Whispering A Heart's Sorrow Chapter Two
Aragorn's PoV
Was water supposed to be this cold? I remembered plunging over the cliff, dragged by a out of control Warg, and the weightlessness that was result of the freefall and then the plunge into the ice cold water. It soaked through my clothes and into my skin and I could feel myself go numb with shock. All I could do was relax and drift down the river, hoping I would drift up on the shore. As as I floated, my eyes closed from pain, my mind wondered.
Right before I plunged over the edge, I saw him. A fury of twin daggers and flying arrows, long pale blonde hair whirling about his face as he moved with a cat like grace. It was a dance where he was the lead and the orc was the follower, one after another falling to him. It was so beautiful and it made the breath catch in my throat. He was a distraction, one I didn't need, yet one that I enjoyed, and caused me to get into this situation. But I do not blame Legolas, he cannot be blamed for being a creature of beauty.It was his face, blue eyes wild with a firey passion, daggers a blur of motion. I could only imagine his heartbreak, for surely they must think of me alive. No one could have survived that fall, yet I did. And now I have to survive further, to return to him...and her.
It was surprising that right up until now, that I did not think of Arwen, the beauty of Rivendell. She who would forsake her heritage to be with me. She who would live a mortal life to be with me. I did love her, with all my heart. But...I never imagined that someone else could take a piece of my heart like Legolas did. Arwen loved me and gave me hope, but Legolas gave me love and respect. He respected me before he loved me. Respect is what grew into love. Arwen...she was a vision learned to be my hope, for I would not give it to myself. I am beginning to doubt I could live without either of them. For what is love without hope and respect? And with them, I get both.
Rocks dug into my back as I brushed up against the shore. I had enough strength left in me to drag myself out of the current and further up on the bank so that I would not drown. And there I waited for my strength to return, or at least enough to that I could travel. I had to make it to Helm's Deep and back to him. A tear escaped my eye as I thought of him and the pain he must be suffering at this very moment. Just the thought of his pain made me ache, ache to take him in my arms, to whisper my heart into his ear, to hold his body close to mine. To explore it with loving hands as I did before. It was his face I saw before passing out from the sharp pain.
It must have been several minutes later, because I heard a low voice whispering in my ear, phantom lips against mine. The voice, so familiar, "May the grace of the Valar be with you." Arwen...the Evenstar of the Elves. My hope had rescued me, given me the strength to survive. My eyes slowly opened but it was no her face I saw, but his. Intense blue eyes pleading with me to live, to return to him. And then Brego appeared. How he found me I do not know, but I was grateful for him, for the deep bond we shared. After several moments of struggle I had mounted him and was leaning weakly against his neck as we set off at a slow trot. He knew the way, he would save me, my brave Brego. All I had to do is go along for the ride and to think of him.
Brego paused at the top of a hill and a noise, made me turn. My eyes filled with horror as I gazed upon the tens of thousand Uruk Hai who were headed at a fast march towards Helm's Deep. Concern coated my throat and I urged my steed on, now desperately needing to reach Helm's Deep before the enemy. Hour after hour passed, until finally I could see the stone wall that was the guard of the cave refugee. A horn sounded when I was spotted and the gate swung open. Brego stepped through and carried me all the way to the hall's door. People surrounded me, marveling over my survival but I paid them no attention. Gimli rushed forward, tears falling from his eyes. I clasped a hand warmly on his shoulder, even as my eyes searched for the lithe elf.
And there he was, a slender figure against the backdrop of the massive doors. His eyes were bloodshot, a sure sign of tears. Oh, my beautiful elf, mourning my death when I was not even dead. I brushed past Gimli and approached Legolas, holding his gaze with mine. So many words passed through that look alone and I knew, I knew how he felt even more strongly for me now. He held something out in his hand, a silver charm attached to a silver chain, Arwen's necklace. I took it, holding it loosely in my hand. He spoke softly, "You're late."
A strangled, emotion filled laugh escaped my lips and we clasped arms. The mere touch of his skin set mine on fire, warming down to the bone. And I knew in that brief moment of touch that I would not be able to stay away from him, to not touch him, to not feel him touch my skin with his delicate fingers. And as I walked passed him to go to talk to King Theoden, I whispered for him to meet me in secret, as soon as I finished. His searing, aroused look was the only confirmation I needed.
Author's Note: Yet another cliffhanger like ending. Sorry its short but I wont be home tonight and wanted to update before I left. I'll have another chapter up some time tomorrow. Enjoy. And flamers...take your flame and shove it.