Chapter 6

The next couple of hours were filled with questions: Why had he been there, why had he not noticed orcs were around, why had he attacked the prince, how could the orcs have attacked the prince when they had fleed, why would he not reveal anything about where he came from, why had a man an elvish name, who was his family, why did he refuse to say anything on that matter, why had he had the stone in his hand when he had been found with the prince in his lap, why, why, why…

In the end Aragorn was on the verge of tears, just thinking on all these things were so painful, because he was constantly reminded of his family, or the family he had once had. And these elves would not believe him when he said he had no home nor family. He guessed he could have told them the whole sorry tale, but he knew he would cry if he did, and he did not wish to seem weak, and he absolutely didn't want Lord Elrond getting news of this, it was too embarrassing. That was another reason he had given another name than the one the lord of Imladris had gifted him with.

In the end it was decided that Thorongil's answers were too vague and until he would reveal more, he would be held in the dungeons and would be counted as guilty, since most things pointed that direction.


Life in the dungeon was not a pleasant one, even though the elves treated him well and even took him to the surface every now and again. But even these trips didn't bring him much joy. He missed speaking to someone else than the small lark that kept visiting him, but the elves were always eerie silent when they were around him, and in their eyes he could see the contempt they held towards him. But how could he blame them really? If he had believed someone had attempted to murder his father or brothers, or anyone he knew actually, he would not have held kind feelings for them either.


Life went on in Mirkwood and a couple of weeks later Legolas was once again preparing to ride towards Imladris, he missed the twins and was looking forward to see them again. He hadn't seen them the last 50 years and now his heart yearned for their company once again.

He didn't even get to packing though before a servant came and informed him that the twins had arrived and were asking for him.

"Where are they Morwen?" he asked her urgently, he was very surprised that they were here, there had been no word, and even though he had not sent word either, as he had intended his arrival to be a surprise, he had not considered that the twins might do likewise. Now he was actually grateful that he had been delayed, it could nice; the twins here in Mirkwood to see him and him in Imladris to see them.

The maid laughed softly and answered him "They are in the courtyard." She smiled cheekily and muttered softly "And I don't believe they will vanish into thin air even in you don't get there before three seconds have passed." But Legolas didn't hear that, he was already in the corridor, heading for the courtyard.

True to what Morwen had told him, the twins were indeed there, waiting for him, while some stable hands looked after their exhausted mounts.

"You know, you didn't need to drive your horses so hard to get here. It is true I long to see you again, but there is no need to ride as if the orcs were chasing you" Legolas admonished cheekily and even managed to throw a barb in there. He knew very well the twins would never turn their back and run to a horde of orcs, but that didn't mean he couldn't tease them about it though.

The twins laughed for a moment, but then turned sombre at a moments notice as elves were renowned for doing and Legolas sobered accordingly.

It was Elladan who spoke for them and his voice was sad and laden with worry. "You haven't seen a human around here have you? One human who is very dear to us have left and we miss him." he asked, defeat laced to each word, like a man expecting yet another negative answer and had heard one too many of those.

Legolas looked at the brothers' saddened features laced with hope. He really felt sad for them, he would have to crush their hoes once again, "No, I'm sor…" he saw the defeat creeping into their faces replacing the desperate hope he had seen there only a moment ago. He hated being the one to crush their dreams. But suddenly he remembered the human in the dungeon. "wait a moment…" their faces suddenly lit up with hope once again and Legolas desperately hoped he did not revive it only to have to quench it once again. What if this human was not the right one. The brothers didn't look like they could take much more. "A couple of weeks ago a human came here, he…" the prince didn't continue immediately, not entirely sure how to explain the delicate matter, but he never got around to it. Elrohir broke him off before he had a chance to continue. "His name Legolas, what was his name" Hope shone in Elrohir's eyes and Legolas dearly hoped his next word would not put that hope out, "His name is Thorongil" Legolas said guardedly, looking intensely at the twins. Again he saw the devastating sadness wash over them. "That is not he" Elladan said dejectedly. Not able to stand the brothers sadness Legolas offered them that they could go look at the man, "Names may be changed, it could still be him, even if that is not his name" Legolas knew it was cruel to continue bringing their hopes up, but he had to, he just couldn't stand to see them so utterly miserable. "No" Elrohir said softly "I will not see him. My heart cannot stand the suspense, I can't stand to hope anymore" Tears glistened in Elrohir's eyes. Legolas gnawed his lips, he truly didn't know what he could do. It was clear that the brothers were devastated, he just didn't know how to help them.


The sound of a familiar voice drifting down to him made Aragorn strain his ears to be able to hear what was being said, and who said it. He knew he had heard the voice before, he just couldn't place it yet, but he listened intently trying to pick up the barely audible word. It was Elrohir! He could hear Elrohir speaking. Perhaps they didn't hate him as he had thought, perhaps it was all just one big misunderstanding He strained his ears even more, trying desperately to hear what was being said. He couldn't see his brother, but he knew he was there, he could hear him. Elladan was probably here too, the twins seldom went anywhere without the other. At least he was able to pick up what his brother said, but, whether by a cruel trick by fate or simply just bad luck all he managed to hear was, "I will not see him"

That was the last blow Aragon needed, he had almost dared to hope, but his hope was in vain. His former family really didn't want him.

Funny he though morbidly, funny how much a heart can hurt before it breaks, and funny how even that broken heart can still break all over again, so few words it takes and how hope can make that pain so much worse. Hope is no longer a source of consolation now it only causes pain.

In that moment he wowed to himself never to hope again. He finally let go of his old identity, let hope go; He would never be Estel again.

TBC

To the reviewers.

Thank you so much, it really brightens my day to hear from you. I really hope you enjoy the story even though you were made to wait for it for a long while, I sincerely hope it was woth the wait.

Untill next time...