AN: Waving white flag. Sorry I didn't get this out last week. It has not been working the way I like and I'm still not completely happy with it. I never meant for this story to be broke into chapters so forgive me where it breaks. For the little history lesson given by Aragorn that comes directly from the books, Legolas' history is of course mine. Promise that the action part of this will pick up shortly.
"You're a healer then?"
Aragorn finished spreading the ointment on the bite before placing some gauze on it. "My father is a healer and so are my brothers, it was a given that I would learn it too. Though Ada says I have a natural gift for it."
The elf snorted a smile lighting his face.
"What?" Aragorn frowned in confusion. "What's so funny?"
"Your brothers, would they happen to be about six foot tall with dark hair and identical?"
Aragorn sat back on his heels to look the elf in the eyes. "You know Elladan and Elrohir?"
Legolas laughed. "If they are your brothers I could well understand your need to know healing techniques."
Aragorn frowned in happy confusion as he watched the elf. He wasn't sure if he understood the elf's mood swings but he liked the lighter side the being was showing. "How did you know that they were my brothers?"
"You speak elvish like it was your first language. Gandalf called you Estel and," Legolas smiled softly, though he tensed at the man's regard, "your brothers would write to me about you."
"You knew who I was all this time?"
Legolas shook his head. "No, not until you insulted me in the high tongue. Your brothers use to say much the same thing to me."
Heat warmed Aragorn's face before he turned shrewd eyes onto the elf. "That would make you 'Las."
"Legolas, it is a pleasure to meet you Estel."
"The pleasure is all mine." Aragorn answered. Noticing the elf seemed uneasy with his proximity Aragorn moved back towards the fire. He set the water to boil then put the extra bandages away. Trying to seem non-chalant he checked the water while watching his companion under lowered lids. "May I ask why it is the people of your realm discourage human visitors?"
Legolas' eyes narrowed and Aragorn almost kicked himself realizing this wasn't going to help his relations with the elven prince. The other side of the argument was if he knew he might be able to help in some way. Then again if he really angered the elf he may find himself at sword point.
"People are free to pass through our realm if they stay on the road." Legolas replied tightly. "We do not hinder them."
Aragorn bit the inside of his cheek to keep from making a smart comment. For once he was going to keep his father's teaching in mind and not loose his temper. "My father and brothers speak highly of you, forgive me, but they never mentioned a dislike for mortals, neither did Gandalf. In fact they were all anxious to bring me here, which has me wondering, and I wanted to know if I will be greeted with hostility throughout this entire trip."
"You were going through my belongings!"
"That is not what I meant and you know it." Aragorn replied neutrally. Ai, this elf had a temper! "You seem uncomfortable around me and I would just know the reason why. I do not wish to cause you any discomfort."
Legolas grimaced slightly. "How much do you know of Greenwood's history?"
"It was founded by your father, Thranduil, who once had lived with Thingol and Melian. His halls are reminiscent of both Menegroth and Nargothrond except for the river that flows under them. It is the mightiest forest remaining in Middle Earth at this time being over four hundred miles long and two hundred miles at it's widest. The elves dwell primarily in the northern most part while scattered settlements of woodsmen live in the south. With the growth of the shadow in Dol Gulder, orcs, spiders, and wargs have become prevalent causing the locals to rename the forest Mirkwood. There is only one safe passage through Mirkwood and that is by the Old Forest Road. The elves of Mirkwood also do trading with the humans of Lake Town for some goods."
Legolas raised an eyebrow a faint smile of amusement present.
Aragorn shrugged. "Erestor is my History teacher."
Legolas sobered quickly. "Well let me tell you something that is not wrote in the history books. Some years ago an elvish teacher and a dozen students were tricked and captured by a group of men, for no reason they were hunted and beaten. The teacher and eight of the children were killed. My father led a hunting party and was able to save a few of the children. The men were killed outright. The sorrow of their loss drove four families to seek Valinor and I know of two elves that have died from grief and one who has lingered on only to live in fear. Raneth could have been a tremendous warrior but has taken to living in the shelters of my father's hall. After the losses to our people my father decided that the children of our realm would never again be put in harms way. We have kept to ourselves and discourage contact with mortals. We keep to our woods and leave the rest to the humans."
"You're a healer then?"
Aragorn finished spreading the ointment on the bite before placing some gauze on it. "My father is a healer and so are my brothers, it was a given that I would learn it too. Though Ada says I have a natural gift for it."
The elf snorted a smile lighting his face.
"What?" Aragorn frowned in confusion. "What's so funny?"
"Your brothers, would they happen to be about six foot tall with dark hair and identical?"
Aragorn sat back on his heels to look the elf in the eyes. "You know Elladan and Elrohir?"
Legolas laughed. "If they are your brothers I could well understand your need to know healing techniques."
Aragorn frowned in happy confusion as he watched the elf. He wasn't sure if he understood the elf's mood swings but he liked the lighter side the being was showing. "How did you know that they were my brothers?"
"You speak elvish like it was your first language. Gandalf called you Estel and," Legolas smiled softly, though he tensed at the man's regard, "your brothers would write to me about you."
"You knew who I was all this time?"
Legolas shook his head. "No, not until you insulted me in the high tongue. Your brothers use to say much the same thing to me."
Heat warmed Aragorn's face before he turned shrewd eyes onto the elf. "That would make you 'Las."
"Legolas, it is a pleasure to meet you Estel."
"The pleasure is all mine." Aragorn answered. Noticing the elf seemed uneasy with his proximity Aragorn moved back towards the fire. He set the water to boil then put the extra bandages away. Trying to seem non-chalant he checked the water while watching his companion under lowered lids. "May I ask why it is the people of your realm discourage human visitors?"
Legolas' eyes narrowed and Aragorn almost kicked himself realizing this wasn't going to help his relations with the elven prince. The other side of the argument was if he knew he might be able to help in some way. Then again if he really angered the elf he may find himself at sword point.
"People are free to pass through our realm if they stay on the road." Legolas replied tightly. "We do not hinder them."
Aragorn bit the inside of his cheek to keep from making a smart comment. For once he was going to keep his father's teaching in mind and not loose his temper. "My father and brothers speak highly of you, forgive me, but they never mentioned a dislike for mortals, neither did Gandalf. In fact they were all anxious to bring me here, which has me wondering, and I wanted to know if I will be greeted with hostility throughout this entire trip."
"You were going through my belongings!"
"That is not what I meant and you know it." Aragorn replied neutrally. Ai, this elf had a temper! "You seem uncomfortable around me and I would just know the reason why. I do not wish to cause you any discomfort."
Legolas grimaced slightly. "How much do you know of Greenwood's history?"
"It was founded by your father, Thranduil, who once had lived with Thingol and Melian. His halls are reminiscent of both Menegroth and Nargothrond except for the river that flows under them. It is the mightiest forest remaining in Middle Earth at this time being over four hundred miles long and two hundred miles at it's widest. The elves dwell primarily in the northern most part while scattered settlements of woodsmen live in the south. With the growth of the shadow in Dol Gulder, orcs, spiders, and wargs have become prevalent causing the locals to rename the forest Mirkwood. There is only one safe passage through Mirkwood and that is by the Old Forest Road. The elves of Mirkwood also do trading with the humans of Lake Town for some goods."
Legolas raised an eyebrow a faint smile of amusement present.
Aragorn shrugged. "Erestor is my History teacher."
Legolas sobered quickly. "Well let me tell you something that is not wrote in the history books. Some years ago an elvish teacher and a dozen students were tricked and captured by a group of men, for no reason they were hunted and beaten. The teacher and eight of the children were killed. My father led a hunting party and was able to save a few of the children. The men were killed outright. The sorrow of their loss drove four families to seek Valinor and I know of two elves that have died from grief and one who has lingered on only to live in fear. Raneth could have been a tremendous warrior but has taken to living in the shelters of my father's hall. After the losses to our people my father decided that the children of our realm would never again be put in harms way. We have kept to ourselves and discourage contact with mortals. We keep to our woods and leave the rest to the humans."