Tales From Middle Earth: The Harad Road

5

The message came by way of the eagle Melendor the swift. A shadow fell over them as the majestic bird circled once and then landed not too far ahead. They all bowed low in respect and awe, except for Aragorn who stood watching the bird with open curiousity. Melendor eyed him gravely seeing clearly the shadow that enveloped him. Then the bird began to speak. "The Lady of the Golden Wood sends thee words of comfort and even now seeks an end to the malady."

In a respectful tone Legolas asked, "Can you not bear him hence, I fear time is against us."

"I could bear him, and easily elfling, but he would not endure the journey. His fear would be his undoing."

Then he spoke to them all. "Abide here in your secret place but keep watch, for I shall come swiftly when it is time."

So saying Meneldor spread his wings and in a rush of air was gone. Aragorn watched him until he was no more than a speck in the sky.

oo

The cavern refuge of the Rangers of Ithilien was hidden behind a spectacular waterfall. Legolas stood at its base and marvelled at its beauty. Elegost nudged him, "Come, we must climb."

The cavern was huge and many tiered and also boasted many rooms. Some were natural and some had been built over time by the men of Gondor. The rangers showed them where the stores and provisions were kept. They showed them the location of the forbidden pool and warned them that it was bottomless and treacherous. There was a stream that ran through the cavern. It was to be used for drinking, cooking and washing. There was no way out of the cavern save one and that was the way by which they had come.

Legolas found the place spacious and airy but dimly lit, but he did not complain. He set about making a bed for Aragorn in one of the more central rooms. After he had settled him in, he stripped off his weapons and outer tunic and shed his travel worn boots for more comfortable cloth shoes. He knew that all they could do now was wait.

Days passed and turned into a week and then another and then one more. They found themselves falling into an easy routine. Elegost did the cooking, washing and the mending while Legolas took care of Aragorn. His abdomen had grown making it difficult for him to move about alone, so Legolas helped him bathe and eat and do those private things that everyone must. They were awkward at first, for Aragorn was ashamed. But Legolas acted quite naturally and soon Aragorn relaxed in his presence. Soon Aragorn grew too large to wear leggings or pants so only shirts hid his nakedness. To pass the time Legolas would tell him tales of Mirkwood and of times long past, some very real and some entirely false. Elegost would join them at those times and would peacefully smoke while Legolas talked.

Despite his friends' urging Aragorn refused to leave the safety of the cavern for the dimness of it and the absence of colour was a boon to him. So Elegost and Legolas took turns going out onto the ridge on certain days. They would scan the skies in hope but there was naught to see but clear blue.

On one such day when Legolas had gone out Aragorn sought the company of Elegost, for he did not like being alone. Elegost was chopping a store of branches into smaller pieces for the fire. His upper body was bare for it was hot work. Aragorn watched him noting the way his lean body glistened and the way his muscles moved with each swing. He felt a strange emotion suffuse him, confused Aragorn turned to leave. Catching sight of him just then Elegost stopped in the midst of his work and went to him.

"Do you feel well? Is there aught you need?" Elegost asked a frown of concern on his handsome face.

But Aragorn could not answer; he stared dazedly at Elegost's chest feeling the pain in his belly anew.

"Aragorn?" said Elegost taking him by the shoulders for Aragorn seemed on the edge of a swoon. But Aragorn pulled away and made his way out of the room leaving a puzzled Elegost behind.

When Legolas returned Elegost told him of the incident. "He has been abed since then," Elegost said.

On entering, Legolas lit the candles bringing some light into the dark room. Aragorn was curled on his side on the soft heather bed.

"How do you feel," he asked Aragorn.

"Well," Aragorn whispered. But he lied for the pain was stronger since his encounter with Elegost.

"I disbelieve you," Legolas said to him softly. "You tremble so and your lips are pale."

Aragorn sighed closing his eyes for a moment. Then Legolas touched his brow and the surge of pain was so strong he cried out, hands going to his swollen stomach. The thing in his belly moved and seeing the movement Legolas was afraid. But for Aragorn's sake he tamed that fear and taking the ranger's smaller hands in his, stayed where he was. From the dark recess of the entryway a troubled Elegost watched helplessly as Aragorn writhed with pain.

Legolas stayed with him until he fell into an exhausted sleep and then numbly found his way to the stream. Hours had passed and the elf was drained. He splashed water onto his face and neck prepared to pass the long watches of the night in vigilance, but Elegost forestalled him.

"You have kept watch over him for ten days, let me take this night. I will wake you if needs be."

Legolas disagreed, "I feel in my heart that he will need me before this night is through."

"All the more reason to rest while you can." Elegost insisted. "Let me do this one thing for you."

Reluctantly Legolas gave in and sleep claimed him quickly but his dreams were filled with terrible visions.

While Aragorn slept the power inside him came to fruition. It had fed upon the man, changing him into a parody of himself. It had grown in a mockery of life with each emotion, absorbing it, twisting it, radiating a lesser feeling. But there was no more to be had. The man was depleted. It was time for it to be born.

Aragorn awoke in a rush, the pain wrapped about his body like tentacles. Hands to his swollen belly he moaned. Elegost who had been sitting in one corner quietly smoking got to his feet.

"I am here Aragorn," he said reaching the ranger's side in two strides.

Aragorn whispered something and Elegost leaned closer to hear. Fast as a striking snake Aragorn ensnared his head and pulling him closer kissed him. It was a deep opened mouthed kiss and heat poured between them. It scorched Elegost's mouth and he wriggled, trying to escape and shout at the same time. But the kiss deepened cutting off his supply of air. He slumped to the ground in a dead faint. Angered Aragorn stood. He had barely begun, he needed more, someone stronger. Then he remembered, there was another.

Legolas lay in disturbed slumber on a bed of soft heather. Aragorn stood looking down at him enjoying the way he frowned and tossed in the depths of his sleep.

"Awake melleth nin, I need you." he whispered, his mouth next to Legolas' pointed ear.

Legolas had barely opened his eyes when Aragorn descended upon him. With fell strength he straddled the elf and pinioning his arms clamped his lips fully over his. Legolas struggled but Aragorn pressed down harder, biting the elf's lips to gain entry. Legolas' cry was muffled by Aragorn's mouth but his goal was accomplished. The heat began to pour between them. Legolas twisted sideways throwing both of them to the ground. But though Aragorn's head struck the ground forcefully enough to draw blood he stuck to the elf like a leech. Blindly Legolas grabbed at his back, nails digging into the ranger's flesh…Aragorn's shirt tore away bloody, but he did not move. Legolas' grabbed at the ranger's long hair and yanked it viciously for the heat was flooding rapidly through his body. But Aragorn was past feeling pain now. Legolas bucked violently but Aragorn rode him, his fingers gripping onto the elf's ears until they bled.

Then Legolas grew still as the thing filled him, and still it was not done. Aragorn grew weaker and weaker as the shadow poured out of his body and into its new host. Finally as Legolas lay pale and still Aragorn released him and fell to the ground senseless.

All was quiet in the cavern now.

When Aragorn awoke and saw what he had done he fled in shame. Naked and bleeding he sought out the darkest place and hid there for his mind and body was still twisted and changed. Tears leaked from his eyes but not a sound did he make. He pressed a hand to his now flaccid stomach and the emptiness he felt there threatened to send him mad. Where was the pain, the sweet pain that had become his whole life? In despair he curled in on himself and trembled.

It was lucky for Elegost that he did not awaken until everything was over. For in the room where Legolas lay something was happening. The shadow had filled the body of the elf completely yet could find no home inside him. Place to place it searched looking for some mortal weakness but there was none to be had. It began to die. Terrified it rushed upwards and into his mouth. There was no one else with which to share its foul kiss. It poured from the mouth of the elf dissipating into nothingness.

melleth nin------my love