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Legolas crept through the wood with less care the further south he went. He knew that the likelihood of meeting anyone who would recognise him decreased as he travelled. The main priority in his mind was no longer secrecy but speed. Some time ago, he had hidden in the undergrowth as five elves passed him. He had been sure that he would be spotted, as close as they were. The elves, though, were deep in an intense discussion and paid no heed to Legolas as they passed him. The further south Legolas went, the more certain he became that the elves he had passed were the ones who had escorted Estel to Dol Guldur. There had been no further noises coming from the south since they had passed and now, as Legolas travelled, the trees grew closer together and less of the waning light fell between them until soon it was utterly dark, as dark as night, with only a few faint patches of light visible here and there.
He knew he was approaching the strongholds of Sauron and found himself remembering the fear that had crept through the forest like posion from the south. He remembered the days of rejoicing that had followed Mithrandir's daring raid on the fortress, and how they had been muted celebrations, because praise be, the shadow had left their realm. But all that really meant was that the shadow had gone on into the outside world and would doubtless wreak its bloody vengeance soon.
Often, Legolas wondered whether something more could have been done in the woodland realm to defeat their oldest enemy, but he never reached any definite conclusion, knowing that any warrior who marched alone against the enemy would be killed like nothing more than an annoying insect, and that raising an army would have been impossible. And they had not known for so long, had not believed until it was too late, wanting only peace.
Ahead of him, Legolas began to hear soft noises. The noises were quiet and gentle, but unmistakeable. The sound of breathing. And not the harsh, guttural rasps of orcs, either, but the gentle breaths of a human. Legolas hurried forward. He had gone maybe half a mile, when he realised that he was not gaining on the breaths at all, they were still far distant. Putting on another burst of speed for a reason he was not yet aware of, Legolas ran along a twisted path that was overhung with whip-like vines and sharp branches that pulled at his hair and his clothes. Still he ran on, some passion he did not understand driving him. And then he heard another noise. A noise far too stealthy to have come from a human, even a ranger so skilled as Estel. And again he heard it, a tiny noise, as though a mighty creature with creeping through the undergrowth.
Suddenly Legolas understood and he began to run full-pelt along the path, an arrow on the string.
Aragorn turnedas he heard the noise of running footsteps and saw a lithe form careening along the path towards him, an arrow on an elven bowstring held at the ready. Betrayed, he had time to think before the arrow was flying. Its path was sure, steady, direct, unwavering, and the arrow flew past Aragorn, into a patch of darkness at his back. There was a soft thump as though something heavy had hit the ground.
Puzzled and feeling slightly weak as though he had taken a blow to the stomach, Aragorn turned. Behind him lay the dying form of a huge spider, black blood bubbling from its wound, an evil, malevolent glow fading from its eyes. He found himself unable to speak for amoment and then turned to the shooter was had crossed the small glade and was leaning over the spider. Gingerly, the elf kicked the spider into the undergrowth, not bothering to retrieve his arrow.
"A child of Ungoliant," Legolas said. "Ever they roam our woods and ever we beat them back. More will not be far away. We must leave this place"
"Legolas?" Aragorn asked uncertainly, trying to see into the shade that swathed the elf's face.
"We mujst leave this place now," Legolas said again. "Follow me or stay to fight these loathsome creatures alone. The choice is yours."
Aragorn looked into the undergrowth, wondering if hundreds of tiny, furious eyes had watched the slaying and were now amassing for an attack. Turning, he followed the elf quickly.
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"West," the elf replied. "It is some miles hence to the edge of the forest. There we shall be able to speak more freely."
Although Aragorn did not say so, he had been planning on travelling west, so he consented to follow this elf where he would lead, at least for the time being.
Many hours later, they emerged from between two trees that stood wizened and twisted like gate posts on the very edge of the forest. Legolas knew now that the trees had told his father of his flight before. These trees, though, were so old and fragile and touched with the deep evil of Sauron, that he did not believe that would communicate with Thranduil at all. If they did, it was likely to be a confused and confusing message that would speak only of the slaying of the spider and a flight from the wood. If their luck held, Thranduil would believe that Estel was both the killer and the only one who had flown.
Still Legolas did not stop, moving until they were out from the shade of the trees and there was no dangr of any chance passer-by hearing their words. Finally, he stopped and sat upon the ground. Unsure of what else to do, Aragorn sat next to him. Warily, Legolas cast back his hood and Aragorn nodded, as though he had expected to see the prince's face revealed.
"Well, Prince Legolas," Aragorn began. "What brings you hence"
"Injustice," Legolas said, looking away into the distance. And love.
"You have a keen sense of rights and wrongs, do you not?" Aragorn asked.
"I have," Legolas agreed. "And to see you treated thus has angered me"
"And tell me," Aragorn said, his voice soft, "what good do you imagine it will do if your father'smen once again find you in my company? Do you imagine that will prove my innocence to them? Or will it not rather inflame their sense of my guilt"
"I..." Legolas began. "I had planned that we could go forth together to your foster-father. If he pronounces me free of a spell, then my father will have no choice but to believe him. Your name will be cleared and my uncertainty will be vanquished"
"Your uncertainty?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes," Legolas said, staring at the ground. "I believe you and I believe your innocence, and I know that you have placed no spell upon me, but a part of me cannot help but be fearful. I need to know whether I act undermy own will or that of another"
"I thank you for your honesty," Aragorn said. "And your plan indeedseems wise. For my own destination is Rivendell, where I hope to seek solace and sanctuary rather than absolution"
"May I then travel alongside you?" Legolas asked. "For as well as our shared interest in this matter, I feel that I could learn much from you if only I was permitted."
Aragorn looked uncertainly at the elven prince, wondering if he could be trusted to make the long journey without faltering. But then he saw the determined look on the Prince's face and remembered how Legolas had tracked him with seeming ease.
"It would be an honour to call you my companion on the road," Aragorn said.
"In that case," Legolas said with a small smile, "I suggest we move on until wefind some cover and there, I will take the first watch while you sleep, for you seem weary"
"Sleep would be a welcome blessing," Aragorn admitted.
Finally, they had reached a patch of greenery that offered them some shelter. There was also a small stream flowing through it an dthey both drank deeply before Aragorn cast himself down upon the ground and slept. So now Legolas was awake, trying to keep watch. Although his ears were attuned closelyto the sounds outside and withing their small shelter, his eyes were ever fixed on Estel's face. Under paper-thin eyelids, the man's eyes were roving to and fro, as though he saw some picture on the inside of his eyelids and strove to take in every detail.
"Is that how humans dream?" Legolas asked softly. "What picture do you see there? I wish that you would dream of me." Sighing, Legolas stood and moved away from the man, knowing that he could not be an effective guard so near to so alluring a sight.
He stood with his back to the man and gazed outwards, staring towards the land of his birth, straining to hear any noises. There were none. The day seemed deathly still. As the sun rose fully, Aragorn awoke and he saw the elf standing there, with the redrays of the sun shining on his golden hair.
Unknown to Legolas, Aragorn's dreams had indeed been woven through with images of him, as well as images of a sword, a crown, a dying white tree and a beautiful elf-maiden. All the images had flown in and out of Aragorn's dreams, but Legolas had been there constantly, a permanent feature in the whirlwind. Aragorn stood and Legolas turned.
"You let me sleep the whole night through?" Aragorn asked. "You should have woken me," he said, without waiting for a reply.
"I was not weary," Legolas assured him. "If it will comfort you, I will gladly give you the next night's watch all to yourself"
"You are most generous," Aragorn laughed. "Come, shall we set forth"
"Let us do so," Legolas agreed, stooping to drink from the stream once more before the two set out into the wide, flat planes of Middle Earth on a journey that would change them both for the rest of their days.
tbc