firmly stated, "I will stand at your side and see this through unto the end."
Thrown off balance by Elrond's pledge, Aragorn scarcely knew how to respond. How had things gotten so complicated?! First Barion had involved the rangers and now four elves insisted upon joining the battle as well. Revenge should be a simple matter! A battle waged one on one! "I do not require your presence. In fact, I do not require the presence of any of you," he spoke more loudly for the benefit of the hovering elves but did not pull his gaze from Elrond's.
"You may not have need of me but I have need of you," Elrond ardently declared. Seeing that his words still did not break through his son's barriers, Elrond revealed, "I go with you because I can not bear to let you face this battle without me." Then, for the first time, Aragorn saw hatred brimming in the elf's eyes. "Barion has much to pay for."
Understanding grew in Aragorn. Revenge. It all came down to revenge, his, the twins', Elrond's. It drove them all relentlessly toward Barion. Seeing the elf's set features, Aragorn knew Elrond could not be dissuaded from his decision. "I know I can not sway you in your decision but know one thing: your lordship grants you no power in my world. In the country to the north, the rangers are the law. They will follow my commands and mine alone. They will not bow to your wishes. You would do well to remember that."
Elrond simply bowed his head in acquiescence then set his horse forward upon the path. Elladan and Elrohir studied their brother a moment, then, having determined that the look upon Aragorn's face was one of acceptance, they turned their mounts around and once again lead the way through the forest. Silently, Elrond began to follow them.
Aragorn watched the three elves slowly ride deeper into the forest. To have revenge be the catalyst that brought them together, it felt wrong. Was this all they had in common anymore? Snapping from his reverie, Aragorn realized that Legolas remained at his side, unmoving. Looking at the Mirkwood elf, a crease wrinkled the ranger's brow. Aragorn knew that Elladan, Elrohir and Elrond sought revenge upon Barion for his past transgressions, whatever they may be, while he himself sought revenge upon Barion for his current transgressions. What he could not determine was what was prompting Legolas to seek out Barion? Why had the prince adamantly refused to yield Barion's fate into Aragorn's hands?
Aragorn was on the verge of asking Legolas those very questions when, out of the blue, the truth cut sharply into him. 'Because he is your friend, foolish of all humans!' Shame colored Aragorn's face and he looked away. How could he have been so blind?! He was treating Legolas like an enemy when in truth he was the best type of friend. Legolas was traveling at his side, not to reap revenge upon Barion, but to protect him... with his very own life if need be. Any hatred the prince felt for Barion stemmed from the harm the ex-ranger had ravaged upon his best friend.
Seeing pain flash in Aragorn's eyes, Legolas drew closer and softly said, "You are in pain. It is not too late to turn back. There would be no censure, only unbelievable relief, from us all if you would do so."
Legolas' concerned words lashed another mark upon Aragorn's shame filled heart. Did Legolas not know he deserved none of his kindness or his loyalty?! Not after the way he had treated him! Aragorn could not fathom why Legolas would even contemplate standing at his side? Nor could he understand why the elf wanted his friendship back, especially after he had soiled it with his distrust and anger and his own brand of betrayal! And he certainly did not know why Legolas valued his friendship so highly in the first place!?!
Concerned at Aragorn's lack of response, Legolas lightly gripped Aragorn's arm, "Truly there is no shame in waiting until you are well to make this trip. The rangers will detain Barion until you arrive, no matter how long that may be."
Breaking from his dismal thoughts, Aragorn met Legolas's concerned eyes. "No. I must do this," his voice quiet, and resigned to the task ahead.
Though a spark of hope died in his eyes, Legolas did not protest but simply released his hold upon his friend, bowed his head in agreement and turned his horse around. After a moment, Aragorn joined him and looked ahead to see that Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir had stopped and were looking back expectantly to the last two members of their traveling troupe.
Urging his horse forward, Aragorn found Legolas faithfully at his side. When they came abreast of the Rivendell elves, the twins once again took up the lead leaving Elrond to follow next and Legolas and Aragorn to bring up the rear.
Aragorn found his eyes drawn to the proud figure of the elven lord. Gone were the lordly robes and in their place Elrond wore a simple white shirt, a deerskin coat, pants and riding boots. More startling was the sword that rested along his leg and the bow and quiver secured to his back. This was a side of the elf Aragorn had never glimpsed before. Yes, when he was young he had heard Elrond speak of his warrior days and with his boy's imagination Aragorn had envisioned how the elf would have looked going into battle. His imagination had been faulted though. He had never thought about the elf's eyes, had never guessed that they would burn with a fire that nothing but victory could quench. Or in this case, revenge.
"Why does Barion hate Arathorn?" Aragorn quietly asked, surprising even himself when he spoke aloud, realizing too late that he had not called Arathorn his father.
Aragorn watched as all three Rivendell elves stiffened at his words. He could tell that it was with a conscious effort that none of the elves halted or turned around to face him but instead kept moving along the trail.
It was Elladan who spoke first, "Arathorn banished Barion from the rangers," he stated matter-of-factly as if that was all the information Aragorn would need.
"There is more to the tale than that," Aragorn challenged but his words were met with silence. "For Valar sake! I know the degree of the hatred Barion harbors for Arathorn better than any of you! I alone know the lengths he will go to punish Arathorn!"
Quietly Elrond contradicted, "Arathorn is beyond punishment."
A snort escaped Aragorn. "For my kind, there is no safe sanctuary, not even in death."
Suddenly Elrond spun his horse around, causing Aragorn and Legolas's horses to pull back and paw the ground. Horrible understanding dulled Elrond's eyes as he choked out, "The tomb...he put you in the tomb so that Arathorn would feel you suffer."
Aragorn did not acknowledge Elrond's words...he didn't have to. His eyes said it all. "I have a right to know the truth! The entire truth! Why did Arathorn banish Barion?"
Elladan and Elrohir abandoned their forward motion and turned to face their brother. They alone knew the details Aragorn sought. Meeting Aragorn's probing gaze, Elrohir began to speak of the past he had long buried. "Barion and your father" here he shot an apologetic look to Elrond, feeling as if he had betrayed him by calling another Aragorn's father, before focusing once again on Aragorn, "they were best friends. They grew up together among the rangers and when Arathorn became chieftain, Barion was his second in command."
"Barion told me as much," Aragorn supplied and ignored the shocked looks upon the elven faces. "So what transpired to turn friendship into hatred?"Elladan and Elrohir exchanged glances and Aragorn saw their hesitation to continue. "Hold nothing back from me," he warned.
Sighing, Elladan continued reluctantly, "Barion's wife was killed by Orcs and that changed him."
"Loss changes everyone," Aragorn offhanded supplied before firing back to his brother "How did it change Barion?"
"He was obsessed with eliminating orcs, all orcs," Elladan coldly answered.
Aragorn stared at Elladan, surprised to hear condemnation in the elf's voice, especially when the elf's own philosophy had run concurrent with Barion's after his mother's abuse by Orcs.
Knowing the other's thoughts, Elladan clarified, "He was willing to risk 'anything' and 'anyone' in the pursuit of his revenge."
The pieces were starting to come together for Aragorn. He was a leader of men, he knew the risks of power. Valar, out of all the humans that walked the earth, he understood best the corrupting nature of power! His forefathers had taught him that bitter truth just as surely as they had forced all of Middle Earth to reap the consequences of their obsession with power. It was that very knowledge that dissuaded Aragorn from taking the throne of Gondor, of even 'wanting' to possess that kind of power. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
"Barion risked the lives of the rangers under his command to seek out his revenge," Aragorn surmised quietly, without rancor.
Elrohir shook his head and steadily met Aragorn's gaze, "Not the lives of the rangers. Your life. He risked your life."
Stunned, Aragorn stammered, "How? I ..I had to only be a baby at the time," his look swinging between Elrohir and Elladan, their reluctance to continue evident when they did not meet his eyes. "Tell me what part I played in this."
Elladan's eyes shot up to Aragorn's in surprise. "There is no blame upon you! You were an innocent child, just two years of age!"
"And yet, I am involved in this tale. How did Barion risk my life? In what way?"
Taking up where his brother halted, Elrohir quietly recounted, "Arathorn entrusted your life into Barion's hands." Elrohir's eyes flew to his father's as the missing piece of the puzzle fell into place. With startling clarity, Elrohir understood the reluctance Arathorn had displayed all those years ago when he had put the task of protecting his son into Barion's care. Barion had never been Arathorn's first choice for his son's protector, Elrond was.
Renewed shame washed over Elrond. He had not known Arathorn had chosen another to guard his son, had certainly never fathomed Barion had been his choice. How much damage had he inflicted upon all their lives when he rejected Aragorn all those years past?! Even now, Aragorn was paying dearly for Elrond's choice, had almost paid with his very life. "It's OK, Elrohir," Elrond reassured his son. "Tell Aragorn all that you know."
Rage sparked in Elrohir's usually compassionate eyes, "Barion resented having to protect you, he made no mean show of that. When you were two, while Elladan and I hunted with your father, you walked from the ranger camp without anyone's notice. Barion begrudgingly sought you out in the forest with aid of some other rangers. When Barion finally came upon you, he detected Orcs watching you from the trees. Instead of rushing forward to protect you from harm, he used you as bait," Elrohir bitterly bit out, his hatred flaring in his eyes. .
Just when Aragorn thought he could not be shocked any greater, the impossible happened.
Ellandan recalled with anger, "The other rangers wanted to get you to safety but Barion forbade them to do so, instead Barion let you walk deeper into the woods. When the orcs broke from their cover in the trees to attack you, Barion unleashed a volley of arrows and engaged the orcs in battle. We returned from our hunting trip in time to join the battle. All our hearts went cold with terror when we saw you standing there among the carnage. It was only by the grace of the Valar that you were unharmed." Elladan's emotions threatened to overwhelm him as the memories returned sharply. Since he had claimed Aragorn his brother, Elladan's mind replay these memories many times and always he wondered just how very close he had come to losing the human that day? Of being robbed of the immense joy of having Estel come into his life and heart.
Sensing his brother's barely leashed reign on his emotions, Elrohir picked up the story where Elladan had stopped. "Arathorn frantically fought his way to your side and protected you. When the battle was over, he demanded to know how his son had come to be in harm's way. When the other rangers told him how Barion had used his son as a lure, Arathorn attacked Barion and I truly thought he would kill him."
Quietly Aragorn asked, "Why did he not?"
Meeting Aragorn's eyes steadily, Elrohir spoke solemnly, his respect for Arathorn very evident. "Because, in your father's eyes, it would have been murder and he had sworn never to cross that line."
No condemnation hued Aragorn's next words. "So instead he banished Barion." Suddenly, Aragorn could make more sense of the words Barion's had spoken to him. Those words echoed again through Aragorn's mind, "I wanted to see that look in your eyes. That pain, that haunted look of betrayal, that lost feeling in your soul. I wanted you to feel what I once felt...what your father caused me to feel."
Unaware of his brother's deep emersion in his memories, Elrohir continued, "Yes, Barion was banished forever from the rangers but not before he challenged your father's right to be the chieftain. They fought and Barion lost, badly."
'Barion had lied!', sang through Aragorn. The man had said Arathorn never bested him in battle but that had been a lie! At long last the villain had lied about something!
With dismay and censure in his voice, Elladan interjected, "Even after all Barion had done, had tried to do, Arathorn let Barion live. He even gave Barion the choice to let his son stay behind and be protected by the sanctuary the ranger's provided."
"He has a son?" Aragorn asked, somewhat softening at the thought of the ex-ranger having a son.
Elladan shook his head marginally, "No, not anymore. Barion foolishly would not allow his son to stay with the rangers. No more than a month later, Barion's son was killed by some trappers on a desolate trail in the north."
Suddenly, Aragorn no longer perceived Barion's hatred as the emotions of an unstable man. The ex-ranger had a clear cause for his hatred of Arathorn. Barion had not only lost his place in the world but he had also lost his wife and child. He had been left utterly alone without another soul to depend upon. Aragorn knew that feeling a little too well for his peace of mind. Wasn't that the way he had felt after reading Elrond's letters? After discovering his world to be a well constructed lie?
Noticing the softening in Aragorn's eyes, Elladan incredulously accused "You actually feel some compassion for the man?!"
"Do not confuse understanding with compassion!" Aragorn shot back and attempted to push his way through the throng of elves. A strong elven hand gripped his arm and his eyes clashed with Elrond's.
"Do "not" forget what Barion has done to you," Elrond sternly cautioned.
A fire flared in Aragorn's eyes. "I will not forget, I can not," his voice sharp enough to cut glass, as he attempted to pull his arm from Elrond's grasp.
Tightening his hold upon his son, Elrond drew Aragorn closer. No longer could he shut out the question that had burned in his mind ever since Renen had spoken Barion's name. "Does Barion know your destiny, Aragorn?" the seriousness of his demeanor made the very air thick with tension.
Aragorn's own expression darkened, "You mean does he know I am to be the "hope" of Middle Earth?" his voice bitter and low. With a sardonic smile he answered, "Yes, he does. My father told him. I guess he thought Barion would protect me with more urgency if he knew my "importance.""
Terror choked Elrond. Barion knew Aragorn's secret! 'Oh Valar, please do not let it be so!' screamed through his head. If Barion became aware that Aragorn had escaped from the tomb, would he tell the world that an heir to Isildur yet lived?! A shiver coursed visibly through Elrond. If any of Sauron's minions learned this truth, Sauron would unleash all of Mordor to find Aragorn and once he was found...death would be the kindest gift Sauron would bestow upon Isildur's heir.
"Barion 'must' die," Elrond declared gravely.
TBC
Replies to Reviews:
Lady of the Lake2: You are the BEST! I totally don't deserve your loyalty or your friendship but I greedily will never relinquish either of them! Thank you for always believing in me and encouraging me in my writing!
Grumpy: Thanks for your persistence in attempting to review my story! Because you know I would have missed your review and wonder what I had done to make you abandon me! Glad you liked the white lie scene and Aragorn getting the dirt out of his hair! I just couldn't let him suffer that icky feeling any longer. Hope ffnet treats you better this time around for reviewing!
Nefhiriel: No need to apologize! You have every right to think whatever you want! But I'm very glad you are enjoying the angst and like reading the story! Hope to hear from you again!
No Big Deal: So pleased I didn't disappoint you with the twins' scenes last chapter! Thanks for sticking up for Aragorn and seeing his side of things! I loved your sentence "Aragorn...must now deal with his human frailty in a way he never imagined.. a failure in battle" Loved that! Looking forward to your next review!
Tychen: I'm really happy that you fought ffnet and won and were able to review! I would feel very cheated if I couldn't get your thoughts on a chapter! Loved your line the goal of the three elves being "the survival of Hope" Very nicely said! And I agree, I don't think Legolas will do anything to jeopardize Aragorn's respect either! Thank you so much for enjoying my "insightful vignettes" and for seeing the conflict I'm trying to show that Aragorn is going through! And no, I will not be taking Legolas and Aragorn's death "even unto death"!! You know I like happy endings way too well. Can't wait to read your next review!
Onesmartgoalie: Thank you so much for your kind words! As for your ponderings, I'm working hard to cover those very issues. Hope to hear from you again!
Viggomaniac: I really appreciated your review! I'm glad Aragorn's somewhat contradictory actions vs desires didn't seem inconsistent with human nature. I just know that what I say and do isn't what I "really" revealing what I am feeling. Yes, Elrond should make a potion so that he can read Aragorn's human mind! Thanks for reviewing!
Koriaena: I totally agree with you about the ELrondion family vacation thought. This is going to get nastier than MY family vacations...at least none of us come out and say ALOUD that someone has to die. Thanks for reviewing!
Et-spiritus-sancti: I was very pleased that you liked the whole boot scene! I'm totally obsessed with showing how people deal with their injures when normal activities become a painful a chore. So glad you didn't feel the brotherly teasing wasn't out of place I just thought we humans tend to fly from one emotion to the other pretty quickly. Hope to hear from you soon!
Amanda: Thank you so much for saying I have Aragorn's character right! You seem to have a very good grasp on Aragorn's emotions and I agree with everything you said! Yes, he is coping with the stress in the wrong way but you were right when you said he was "wary of being hurt and slow to open himself." Very few of us do the right thing under that kind of pressure. So pleased that you're enjoying reading this story!
Tailspin: I was relieved that you didn't feel I introduced the "thread of hope for future reconciliations" too soon. I just felt that Aragorn would be terribly conflicted when faced with never seeing Elrond again and it seems you agree with that thought too! Yes, I couldn't keep the brothers bitterly apart and Aragorn's softening toward Legolas too as you saw. It's building to the happy reconciliation we all want to see. Ops...I don't think Aragorn did I good job of getting the mud out of his hair! Are you offering to help him with that? Thanks for your wonderful review!
Someone Reading: I could hug you! Thanks for not wanting to slap me but reward me with cookies for "dragging things out"! Yes, the tension between Elrond and Aragorn is pretty thick with all those emotions you mentioned. I personally would have to be in either of their shoes! So glad you liked the Elrohir and Aragorn scene. I just thought Aragorn needed some help and Elrohir would willingly offer it without strings. I'm glad you support Legolas' decision, though it was a heartbreakingly hard one for him to make. Thank you so much for believing that the scenes and characters are being portrayed with believability!! That is such an awesome compliment, especially when I have the character in such terrible circumstances! I always look forward to your reviews so keep them coming!
Lenneth: I really appreciate your loyalty and wonderful reviews!! Glad you like the slowly mending bond between the brothers and as you saw in this chapter, Aragorn is starting to understand how true a friend Legolas is being. That should mean that some of this angst will start to lift...at least between the brothers and Legolas. As for Elrond, well, more work needs to be done on that relationship. Hope to hear from you soon!
Athelassa: I know things still look bleak for Elrond and Aragorn's relationship but at least Aragorn "wanted" to bid Elrond goodbye. That's a step in the right direction! So glad you sympathized with Aragorn and his boot problem. As for brothers...mine would more than likely toss the boot at my head instead of helping me to get it on my foot. Gotta love 'em all the same! Thanks for much for your wonderful review!
Lirenel: Thanks so much for reviewing! I find it a great compliment that my story is killing you! Hope to hear from you again!
Eternal Rose: So it's back to school for you! Hope you have a great year of it! So glad you find the depth of Aragorn and Legolas's friendship intriguing! I know I'm always fascinated how male friendships differ from woman friendships. What's the saying... Men are from mars and Woman are from Venus..there's some truth in that. Glad you liked my line about Aragorn freely walking away! I love conversations like you love grammar so I eat up any compliments in that area! So glad I didn't make any serious errors last chapter but all bets are off on this chapter. I rushed it and then my beta was away and well, it is what it is. Thanks for your wonderful review!
Elven Kitten: Yes, Aragorn's taking that first step now we just have to make sure he doesn't take any steps backward. You hold onto him tight, OK? Like I have to ask that YOU! Thanks for your wonderful review!
Elvengirl3737: Ah.. so you finally had to side with Aragorn! Yeah!!! I was pleased that you liked the boots scene and felt the conversation was off the mark! You really gave me a wonderful compliment when you said I fixed the situations in my stories with believability! That's very important to me! A chocolate covered Estel?!?! You've been holding out on me!!! Thanks so much for your wonderful reviews and the possibility of sharing your chocolate dipped Estel!
Sielge: Thank you for your wonderful review! I know I made you wait nearly two more days for an update than I promised but I know you have a big heart and will forgive me. Right?
MoonFire1: Thank you so much for your wonderful review and liking my "brilliant angsty-goodness"!! You are right, Aragorn is being blinded by revenge but I think he's starting to see the light in this chapter. As for the rift between he and Legolas, he's finally seeing what you've been trying to show him: Legolas's actions are as you said, "motivated by utmost friendship, devotion, and even love." Now the trick is to get the man to "admit" he was wrong. Can't wait for your next review!
Aebbook: No need to apologize I'm just pleased to hear from you! I'm very sorry to hear about your parents. I sent some prayers your way. If you want to send me an email sometime, I'll love to get a chance to really talk to you! You can link to my email through my bio. Thanks for your sneaking the time to review! I really love hearing from you!
Beling2: So I got a GOLD Star for chapter 11! Thanks!! And chapter 12 put a huge smile on your face! I'm loving it! Yes, Aragorn is starting to open his heart once again, finally! But you are right, Aragorn's pride makes him who he is and everyone that loves him doesn't want him to change. Now he has to balance his pride with trust, he has to learn to trust again. Easier said than done...even with family. And speaking of trust...since you trust me, I promise that "eventually" the father and son will make a wonderful reconciliation. I thought they made some headway in this chapter?! So were you pleasantly surprised when Elrond joined the travelers? I gotta get a star for that, right? And Legolas is a very true friend and Aragorn's starting to realize just how true this chapter. But again there is that pride standing in the way of each reconciliation! Aragorn's gotta work on that! Thanks so much for your beautiful compliment!
Marbienl: Sorry but there is no letter stashed in Arathorn's packet to absolve Elrond of his guilt. That would be far to easy, right?! I think Aragorn will reflect on what Elrond has said and slowly it's going to sink in. Glad you liked the departure scenes and yes, Aragorn still does think of himself as Elrond's son but he is also afraid to open himself up to more hurt by letting that vulnerability show. And you just "knew" Elrond wouldn't be left behind! Aragorn is only now starting to understand the lengths Elrond will go to protect him. Aragorn now sees that Legolas's actions are/were motivated by friendship but getting the friendship back on track...that's going to take some doing and like you said, someone's going to have to give up some of his pride. I don't think Legolas values his pride more than his friendship with Estel...I think that comes from living such a long life already. But Estel, he's still "young" and his pride means I lot to him. Sorry I'm late posting this but real life kinda stank this week and even my muse was depressed. I'm really touched that you still want the "Aragorn hurt his back story"!!! I have some of it written but it's not finished...what else is new with my stories right? After I wrap this one up, I'll go back to working on that. I promise! I love getting your emails and hearing your thoughts. Thanks so much for every one of them!!
Thanks for taking the time to read this chapter!
Cheryl W.