Eeek, over a month without updates. Sorry 'bout that. I was a little lack-luster in the inspiration department. I've just come back from watching RotK, and I feel that now is the perfect time to write. I've no idea where Legolas has run off to...I'll find him later. This is the beginning of a very dark time for Legolas, so he's probably off brooding somewhere. Without further ado:
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Problems Along the WayChapter 16
Silent Cries
"Yet came at whiles afar and dim
beneath the roots of mountains grim
a blowing and a sound of bells,
a hidden hunt in hollow dells."
-The Lay of Leithian
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Morning dawned bright and beautiful the next day. Sun shined down through the waxy leaves of the tree's, and the wind blew a soft breeze through the clearing. Despite complaint from Aragorn, Legolas insisted that the party set out once more He told the Ranger that he felt rested and better than he had in days, which was true, but he neglected to voice the fact that every time he made to walk, he felt as though his whole body were on fire. He put his full effort into not limping, but his head was alive with hammer rings just behind his eyes. It was the first time he could remember wanting the birds the be more quiet.
Mithrandir had informed him in the morning that they had just passed into the area called Hollin. Legolas still hadn't found out what had made the noise he heard the night before, nor what Pippin had been doing in the forest. After a brief stint in which Pippin would not let Sam go through his pack, the company had set off once more. Legolas kept his ears alert, but his eyes intent on the ground before him to keep it from spinning. Aragorn noticed Legolas' odd behavior, and dropped back to the end the party to walk beside him.
"I've never known you to be so keen on finding foes in the earth," the Ranger said good-naturedly. Legolas merely looked up in response. "Are you sure you feel alright, my friend? We can take a rest if you need it--"
"I am fine, Estel," Legolas cut him off. Aragorn stared at the ground and the two continued on together in silence for a moment. Legolas, having being forced to keep his eyes from the ground, had caught sight of Merry and Pippin a way in front of them. The two halflings seemed to be having a heated discussion in very hushed voices. Indeed, above the pounding in his ears, the noise of the birds in the trees, and the sound of Estel's footsteps beside him, Legolas couldn't understand what they were saying to each other, and it frustrated him to no end. He bent all of his will on concentrating on the hobbits, until:
"Legolas, you know me. You don't have to try to keep up any sort of--," but Legolas cut Aragorn off once more.
"I am perfectly capable of walking on my own. I'm in no need of any sort of baby-sitter, especially one whose footfalls could wake a sleeping troll," Legolas finished spitefully. He noticed, not without irritation, that in front of them, Boromir had been listening in, for his shoulders stiffened and he quickened his pace.
Aragorn stopped dead in his tracks and stared, bewildered, at Legolas. Legolas glared back at him until he saw the hurt look in the Ranger's eyes. His face softened a little, but Aragorn's expression turned to an unreadable one of stone as he resumed walking again.
"Very well then," Aragorn said in a rough voice as he stalked past Legolas to the front of the group.
A little confused at his own actions, Legolas turned his attention back to the hobbits. he only heard the phrase, "...can't believe you didn't say something..." before Aragorn passed the hobbits and they fell silent.
Feeling more irritated than before, Legolas continued on, only to stop once more. Far off in the distance, Legolas surmised he heard the sound of bells, tinkling lightly in the wind. He strained his ears, but the sound was gone once more. Weary of heart and mind, he turned and continued on.
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Merry and Pippin walked side by side near the front of the company. Merry noticed that Pippin was even more twitchy and bouncy than normal, and it was staring to get to him.
"Alright, Pip, what is it?" Merry asked, summoning all the patience he had for his little cousin. Pippin turned to look at him, eyes gleaming in excitement. He opened his mouth to say something, but at that moment, Strider walked past them on his way back to Legolas.
Making sure that the Ranger was out of earshot, Pippin turned to his older cousin and said, "Remember how I went into the woods last night?"
"Yes," Merry answered hesitantly. "What were you doing?"
Pippin flashed a huge grin before continuing. "Well, my dear cousin," Pippin began with a furtive glance back at Sam and Frodo, "I had gone into the forest simply to have a walk and a bit of peace for a while--"
"I find that hard to believe," Merry interrupted, "when have you ever wanted a moment of peace and quiet?"
Pippin looked insulted. "Do you want me to finish my story, or don't you?"
"Oh, go on," Merry said, waving off his smaller cousin's touchy attitude. Pippin quickly regained his twitchy excitement.
"Well, you see, walking through the forest, I just happened to come across a patch of the biggest mushrooms I've ever seen!" Pippin whispered with rushed enthusiasm.
"Mushrooms! Really?" Merry asked, his interest peaked.
"Shhh!" Pippin chided, looking around. "I hid a big pile of them a little ways off from the camp and went back for them during my watch that night."
Merry grinned big, but scolded his cousin. "Pippin, you should not leave your post when it's your turn to watch."
"Are you saying you would rather I had left them?" Pippin asked with indignation.
"Oh, of course not, but you should have said something. That way one of us could have watched camp while the other went back for the mushrooms."
Pippin only grinned wider. "I've got them hidden in my pack right now."
"Is that why you wouldn't let Sam look for his pipe?" Pippin nodded furiously.
"Well, next time I don't want you running off on your own, Pippin. Something could have happened to you. I can't believe you didn't say something..." but at that moment, Strider stalked past them on his way back to the front of the group, and the hobbits said no more.
Aragorn turned his thoughts inward as he resumed his lead of the group. What was wrong with Legolas? He had never acted this way before, and it was worrying him. He made a mental note to speak to Gandalf about it later. With a quick glance back at the elf, Aragorn turned his attention to the road ahead.
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Hmmm, what little tricks have I got hidden up my sleeve? Please R/R!