"Risk of Yesterday"
Author: Spark. Just... Spark.
Email: LimeVegetaSpark@aol.com
Rating: PG13, for mentions of slight tortue (no Cassia thing going on here, I could never pull that off ~_^) and some physical abuse.
Feedback: Very welcome! The bad and the good please! One request, if your telling me it sucks, please... tell me why!
Reviewers:
PokethePenguin: Why thank you for loving it! Save Legolas? Now why would I want to do a silly thing like that? jk, jk! I love Legolas!
Orlando2Legolas:Checking for new chapters? Really? Coolio!
mydogisfudge:I love your name ^_^ Glad you're enjoying it! I'm going as soon as I can! lol
MoroTheWolfGod: Eh heh... whoops. Yes, I'm sure that was suppossed to be an or ^_^ lol. Typo demons I tell you.
Ryoko: A hah! I've been waiting for an angry mob to take down! -growls maliciously- Try it! Yup, I'm an MC nut, and PROUD OF IT! I'm Spark there though lol. Exploding a bad thing? Nooo... -whistles innocently-
Disclaimer: No, for those people who have the strange idea that I am J.R.R.Tolkein and own Lord of the Rings or anythign related, I don't. Yup. Sad, but true
Summary: When Aragorn pesters Legolas into letting him travel with him as he goes home he finds himself seeing a part of Legolas's life Legolas doesn't normally show... his relationship with his father. When time is running out, will Aragorn ever find his friend?
Notes: Like Cassia and Sio, I hold the fact that Aragorn was raised by Elrond among Elladan and Elrohir to be true to these stories even if some do not agree.
Fairly Important only to title of story: 'A risk of yesterday' is a phrase I thought would seem liek a very elven phrase, meaning it was of the past, it was something that can not be changed, etc... as 'yesterday' to the elves is more or less a greater idea of time. If an elf wanted to literally say it was a risk of the day before, it would make more sense to state a more direct tiem reference, such as 'yesterday morning' or 'yesterday evening' or such. Thanks for understanding my odd mind ^_^
Elven references
nin mellon: "my friend"
Estel: Aragorn's elven name, meaning in elven, Hope.
Namarie:Goodbye
Ion nin: My son
Brannon nin: My lord
Think that's it! Enjoy!
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Elrond looked back at his troops from where he sat on top of his horse. The banners of Imladris caught softly in the morning breeze, the very valley filled with an unnerving anticipation. "We move out now!" Elrond's voice carried the authority and set the troops on their way. His eyes caught Elrohir and Elladan riding on parallel sides of Aragorn, worried for their little brother who refused to be left behind.
"Elrohir! Elladan! I'm not going to fall apart! I'm going to help Legolas, and that's FINAL." Aragorn gave an exasperated look over to Glorfindel who was standing apart from the armed men, at the gate of Rivendell. Glorfindel usually was the one to pull the brothers away from Aragorn in tough situations, but Glorfindel simply gave a shrug, looking a bit miffed himself. "I won't help you this time my friend."
"Yes! Glorfindel is too annoyed at not being able to come that he won't stop us... this is a perfect opportunity Elladan! We just can't waste it!" The boys were whispering through Aragorn. "I mean, we can paint the halls with those blue berries the Adar hates or we could take all of Glorfindel's robes and dump them in the stream again or...."
"I am not deaf but soon I shall become insane if this keeps up much longer. I am not too annoyed to put YOU in your place little Elrohir." Elladan was snickering at his little brother, but Glorfindel stopped his taunting gesture with a leveling glare of his own. "Nor am I too old to topple you from your high and lofty position Elladan. It is simply foolishness that I, a veteran a leader of the glorious house of gold should be left to take care of the home while the young sons go out. Simply inconceivable." Glorfindel emphatically swung around, exiting that area.
The twins again began to snicker. "Man... this really is going to Glorfindel's head." "Yeah... must be killing Glorfy."
"Horrible... never would want it to happen to me...."
"Should we make sure it happens more often?"
"Of course! What else?"
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Legolas gasped in pain as a man's boot connected with the prince's already hurt back. Legolas couldn't help but cough, and immediately he drew his hand up to hide it, as any proud elf would probably do. Troubling even more to the prince was the new ruby spots that always appeared after he did cough, barely visible in the bloody mess that had become his hands.
Often Legolas worried they'd be hurt to badly, and he'd never be able to use his bow again... in his eyes, a fate almost as bad as death, but as of yet they took no horrid permanent scar.
"Out of your own world, elf!" Legolas would like to have killed the man for such a slur on such an honorable heritage. He'd much rather be an elf right now than any cruel, malicious... Legolas took as deep a breath as his hurt chest would give him and rose again, going back to haling the parcels much to big and heavy for him for the sole purpose of getting his mind of these horrible thoughts. Who was he to generalize man in such a way?
When the same man gave Legolas a hard push and thump on the back, making Legolas collapse back onto the stony earth, Legolas had an even harder time not praying the Valar destroyed all of these men. Slowly he rose, blocking out all of the jeers from those around him. Ah yes... the jeers. Constantly he had been hounded by laughing, insulting men. Anything they could think of, they harassed him over. Deep down... it was starting to get to him. He was soon sure he wouldn't be able to take more of this laughing every time he fell... he felt so sure soon... if much more of this continued....
No, he couldn't think of such things. Hauling back up his load of whatever he was hauling now (Legolas had long since lost interest in the contents of the bags and boxes the men had overstuffed just for him) Legolas cursed the chains that hindered the stretch of his arms, and also the cursed chains that connected to manacles on his ankles. What he wouldn't give to be free of them... for only a moment...
A club harshly connected with Legolas's back, and he felt himself falling down again. Absentmindedly, yet not totally caring, he wondered how many times he'd be able to get up while the new pain caused him to black out.
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"Elladan!" Elrohir quickly rode to his brother's side and dispatched of two orcs who were encircling his already busy brother. Elladan snapped up from the other orc he had just stabbed and saw what had almost occurred due to his blunder.
"Thank you Elrohir, should we go help Estel? He seems to need us." Elrohir slowly looked over to Estel, who had been knocked off his horse and was facing about four orcs with just his dagger, though seemed to be handling his own. Elladan then shook his head slowly. "Nah, never mind. He can take care of himself. This was the last batch right? Besides... he's just getting what he deserves for ratting us out to Adar about that wine." Elrohir nodded vehemently.
A flash was seen out of the corner of the twin's eyes and they turned to face their foster brother again, and saw Lord Elrond dispatching the last of those orcs, his sword gleaming even with their blood staining it. Lord Elrond caught both he twins' eyes and gave them an irritated hollow glare. Elrohir took a small breath. "Ai Valar, he heard... now what? I should have just gone and helped Estel... but no...."
"Oh, shut up Elrohir." Elladan to was feeling the burn of his father's stare.
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All was fairly calm at the camp outside of Rivendell. They had spent the first day clearing the orcs out of the area so they could pass without disruption, and now the troops needed a rest. There were only two slight injuries, a gash on a guard's arm that had already been taken care of and another of the soldiers, Tinuvion, who had sprained his ankle while trying to spring back onto his horse while an orc was gripping his foot. Lord Elrond was seeing to him now.
"I'm really sorry brannon nin... I should have been more careful." The elf was obviously very embarrassed about what he found a careless mistake.
"It was a mistake anyone could have made Tinuvion, son of Riluvion. I'll have no more apologies until you do something worth your breath of apologizing for. Like two young elves I know..." Elrond had said that perfectly on cue as he heard Elladan and Elrohir enter.
Tinuvion chuckled when he heard Elrond's remark and saw the twin's faces. "Been giving you trouble Lord Elrond?"
The twins blushed furiously and Elrond smiled at the elf he had been tending. "When aren't they? But yes, today they did do something that fairly irked me, but as to save them more embarrassment, I am going to be as kind as beg your leave, so I can reprimand my sons."
Eyes glittering with laughter, Tinuvion was trying hard not to let his mouth turn into the smile he was trying to contain. "Now sir, don't be to hard on them. You know how elflings are."
The twins almost exploded. "Elflings!?!? You know we...." The rampage of the two was stopped by Lord Elrond dragging them out of the area that had been created as a sick bay and pull his sons out further into the woods.
"What were you thinking?!" Elrond's voice held none of the calmness he so easily portrayed. The sons' guilty eyes turned everywhere but to their father. "Estel could have been hurt! And you stand there, and speak of how he deserves it?!" Elrond's reprimand had both of the twins in twitters of guilt. "Who will help him if not his own brothers?!"
Elrohir was looking down at his toes and muttering. "His father. He wasn't really in trouble... and you seemed to do a good enough job... Why not give you your right to first chance?"
Elrond's eyes burrowed into the young elf. "Don't test me Elrohir." Elrohir looked up quickly.
"Yes Adar."
"You also Elladan! No more of this foolishness!"
"Yes Adar."
"Fine then. Lets go get something to eat. I believe all orcs on this side of Arda can hear your stomach Elladan. Is it your life's goal to give away every encampment we've ever made?"
"Yes Adar." Chortles filled the air as Elrond lead his sons back to camp.
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Aragorn was sharpening his sword when Lord Elrond found him. The Lord of Imladris slumped down to look at his youngest. "Estel? You seem troubled."
Aragorn's head jolted up. He had not really wanted to tell anyone of all of his worries, but it was next to impossible to hide anything from Elrond. "Yes Ada... I can not see how anyone could not be under the circumstances."
Night had come quickly, and most of the camp was in the elven form of sleep. The stars glistened overhead. Elrond gracefully sat beside his son, who was leaning against a large tree. "Troubles come in all forms. Speak to me ion nin."
Aragorn glanced at his sword for another few seconds of silence before sheathing it. "Fine ada. I don't understand... I don't understand why Legolas would not tell me of these problems before... at home. He could have always stayed at Rivendell longer..." , Elrond nodded agreeing but let Aragorn continue, "...and the way he accepted his predicament... is it how it should have been? Was I just to blind? Was Legolas... afraid for some reason?" The questions bit through the night air as they did the man's heart.
Elrond smiled down at his confused child, and gracefully set an arm over the man's shoulder and inched a bit closer. "That's quite a lot of questions, though I am sure you have more you won't ask me." Elrond paused to get Aragorn to look up at him. "It is natural for you to worry about Legolas. He is your friend, I am sure he has had plenty of worries for you as well."
Aragorn quietly spoke. "But he didn't have you to go to."
Elrond held up his hand in a reassuring way. 'I'm getting their Estel, be patient. I'm sure that Legolas didn't tell you because he thought they would just worry you, which they have. Yet, at times, it is right to worry. I'm sure Legolas had found a private way of not telling anyone of his circumstance, and therefore he could make himself think he didn't care. I'm sure he does, no matter how much, though I don't believe he would enjoy sharing such a thing. Do you understand?" Aragorn nodded and Elrond continued. "Legolas might even have had these troubles before you or your human ancestors were born. He did not confide in his elven friends either, Estel, and they were around constantly. Legolas trusts you more than anyone in Arda. It is nothing against you personally I am sure."
Elrond put his fingers below Aragorn's chin, lifting his head up. "Legolas knows he was always allowed in Rivendell. But... think of Legolas. What would leaving Greenwood seem to him?"
Aragorn seemed to ponder this a while, his voice comparatively rasp next to his father's mellifluous words. "He would see it as failing. As giving up."
Smiling at his son, Elrond nodded. "And you know he wouldn't accept this. I think all the real answers to your questions can only be answered by him who you worry over."
Aragorn clenched his hands and looked away from his foster father. "And if he never has the chance to answer them for me? If I never see him again?"
Elrond laid a hand over Aragorn's. "Estel... what kind of hope is that. We will find him, my son. Then you may ask. If he does not give you suitable answers..." Elrond shrugged. "I suppose I'll have to think about the questions longer. It is not easy to get into the mind of an elf, even for an elf. Get some sleep, ion nin. We will find him and Thranduil. Goodnight."
Elrond kissed Aragorn on the forehead like he would a child, and Aragorn half heartedly tried to brush him away. "Ada! I'm to old for..."
"Oh, hush Estel. I kissed Elrohir and Elladan too, and they were in front of their friends and all of the soldiers."
Aragorn bit his lip to try not to crack up laughing. "What did they do now adar?"
Elrond shook his head, smiling. "I might tell you later. For now, close your eyes and wander the paths of sleep. Goodnight, again, Estel."
"Goodnight Ada."
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Elrond was feverishly going over all the maps of the interior of Thranduil's palace he owned... which unfortunately, were few. They had arrived just outside the heart of Eryn Lasgalen a few hours ago, and the warriors' spirits were already being dimmed by the darkness of Mirkwood.
"Ada!" Aragorn swiftly lumbered over to where Lord Elrond was sitting. "All the men are resting... the scouts have been set out, and the guard schedules have been organized." The man peered around his father to the maps. "Do you need a way into Thranduil's palace?"
Elrond swiftly spun around, the only evidence he had moved at all, it was so swift, was the elven lord's robes that continued to swing when he had stopped. "You know a way? I do not know why I am surprised. Come, show me."
Aragorn strutted up to right at the map and studied it for a little while. Finally he pointed at one of the outer walls. "There's a section of wall you can climb over right here, that leads to the door of the main hally thing I think... Thranduil's throne room is right.... here." Aragorn pointed on the map, even though he was sure his father knew where it was.
"I won't even ask where you got this knowledge, even though I can guess, I really don't want to know. Legolas is going to get me in trouble one of these days. More likely than not he showed you one of the ways into my Library. He found that one quite a bit ago." Elrond stopped mid-sentence when he saw Aragorn staring at him mischievously.
"And which one would that be Adar?" Aragorn tried to sound innocent and purely inquisitive.
"Ah hah, he didn't tell you." Elrond gave a small smirk that was just as mischievous as Aragorn, who was now muttering things about getting the answer, snooping around, and Legolas torture. "Now don't you go getting ideas Estel. You'll never find it without Legolas anyway. It's nearly impossible to hide anything from wood elves, but when wood elves hide something from you... you know you'll never find it. Soon anyways."
"Not true! Not true! Legolas hid my short dagger four years ago, and I found it last year! For elves that is soon!" Aragorn smirked, purely proud of himself.
Elrond's eyes laughed aloud, and even though the sides of Elrond's mouth were turned upwards, he succeeded in containing his entertainment. "Are you speaking of the one Legolas finally told Elladan where it was located so that Elladan could hide it in an easier spot? I believe Legolas spoke of you never being able to find it."
Aragorn stared towards his father in pure shock, before stuttering annoyance and walking after the retreating elf Lord. Elrond simply shook his head, he didn't have time for his youngest's mirth, he had to organize this attack… They WOULD take back Mirkwood for Thranduil and his kin.
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Author: Spark. Just... Spark.
Email: LimeVegetaSpark@aol.com
Rating: PG13, for mentions of slight tortue (no Cassia thing going on here, I could never pull that off ~_^) and some physical abuse.
Feedback: Very welcome! The bad and the good please! One request, if your telling me it sucks, please... tell me why!
Reviewers:
PokethePenguin: Why thank you for loving it! Save Legolas? Now why would I want to do a silly thing like that? jk, jk! I love Legolas!
Orlando2Legolas:Checking for new chapters? Really? Coolio!
mydogisfudge:I love your name ^_^ Glad you're enjoying it! I'm going as soon as I can! lol
MoroTheWolfGod: Eh heh... whoops. Yes, I'm sure that was suppossed to be an or ^_^ lol. Typo demons I tell you.
Ryoko: A hah! I've been waiting for an angry mob to take down! -growls maliciously- Try it! Yup, I'm an MC nut, and PROUD OF IT! I'm Spark there though lol. Exploding a bad thing? Nooo... -whistles innocently-
Disclaimer: No, for those people who have the strange idea that I am J.R.R.Tolkein and own Lord of the Rings or anythign related, I don't. Yup. Sad, but true
Summary: When Aragorn pesters Legolas into letting him travel with him as he goes home he finds himself seeing a part of Legolas's life Legolas doesn't normally show... his relationship with his father. When time is running out, will Aragorn ever find his friend?
Notes: Like Cassia and Sio, I hold the fact that Aragorn was raised by Elrond among Elladan and Elrohir to be true to these stories even if some do not agree.
Fairly Important only to title of story: 'A risk of yesterday' is a phrase I thought would seem liek a very elven phrase, meaning it was of the past, it was something that can not be changed, etc... as 'yesterday' to the elves is more or less a greater idea of time. If an elf wanted to literally say it was a risk of the day before, it would make more sense to state a more direct tiem reference, such as 'yesterday morning' or 'yesterday evening' or such. Thanks for understanding my odd mind ^_^
Elven references
nin mellon: "my friend"
Estel: Aragorn's elven name, meaning in elven, Hope.
Namarie:Goodbye
Ion nin: My son
Brannon nin: My lord
Think that's it! Enjoy!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elrond looked back at his troops from where he sat on top of his horse. The banners of Imladris caught softly in the morning breeze, the very valley filled with an unnerving anticipation. "We move out now!" Elrond's voice carried the authority and set the troops on their way. His eyes caught Elrohir and Elladan riding on parallel sides of Aragorn, worried for their little brother who refused to be left behind.
"Elrohir! Elladan! I'm not going to fall apart! I'm going to help Legolas, and that's FINAL." Aragorn gave an exasperated look over to Glorfindel who was standing apart from the armed men, at the gate of Rivendell. Glorfindel usually was the one to pull the brothers away from Aragorn in tough situations, but Glorfindel simply gave a shrug, looking a bit miffed himself. "I won't help you this time my friend."
"Yes! Glorfindel is too annoyed at not being able to come that he won't stop us... this is a perfect opportunity Elladan! We just can't waste it!" The boys were whispering through Aragorn. "I mean, we can paint the halls with those blue berries the Adar hates or we could take all of Glorfindel's robes and dump them in the stream again or...."
"I am not deaf but soon I shall become insane if this keeps up much longer. I am not too annoyed to put YOU in your place little Elrohir." Elladan was snickering at his little brother, but Glorfindel stopped his taunting gesture with a leveling glare of his own. "Nor am I too old to topple you from your high and lofty position Elladan. It is simply foolishness that I, a veteran a leader of the glorious house of gold should be left to take care of the home while the young sons go out. Simply inconceivable." Glorfindel emphatically swung around, exiting that area.
The twins again began to snicker. "Man... this really is going to Glorfindel's head." "Yeah... must be killing Glorfy."
"Horrible... never would want it to happen to me...."
"Should we make sure it happens more often?"
"Of course! What else?"
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Legolas gasped in pain as a man's boot connected with the prince's already hurt back. Legolas couldn't help but cough, and immediately he drew his hand up to hide it, as any proud elf would probably do. Troubling even more to the prince was the new ruby spots that always appeared after he did cough, barely visible in the bloody mess that had become his hands.
Often Legolas worried they'd be hurt to badly, and he'd never be able to use his bow again... in his eyes, a fate almost as bad as death, but as of yet they took no horrid permanent scar.
"Out of your own world, elf!" Legolas would like to have killed the man for such a slur on such an honorable heritage. He'd much rather be an elf right now than any cruel, malicious... Legolas took as deep a breath as his hurt chest would give him and rose again, going back to haling the parcels much to big and heavy for him for the sole purpose of getting his mind of these horrible thoughts. Who was he to generalize man in such a way?
When the same man gave Legolas a hard push and thump on the back, making Legolas collapse back onto the stony earth, Legolas had an even harder time not praying the Valar destroyed all of these men. Slowly he rose, blocking out all of the jeers from those around him. Ah yes... the jeers. Constantly he had been hounded by laughing, insulting men. Anything they could think of, they harassed him over. Deep down... it was starting to get to him. He was soon sure he wouldn't be able to take more of this laughing every time he fell... he felt so sure soon... if much more of this continued....
No, he couldn't think of such things. Hauling back up his load of whatever he was hauling now (Legolas had long since lost interest in the contents of the bags and boxes the men had overstuffed just for him) Legolas cursed the chains that hindered the stretch of his arms, and also the cursed chains that connected to manacles on his ankles. What he wouldn't give to be free of them... for only a moment...
A club harshly connected with Legolas's back, and he felt himself falling down again. Absentmindedly, yet not totally caring, he wondered how many times he'd be able to get up while the new pain caused him to black out.
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"Elladan!" Elrohir quickly rode to his brother's side and dispatched of two orcs who were encircling his already busy brother. Elladan snapped up from the other orc he had just stabbed and saw what had almost occurred due to his blunder.
"Thank you Elrohir, should we go help Estel? He seems to need us." Elrohir slowly looked over to Estel, who had been knocked off his horse and was facing about four orcs with just his dagger, though seemed to be handling his own. Elladan then shook his head slowly. "Nah, never mind. He can take care of himself. This was the last batch right? Besides... he's just getting what he deserves for ratting us out to Adar about that wine." Elrohir nodded vehemently.
A flash was seen out of the corner of the twin's eyes and they turned to face their foster brother again, and saw Lord Elrond dispatching the last of those orcs, his sword gleaming even with their blood staining it. Lord Elrond caught both he twins' eyes and gave them an irritated hollow glare. Elrohir took a small breath. "Ai Valar, he heard... now what? I should have just gone and helped Estel... but no...."
"Oh, shut up Elrohir." Elladan to was feeling the burn of his father's stare.
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All was fairly calm at the camp outside of Rivendell. They had spent the first day clearing the orcs out of the area so they could pass without disruption, and now the troops needed a rest. There were only two slight injuries, a gash on a guard's arm that had already been taken care of and another of the soldiers, Tinuvion, who had sprained his ankle while trying to spring back onto his horse while an orc was gripping his foot. Lord Elrond was seeing to him now.
"I'm really sorry brannon nin... I should have been more careful." The elf was obviously very embarrassed about what he found a careless mistake.
"It was a mistake anyone could have made Tinuvion, son of Riluvion. I'll have no more apologies until you do something worth your breath of apologizing for. Like two young elves I know..." Elrond had said that perfectly on cue as he heard Elladan and Elrohir enter.
Tinuvion chuckled when he heard Elrond's remark and saw the twin's faces. "Been giving you trouble Lord Elrond?"
The twins blushed furiously and Elrond smiled at the elf he had been tending. "When aren't they? But yes, today they did do something that fairly irked me, but as to save them more embarrassment, I am going to be as kind as beg your leave, so I can reprimand my sons."
Eyes glittering with laughter, Tinuvion was trying hard not to let his mouth turn into the smile he was trying to contain. "Now sir, don't be to hard on them. You know how elflings are."
The twins almost exploded. "Elflings!?!? You know we...." The rampage of the two was stopped by Lord Elrond dragging them out of the area that had been created as a sick bay and pull his sons out further into the woods.
"What were you thinking?!" Elrond's voice held none of the calmness he so easily portrayed. The sons' guilty eyes turned everywhere but to their father. "Estel could have been hurt! And you stand there, and speak of how he deserves it?!" Elrond's reprimand had both of the twins in twitters of guilt. "Who will help him if not his own brothers?!"
Elrohir was looking down at his toes and muttering. "His father. He wasn't really in trouble... and you seemed to do a good enough job... Why not give you your right to first chance?"
Elrond's eyes burrowed into the young elf. "Don't test me Elrohir." Elrohir looked up quickly.
"Yes Adar."
"You also Elladan! No more of this foolishness!"
"Yes Adar."
"Fine then. Lets go get something to eat. I believe all orcs on this side of Arda can hear your stomach Elladan. Is it your life's goal to give away every encampment we've ever made?"
"Yes Adar." Chortles filled the air as Elrond lead his sons back to camp.
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Aragorn was sharpening his sword when Lord Elrond found him. The Lord of Imladris slumped down to look at his youngest. "Estel? You seem troubled."
Aragorn's head jolted up. He had not really wanted to tell anyone of all of his worries, but it was next to impossible to hide anything from Elrond. "Yes Ada... I can not see how anyone could not be under the circumstances."
Night had come quickly, and most of the camp was in the elven form of sleep. The stars glistened overhead. Elrond gracefully sat beside his son, who was leaning against a large tree. "Troubles come in all forms. Speak to me ion nin."
Aragorn glanced at his sword for another few seconds of silence before sheathing it. "Fine ada. I don't understand... I don't understand why Legolas would not tell me of these problems before... at home. He could have always stayed at Rivendell longer..." , Elrond nodded agreeing but let Aragorn continue, "...and the way he accepted his predicament... is it how it should have been? Was I just to blind? Was Legolas... afraid for some reason?" The questions bit through the night air as they did the man's heart.
Elrond smiled down at his confused child, and gracefully set an arm over the man's shoulder and inched a bit closer. "That's quite a lot of questions, though I am sure you have more you won't ask me." Elrond paused to get Aragorn to look up at him. "It is natural for you to worry about Legolas. He is your friend, I am sure he has had plenty of worries for you as well."
Aragorn quietly spoke. "But he didn't have you to go to."
Elrond held up his hand in a reassuring way. 'I'm getting their Estel, be patient. I'm sure that Legolas didn't tell you because he thought they would just worry you, which they have. Yet, at times, it is right to worry. I'm sure Legolas had found a private way of not telling anyone of his circumstance, and therefore he could make himself think he didn't care. I'm sure he does, no matter how much, though I don't believe he would enjoy sharing such a thing. Do you understand?" Aragorn nodded and Elrond continued. "Legolas might even have had these troubles before you or your human ancestors were born. He did not confide in his elven friends either, Estel, and they were around constantly. Legolas trusts you more than anyone in Arda. It is nothing against you personally I am sure."
Elrond put his fingers below Aragorn's chin, lifting his head up. "Legolas knows he was always allowed in Rivendell. But... think of Legolas. What would leaving Greenwood seem to him?"
Aragorn seemed to ponder this a while, his voice comparatively rasp next to his father's mellifluous words. "He would see it as failing. As giving up."
Smiling at his son, Elrond nodded. "And you know he wouldn't accept this. I think all the real answers to your questions can only be answered by him who you worry over."
Aragorn clenched his hands and looked away from his foster father. "And if he never has the chance to answer them for me? If I never see him again?"
Elrond laid a hand over Aragorn's. "Estel... what kind of hope is that. We will find him, my son. Then you may ask. If he does not give you suitable answers..." Elrond shrugged. "I suppose I'll have to think about the questions longer. It is not easy to get into the mind of an elf, even for an elf. Get some sleep, ion nin. We will find him and Thranduil. Goodnight."
Elrond kissed Aragorn on the forehead like he would a child, and Aragorn half heartedly tried to brush him away. "Ada! I'm to old for..."
"Oh, hush Estel. I kissed Elrohir and Elladan too, and they were in front of their friends and all of the soldiers."
Aragorn bit his lip to try not to crack up laughing. "What did they do now adar?"
Elrond shook his head, smiling. "I might tell you later. For now, close your eyes and wander the paths of sleep. Goodnight, again, Estel."
"Goodnight Ada."
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Elrond was feverishly going over all the maps of the interior of Thranduil's palace he owned... which unfortunately, were few. They had arrived just outside the heart of Eryn Lasgalen a few hours ago, and the warriors' spirits were already being dimmed by the darkness of Mirkwood.
"Ada!" Aragorn swiftly lumbered over to where Lord Elrond was sitting. "All the men are resting... the scouts have been set out, and the guard schedules have been organized." The man peered around his father to the maps. "Do you need a way into Thranduil's palace?"
Elrond swiftly spun around, the only evidence he had moved at all, it was so swift, was the elven lord's robes that continued to swing when he had stopped. "You know a way? I do not know why I am surprised. Come, show me."
Aragorn strutted up to right at the map and studied it for a little while. Finally he pointed at one of the outer walls. "There's a section of wall you can climb over right here, that leads to the door of the main hally thing I think... Thranduil's throne room is right.... here." Aragorn pointed on the map, even though he was sure his father knew where it was.
"I won't even ask where you got this knowledge, even though I can guess, I really don't want to know. Legolas is going to get me in trouble one of these days. More likely than not he showed you one of the ways into my Library. He found that one quite a bit ago." Elrond stopped mid-sentence when he saw Aragorn staring at him mischievously.
"And which one would that be Adar?" Aragorn tried to sound innocent and purely inquisitive.
"Ah hah, he didn't tell you." Elrond gave a small smirk that was just as mischievous as Aragorn, who was now muttering things about getting the answer, snooping around, and Legolas torture. "Now don't you go getting ideas Estel. You'll never find it without Legolas anyway. It's nearly impossible to hide anything from wood elves, but when wood elves hide something from you... you know you'll never find it. Soon anyways."
"Not true! Not true! Legolas hid my short dagger four years ago, and I found it last year! For elves that is soon!" Aragorn smirked, purely proud of himself.
Elrond's eyes laughed aloud, and even though the sides of Elrond's mouth were turned upwards, he succeeded in containing his entertainment. "Are you speaking of the one Legolas finally told Elladan where it was located so that Elladan could hide it in an easier spot? I believe Legolas spoke of you never being able to find it."
Aragorn stared towards his father in pure shock, before stuttering annoyance and walking after the retreating elf Lord. Elrond simply shook his head, he didn't have time for his youngest's mirth, he had to organize this attack… They WOULD take back Mirkwood for Thranduil and his kin.
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