Title: Portend 3/3
Author: Númenora
Rating: PG
Pairing/Characters: Legolas, Aragorn(Estel), Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, OCs
Warnings: AU, Slash, angst; warm & fuzzy.
Setting: Rivendell, TA 2951. Aragorn is Twenty-years-old.
Disclaimer: All known Characters are Tolkien's; even the OMCs have Tolkien names.
Beta: none; all mistakes are mine and that includes any misuse of the Elvish (as well as the English) language.
Summary: Six-year-old Legolas has an imaginary friend—at least this is what his family believes; what will happen when they find out that the 'friend' is very real? Who is he and what is his purpose A short WIP (3 chapters) that had begun as a drabble written for the LAS April/May 'Spring' Challenge, but morphed into this multi-chapter piece.
A/N: This is an AU world that messes with canon a whole bunch—some very obvious; which includes that part of Appendix A (at the end of RotK) that tells of how Aragorn found out about his heritage and what happened the next day (you know what I'm referring to!). The whole story is a bit odd, but I hope you like it. I was inspired by a scene in the Shirley Temple movie 'The Blue Bird.' I have wanted to write a similar fic for quite sometime, but this challenge gave me a vehicle for it, though I am not posting it as a part of the challenge; thanks Akashaelfwitch and the owner/moderators of AragornLegolas Slash group.
Thoughts and stressed words are denoted by italics
Elvish Phrase glossary at the end of the each chapter
Chapter Three
"Remembered Bonds & Promises"
Aragorn closed the door to his wardrobe after checking his appearance for the twentieth time (or so it seemed to the young man). He had only been home for a few hours and he wasn't really in the mood to meet new people today; but there were guests in the Last homely House of Elrond Half-elven, and his ada expected him to dress for dinner this evening. He and his brothers Elladan and Elrohir had been away, traveling across Eriador with the Dúnedain Rangers of the North these past few months and had only returned this afternoon.
Before they'd left Rivendell, Elrond sat him down and told Estel of his heritage and what was expected of him—his future. Everything that he had learned that day had been surprising and awe-inspiring. But much later (after much reflection), he began to realize that somehow part of him had always known that something extraordinary awaited him in the future. Aragorn (he still had trouble thinking of himself with that name) had wanted to spend time talking to Lord Elrond in depth about his family's past and his future; about Gondor—about everything! Only now, that would have to wait as he and his brothers were expected to entertain the visitors from Lothlórien and from Mirkwood.
Mirkwood.
Aragorn frowned. It was very odd, but since he was a boy, every time he thought of that Elven realm, he felt odd as if he belonged there or should be there. It was like waking up knowing that you dreamed, but you were unable to remember what that dream was about. The place seemed familiar to Aragorn. But of course that was utterly ridiculous as he'd only read about Mirkwood in books as he'd done with Lothlórien as well as the Grey Havens and the Elven Realms of old. He knew that someday, he would travel to Lothlórien or Mirkwood (or both) since his family (his Elven one) had close ties to both places; but he also knew that he would have to see the great realms of Men as well. None of this should make him feel homesick for a place he'd never even seen before.
Ai! These thoughts were making his head hurt. "I'll take a walk to clear my mind before this evening's feast." He said to himself.
He had at least two hours before he'd be needed. So, the twenty-year-old left his chambers and exited the home through a back way that led to woods beyond Elrond's garden. As he passed among the flowerbeds, the fragrance of blooming roses wafted to him. He smiled as he saw the large bushes—white roses. When he was a small boy of six, he'd asked his ada to plant some white roses as his pretend friend Melyanna liked them so. Lord Elrond had laughed, asking him why white ones when there were several gardens with roses of red, pink, yellow and every color imaginable. He had said that Melyanna liked white roses; he then asked him if he could plant them near the oak tree because Melyanna liked climbing oak trees, too. The Noldo Lord acquiesced and he and Estel began planting white rose bushes the very next day.
Aragorn remembered that he had been very anxious about how long it would take for them to bloom. It hadn't taken too long (a month or so) since they had been large bushes and Lord Elrond had made a special plant food for them. It had warmed his ada's heart to see the joy on his face when he saw the first bud. He and Lord Elrond had always been close, but they bonded in a special way as they worked together caring for the roses—well they and 'Melyanna!'
Taking one last look at the full bloomed bush, he left the garden and began to sing a song. He started singing the 'Lay of Lúthien' as it was one of his favorite songs, but then he raised his hand to his face and the scent of the rose he had touched was still present, reminding him of long ago. Another song came to him—a song that he had learned from Melyanna. When he asked one evening after supper if he could sing a song to everyone in the Hall of Fire, Elrond said yes. Never a terribly shy child, he stood before all and began to sing. A hush fell over the room. His ada knew that he had a lovely singing voice, but the song he sang and the feeling behind it was very touching to everyone—especially from one so young. As he continued to sing, Lindir and several other musicians began to accompany him.
When the song ended, Elrond, Estel's brothers and everyone had applauded, commending him on his performance. His ada asked him if Lindir (who was the six-year-old's music teacher) had taught him the song, and he'd said, 'No, ada—Melyanna learned it to me.' Elrond forewent correcting his grammar as he was very curious to find out how Estel managed to learn an obscure lullaby that the Imladrian Lord had only heard once in Mirkwood centuries prior. Lindir, Erestor, the Twins and Arwen had been in Mirkwood that summer and at a concert they'd heard Queen Eärwen sing that song—a lullaby that she had composed herself.
At that time, Aragorn had been certain of the song's origins, but later he thought that perhaps he had learned of it from one of the other elves or perhaps someone had sang it to him when he was sick the previous winter. It had been during that time that he began to see and hear Melyanna—first dreaming of him and then actually seeing, hearing and playing with him when he was well again. They had been friends for nearly two years (18 months to be exact), but then Melyanna went away; but even years after—even now sometimes—whenever he would talk to himself, his sweet Melyanna's face would be there before him.
Aragorn's heart became light and hopeful as he neared some birch trees; then he saw a dark-haired maiden dressed in silver and blue walking along the greensward. He paused and he caught his breath for she was beautiful like Lúthien of whom he had briefly sang moments ago. As he made to call to her, he heard his brothers' laughter and Elrohir shout out to Elladan.
"Get him, 'Dan!"
He didn't see either of them, but he half expected one or both to jump out at him from the trees; perhaps they'd engaged the pretty elleth to distract him so that he'd be unaware until it was too late. He looked around anxiously on his guard, ready to protect himself as he'd had to do for years.
"Hello," a soft voice said to him. It was the elf maiden and she came closer to stand before him.
Aragorn didn't say anything for a moment as he thought that she was the loveliest elleth (nay female) that he'd ever met.
She laughed at the look on his face, thinking how handsome and charming he was. Then she paused, the smile leaving her face as she thought that he seemed familiar to her.
"Do I know you," she asked him.
"I do not think so—I would remember meeting Lúthien," he smiled and she laughed again. "I was singing of her meeting with my ancestor in the 'Lay of Lúthien' just moments ago—perhaps I wished you into being!" He waved his arm dramatically, making her laughed the louder.
Then he answered her question. "I was called Estel until of late, but I was born Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Heir of Isildur. And what is your name, fair maiden if not Lúthien?"
"I am Arwen Elrondiell and we are kin of sorts, removed by several generations."
Aragorn was stunned. "I know not what to say! I have been raised here for the majority of my life—calling Elrond ada and his ionnath brothers yet I have heard nothing of you. How is this possible?"
"I have been living with my naneth's people in Lothlórien for many years and have now come home. I am pleased to meet you, Estel." She offered him her hand in the manner of Men.
He reached to take it, but he was startled as a streak of green flew between and passed them making them jump apart. Next came Elladan and Elrohir, the latter carrying a bucket that sloshed, giving off a mossy smell.
"You said that you had him!" Elrohir yelled.
"I did—but these wood-elves are slippery and devious!" Elladan propelled himself through the air and landed on the green-clad being, knocking him to the ground.
"Ha!" He said triumphantly. "I caught you this time, Legolas! Hurry, 'Ro, before he gets free!"
"Don't you come near me, you fiend!" A slightly husky voice yelled to Elrohir. "If you even think of putting that disgusting mess on me, you will regret it!"
Aragorn couldn't see the other person as Elladan was sitting straddled his waist, blocking his face from view. But Aragorn became nervous for some unknown reason and he became rooted to the spot next to Arwen who was shaking her head in fondness at the three ellyn tussling on the ground.
"It is amazing how little things change even as centuries pass—the three of you are still elflings!"
"I am not an elfling; they are elflings!" Legolas declared. "Arwen, please help me—save me from these...these...creatures of mischief!"
"Don't you dare help him, Thêl dithen—blood before honor!" Elladan said and Elrohir finished.
"What is that you have in that bucket?" Arwen inquired as she covered her nose.
"A moss shampoo for Legolas' locks; he looks so good in green—I've said so many times!"
"Legolas?" Aragorn whispered, frowning. That was Melyanna's other name. "But, I made up those names—didn't I?"
"What did you say, Estel?" Arwen turned to him and became concerned at the perplexed look he wore. "Are you ill, Estel?"
"Nay, I am fine," came the distracted reply.
He walked slowly over to where his brothers flanked the other elf. Aragorn could see long pale-gold tresses fanned out on the grass. When Elrohir brought out a handful of his and Elladan's concoction, preparing to smear it on Legolas, Aragorn grabbed his arm and pushed it away; causing his sibling to tumble backwards, the mess hitting him aside his face.
"Estel! Look what you've done!" Elrohir glared at his tôr dithen and then Arwen when she giggled.
Aragorn didn't hear him as he grabbed Elladan around the waist, pulling him up and off of the supine male who was slinging every curse he could think of (including some choice Dwarvish ones). When Legolas was free, he jumped up and away from his attackers and struck a defensive posture in case they came at him again.
"I thank you greatly for your help; I rarely have someone to come to my aid against their vile attacks! I swear I don't know why they do these things when I never give them cause to treat me thusly." Legolas' voice was long-suffering and he fought to keep a smirk from his voice before the stranger.
It was a losing battle as Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen all snorted at his innocent act. The Sinda gave as much as he got—including the time he tied both twins up while they slept and shaved the opposite side of each their heads, making them look like the mirror images many saw them as.
Ignoring his friends, Legolas went over to the dark-haired male still struggling to hold back Elladan. Normally, Aragorn would be falling victim to both brothers, but Elrohir was still pulling moss out of his hair and out of the neck of his tunic instead of helping Elladan. Legolas knew that Elrond had a mortal foster child called Estel, but he hadn't had occasion to meet him until now. The Prince stood behind Estel who finally let Elladan up when he stopped his struggles.
Aragorn heart began to beat in his chest and he couldn't understand why he was so nervous about seeing this elf called Legolas. He knew that he was being irrational, but something momentous was about to happen—he could feel it. Aragorn took a deep breath and began turning as Legolas spoke to him.
"I am happy to finally meet you, Estel. Your brothers and ada have told me so much about you, I feel that we are already friends..." Legolas' voice trailed off and the smile froze on his beautiful, but dirt-smudged face.
Cerulean blue eyes locked with blue-green ones and Legolas began to feel what Aragorn had just moments before. He frowned, shaking his head. The face seemed familiar—No, Legolas thought, it is the eyes. A pale hand reached up, but stopped a fraction of an inch from Aragorn's bearded cheek. He curled his fingers and made to pull away, but Aragorn caught the hand and turned his face into it, placing a kiss on the palm.
He breathed, "Melyanna," as a tear stole down his face.
He didn't understand any of this, but Aragorn's heart was weeping with joy and some empty part he never knew needed filling was whole again.
"Melyanna," he repeated as he brushed his lips along the long digits. "My dear, sweet Melyanna!"
Legolas was crying, too. He was also at a loss to explain why this mortal felt so dear to him or how he could know of the endearment 'Melyanna.' Only one person—an imagined friend—had called him that; a friend that he had forgotten up until one strange winter, fourteen years ago. That night, he dreamed that someone special was ill and needed him. A beautiful child with dark hair and blue-green eyes..."
"Verno?" Aragorn paused and looked at Legolas again. He knew that name—his Melyanna called him that. "I remember you! Please tell me this is real," Legolas whispered to him.
"I remember you, too. I thought that you were make-believe, but you are real—I feel you here." Aragorn placed Legolas' hand over his heart.
"And I feel you as well." Legolas placed Aragorn's other hand over his fast-beating heart.
The Peredhil brothers didn't know what to make of the two—lovers?—for that is how they were behaving. But, the Twins knew for a fact that neither penneth had met the other. Estel never left Imladris unless he was with one of them or their ada; and the last time that Legolas was in Rivendell was thirty years ago—ten years before Estel was born. But here they were, speaking words of endearment—Legolas calling their muindor 'husband.'
Arwen felt a sad sense of loss; she, like Legolas felt a familiarity with Estel. When they spoke a little while ago, there had been a spark between them and she had imagined that they could become close to each other and perhaps fall in love. But just as quickly, her sadness turned to acceptance and contentment for the two beings gazing so lovingly at the other. Besides, she thought, I now have a new brother (a younger brother) to boss around. She was no longer the baby in the family and she would finally get her proper respect! Life was good.
No longer able to keep silent, Elrohir asked, "Would either of you tell me—tell us—what on Arda is going on with the two of you?"
Elladan joined in with, "'Ro is correct—why are you calling Legolas by the name of your long-lost pretend friend, Estel?"
"I seem to remember Elurín telling me about Legolas having an imaginary friend as well. What was its name, 'Dan?"
"I don't remember exactly, but Elurín said that he would pretend that they were bond-mates or something; imagine a six-year-old having a husband!"
"That's it!" Elrohir bellowed. "Lassë called him Verno." The twins looked at each other and then back at Legolas and Estel.
"Well, Legolas, Estel—how is it that the two of you, who have never met or corresponded with the other, now call the other by the names of your imagined friends?"
"Yes—explain yourselves!" The younger twin demanded.
Aragorn and Legolas reluctantly looked away from each other to face the Peredhil siblings. "I'm sure we don't know to what you are referring," Aragorn stated evasively as he wasn't ready to talk to anyone other than Legolas about what was happening.
Feeling the same way, Legolas nodded in agreement with his love. "No, we really don't know."
Elladan narrowed his eyes at them, "What are you two pulling here?" Then his gray eyes grew narrower and he looked at Elrohir, the two now wearing identical looks of suspicion.
"The two of you met earlier and cooked this little game up between you, didn't you? Of course—that's it!" The last was exclaimed by both gwenyn.
Arwen was dubious of her elder brothers' deductions—believing the love between Estel and Lassë to be genuine. But she wondered just the same, especially with the next statements Legolas and Estel uttered.
"You've found us out," Legolas said.
"The two of you are much too wise for either of us!" Aragorn stated, not quite able to mask the irony, but the triumphant gwenyn didn't hear it as they congratulated themselves for figuring everything out.
"Well, next time the two of you will think better of trying to outwit us!" Elladan advised.
"Calling the other by the names of their pretend friends—bah!"
"We should have known better, Vern...Estel," Legolas fast corrected. "After all, there are no such things as imagined friends."
"No such things," Aragorn repeated as he squeezed Legolas' hand still held firmly in his.
Then the two of them headed back towards the Last Homely House hand in hand. Arwen understood what they were doing and silently applauded her new tôr dithen and future tôr dithen for she was certain that they would bond someday.
She said to the Twins, "You two should go get changed for the feast; and, 'Ro?"
"Yes, Arwen?"
"Lassë isn't the only one who looks good in green!" She laughed as Elrohir's face glowered at her and then the now absent Estel for splashing him with the moss slush they'd prepared for their Mirkwood gwador.
He and Elladan stalked back to get changed, Arwen following. But then she stopped and looked around. She felt like someone was watching her, but then the feeling fled and she headed home to freshen up for supper.
She didn't know it, but she was correct—she and the others had been watched for some time. A white light shone brightly and a beautiful female with a magical air about her stepped from behind the trees with a young pre-Peredhel by her side.
"Did you make them remember, Guardian?" The elfling asked her.
"Nay, Child—I did not need to help them remember. They did it on their own." She smiled, happy that she didn't have to interfere with them this time. Legolas' and Estel's (Aragorn, she corrected) bond is as strong as she'd hoped so long ago.
"I don't understand something, Guardian. You say that they will be my parents when I'm born, but how can that be when they are both male?" The beautiful dark-haired 'child' looked askance to her.
"I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out in time for your arrival; you belong with them and I'll make it happen somehow." She put her arm around the smaller being as they were surrounded by the white light, both becoming transfigured.
As they started to vanish from Arda, she thought to herself, I know that I may get punished again for interfering with this young one, but I must. Laughing to herself, I just hope that pre-troll and pre-orc children are easy to manage! She knew that if she were found out this time, that's where she is likely to end up. Oh well, she would face that possibility for her two special children of her heart. They deserved much happiness for everything that they will face in the coming years and the great sacrifice that Legolas will make for his dear husband.
Well, not to worry—they would see her again. Heaven (the place where mortals went when this life ends) is not so far from the Before-time. The unborn children could always use special guardians like Estel and Lassë. She will to put in a good word for them when they arrive. With one last look, they vanished.
Legolas and Aragorn faced their destinies bravely—losing good friends along the way, but they never lost each other and their lives were full and happy and Middle-earth prospered. They even had the love of a beautiful Peredhel child to care for and raise. How is this possible, you ask? The Guardian was very resourceful. Perhaps she could tell you about it someday when she isn't quite so busy—pre-troll and pre-orc children are not easy to manage, after all!
Finis
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Elvish Phrase glossary:
Melyanna – Dear gift (Quenya)
Elleth – Female elf
Iell – Daughter (Elrondiell or daughter of Elrond)
Ellyn – Plural of ellon (male elf)
Thêl dithen – Younger sister (poetic, family)
Tôr dithen – Younger brother (poetic, family)
Peredhil – Half-Elven (plural)
Muindor – Brother (familiar, family)
Penneth – Young one
Gwenyn – Twins (plural of twin)
Gwador – brother (sworn) or associate