9

The inn was more crowded but less noisy than he had expected and it was also blessedly warm. Legolas stayed very close to him, body, face and hair hidden in the hood and folds of the soggy winter coat that had washed up at the river's edge. It had been his idea that Legolas conceal himself.

"It would not do to startle these simple folk. I do not know how often elves pass through here."

The statement had of course made Legolas even more apprehensive but he pressed his lips together and forbore to comment.

They made their way to the serving counter, Aragorn surreptitiously looking about him. There were the local folk, woodsmen sitting in groups wrapped in their homespun clothes, but here and there he saw a few who looked like outsiders. They talked quietly among themselves for the most, a couple were drinking. There was also a big cloaked fellow at a broad table dead to the world. An empty mug stood nearby. The innkeeper, serving man and proprietor of the place was a thin but healthy looking fellow with thick salt and pepper hair cut short. He was having a lively conversation with an elderly man at the far end, but catching sight of the two excused himself and went over.

"How can I be of service to you gentlemen?' the question was asked in a friendly tone, but Aragorn noticed that his eyes missed little of their appearance.

"Two half pints of ale," Aragorn requested.

"A copper for the two," the barman said just as friendly as before but his voice was firm.

"We have no coin," Aragorn explained. "We were beset by orcs at the crossing bridge but we've this fine coat to trade for food and drink." Here Aragorn indicated the beautifully woven coat that Legolas wore.

The barman looked at the proffered garment appreciatively but made no move to accept it. Instead he turned to Aragorn and said

"I can see that ye've been hard pressed. But there's been quite a few landed here who've been waylaid by them dark creatures lately and I've been stretched to keep em fed as it is. And mind you these are men I know who will pay their debts, come spring. As to the coat, its fine to be sure but the fur traders been through here already. Everyone's done bought or bartered what they'll need for the time o' snows. I can't keep two extra mouths with no coin, else we will all starve afore the snows are over."

Aragorn was crestfallen; he bent his head to hide his despair. But the innkeeper was not a harsh man by nature. His expression softened as he took in the youthful faces of the two wayfarers.

"Look here lad. I'll give ye both food and drink for now, but beyond that there is no more I can offer."

Unable to speak Aragorn nodded his thanks, disappointment weighing down his spirit.

But before the barman could turn away to fetch them food a long hand darted in between them.

"Will this suffice lord innkeeper?" Legolas' soft voice asked.

The gold and green leaf on its necklace of soft hair lay on the counter. It sparkled in the dim light. The innkeeper took in a startled breath. Aragorn seemed bewitched by the sight.

"Legolas no," he whispered turning to his friend, eyes round with dismay. But Legolas refused to look at him. Instead his blue eyes steadily held the awestruck gaze of the innkeeper.

"Aye," said the man at last. "T'is more than worth whatever I can get for ye."

With a smile Legolas nodded and the innkeeper scurried away.

He brought two full mugs of mulled ale and put them on the bar.

"Seat yourself lads. The food'll be by in moments. We've bread, meat and beans."

"Thank you." Legolas said for Aragorn was strangely silent and staring into his mug. Legolas took both mugs and found an empty table. Aragorn followed him and sat quietly, but instead of drinking stared at his folded hands that lay on his lap. For a long time he was silent he seemed to be wrestling with his thoughts.

"Why did you trade it? It belongs to you; it is of your people," he finally burst out fiercely.

Legolas took a small sip of the ale wrinkled his nose and contemplated the top of Aragorn's head.

"Is it worth more than our lives?" he asked.

"No," Aragorn replied quickly. He looked up at Legolas his eyes suspiciously bright. "But it was yours it was all you had." he persisted.

"Then it was mine to use as I saw fit." Legolas replied gently.

"Would you have not done the same?" he asked of Aragorn.

With his face averted Aragorn blinked fiercely as his eyes grew hot. He did not know what to say.

Legolas reached over and pushed his mug closer. "Drink Aragorn, it grows cold."

Aragorn reached out and caught his hand before he could withdraw it. Legolas was startled but he did not pull away. Aragorn's grey eyes were full of uncertainty. Legolas looked at him steadily his blue eyes unguarded.

"Thank you for saving my life my friend." Aragorn said finally.

Legolas' smile lit up his entire face.

" Le govannen." he said.

Aragorn smiled back.

……………………..

Aragorn ate two plates of food to Legolas' one and had a half mug more of ale. They booked a room for the night and also made arrangements to obtain supplies. The other patrons of the inn were curious but being well mannered folk for the most part left the two alone. Legolas however was more than happy to go up to their room for while Aragorn seem to settle in and eat heartily, he kept experiencing a nervous fluttering in his stomach. He felt that ever so often curious eyes stayed on them a little too long, but he did not look up to see who watched them.

………………...

They needed wood for the fire. Aragorn volunteered to go down to fetch it, but a fit of sneezing caught him and Legolas was instantly worried. He insisted that the ranger get out of his wet clothes and into bed. After a half hearted argument Aragorn gave in.

As he descended the last few steps Legolas clutched nervously at the edges of the damp cloak. He wished he could disappear entirely within its clammy folds. But he need not have worried. The inn was more crowded than before but there was a lively discussion going on at the far side of the room. Legolas stopped at the counter, the noise and the smells and the smoke made him hesitant. The ever vigilant innkeeper saw him however and hurried over.

"What can I get for ye?"

"We need wood for the fire.'

"Ah yes, forgot I did. Been long since I had so many guests. Just a moment young fellow."

The innkeeper vanished into the back. In the meantime Legolas kept his face turned away from the crowd but he could not help but hear what was being said. It seemed that the roving band of orcs had attacked another group of woodsmen, but these men had been armed and had fought back. They had managed to kill one and the rest had run off.

"Cowardly creatures, the lot o' them," someone said.

"Aye!" another agreed.

"They'd better not come here, or they'll have a fight on their hands!" piped up another voice.

"Don't worry Mercy! One look at yer ugly mug an they'll all die on their feet!"

A combined bellow of laughter went up at this comment. Legolas shivered for the sound reminded him of unpleasant things. He was suddenly aware that he was very much alone in a room full of drinking and drunk humans. He knew first hand how cruel a man could become when drunk. He suddenly did not feel very well at all. A shudder went through him.

"Here you are." the innkeeper said slightly out of breath. He put two armloads of tinder on the counter.

With a mumble of thanks Legolas bundled them under his arms.

"Get out of those wet clothes lad, you're shaking with cold ye are." the innkeeper observed.

With a fleeting smile Legolas fled.

……………………..

Aragorn was fast asleep by the time Legolas returned. He lay on his side curled up in the thick blankets. Legolas put the wood in the hearth and soon had a warm fire going. It was only then that he shrugged out of his uncomfortably wet clothing. He laid them out on the floor to dry. He then approached the bed; he sat on it gingerly marvelling at its softness. He lay down slowly pulled the sheets up to his chin and sighed. In his limited memory it was the first time that he had lain in a bed. His eyes grew tired and his lids heavy. He had after all pushed himself very hard. Without another coherent thought the elf drifted to sleep.

The evening wore on as the two slept. The village folk went about their business. Downstairs the bar swelled with men as they drifted in from their labours to relax and talk with their friends.

Aragorn woke briefly when some small noise disturbed him. He blinked sleepily and looked around but noted nothing out of the ordinary. Legolas lay in a tangle of sheets nearby his golden hair spilling onto the ground, but he was fast asleep. With a half grin Aragorn snuggled under the blankets again; soon his heavy breathing filled the room.

……………………

"Who's the new ones?" Mercy asked as soon as Gilden the innkeeper sat down to rest.

"Two young uns from LakeTown I'll wager. Fell afoul o the orcs they did. Look about all done in too."

"Robbed o their coin too I'll wager."

"Aye," Gilden agreed but he thought of the brooch hidden in his pocket.

"Lucky to be alive they are…" Mercy ruminated around the stem of his pipe.

Gilden nodded slowly.

Then they began to talk of other things.

…………………….

Over the next two days Aragorn was abed with a low fever and a clogged nose. Legolas watched over him fetching food and wood whenever they were needed. Aragorn chided him for his vigilance but the elf studiously ignored his words. It hurt Aragorn every time the Legolas had to don the heavy coat to venture out of their tiny room.

'You should never have brought him here.' his mind said. But there was little he could do.

It took four days for the innkeeper to procure for them three sets of clothes each two new winter coats and gloves, a store of food and a horse.

"It's all that could be spared with the snows coming." he apologised to them. "Why do ye not stay on till spring? The gem will more than cover it."

Legolas and Aragorn glanced at each other then both shook their heads.

"We need to get home," Aragorn said.

"Very well, but it's a lonely road to Laketown this time o' year." he advised.

Legolas opened his mouth to correct him but Aragorn stepped heavily on his foot.

Gilden pulled out a well used but accurate map of the way. He opened it up and showed it to them.

"Stay on this path and ye should reach afore the start o the snows. But look out for them creatures. They're getting bolder as ye know."

After they had eaten a hot meal the ranger and the elf took their leave of the innkeeper. They were at the back of the inn next to the small stable. They mounted the short legged mare that would win no races, but would get them to where they were headed.

"Sure ye won't change your mind?" Gilden asked them again.

Again the ranger and the elf shook their heads.

Gilden took from his pocket the emerald leaf. He held it out to Legolas.

T'is a pretty thing to be sure, but worth much more than I kin give ye. I'll not be known as a cheating man."

"But we must pay for these things." Legolas protested.

"Aye," agreed the innkeeper. "So I'll take that coat you're wearing since I've given ye two of mine."

A little disconcerted Legolas turned to Aragorn. But he only shrugged. So Legolas removed the coat and gave it to the innkeeper. He felt absurdly naked without it. But Gilden smiled as Legolas' golden hair spilled down his back and his ears peaked out from between the silky strands.

"An elf, I knew it. From the moment I saw the jewel I knew that none but an elf could have such a thing. Are you one o' the forest elves?"

Legolas stuttered to form a sensible reply but Aragorn swiftly said,

"He is uncle, but keep this secret between us for not all are respectful of elves. We want no quarrel with anyone."

"Aye," agreed Gilden with shining eyes. He seemed unwilling to let them leave. "I wish I could have done more for ye."

"You have done more then most men would," said Legolas gratefully, finally finding his voice.

As he spoke the back door of the inn shut as though an errant gust of wind had blown it to. Legolas took the leaf off of its necklace. He put the garland around his neck but the leaf he pressed into Gilden's warm hands.

"Please accept this as a sign of friendship between us. Mayhap one day we will again be in need of your kindness."

Gilden nodded and clutched the leaf to his chest.

They bid farewell to the innkeeper and the tiny village of the woodsmen of Mirkwood.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Inyuashaloverfan…………Hi got it out as soon as I could.

Tmelange…………da da da daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Invisigoth………… you are quite correct.

Lindahoyland………..thank you

Ciryaquen……………Heh heh heh!Thank you so much.

Elfgirl…………. here you are.

Ainu Laire. ……. Hey!

Legolass………Thanks a lot.

Shanna………Espero que puedas leerlo.

LLaris……….. Thank you for your support.

Quickbeam………Thank you and you do make my head swell sooooo much. (grin)

Viggomaniac…….Hope you are not disappointed.

le govannen-------- you are welcome.