Ripples

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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Sacrifice

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Aragorn and Legolas both knew they were only a few minutes, perhaps ten, away from the hidden cavern now. Leaning on each other, they could both feel how tense the other's muscles had gone as their anxiety rose. Having walked as though they were in a three-legged race for over two hours, they had nearly perfected the odd traveling style and were beginning to get used to having to rely on each other's movements.

Aragorn looked at Legolas, who just didn't appear to be any happier and as the Elf and ranger walked among the trees near the clearing he sighed dejectedly, shaking his head just a little.

Drawing a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Aragorn knew it was time he told Legolas what he knew, but he was frightened about how the Elf would react. He didn't want Legolas to think he had been snooping around in his past but he also didn't want Legolas to think that he was withholding the fact that he knew something.

"Legolas," he whispered, in case there were any unfriendly Elves nearby. Aragorn watched the prince form the corners of his eyes as Legolas glanced his way before turning his attention back to the ground.

"What?" he questioned, hearing the tone in Aragorn's voice and having the sinking suspicion that they were about to engage in some deep and painful conversation. He would really rather not talk to anyone now.

"Ada told me a few things I hadn't known before." Aragorn stopped speaking as he found himself fighting to put his jumbling thoughts into words that wouldn't offend or cause pain to his friend. Legolas just looked at him with narrowed eyes, mildly confused.

"You told me your mother died this day many years ago," Aragorn finally summoned enough courage to continue. "And I never knew what you meant before, about her being cut down by orcs. I guess what I am trying to say is that…I know all that happened now." He wanted to say more but found himself struck numb as he watched Legolas' face remained unchanged save for a more thoughtful look in his eyes.

"It was an accident," he murmured, hardly able to breathe around the lump maturing in his throat. Swallowing, he tried to force it down but without success. "You have to believe me."

"Legolas, I am not accusing you of anything!" Aragorn quickly stammered, aghast. He would never believe Legolas had wittingly killed anyone he loved!

The prince looked at him a bit surprised before he spoke softly. "I guess I have become defensive over the years, my friend," he concluded. "I am sorry, I should have known better than to think you would do anything of the sort." Suddenly his unnaturally tired feet caught on a root and he stumbled, nearly taking them both down.

Aragorn grimaced as he applied pressure on his wounded leg to try and stabilize them and catch Legolas. He had a feeling that if they fell they might not have the strength to get back up and keep going. Pulling on Legolas' arm, he waited until Legolas had recaptured his balance before he released the prince.

"Still feeling a bit groggy?" Aragorn questioned with a grin, unable to resist the little tease.

Legolas just flushed and grinned sheepishly back. "Yes, sorry." Looking at his torn legging that had caught on the barb covered branch lying on the ground, Legolas bit his lip. This was his second to last pair of leggings.

Raising his eyes, he suddenly tensed and ignoring Aragorn's surprised reaction and resistance, he quickly pulled them both to the ground so they were lying perfectly flat on their stomachs. Pointing with his forefinger, the Elf whispered anxiously, "We were within eyesight of any Elf."

Aragorn quickly followed with his eyes to where the prince was pointing and grimaced, knowing Legolas was absolutely right. The small grotto yawned ahead of them; maybe about twenty five yards away, if even that much. It had been so well concealed that almost anyone could walk right past it and never see it. Aragorn had almost done so when he was first looking for his friend.

Even though he had spent much time amongst Elves, it still never hurt to ask an Elf a question concerning other Elves, especially if you were unsure. "Legolas," the ranger ventured in a barely audible voice. "Can they hear us?"

"I should think so, if they were trying," the Elf answered with a smile though his eyes were still locked on the cave ahead. "But I doubt it," he continued. "Why should they think we came back to this place once we got away?" All the same, Aragorn noticed Legolas was keeping his voice carefully low so the ranger was almost forced to lip read.

"You seem so confident of your answer," he muttered darkly under his breath, casting a venomous look at the ground.

"Better safe than sorry," countered the Elf, not giving Aragorn's suddenly morbid mood any thought.

Aragorn narrowed his eyes, thinking. If they got closer they might be able to hear some of what was being said not to mention discover whether of not Thranduil and or Elrond were being held there. "Do you think we could get in any closer?" he whispered to the Elf.

"Well that all depends," Legolas responded coolly. "Could you be any quieter?" He was feeling a bit more under the weather than he liked to admit and the thought of moving anywhere on his stomach wasn't overly appealing no matter the cause. The uneven ground was biting into his bruised ribs enough to make him uneasy.

Aragorn's reaction was indignant and a bit sarcastic. "I suppose I could."

Legolas appraised him quietly. "Well then start now," his voice was bit acidic. Suddenly he began to crawl forward, using his feet to press off from the ground. Unfortunately this created a lot of snapping from the little twigs and other dead bits of vegetation that littered the soggy ground, breaking under his weight.

Aragorn smiled snidely, unable to resist a comeback. "Nice bunch of Dwarvish racket you are making. Could you be any quieter?" he added towards the end, making light of Legolas' earlier question.

The prince shot him a caustic glare. "Strider, how does your family live with you?" he asked, flipping his hood over his head to hide his easily noticeable fair hair, which he had nearly forgotten about and was thankful it hadn't already given them away. The last thing he needed some one to think they needed to shoot at the golden thing that was his head sinking through the plants.

Their bickering ceased as they carefully picked their way closer on their stomachs, staying as close together as possible, barely providing for elbowroom.

Holding his breath as they were within ten feet of the cavern now, Legolas decided this was a good place to stop. They couldn't afford to press their luck any further right now and he was getting tired and the last thing he or Aragorn needed was for him to start vomiting again.

Anyway, his sharp Elven hearing could pick out enough of their conversation that he could understand roughly what was going on. Further more, Lostiâ and his little band were talking in relatively loud voices. His far seeing eyes, if they found a gap in the weeds, could roughly see back into the shadows of the grotto, sending chills down his spine as he remembered the dark experiences of the past.

The portions of the conversation caught told Legolas that there was a verbal interrogation going on between his father and his uncle and it was picking up momentum as well as gathering some heat. He couldn't tell if Elrond was there or not, because if he was, the Elf-lord had remained silent. Frowning, Legolas knew Lostiâ was asking about his whereabouts, thinking this was all a plan on his father's part.

Aragorn looked at Legolas' questioningly, begging to know of his own father, but the Elf didn't answer, afraid of being over heard.

Listening even more intently he realized that Lostiâ and maybe two other Elves were in the cave, but three, including Arandur, were out looking for he and Estel. Throat constricting, Legolas knew that he and Aragorn had not bothered to cover or disguise their tracks, being too tired and in too much of a hurry.

Neither of the friends had to tell each other that this little case of negligence could lead to a disaster. Both had tracked at times before and so this failure laid heavily upon their hearts, as they knew it carried a lot of weight when it came to life or death.

Legolas' gaze was transfixed completely on the grotto, as he knew his father was there and that he was helpless to do anything about it. Aragorn, however, had forced himself to be observant of their surroundings, knowing he was going to have to be doubly aware to compensate for Legolas' disbelief and despair.

It wasn't that he didn't feel equally despaired but whether because he was mortal with perhaps a less sensitive heart or because of Elrond's wise tutelage, it didn't delve so deeply into his spirit. He was able to focus his thoughts on more important things, like staying alive.

Turning his head, the human glanced behind them quickly, making sure they weren't being watched or stalked as he halfway expected. His grim expectations were not without reasons and were not futile. An Elf, no more than a few yards away was tracking where they had crawled and Aragorn grimaced as the fair being noticed the blood form his leg.

Noticing the intense green eyes almost immediately, there was no question left into his mind as to the Elf's identity and the knowledge was not making matters anymore encouraging. Arandur it was that had picked up their trail. Somehow, Aragorn had the grim feeling that he shouldn't be surprised.

Looking over at Legolas he knew in a minute that things would be up and his best friend would be captured and murdered all because of an accident that took place many years ago and because of an Elf's arrogant stupidity and inability to forgive.

He knew he couldn't let this happen. He didn't know how to prevent it, but he knew that it wasn't going to happen. If it meant taking a hit for his friend and giving Legolas a chance to slink off and hide elsewhere he would, though he didn't expect Legolas to be inclined to just go and hide. The Elf's stubborn pride would be his death one of these days, Aragorn predicted as he drew a quick intake of breath before speaking to his friend.

"Arandur is on our tail. He found where we crawled," Aragorn sighed heavily.

Alarm and cold fear spread across Legolas' face.

"Forgive me, my friend," Aragorn murmured sadly. "I can't do anything else."

He left Legolas with a dropped jaw as he stood up in a leap and acted as though he was trying to run away form Arandur and his two men. Since they were so near the cave his options of where to run were meager but he didn't care. It wasn't like he knew he was going to get away.

Legolas wanted to cry out, to call his friend back and fight rather than stay crouched in the weeds like he was some kind of an animal but Aragorn wanted to give him this gift and he knew it would be selfish to destroy it simply because of his feeling of guilt. However, he still felt hot tears prick and burn his eyes until he couldn't keep them open any longer, not able to watch as Aragorn was immediately pursued.

He could feel and hear the rush of the Elves leaping lightly over him and around him, taking no notice of him because of his long cloak that covered him and concealed him completely as he kept his face pointed towards the ground. Clenching his teeth, Legolas worked not to sob right then and there.

Aragorn bit back the pain he felt in his leg as the torn muscle and flesh found his actual running movements harsh and overbearing. Every time he placed the smallest bit of weight on it, it threatened to fold beneath him and cause him to drop like a rock.

Sweat pooled on the ranger's face as he strained himself to go further, hoping to lead them far enough away from Legolas that the prince would be safe for a few minutes and have a longer reprieve. He doubted Legolas would stay safe for very long but he felt compelled to give his friend the chance.

Suddenly, his leg decided that this little jaunt of his was asking far too much it folded, caving beneath his weight as he fell to the wet ground, unable to get back up. Grimacing, Aragorn waited the inevitable as the corrupted Elves surrounded him, catching up in a few nimble bounds.

As he looked up defiantly at their faces, studying them each in turn. One thing they all had in common was an angered irritancy that he supposed came from being lead on a merry chase by a human. Aragorn would have felt slightly satisfied any other time, but unfortunately, he was far too tired to think in those terms and was trying not to show the weakness he felt.

Panting form his painful exertion, the ranger didn't make the slightest attempt to get away. Arandur crouched by him, looking him the eyes.

"I remember you, ranger," he said with a smirk in his eyes as a cold smile spread slowly on his face. Aragorn noticed his green eyes seemed to glow wickedly. "You're Legolas' little friend."

"I was Legolas' friend. He is dead," the ranger tried to lead the Elves on, lying rather smoothly considering it was never one of his talents and his conscience had a habit of giving him away.

Arandur was not impressed and remained unmoved. "Cute, ranger," he said thoughtfully. "Very cute. So did you kill him then? Where is the body? Lostiâ needs answers, I am afraid and it is my job to get them."

Aragorn just looked away, disinclined to converse with these Elves if he could prevent it. He was afraid to say too much or falter and give Legolas away. However, he had a feeling that Arandur wasn't very patient and wouldn't appreciate his silence. Turning his eyes to looking the Elves in their faces, he glared as convincingly as he could.

"Look here, human," Arandur spat the slur, frustrated. "He can't be dead and you wouldn't kill your best friend. I am going to give you one chance to talk and then if you don't Lostiâ can have his way with you." Seeing the pain already on Aragorn's face, his keen Elven eyes fell on the leg crumpled beneath the ranger and he pieced two and two together. "And he won't be very merciful, being already furious with these turns of events."

"He is dead," Aragorn continued with his lie, hoping in vain that it would be believed. "That poison given to him killed him."

"You had your chance, human," Arandur snarled angrily, nodding instructively at the two Elves around him. "You had your chance."

Aragorn couldn't help but cry out as he was yanked his feet and pressure slammed down on to his ripped leg sent pain throughout his entire nervous system. Rough ropes were twined and snaked around his wrists, tied overly tight and he felt the circulation between his arm and his fingers cut off abruptly. A fist smashed into his stomach, causing him to grunt and suck air in sharply. Damn it all! Why did being a good friend have to be so cursed hard?

At least there were no doubts in his mind that Legolas was appreciative.

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After hearing them drag Aragorn into the cave and then the start of drawn out conversation between Lostiâ and Thranduil once more, if it could really be called a conversation, Legolas began to shuffle backwards the way they had come. It was much more difficult to be silent this way be that could hardly be helped because if he stood up now, being this close, they would see him and put a bolt in him quicker than lightning. He couldn't believe they simply hadn't shot Aragorn.

In Legolas' mind if the situation could have been worse before, it was definitely worse now. He had no plan what so ever. Barely able to stand erectly on his own and certainly still too groggy to run, Legolas knew there was no chance that he could rush in and single handedly deal with a total of five or six Elves. It was just impossible.

However, that didn't keep the idea from briefly crossing his mind.

Now that he was backed up to where they had first started crawling, Legolas stood up to a low crouch, watching to make sure that Lostiâ had posted no sentries. So far it looked like he had been a bit too arrogant for that but Legolas had learned the hard way that it was wise to expect the unexpected with his uncle, at least in most cases.

Standing up but using his Elven abilities to aid him as he tried to appear like a shadow or a trick of the eyes, Legolas stumbled deeper into the brush and undergrowth.

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Elrond couldn't help but gape as he saw his foster son being dragged in unresisting by Arandur and his men, who made it look like a task to drag in a child. From the way Aragorn breathed it was obvious the Elves had roughed him up a little and when his bleary eyes caught Elrond's the glazed over look of pain was unmistakable.

Having caught his father's glance, Aragorn gave a weak and helpless smile that was quickly broken up by a tug on his already painful bonds. Stumbling forward at the jerk, only to have his wounded limb fold under him, Aragorn knew that Lord Elrond was immediately aware of his injury. Grimacing, he tried to ignore it.

Looking over to his left, Aragorn started visibly as he saw Rána dead, blood pooled around his throat and his face towards the sky. The ranger couldn't help but feel sympathy as he gazed at those wide and terrified eyes that couldn't see and were blinding staring.

Rána hadn't deserved this, even though, Aragorn had to admit that he would have liked to do something along these lines to the dark-haired warrior once in a while. However, the more reserved part of him had always disagreed.

Aragorn flinched when he heard Elrond breathe his name in surprise and felt all eyes turn on him. He had always hated attention and right about now he was wishing he could become invisible. "Ada," he smiled encouragingly at the Elf-lord, who had paled considerably in the past few minutes.

"Estel, where –how did you get here?" Elrond demanded, staring down the boy as though he had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Aragorn shrugged, wincing immediately after the movement. "It's a long story."

From near the fire, Voronwë looked over to Aragorn and his face drained. He wanted to ask the ranger what in Valinor was going on but was afraid to link himself in any way to the human, so he just lay on the cloak, resting.

Aragorn, for his part, did the Elf a favor and tried to ignore him as well.

"Estel, you are hurt!" Elrond accused, narrowing his eyes and gazing pointedly at the human's bleeding leg swathed in strips of Aragorn's outer tunic.

"Oh, that," mumbled the ranger under his breath as he was forced to sit by Arandur's strong hands on his shoulders pressing him down. He was too worn-out to resist and complied promptly.

"What did that to you?" Elrond's' voice was commanding and Aragorn' looked tiredly into his eyes.

"A warg," he answered simply, not desiring to go into detail. This was clearly not the time or the place. Arandur cast him a quieting glare but he shrugged it off.

Elrond was about to say more but Lostiâ interceded, cutting off his reply.

"This is all so touching," sneered the silver-haired Elf, the anger in his eyes unambiguous. "Now, human, where is my dear nephew?" His tone of voice told Aragorn that even if he didn't know Lostiâ's intentions already he would have never thought Lostiâ just planned to give Legolas a hug.

All faces now turned towards Aragorn and Arandur smiled slightly. The human was going to tell the truth now. Aragorn closed his eyes, blotting out the image of Thranduil's already paled and hurting face before he spoke as convincing as he knew how. "Legolas is dead," Aragorn whispered, his throat tightening at the very thought.

He was unable to see Thranduil's face fall and a deepening anguish and despair flood his spirit, tears springing into his eyes as though he had been run through the heart. At this moment everything seemed to fall apart and the King of Mirkwood felt lost as though suspended in time with no where to go.

Elrond glanced sympathetically over at Thranduil, the bonds on his wrists preventing him from putting a comforting hand on the other's shoulder. Yes, they had been bound and he was none too pleased about that either. This situation just kept getting darker and darker.

"Tell me it's not true," Thranduil hissed at the ranger, anger that came from near hysteria pinching his voice. "Tell me it's not true!"

Aragorn opened a set of glazed gray eyes that were moist with tears that he had somehow managed to call up. "It's true," he whispered back, forcing his voice to shake. "The poison killed him," he added as Lostiâ stared at him disbelievingly. He had to make this as compelling as possible and this was the only way.

Voronwë's composure seemed to melt and he saw the wounded Elf close his eyes inconsolably, not wishing to see or hear anymore. He no longer wished to live. He wanted to simply go and be with his cousin in the Halls of Mandos, free from Middle Earth and it's cruelties.

Arandur looked unconvinced and stared skeptically at Lostiâ, who was smiling wickedly. "It wasn't the poison that I gave him that killed him human, but the poison you gave him." His tone of voice and assertion garnered shocked expressions from everyone and some accusing glare shot in Aragorn's direction.

Lostiâ sidled up to the young human. "Yes, you killed him. Or did you not know, Athelas was just as toxic to his system when mixed with the special invention of mine. So tell me, what were his last words?"

Aragorn felt so angry at this point he felt like saying, 'he bids you burn in all seven Hells,' but he knew Legolas would never say something like that. The Wood-Elf seemed to always try to see the good in everyone and act on it. Closing his eyes shortly, he answered as authentically sounding as possible. "He wishes you would come back to the light."

Lostiâ laughed, a cold and scornful sound that could only come from one who lost or buried his heart some time ago. "He just couldn't quit, could he? So how did it feel to sense him fading?"

To this Aragorn said nothing but pretended to be overcome with grief. However some of his grief was real. He had never meant to cause Legolas more pain and he had never meant to hurt Thranduil and his own father this way. He wished he could have spared them this unneeded pain.

"This does change my plans then, doesn't it?" he said almost to himself. Suddenly his eyes hardened and he glared indicatively at Aragorn. "Where is the body?"

Caught unawares by this question, Aragorn stammered, "w-what?" The wound to his leg was begging for attention now and he had to split his thought between his pain and his false pretense. Not knowing what to say, the ranger kept his peace, glaring at Lostiâ belligerently even though he knew the Elf had called his bluff and he was caught.

All present in the cave stared at the ranger for a moment before understanding over came them all and Lostiâ spoke around a set of grit teeth. "He isn't dead, is he? You lied to me!" This human just had an aggravating knack for getting under his skin, didn't he?

Aragorn didn't accept or deny either of Lostiâ's allegations. He knew he was in trouble and he wasn't about to make things even worse for himself or make himself look like an idiot by rejecting or allowing anything. Noticing Elrond trying to catch his eyes, Aragorn looked deliberately away.

Suddenly the ranger found himself yanked up by his tunic and held up from the ground as Lostiâ twisted the fabric, cutting of his air. "Where is Legolas?"

TBC...Oh! Evil cliffie here, especially if you are an Aragorn-angst type! LOL Please review! Please! Please! Please! Thank! They mean so much to us and give us drive to keep writing!

Oh, and we find this sort of funny, for our story, "All that's Left of Yesterday" had fourteen chapters total and recieved 92 reviews, the amount of reviews after fourteen chapters of this story was 92. Just something funny and trivialwe noticed that we wanted to share for no reason, just because...okay, we'll shut up now! LOL