Mae Govannen

By Cerasi

Disclaimer: The characterisations are partly mine, but the characters themselves are not mine, the plot is mine but it fits into a story that is not mine, and I do not mean to impose on any who may be insulted by my use of them.

Also: I have taken the Elvish phrases contained herein from the following site: http/ and I thank them very much.

"Alae. 'Tis a beautiful Valley." A sweet voice.

"Tancave." Aragorn smiled and turned his eyes to view his new companion. An Elf. Though what else would one expect to find in this place? he mused. The elf smiled and turned his sharp, blue gaze back out to the surrounding landscape, and Aragorn did the same.

"Have you ever travelled to the East?" The elf asked, still not offering his name. "For there lie lands that compare, in my heart."

"Not as far as I should have liked." Aragorn admitted. "My duty demands that I guard all land between here and the White Towers."

"The Hobbits, then, are your charge?" The elf asked. Aragorn nodded. "But you are not of this land? By your appearance I would say you are from far South?"

"I am. Gondor is my homeland, though no time have I spent there." Aragorn glanced at the elf. "Have you travelled to the South?" He asked.

"Not as far as I should have liked." The elf said, and they both grinned. "I travelled to Lorien, once. Long ago, was that visit made, and I have had little time for travel since."

"And you are not of this Valley." Aragorn surmised. "Then you are of the Mirkwood Elves." The elf nodded.

They both looked back out over the Valley, and noted the passing of elves, returning from whatever travels they may have made that day.

"What grace has granted you this break from your guard?" The elf asked.

"I am a ranger in these parts, and my company has allowed me this respite." Aragorn explained.

"How long do you rest?" The elf asked.

"I may rest as long as I wish, though I am not sure how long I wish to rest."

"And you will not visit the South? Family or friends in Gondor?" The elf asked.

"I have spent little enough time in that land to have made friends, and I have no family in those parts. The elves are my family." He smiled. "Elrond is as my father, Elladan and Elrohir, my brothers."

The elf seemed pleased with this sentiment and nodded. "You should ride East, for a time." He suggested.

"To the home of Thranduil?" Aragorn asked. "That is a long journey."

"As is South." The elf said.

"I do not mean to go South, yet. That journey must wait." Aragorn sighed.

"And when you reach Gondor you shall never again have respite to travel to Thranduil's kingdom." The elf countered. Aragorn laughed.

"So you would have me travel to the kingdom of Thranduil now?" Aragorn asked with a smile.

"I would have you travel to the East. As far as you should like." The elf smiled.

"And shall you be taking me, elf-friend?" Aragorn asked.

"If it is your wish to have a guide, then I would be more than willing to escort you to my homeland. It can be a trying place, Mirkwood." The elf said fondly.

"I am young, yet, for the years that I may live." Aragorn mused to himself. He cast his eyes back out over the Valley. The light was fading now and it cast the Valley in a different, no less friendly light. "If you give me your name, friend, then I shall join you and we shall journey East."

"And if you give me your own name, then when it is your time to go South, I shall thither go also." The elf said with a smile.

"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn." Aragorn bowed his head.

"And I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil." The elf smiled too, and each put their palm to their breast in a sign of friendship and greeting.

"East." Aragorn smiled. "I should very much like to go East."

"Well met, Aragorn. In this beautiful Valley of Imladris." Legolas said quietly.

"Elen síla lumenn' omentielvo."