I wanted to get this chapter up yesterday but I got back into town later than I had anticipated so here we are early on Monday morning, oh well I suppose it is not a big difference. I would like to wave to all the lurkers – hello! I hope you are all well, I checked the stats and was blown away at how many of you there are so I thought I would send my greetings. Okay, enough rambling on to the story.
Overcoming Prejudices
By washow
Rating: PG
Summary: Things go badly for the elves of Mirkwood and their only salvation may come in the form of a ranger of the north. Will the woodland king swallow his pride and ask for help?
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings nor am I making any profit from this story. Any similarities to other fan fiction are purely coincidental. This is not slash but a tale of friendship and family love.
Chapter 4: The Truth Comes Out
Two days later Aragorn was nearing the fabled gates of Mirkwood and the despair in his heart was growing stronger. How could he tell Thranduil of the men's desires for his beloved forest? The ranger's brooding was suddenly halted when he rode through the gates and found himself face to face with the two royals. As soon as his horse stopped Aragorn was set upon by the blond whirlwind he called friend, "How was your trip mellon nín? Did you find out why the men will not sell us the grain? Are you well?" The young elf's concern causing him to speak his words in an accelerated pace.
Thranduil smiled at his son as he came up behind him, "Be at peace young one the ranger seems to have taken no lasting harm from this journey but we should let him rest before extracting his news from him."
The man also smiled at his friend's concern as he dismounted from his horse but shook his head at the king's suggestion, "Pardon me sire but with all due respect, I am not overly tired and the news I carry is too grave to wait another moment. So I would, if you please, request an audience with you and your son so I can tell my tale."
The king frowned deeply but nodded just the same, "As you will ranger of the north, follow me to my study and we will hear your tale."
The small party quickly made their way down the corridor and into the wood paneled study of the elven king. Thranduil saw his son and the ranger comfortably seated with glasses of wine in their hands before he addressed the subject at hand, "So tell me ranger, why won't the people of Lake-town sell their grain to us in our time of need."
Aragorn then proceeded to regale father and son with the story of his travels, flinching openly at the king's angry stare when he mentioned the desire of the men's hearts. "They want to claim part of The Greenwood to plant in crops! Ludicrous, we are not in nor shall ever be in such a desperate predicament that I will turn over any part of my land to the likes of those traders!"
Legolas too flinched and attempted to appease his angry father while setting this situation to rights, "Let me lead one last delegation to these men, adar. I will let them know that we have knowledge of Gordor's plan and that if the town council continues to allow him to keep his position of power we will take that as a sign they support him in this plan, an action which could lead to war."
"I'll go with you," the ranger added quietly.
The king opened his mouth in order to voice his opinion but was quickly cut off by his son who was addressing the ranger, "No you will not, Gordor will recognize you and call you a traitor to mankind before all the men of Lake-town, putting your life in more danger than it is now. I will not stand for it, mellon nín, your part in this is done. You are invited to partake in the hospitality of wood elves but you are not invited to risk your life and reputation."
The ranger flashed his friend a smile, "You worry too much Legolas, they will not recognize me for I was in disguise before and I shall go as a ranger with you, they will never know it is the same person."
Legolas threw up his hands in frustration, "Unless you last entered the town dressed as a mûmakil they will recognize you! Please, Estel stay here where it is safe and let me conduct this duty for the realm."
So focused on the ranger was Legolas that he jumped when a voice came from his other side, "No, you will not."
The younger elf whipped his head around and gazed at his father in confusion, "I will not what, ada?"
The king stood to his feet and looked down at his son, "Conduct this business because I am going and you will be staying here."
Legolas' eyes grew as large as saucers, "Adar you cannot be serious, this is much too dangerous. Let me undertake this task and you can stay here ruling Mirkwood."
Thranduil's eyes took on a dangerous look, "Too dangerous? Then tell me, my son, if this task is too dangerous for me than why should I allow my only child to undertake it? The child I swore to protect as soon as he was born? I think not. No, I will go; first of all because I will not allow you to do it and secondly because it is my duty as king. When I accepted this crown I swore that I would do all in my power to ensure the safety and well being of the people. Anything, Legolas, up to and including my death so don't even think of taking this from me."
Legolas sat back in his chair; sulking, well aware there was no way he could sway his father now. After several minutes of quiet brooding the prince raised his head and met his father's eyes, "What about him?" The prince inquired while pointing to the now smirking ranger sitting across the room.
Thranduil looked from his son to the ranger and back again, "He is not my subject, Legolas, therefore I can not order him to stay. However," he added looking in the ranger's direction, "I would rather you did stay but if you are coming be sure to be at the gates first thing in the morning."
The king then stood and walked from the room leaving elf and ranger staring at each other. Finally Legolas broke the silence, "Well ranger, I suppose you won this round just be sure that you come back in one piece."
The ranger stood and grasped his friend's shoulder in support, "It will be well, my friend. I will return in one piece and I will make sure he does too."
The elf lifted worried eyes to his friend, "Be sure you do that" and disappeared from the room.
Scant hours later two figures were lashing on their packs in the pre-down hours. One, a human from the build, rubbed his eyes and glanced at his companion. "Are you sure this is the right thing to do your highness?" The man was still tired after being woken by his companion and informed they were leaving within the hour.
The king spared his companion a quick glance as he finished loading his horse, "A large escort would attract undo attention. I want to ride in and ride out with little fuss."
Aragorn sighed deeply, "Legolas is not going to like this. He will probably send a guard after us as soon as he learns we are gone."
The king shrugged, "Most likely, which is why it was necessary to put those herbs in his wine last night, he will be out until late this afternoon."
The ranger just gazed up at the monarch who was now seated in the saddle, "You drugged him? Legolas is going to be so angry."
The king just smiled and began moving out the gate calling over his shoulder, "It is a father's perrogative. Now if you are coming young one lets get going."
Aragorn spurred his horse forward, sure that this would be an adventure the like of which he had never before experienced.
TBC
BTW: Chapter 5 will be posted tomorrow.