As it should be

Darkness, pain, silence, that is all he saw, felt and heard. He moved slowly, as though wading through a viscous liquid. His feet found purchase on a spongy surface somewhere below. He tottered like a babe and walked like an old man. But there was more than darkness. There was the sky and the tiny dots of light across its surface. They seemed cold and distant these lights. His feet stumbled on, taking him somewhere, taking him anywhere. The wind blew, making him hug himself tight, making him shiver and wonder, where was he going, why was he going? But he went on just the same.

He tripped and fell headlong and became entangled in sticky vine and cruel thorns. But that did not stop him. There was a need in him, an urgency that he did not understand. An urge to seek out something… someone? He could not remember. But that want and that desire picked him up and put him on his feet. It pushed him forward even when tiredness came, even when he forgot, even when he wanted to stop.

His eyes read the signs of the other's passage easily and walked through the darkened valley like a lost child heading home.

The moon peeked over the summit of the White Mountains and on the valley floor below, the man stirred. A dull ache had taken hold of him and he awoke, sluggish and saddened. He looked up briefly to the ledge where his friend and brother lay, fevered and helpless awaiting death…alone.

Coward, said his mind.

Would he have left you thus, to draw final breath, untended? Did he not try to do for you, what you fail to do for him?

"Nooo," Aragorn groaned brought low by a pain that gripped his belly. He crawled through the grass fighting the inevitable and consumed by guilt. He cried and begged and pleaded, but all too soon felt his bones begin to twist and pop as the change took hold of him. Panting he lurched to his feet. Shaking he moaned, trying not to become, not to be weak. Not to change.

He fell to his knees with a cry, as a painful spasm wracked his body. He huddled in on himself groaning and panting.

And then before his eyes there appeared two pale, grass stained feet, those he had never thought to see again. He touched them in wonder with a twisted hand that grew claws even as it lay there. Then in disbelief he looked up from the bare feet, to bare legs, to groin, chest and face. Pale hair hung from the creatures head. Its body was crisscrossed with scratches and cuts that bled. Fever bright blue eyes stared down at him.

Aragorn screamed at this final injustice.

It did not take much to bring down the elf and Aragorn did so with brutal simplicity. He straddled Legolas and pinned his arms above his head, trembling to control the bloodlust that was sweeping through him. He lowered his head to the elf's face longing, not just to taste, but to tear into him with unbridled fervour.

Legolas stared up at him, suddenly afraid of this thing above him. His mouth worked soundlessly as he tried to speak, to say a name. He pushed against Aragorn, his innate sense of preservation kicking into place. But the ranger was the stronger and pressed him down hard. They struggled until Aragorn finally slammed the elf's head against the ground. The blow opened up the festering wound once more. Legolas cried out, as unbearable pain swamped him. Hot breath hit his face as Aragorn leaned even closer and pinned his arms at his side. In utmost agony he closed his eyes as Aragorn bared his fangs.

The scent of the elf's blood so close chased all human thought from Aragorn's mind. His tongue lapped at the bloody scrapes and probed the bleeding cuts on Legolas' body. In unspeakable terror Legolas struggled to be free. Aragorn delighted in his fear and pressed even closer. He found a deep wound in the elf's side, wedged open by a wicked thorn. He pulled it out impatiently with bared teeth, forcing a sharp cry of pain from Legolas. From this new flow Aragorn drank, savouring the rich taste of elf blood. It rolled off his tongue and down his throat like the sweetest wine. He groaned in pleasure and pressed deeper still. He squeezed his prey, forcing the body to give up its red treasure. Legolas began to twitch as the pressure drove the breath from him.

One by one Aragorn lapped the cuts dry. Underneath him the elf ceased to move.

Sated Aragorn released his prey. Almost playfully he nudged at it with his muzzle. But it did not move. Pleased with his victory he sat back on his haunches. He shook himself and stretched. He tilted his head to the sky and gave a long triumphant howl. Then he looked about him in no hurry to wander. A peaceful lethargy began to steal over him. It started with his feet and legs, easing the tension in them. It crept upwards and soothed the straining muscles in his chest and arms. The pain in his digits ceased. The hair on his body bristled then lay still. His scalp tingled pleasantly then stopped. Finally his eyes began to droop. He growled softly, knowing somewhere in his half mind, that something was wrong. Finally defeated his eyes closed.

The moon rose full and round in brilliant magnificence and shed its light upon the valley and forest alike. It shone upon the warriors of Druadan as they stood in a silent circle around the sleeping man and fallen elf.

……………

Legolas woke to the sound of a river running. He was surprised to find that he lay on a bed of soft heather and grass. He looked about him, but the place was very dark. There was but a soft glow coming from far away. He turned over gingerly for he felt much bruised and his head hurt still.

As though awaiting this signal, a tall shadow detached itself from the dark and came towards him. It could only be one person.

"Aragorn," Legolas said and was dismayed by the weakness he heard in his voice.

Aragorn knelt next to his make shift bed and put a hand to his forehead. He seemed pleased for he nodded. Legolas peered at him trying to see his face in the gloom.

"Wait, I will get more light," said Aragorn. He lit two of the torches that lined the cave wall. Legolas had to squint against the sudden glare.

Aragorn sat on small stool placed next to the bed and finally smiled at his elven friend. Taking the elf's hands in his he said,

"I was afraid that you would never rise from this bed."

Instead of a reply Legolas pulled him into a fierce embrace.

"You are yourself Aragorn!" he cried joyously.

"Most of me," Aragorn said with a laugh.

He held Legolas back so that the elf could see him better. Aragorn wore a plain home spun shirt and dark breeches, on his feet boots of strange design. Then Legolas recognized that his hair still hung to his waist.

"I suppose I could braid it for you," Legolas teased.

"Not in this age mellon nin," Aragorn said tartly.

Just then a movement caught their eyes; one of the Druedain. Legolas stiffened but Aragorn placed a placating hand on his arm.

"Do not fear, without themwe would not be living now."

Legolas relaxed slightly as the warrior stepped forward to place a bowl of steaming liquid near them. He bowed and backed away.

"They cured you?" Legolas asked as Aragorn picked up the bowl.

For a minute Aragorn said nothing, then he said softly,

"It was your blood Legolas. It changed me. It took away the anger and hate of the beast. It ended my hunger."

He stopped suddenly ashamed.

"I almost killed you," he whispered, looking down at his hands.

There was a long moment of silence.

"Aragorn," Legolas said in the silence. "I am alive am I not?"

"Yes," Aragorn replied, staring at his fingers.

"Was it not you who healed me?"

"Yes," Aragorn began, "but…"

"Then all is as it should be," Legolas interrupted.

Aragorn looked up then, a protest on his lips.

But Legolas shushed him gently.

"All is as it should be," he said with finality.

……….

The Druedain left them at the eastern edge of the forest. From there it would be some days travel to Greywood, there to find the closest camp of the rangers. The warriors gathered in a solemn wall to watch Aragorn and Legolas begin their journey. They had given to Aragorn, a finely tooled leather thong on which hung the paw of the wolf. It was their highest token of esteem. To Legolas they shyly presented a similar one, but this was smaller and could only be worn around the wrist.

They both accepted their gifts with respectful bows and put them on. They had come no closer to understanding the ways of the small warriors, but knew that they were men of honour.

As they dwindled in the distance, the son of the chieftain asked his father.

"Is the man truly rid of the curse my father?"

"In all ways that matter," began the chieftain. "But he will be a more vicious fighter, a hardier soldier and a more clever and determined man than any of his kind. He will make a great king one day."

"A king?" asked the boy.

The chieftain turned to his son, "As you too will be one day, Gan."

Aragorn and Legolas made their way across the plains slowly for Legolas was yet to regain his former strength. The plains extended for miles away to the east. The sun was high overhead yet the air was pleasantly cool. Despite great protest Legolas had braided Aragorn's hair and it fell in a single plait over his shoulder. Legolas' hair hung free for his head wound was still very tender and the slightest touch hurt quite a bit. Before midday they stopped in the shade of a solitary tree to eat. They were laden with provision from the Druedain. Recompense perhaps for their near deadly encounter.

Legolas ate from a haunch of rabbit cooked in its own juices. Aragorn however had had enough of meat. He nibbled on a piece of brown bread. Legolas stole quick glances at him as they ate. Aragorn wore a dour look. Legolas knew he had not yet forgiven himself for what had happened.

"Aragorn," began Legolas conversationally.

"Hmmmmm," said Aragorn absently.

"I've been thinking."

"Uh huh."

"Well, what do you think of putting my blood into vials and selling it on the back streets of Gondor."

Aragorn turned to Legolas as if he hadn't heard correctly.

"Well we would make a tidy sum."

Aragorn began to chuckle and a broad grin spread across his face. Legolas smiled back, his objective accomplished.

"I will never understand the humour of elves," said Aragorn with a shake of his head.

Legolas merely raised his brows.

Finis

Anonymous… No typo

Mornflower… glad to hear you brother is well, thanks for your lovely review.

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