15

A blanket of white covered the forest floor. Gone was the green of the tall grass and the trees. Snow had fallen continuously for the last four days. The elf and the man stood perched on the lowest branches of the trees that formed the arbour wall. They were looking out through a small opening between the trunks at the silent wood.

"You cannot go out there," Aragorn said again.

"You know that I must, without fuel we will slowly freeze."

"But there is no dry tinder to be had…" Aragorn countered swiftly.

"There are places that I know of." Legolas assured him.

"Then let me come with you," Aragorn said turning to him. "Two can carry more than one."

Legolas looked out at the snow covered ground and shook his head. "I can move swiftlyover the snow, you cannot."

At Aragorn's expression he said in a gentler tone. "I will be fine, do not worry."

With the least amount of preparation he was out, crossing the forest floor rapidly. Just before he would have been out of sight he turned and raised a hand to the ranger. Aragorn did the same. Then he let out a deep sigh for he could not shake the feeling of foreboding that had taken hold of him lately.

Not long after the snows had begun in earnest Legolas had become restless. He would chafe at the arbour 'window' looking out at the falling snow for hours. Then as soon as it stopped he would flee, disappearing for long marches of time. In concern Aragorn had spoken of it but Legolas made light of the matter.

"Elves are not made for such small spaces," he had said. But Aragorn remembered being trapped in worse places with his brothers and as far as he could recall they had never reacted like this. But then again he reminded himself they were not fully elven or woodland elves. Maybe these were different.

Then quite by accident Aragorn discovered his secret. He had woken one night when abruptly disturbed by some noise. Listening quietly he had heard Legolas rapidly speaking. Immediately he had thought that they had been found by others and his heart leapt in thankfulness, but soon he realised that there was only one voice, that of his elven friend. Legolas was speaking as though to someone but at each pause in the conversation no one replied. Aragorn strained to hear his words but Legolas spoke too softly. For a long time did he speak and then to Aragorn's consternation began to sob, stifled heart wrenching sobs that pulled Aragorn from his bed. He had not taken even two steps when Legolas shouted, "Stay away from me orc filth."

In shock Aragorn froze wondering if Legolas had spoken to him.

"I see you human, one more step and I shall run you through."Legolas' voice was menacing.

Aragorn did not know what to do but as he heard the blade of the knife being drawn along the ground he cried out, "Legolas!"

There was silence and then the elf's voice came to him in the darkness. "Aragorn," it asked. There was a scratch and a flare and a dim light showed as Legolas lit an old lamp and held it up. "What ails thee Aragorn?" he asked in concern.

Aragorn stared at him in the yellowish glow mutely; he was trembling a little for the incident had frightened him.

"Aragorn you are shaking," Legolas crossed to him swiftly and helped him sit on the bed.

"I thought I heard voices," Aragorn said staring into Legolas' eyes.

But Legolas' gaze was guileless as he assured him that they were alone. "There is no one here but we two," he said but even as he did Aragorn saw his eyes shift slightly to the right. "You must have been dreaming."

"Aye," Aragorn agreed as Legolas aided him to lie down. He looked up at the elf as he leaned over to tuck the edges of the blanket around him. Legolas' eyes were tired and his face strained. His long hair fell like a silken curtain around him. Legolas stood and was about to move when on impulse Aragorn grasped his hand. The frightened look that flickered across his face convinced Aragorn that he was not imagining things.

"Stay with me," he asked.

Legolas tilted his head in inquiry.

"Please," Aragorn asked quietly.

Legolas searched his face and then nodded. He sat on the edge of the bed. He put out the light and night's natural darkness flowed back into the room. Aragorn's breathing became even and deepened but he was feigning. He meant to solve thismystery, but Legolas unintentionally foiled his plan. Sensing that the ranger did not sleep Legolas began to sing. His voice was low and soft and at first brought a smile to Aragorn's lips as he sang of silver rivers and unending meadows. Soon however its hypnotic rhythm lulled Aragorn into a deep sleep from which he did not awaken till the next morning to find Legolas already gone.

……………………………

Legolas ran lightly over the fresh snow. His feet left the slightest indentation. He was heading towards a place they called Breakwater. It was a place of older forest trees that stubbornly clung to life; in winter they were wont to shed their weaker branches often to conserve energy. Thus Legolas knew he would find a great store of wood that would burn well. He wore slung over one shoulder a long rope of vine that he had salvaged from the trees that formed the arbour walls. With it he would secure a load and drag it back to where Aragorn waited.

He made a miss step as the ranger's face came to mind. He was worried about him. Though Aragorn never complained he saw the furtive looks that the ranger gave him sometimes and he had noted how lean he was becoming, the clothes that he wore hung loosely upon his rangy frame now. They were but seven carcasses left and Legolas knewthey would not last the winter, soonhe and Aragornwould have to chance the journey across the mountains if he could not catch a deer or some other large animal that had not moved on with the snows.

But abruptly he was there, high above the dell in which the copse stood. It had taken him an hour to get here. He hoped to make return trip shorter.

'Careful,' Talen called as he made his way down the slight slope. 'You wouldn't want to break a leg now, who knows what would happen to your lover were he left alone.'

"He is not my lover," Legolas retorted, refusing to look at the red haired giant who sat nonchalantly on a solitary stump down below.

'Isn't he now, then why do ye sleep with him every night,' Talen asked picking at his teeth with a stick.

Legolas ignored the question and began to gather the fallen branches.

'I do not sleep with him,' he thought. 'I stay with him because he is afraid.'

But Legolas did not realise that what Aragorn was feared was him.

Talen watched him for a while then spoke. 'I'll tell ye what I think I think he's sweet on yer and wants ye close.'

Legolas spun around angrily. "You know nothing of him." he spat out.

'Well now, no need to get angry I just say as I see,' Talen replied grinning.

"You see everything through your own distorted vision, you know nothing of truth and kindness."

Talen mused on that for a while, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the elf's face. Legolas looked as though he could not take much more of his taunting. Licking his lips he said,

'Who's more honest, the man who takes what he wants or the man who plays friend to get it.'

Legolas would have replied but Talen had smartly chosen that moment to disappear.

Legolas shook off the man's comments and tying the load of wood to his waist began the long trek back.

Aragorn was just beginning to get worried when in the distance thegolden head of the elf came into view. He was dragging a large bundle of wood behind him. Aragorn itched to get out there and help him but he knew he would sink tothe waist in the snow.

Legolas was panting as he drew close, he threw the rope up to Aragorn who hauled the heavy stack in. Legolas took a moment's respite to warm his himself by the small fire that Aragorn had going.

"Oh Legolas you are frozen," Aragorn exclaimed touching the elf's cheek. Legolas pulled away slightly remembering Talen's words but then shook his head ruefully. He would not allow the giant to control him. Aragorn rubbed him down as though he were a foal putting him to sit in front of the fire. Legolas let Aragorn fuss over him, knowing that the ranger felt he was not contributing to their survival. He drank the bitter tea that Aragorn made and ate a slab of meat, then he stood meaning to go and forage for a second store of wood.

"You cannot mean to go back out there today. We have enough fuel for days." Aragorn was adamant.

"I know, but what is there now will be useless after the next snow fall. It is not much, I can carry it."

They stood there facing each other, each with unspoken concerns. Then Aragorn looked away, tacitly giving in.

"I will be fine Aragorn, you worry over much." Legolas said putting a hand on the ranger's shoulder.

Aragorn placed his own hand over the elf's. "Be safe, I await your return."

Legolas nodded and climbed out. He was gone quickly running over the packed snow. Aragorn watched him go a heavy feeling in his heart. When he could see nothing more he swung down jumping the last few feet to the ground. He tried to keep busy by fixing his bed and stoking the fire. He cut a side of meat from one of the carcasses and ate it without much appetite. When he was done he paced for a while and then absently began to poke through the supplies that were stored at the very back of the arbour. He hardly ever had cause to go there for that is where Legolas slept and he would usually search for anything that they needed. It was also the darker and colder part of the place. But knowing that Legolas would be gone for at least two hours and having nothing else to do…

He began to stack the wood in proper heaps, the older pieces in one pile, the driest pieces in another the longer pieces in still yet another. He counted each as he went along. He was almost finished when he noticed a patch of disturbed earth right next to the last heap he was making. He frowned, wondering what Legolas had buried there and why. There was a pallid strip of something protruding from under the soft earth. Aragorn touched it. It felt clammy and cold. Curious he pulled at it. The thing came easily but it was covered with soil and dirt. The diffuse light also prevented him from seeing it clearly. He kept pulling at it until the entire length ofit flopped onto the ground. There was a tangled clump of mess in the middle of it that he tried to brush away with his hands, but when his fingers touched it he recoiled.

Leaping to his feet he wiped his hands along the sides of his leggings. His breathing quickened as he backed away. He felt the meat he had eaten climb back into his throat. Swallowing convulsively he backed up until he collided with the wall. It was hair, human hair. There was no mistaking the feel of it.

……………………………..

Legolas struggled to tie the last few branches together. Though there was less to carry, these limbs were bigger and more unwieldy than the last. As he struggled, Talen stood nearby observing him silently. Legolas was glad for the silence for he was tired and irritable. He had just made the final knot when a loud sound broke the silence of the forest. Startled Legolas looked all around but saw nothing, cautiously he crouched behind the pile of branches. The noise had sounded like a branch being snapped in two. Talen turned to the east of where they were, peered into the distance, gave a grunt of laughter then turned to face Legolas.

'Better find a better place to hide,' he advised then he disappeared.

Legolas stood and he too looked to the east. He could just make out four black shadows moving rapidly through the snow. He watched them for a while longer than a sneer marred his face as he determined them to be orcs running across the snow. Turning he looked down at the pile of wood at his feet and made a decision. They would need the wood, without warmth they would slowly die, Aragorn would surely die. Without a moments hesitation he secured the rope to his shoulders and began to pull. Up the small hill and through the trees he went. Behind him the heavy load of wood bumped and yawed. His legs pumped as he raced through the forest not stopping to see if the orcs had caught sight of him and pursued. He sweated and struggled through loose drifts of snow for the weight of the wood pulled him down. He had not gotten far enough though when behind him he heard the howling cry of the orcs as they finally picked up his trail.

………………………….

When he gained complete control of himself Aragorn dragged the skin out into the light where he could see it properly. The red hair was matted with clods of soil and the skin was a sickly blue. Aragorn's hands shook as he stretched it out full length. It was Talen's skin, stripped from his carcass, scraped and then dried. Aragorn felt a coldness take hold of him. A scream rose in his throat and he put a hand over his mouth to contain it. What desperate emotion had prompted Legolas to do this? He sank to his knees his eyes hot with tears. What unfathomable madness had taken hold of the elf? A madness that prompted him to speak to shadows and wander the forest alone, that made him restless unable to eat or sleep. And he had suffered under Aragorn's very eyes and he had not seen it. This man who had beaten and tarnished the elf for fifteen long years in life now haunted him in death, had pushed him to the very edge of insanity. Aragorn took hold of the skin, the feel of it made his blood crawl.

"You will torment him no longer," he whispered; and having said this cast the thing into the fire. The smell of charring meat immediately filled the room.

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Lindahoyland--------- your review was much appreciated.

Tmelange--------- wish I could churn them out faster but…

Ainu Laire -------------Want to volunteer? Like the killer trees!

Shanna----------Me gusta tambien este imagen de Legolas dormido, je je.

Viggomaniac----- Unique huh? (big grin)

Ciryaquen -------------- I think you may get your wish.