For all the beginning stuff (disclaimers and whatnot) see chapter 1
Author's Note: Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I'll have viewer responses down at the bottom. On to the next chapter!
The far side of the moon that cannot be filled,
It tempts people with desire as baits,
Find you…
My face hasn't shown any expression yet,
I dare to draw on this as my like,
Even I, can't accept the face reflected in the mirror.
Aragorn felt like his heart had seized up. When he was a child he would wake up and look in the mirror in the vain hope that he would find that he would have pointy ears and a glow just like his elven brothers and today…it had come true.
"Estel, you didn't specifically ask for something so we just got you some bread and chicken," Elladan said as he held open the door for Elrohir, who was carrying a tray full of food.
Aragorn turned to face them and ask them if they had brought butter when he heard a loud clatter as the food tray splattered all over the floor. Elrohir stared open mouthed at his appearance, while Elladan rushed over to him and started poking him in disbelief.
"You can see it too, right?" When both Elladan and Elrohir nodded mutely he sighed in relief. "Good, for a few minutes I had thought I lost my mind. Do I look good with pointy ears?" He fingered them surreptitiously, while Gandalf chuckled in the background.
Elrohir opened his mouth wide and yelled for Elrond at the top of his lungs in a fit of hysteria.
"Estel, not only are your ears pointy, but you're glowing, quite brightly if I might add," Elladan said, circling Aragorn and looking him up and down.
He looked at the still chuckling Gandalf and pointed accusingly at him. "You did this didn't you? When you fixing the clasp you must have enchanted it."
Both Elrond and Legolas burst through the door with surprising speed and everyone started talking at once.
"What's happening?"
"Elrohir, why were you screaming so loud?"
"I wasn't screaming that loud, but anyway I have good reason."
"And that would be because?"
"Maybe," Gandalf cut in through the monotony, "Lord Elrond, you should take a good look at your youngest."
Not only did Elrond's head turn, but everyone in the room was now staring at a very conscious Aragorn, who was still standing at the mirror. Elrond didn't utter a single word and simply went to stand in front of his son. He cupped his cheek in his hands and looked deeply into his storm grey eyes.
"Oh Estel, it's-it," he struggled for words while emotions roared inside him, "it suits you, ion-nin. It almost feels as if everything is as it should now," he sighed deeply.
Aragorn's breath hitched when he realized that his father did not approve or worse, that he was causing him pain. Elros was still close to his father's heart.
"I'll take it off if you want, ada," his hands flew to the clasps, but his father stilled his movement.
"No, keep it on for now, but I would like to talk to Gandalf," he looked towards Legolas' direction, "Can you please help my son fix his hair in the normal warrior braids? I would my other sons, but they might take advantage of him," at this the twins started to snigger into their hands," and just in case you feel a slight urg,e let me clarify: Imaldris warrior braids, I will be slightly upset if you give him Mirkwood braids."
At this Elrond and Gandalf both left, leaving a slightly disappointed Legolas.
"How do parents know these things?" he asked in bewilderment.
"I think it comes with the job." Elrohir started picking up the spilt food and stuffing the better pieces into his mouth.
Elrond led Gandalf into his study and slammed the door.
"How could you do this Gandalf?"
"Do what, exactly?" Gandalf asked calmly.
Elrond ran a hand through his dark hair as he tried to call for patience that wasn't going to come.
"You have given my son a dream he cannot keep. You are giving him a false hope that can fall apart in a moment and when that happens…" Elrond sighed sadly.
"I think you underestimate your son. He isn't a fragile child anymore and he above all people should be first to realize what this may cost him and if he doesn't he's going to have to figure it out."
"Is this what this is? You've given him a fake glow for a test!"
"The enemy is growing, its threat is increasing. He must be able to make choices, but he won't be able to do that if he hasn't reached a compromise within himself yet. Maybe this experience will force him to look further within himself and his glow isn't fake... "
Elrond took a deep breath. "You are right, but he's my son. He's been hurt so much and his load won't get lighter as time progresses. We shall see."
Gandalf, relieved that had won argument, asked the question that would launch everything into action.
"He is to join the delegation party?"
"Aye."
Aragorn, Legolas, Glorfindel, Captain Raize and three of his men all rode a path heading north west of Rivendell, where in four solid days they would reach their destination. Each contemplated their own thoughts or losing themselves in the surrounding forests. It was always so much like a dream while being near Rivendell. Evil's whispers never seemed to chill its hearths, nor did the people seem to be changed from the growing darkness that swirled around them. It was almost as if this haven had created its own…separate peace. For once Aragorn was not at ease so close to his home, for his thoughts dwelt on both Gandalf's and his father's parting words.
"Now, you must understand that this spell will not make you swifter, softer, agile, or wiser than you already are. It's merely a disguise and should be treated as only that," Gandalf warned.
Aragorn nodded and met his father's troubled eyes. "It's going to be ok ada. I can take care of myself."
"Estel, I don't want to lie to you and I don't want you to lie to yourself either. I do not believe that this may be a good idea."
"I know, I've been having my doubts…"
"But," Elrond wagged a fingure slightly, "by the time you come back home, I want you to be able to easily put away these doubts."
He smiled, "I'll try."
Estel, Strider, Aragorn… none of the different parts of himself seemed to fit together to make the person he was nor was any of the individual what he wanted to be. Estel, the elven child. Strider, the emotionless warrior. Aragorn, his only priority being his duty. It was almost as if he transferred lives everyday. For every decision he made he also had to choose who was to make it. Was it a choice for good, for a cause, or out of imperativeness? Every action he took had to be thought about. Every consequence weighed. Life wasn't giving him any breaks and now this occurred. He was given something that wasn't his, but with a choice to keep it.
Legolas looked at his friend sadly. He was troubled about this new development. At first it was all fun, like it was all a joke, but now he wasn't so sure. He pouted and tried to brighten the mood. "You're brooding again and when you brood you're soooo boring."
"I'm not brooding; I'm, uh, directing my thoughts in a constructive manner," he said smugly.
"Trying to see if you can make all the plants die with your constant glaring isn't constructive nor is it possible," Legolas pointed out.
"Who said I was--"
An arrow sang through the trees and thunked into what they assumed was a a tree at least 23 feet away, obscured by dense folliage. Captain Raize lowered his bow and sped up his horse, following the path of his arrow. Everyone followed in confusion. Raize was never known for doing (or saying) anything unnecessarily. He was also notorious for never laughing at any kind of joke.
Mêlear, one of Raize's men ventured out to speak with his stoic captain. "Sir, what was the meaning of your previous actions?"
He kept on riding and Mêlear thought he was merely ignoring him, but as they neared the tree Reaize finally spoke, indicating the human he had pinned to the tree by the cloth of his sleeve.
"This human was running through the forest."
Mêlear looked bewildered. "But sir, that doesn't mean he was doing anything wrong."
"Perhaps," was his only reply.
"Is he always like this?" Legolas asked.
"Usually. You should try getting him to laugh." Aragorn strode forward to the human, keeping his face carefully emotionless.
This human was one of those who had drugged him and had even been the one to give him the vile cuts. It seemed that the other seemed to recognize him also for he leered with a mocking smile, but for all of this man's hate for elves he did not even notice that he, like all of the first born around him, glowed softly.
"Ah, so it is you Elfslave. It seems you always travel with your elven bodyguards," he spat.
"These are my friends and allies and on that night those were my brothers."
The man laughed, with no regard to the quickly angering elves that stood behind Aragorn.
"What do you think is funny human and why do you run? Were you committing yet another petty crime to misdemeanor your race further?" Legolas shot back venomously.
"At least I know of what race I belong," he looked at Aragorn, "Where do you belong Elfslave?"
"I belong with my friends and family," Aragorn had to work hard not to let his voice waver, he wasn't going to show his weakness to the cur again. "Now, answer the question."
"I was helping my people. We've run out of willow's bark, which treats the normal bouts of flu that we have this time or year. I know where my loyalties lay," he accentuated unnecessarily.
"Someone check if the man speaks true," Glorfindel commanded. Glorfindel couldn't help feel slightly abashed at his surprise that lo and behold a small traveler's pack was found at the base of the neighboring willow the man was pinned to, a quarter full of willow's bark. He was sure that the man was lying.
Aragorn took the pack in his hand and went forward to remove the arrow when the man used his good arm to swing at him. Aragorn ducked as his fist caught in his hair, revealing his pointed ear.
The man renewed his bout of laughter. "So Elfslave, you're more foolish than I originally thought. You're so lost at to whom you are that you've stooped so low as to become something you're not. It's almost sad."
"I would advise to hold your insolent tongue, for you assume too much," Glorfindel tone was icy.
At this he stopped laughing, but wore a feral grin. "You elves are scholars, so you are perhaps familiar with the story of 'The Wisher and the Dreamer'," he looked for the desired effect and his grin widened, "So which are you Elfslave? The Wisher or the Dreamer?"
No immediate reply was made from Aragorn as he strode away to where his pack resided. For a moment the man thought that he was going to retrieve his sword, but Aragorn only came back with a small portion of his own herbs.
"With the willow bark you have you can make a simple elixir with crushed barrow root. If you are treating children or anyone who doesn't like the bitterness it is safe to use a small bit of sugar since it will not reduce the effect, but do not use any fruit flavoring for the citrus acids will act as a catalyst and speed up the person's heart rate," his voice was flat, much like the ancient tome he had read to gain this information.
He threw the pack at the man's feet and turned his back on him. The company wordlessly mounted and left the man there, still pinned to the tree. Aragorn's face was shadowed, all of his actions subdued.
"Are we not to free him?" One of Raize's men questioned Glorfindel quietly.
"No, he can get out and I do not believe I'm not the only one in favor of giving him a break," Glrofindel said acidly.
Legolas rode beside Aragorn in silence, allowing him time with his own thoughts. After an hour and a half of riding and agreement that they were far enough away from the town the man spoke of, they stopped and made camp. Aragorn sat alone, far from anyone else.
"Lord Glorfindel, I am not familiar with the story the human spoke of, but it must have a heavy significance." Mirkwood's books were of history or of war, not much else.
Glorfindel eyes never left the bright flames. "The Wisher chased a star, jumping from ocean to ocean and crossing fields and forests, but as he chased he found that there was only more things he had to pass through. The Dreamer made wings out of wax so he could fly, but when he got too close to the sun the wax melted and he crashed to the ground. Each died alone, too absorbed in what they wished they had or wanted to do instead of concentrated on what they did have."
"Such sadness this world can bring upon its people," Legolas whispered. He thanked Glorfindel and ent to sit near his friend.
"The Wisher and the Dreamer…" Aragorn chuckled darkly, "Ironic that their stories originated as the two being heroes."
"Estel, I wish I could give you solace, but I am at a loss for what to so," Legolas paused, "but it is certain that their fates will not be shared by you."
"How can my fate not be like theirs? I can fool many with this guise, but in the end I'll just need to keep fooling not only them but myself and if I go too far and slip I can end up paying a price for my deceit," Aragorn despaired.
"The valar really seem to want to make you suffer," Legolas mused lightly.
"Guess they have nothing better to do," Aragorn mumbled.
"Estel, I swear to you that you will not share their fates," Legolas vowed earnestly.
"How mellon-nin, how?"
"We will all be here to catch you when you fall Estel," Legolas put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Yes, that may be so, but I can still get burned…"
Yays! Sorry I didn't finish on Wednesday like a promised, but all my stupid classes decided to have almost all of my finals this week! GIRR, evil, soulless teachers. The opening poem/song was from FMA's Back Side of the Moon. The Wisher and the Dreamer story was my idea, but it was also partly from Phoenix Overused and (yet again) from FMA.
Ok Reviewer Responses:
Dee69- THANKS A LOT. I'm so glad that you like it and that you've reviewed. It has given me much confidence.
viggomaniac- Wow you've given me a lot of insight. Yeah, my first chapter was really loose in my opinion. My timeframe speaking is really out of whack, most likely from being alive in this century. It's really good to know pet peeves. I always have something close to a seizure when I see the wrong to/too. TOO IS AN INTENSIFIER PEOPLE! Lol, I obsessed with Necessary Evil Human Guys too, which is probably why we read the same stories. Thanks for the wonderful review and I hope you read my story further.
grumpy- I'm happy you're interested and direly hope that you keep reading.
Silverstreak Wolf- Lol, I'm greatful that you like my story. What made me so attracted to yours was that your writing style was very clean. Hope you keep with me here.
Lovely- Yeah, in my opinion it was wayyy too long, but not only do I follow a slightly old fashioned writing style I needed the long chapter to have the necessary beginning factors, such as foreshadowing (hint, hint). Sorry, I guess this chapter was pretty long too, but the next ones won't be so bad.
siegle- Yay! Thanks for the review. I'm glad you've taken interest. I see you a lot on the other fics I read.