8
They hit hard. The impact thrust them apart. Legolas fought the current, but there is noforce stronger than water.
………………..
Legolas broke the surface fighting for air. The river was cold, colder than it had been yesterday and moving swifter than he had thought possible. He kicked viciously with his legs, fighting to thread water,to stay in one place. He turned completely around, eyes frantically scanning both shores and around him.
He would have shouted the ranger's name but the cold robbed him of his voice. Slowly but inexorably he was pulled downriver. He fought with all his strength and determination but the river's will was superior. His limbs grew heavy and slow as the cold robbed his body of feeling. With legs that were nearly numb he kicked towards the shore. In defeat did he pull himself from the unfeeling waters of the Great River of Wilderland. He sank to the stony ground in wretched acceptance. Aragorn was gone.
…………………
He rose to his feet eventually. He had had a long battle within his mind. It would do no good to die there unmarked and forgotten. The least he could do after all the ranger's effort was continue on to Mirkwood. Even if it were not his home he could ask them to send word to Aragorn's people. He walked with shoulders lunched against the merciless wind. He was soaked through and through and he felt the cold keenly. It was said by many, that elves could not be touched by the elements, but were elves not creatures of flesh and bone. Did not red blood quicken their veins? Sturdier than human they might be but impervious to hurt they were not. And this elf had suffered many injustices for many years.
He stumbled frequently righting himself only when he realized he had fallen. His mind had shut down and his natural instincts were all that kept him going. He was making his way back to the fallen bridge.
……………….
Night comes quickly in such places and that night was no exception. There was little starlight to see by but Legolas pushed on. If he stopped he would surely perish for he had little strength and less will left. What warmth he had had in him had been leeched away by his sodden clothing. He walked heavily now. His feet seemed to find every stone or bit of flotsam that littered the shore.
He stumbled over a sodden log and went on. But twenty paces on, he suddenly stopped. In abrupt realization he spun around and skittered back. Dropping to his knees his hands fumbled past the wet clothing to the ranger's cold skin. A pulse beat there faint but consistent.
……………...
There was nothing with which he could truly warm the ranger. But Legolas did his best. He stripped him of all extra clothing, leaving him in a thin shirt and leggings. He could not decide if bare cold skin or cold wet clothing was better, but opted for the latter anyway. He rubbed his chest and back in vigorous circles bringing meager warmth to them both. He was rewarded for his efforts by a soft moan from the ranger.
"Aragorn," he called softly with what energy he had.
Aragorn stirred and immediately his teeth began to chatter. Legolas pulled him closer.
"Have we passed on?" Aragorn whispered between breaths.
"Not yet dear friend, we seem hardy creatures," Legolas replied.
Aragorn mumbled something that Legolas did not hear. Raising him further Legolas bent his head so that his ear was close to Aragorn's lips.
"What did you say?" Legolas asked.
With tremendous effort Aragorn repeated,
"I told you the bridge would not hold."
Despite their desperate situation Legolas could not help the giddy giggle that burst from his throat. In his arms Aragorn shook with silent giggles of his own.
It is said that living beings die when they feel that they are not needed by anyone or anything. It may very well be this sentiment that kept those two alive that night.
The cold went so deep into Aragorn that he cried without knowing it. He shook like a withered old man, clutching at Legolas with cramping fingers and suffered.
Legolas bore it silently. He clung to Aragorn stubbornly refusing to give up to the night. But the coldness covered him anyway. From toe to head it crept up on him. It caressed him, bid him to relax, to sleep. Slowly his eyes fluttered, slowly his limbs unclenched and his head fell forward.
Aragorn jerked when the elf's forehead hit his and the cold weight of his hair slithered onto his chest. He reached up and touched his cheek, mouth, nose, eyes.
"Wake up," Aragorn stuttered. "Wake up Legolas."
The elf did not respond. Desperately Aragorn took a handful of the elf's hair and tugged it hard. Legolas made a small noise and his eyes flew open.
"Help me to stand," Aragorn whispered.
Legolas struggled to his feet but managed to take Aragorn with him.
"My boots," Aragorn cried. They were wet and he grimaced as he wrestled them on.
Aragorn straightened up holding onto Legolas' shoulder.
"We must walk to keep ourselves warm or die here." he said.
Legolas nodded but neither moved. They just could not. Only their rapid breathing attested to their existence.
"On the bridge," Aragorn began. "How did you know of the orcs?"
"I smelled them." Legolas replied in a whisper.
"But how did you know their smell?" Aragorn insisted. He took one step forward and Legolas went with him.
"I know that smell. I felt something come over me, a… a hatred, that I have felt before."
They were walking now, slowly like infants.
"Can you remember anymore," Aragorn asked.
"No, I do not remember now. I do not feel it."
Aragorn began to tell him of orcs.
………………
When the sun rose Legolas and Aragorn stopped walking. They had come a long way and they could go no further. Aragorn sprawled on his back on the stony shore and Legolas lay down on his side. The sun's rays were bright but gave little warmth. What there was however was better than none.
"We have no supplies," Legolas said after they had rested for a while.
Aragorn did not answer.
"Do you think the horses survived?"
"If they did they are long gone." Aragorn replied sitting up. He sniffed wetly.
Legolas looked at him concerned.
"You are ill?" he questioned.
Aragorn looked away. "I might be," he said. "In a couple of days if I do not get dry soon."
Legolas looked up and down the shore but there was no wood to build even a small fire.
………………..
Even at the height of the day with the sun streaming down fully upon them, their clothing remained damp for the heat was feeble at best. Aragorn removed his boots to rub his chilled feet. he was the picture of misery. His hair was loose and tangled his face pinched and pale. He looked very young, very vulnerable and mortal sitting there. When he noticed that Legolas was looking at him worriedly he dredged up a mischievous smile.
"How are you enjoying the journey so far elf?"
With a reluctant laugh Legolas replied,
"I have had better ranger."
………………….
Aragorn fell asleep and Legolas did not awaken him. Instead he scoured the shore line further on. He found nothing better than Aragorn's sodden winter coat, one glove and an empty sack. But then he looked up and noticed that the gorge had begun to level out. He retraced his steps excitedly.
………………..
Climbing the sides of the gorge was easier for Legolas than Aragorn. Many times the exhausted young man would simply cling onto the cliff face with his eyes closed until Legolas spurred him on.
Somehow they made it to the top of the gorge. Aragorn was trembling; he had finally reached his limit. His harsh sobs brought hot tears to Legolas' eyes. He soothed him murmuring meaningless words over and over.
When Aragorn grew quiet Legolas' eyes roamed the surroundings curiously. The forest was in front of them but a little to their left was something more interesting. It was the beginning of a path. Legolas felt his spirits rise.
……………
"This is not the Forest Road." Aragorn said. They were standing at the head of the path. "We must have come miles downstream. This must lead to one of the villages."
"The human village?" Legolas' voice betrayed his fear.
Aragorn did not answer right away for he was already dreaming of warm clothes and a fire and hot food.
"There is no reason to fear Legolas. These are good people. They live here with the knowledge and consent of the elves." Aragorn spoke earnestly but in his heart he knew that he was not being entirely honest. There were always some in every town or village who hates elves, who would destroy them for their unique strangeness.
But Legolas trusted Aragorn and thus he believed his words. Yet, for whatever reason as he looked down the path the fear he felt did not subside. Nevertheless he followed the ranger into the forest of Rhovanion.
………………
The forest was close and dank and it sent an extra chill into the travelers. The trees seemed to lean inwards, imparting a sense of menace. Legolas felt uneasy and nervous walking below them. This place did not feel like home. It felt strange and hostile.
……………..
Aragorn sneezed twice suddenly, body wracking sneezes that shook his entire frame. He wiped his nose on the sleeve of his shirt.
"You are ill." Legolas rounded on him at once.
The ranger's face was flushed the tip of his nose pink.
"I will be fine, I just need warm clothes and food," Aragorn stated vehemently.
Legolas looked at him grimly. "Then let us hurry. I do not like this place.
……………
The village was large enough that it boasted an inn, a stable, several businesses and many homes. There was also a wall of sorts around the entire place. But the gates were wide open and there were no visible watchers stationed there. Legolas rubbed his palm against his leg nervously. Catching the action Aragorn relented. "You do not have to enter this place. I will fetch what supplies we need and return on the morrow."
Legolas considered it for a moment then shook his head. "We have traveled together thus far. I would go on with you."
Aragorn caught his bottom lip between his teeth and nodded. Together they approached the gates.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
tmelange…….thank you and I hope you liked this one.
Lindahoyland……..they won't drown….not really.
silvertoekee………It wasn't my intention to be evil…well, maybe just a little.
Invisigoth………My bridges are really strong, it's Legolas' fault!
Someone reading………Hmmmmmmm I don't know what to say.
KnightGuardian……… (author looks very ashamed) thank you.
Sielge………. they are fine! sort of.
Ciryaquen…….. Wow now I'm smiling so much I can't write!
Viggomanaic…… My head swelled up so much that I couldn't fit through the door to the computer room!
Shanna……… Escribo este capitulo para ti.