Tales From Middle Earth: The Harad Road

2

Legolas and Elegost sat huddled together with Aragorn lying between them. The winds were strong making the question of a fire moot. They ate some of the dried provisions they carried, washing it down with mouthfuls of water. They made desultory conversation neither speaking of what was uppermost in their minds. Finally they grew quiet and a brooding silence ensued.

Then Elegost said softly, "If he does not awaken soon, he may not at all."

Legolas reluctantly nodded in agreement then said, "Lord Elrond of Rivendell has medicine to lift this curse."

"We are a long way from that house." Elegost countered. "But I will journey with you there if needs be."

"I hope that we need not make that journey." Legolas responded.

The watches of the night passed slowly, but neither Legolas nor Elegost slept. The stars came out after some time but they seemed cold and distant. Aragorn awoke so quietly that for many hours neither of them noticed. Then a gust of wind blew sand in their faces and he coughed, startling his two companions.

The only ill effect that Aragorn seemed to suffer from the attack was hunger. He felt as though he had not eaten for untold days. During the days that followed Legolas and Elegost kept careful watch over Aragorn. He truly seemed unaffected except for minor pains in his stomach and even that disappeared in a week.

oooooooooooo

The solitary birch was the first tree they had seen in days. Wet with sweat and panting Elegost leaned against its trunk gratefully. Aragorn was next to him gasping for breath, his back against the smooth bark. The meagre shade offered some reprieve from the burning sun. Legolas stood head down one hand against the tree trunk.

"The river is not that far ahead." he informed them.

In response Aragorn slid to the ground. "I can go no further," he rasped.

Elegost turned slightly sideways to look at Legolas. "I have realised my friend that 'not far ahead' to an elf means a day's march to a man."

Legolas' unexpected laughter caused the other two to smile.

ooooooooooo

On the other side of the river the brown plains gave way to the grassy plains of South Gondor. They made camp near to a small stream. While Legolas and Aragorn gathered firewood Elegost gleefully caught up his bow and announced he would provide dinner. Legolas dumped an armload of small sticks and branches in a heap and then dusting his hands began removing his clothing. Aragorn looked at him curiously.

"If I do not bathe I shall go mad, mellon nin, I am beginning to smell like a ranger."

Aragorn grinned in response.

Naked, Legolas disappeared among the grasses. Soon Aragorn heard a splash and then singing. Alone now Aragorn sat on the ground and pulling his legs to his chest, wrapped his arms around them and rest his chin upon his knees. He felt strange and had been for some time, though he could pinpoint no particular ailment. He tried to recall when he had begun to feel odd but could think of no particular time. His mind again went to the moment when the wraith had seized him, but all he could recollect was a cold sensation. Unconsciously he began to hum along with the song that Legolas was singing.

'Did it curse me?' he wondered.

Yet it had been three weeks since that night, surely a curse would have shown itself already.

A sudden deluge of cold water made him gasp. Grinning Legolas overturned the skin of water on the hapless ranger. It was his turn to take a bath.

Hours later clean and replete Aragorn sat cross-legged at the small fire drowsily watching Elegost repair a rent in his travel cloak. His lean strong fingers expertly moved the bone needle in and out of the cloth. He was thirty years to Aragorn's twenty six, lean and good natured. His shoulder length brown hair was pulled back from his strong face. His dark blue eyes as usual sparkled with life and a smile curved his lips. His people were from Gondor and he had lived in and around the forests his entire life. Aragorn found him a pleasant and knowledgeable companion. Then his eyes drifted over to where Legolas was examining his bow. The archer was looking for tiny cracks in the wood that would make the bow undependable. His brow furrowed as he ran his thumb over the smooth weapon. Aragorn watched the long digit move up and down, down and up and somewhere in between fell asleep.

Elegost looked up as Aragorn slipped sideways onto the grass. He raised his brows and looked across at Legolas who had already noticed the movement. Aragorn seemed unable to stay awake at night this past week. He had begun to tire more easily during the day as well and seemed almost to be dreaming as they walked. The blade of his sword had not seen a whetstone since the night of the attack. He complained of no ailment and ate his fair share of the provisions, yet they both knew he was no longer himself.

"Will you take first watch or shall I?" Elegost asked.

"I will," said Legolas getting to his feet. "Stay close to him Elegost. I fear this curse is just beginning to show itself."

ooooooooo

Across the River Poros lay South Ithilien and home to Elegost. The problem was that the river was in spring flood and could not be crossed at the point where they stood. The three of them stood on a slight rise looking out at the swirling waters.

"Is there another way?" Legolas asked the ranger.

"Yes," Elegost replied, but Legolas could see he was bothered by the question. Stepping closer to him Legolas demanded a reason.

"There is a bridge west of us," Elegost began, his blue eyes serious and worried. "But orcs roam in bands there, harrying travellers to and fro." Glancing over at Aragorn he continued. "I think we should avoid a fight at all cost, don't you?"

Legolas nodded, a frown creasing his brow then asked. "And to the east?"

"It is a week's march to the nearest outpost. We can ferry across if the post is manned."

"And if it is not?"

"Then we may have to swim, but it is not hard. I have done it before."

"Then let us take our chances east."

The mountains of Mordor loomed over their shoulders as they turned their backs to it and began to travel eastward. From time to time Aragorn would turn and look back. He wondered why they travelled this way. Was there not a bridge close at hand?

"Where are we going?" he asked aloud.

"To the outpost of Harondor," replied Elegost who was ahead of him.

"Harondor! Why do we not cross at the Poros Bridge? It will put us miles out of our way should we journey to Harondor!"

"It is safer this way." Legolas said calmly from behind him.

"Safer," Aragorn exclaimed. He stopped abruptly, causing his companions to do the same. "You are afraid of orcs!" Aragorn said incredulously.

"Not afraid, just cautious." Legolas replied.

"Since when were you ever cautious Legolas?" He glared at them both.

"You think me foolish. You have both turned against me; you place your trust in each other. I see you whispering together, looking at me strangely. You think me changed since that night!"

Elegost opened his mouth to speak, but Aragorn did not allow him a word.

"You both may continue on to Harondor, but I shall take the bridge to Ithilien."

So saying Aragorn turned and began walking in the opposite direction. Tears gathered in his eyes and spilled down his face. He dashed them away angrily. How could the elf betray him so!

Legolas and Elegost looked at each other for a moment and then began to follow the irate dúnadan.

The furious pace that he set out with slowed to a fast walk. Then as evening pushed on it dwindled to a slow crawl. The elf and the ranger stayed a reasonable distance behind him so as not to irritate him further. But they need not have bothered. He did not look around even once for it took all his energy to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

They passed a good place to settle for the night and Elegost brought it to Legolas' notice.

"Set up camp, I will follow on and bring him back when he tires." said the elf.

Out of spite and on will alone Aragorn pushed on for another half mile. But finally he collapsed in an exhausted heap on the ground. Looking back in the waning light he saw no one following. Thinking that his friends had truly abandoned him tears once again filled his eyes and sobs tore at his throat.

Legolas approached quietly and knelt in front of his weary friend. "Aragorn," he said softly.

Aragorn jumped and his eyes flew open. "What are you doing here?" he demanded roughly, scrubbing at his wet face in shame.

"Will you not share our fire?" Legolas asked gently, ignoring the question.

Aragorn covered his face with his hands as new tears sprang from his eyes. He could not seem to stop. "I do not think I can walk anymore." he hiccupped.

In answer Legolas simply picked him up and began to retrace his steps. In utter misery Aragorn buried his face in the soft cloth of Legolas' tunic. Soon the familiar scent of his friend steadied him. Before they reached the campsite he was mostly asleep. Elegost stood as he saw them coming. "Let him drink this," he said indicating the steaming cup he held. "The herbs give strength and I hope may counter some effects of this curse."

Legolas sat and propped Aragorn upright. He cajoled him into drinking the hot brew, but Aragorn still seemed unable to stay awake.

"I am sorry," Aragorn mumbled as his eyes closed of their own will.

Legolas lips tightened in worry. "We must get him to Lothlorien with all speed. I fear he will not last the journey to Rivendell."

Elegost nodded sadly.

That night the pains that had plagued Aragorn in bygone weeks, returned in greater strength. He moaned and tossed, his fingers unconsciously scraping at his abdomen in an effort to find release. Legolas restrained his hands while Elegost made a poultice of the same herb he had given Aragorn to drink earlier. He placed it on his bare stomach. After a few minutes it seemed to lend him some succour. As Aragorn quietened down Legolas released his hands and let him sleep.