Disclaimer: Same as always.
A/N: Sorry this really late. I meant to get it up soon. My apologies. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 11
Departure
'Wherever you hear - the wind in the canyon
Wherever
you see - the buffalo run
Wherever you go - I'll be there beside
you
Cos you are my brother - my brother under the sun'
My Brother Under the Sun - Bryan Adams
Legolas sighed heavily as he packed what little belongings he had into a bag. It had been two days since he had found out about Linriel's sacrifice. The pain and sadness still seemed overwhelming, but Legolas knew he could not delay any longer. He had to travel to Mirkwood to help his father. He had promised Elrond that he would stay a few more days to recover and let his heart heal, but now he had to go, whether he was ready or not. He had not talked to Lord Elrond, nor had he told anyone else. He would leave a note in his room so that when Elrond or Aragorn found it in the morning, he would be long gone. He wanted to travel alone so he would get there as soon as possible and so he could sort through his thoughts.
Legolas drew in a deep breath as he picked up his bag and walked from the room. Silently, he walked down the hall, passing by the healing room. He paused for a second. Quietly, he cracked the door and peeked inside. Elrohir was sitting in the room by Elladan's side.
The older twin was sleeping peacefully now, but the past two days had been stressful for him. He was lucky to have even survived. His fever had risen and his breathing had slowed. His body trembled and more than once, everyone thought the twin would die. But he hadn't. He had lived and now Elrond was sure he would recover. The worst of the poison was over.
Legolas dropped his pack to the floor, near the door, and silently crept into the room. Elrohir looked up at him, slightly worried, but Legolas held a finger to his lips. Silently, he moved to his sister's bedside and kissed her lightly on the forehead. Gently he ran a hand across her face. "I love you, my sister."
Elrohir watched them for a moment, but said nothing. It was not unusual for Legolas to come into the room late at night just to see his sister and make sure she was all right. Elrohir hoped Linriel would be back on her feet in a few more days, maybe as early as tomorrow. She was recovering well, and her wounds were healing both mentally and physically. Elrohir was thankful for that.
Elrohir looked back up as he heard Legolas leave the room. The prince nodded a silent goodnight, before closing the door behind him. With that, Legolas picked up his pack and headed towards the stables. He reached them quickly and began to prepare a horse. He chose a horse called Amthar, since he knew the horse quite well. He knew Elrond would not mind as long as the horse eventually returned to Rivendell.
With a sigh, he led the horse from the stables toward the main gate. Suddenly, he turned his head, surprised to hear another set of hoof beats. He was startled to see Aragorn behind him, leading another horse from the stables. Aragorn came up beside him, smiling.
"What are you doing, Estel?"
"I could ask you the same question." Aragorn replied.
"I'm going to Mirkwood. My father needs me. I was hoping no one would notice until morning."
Aragorn nodded. "Why not wait until morning to leave?" He questioned.
"I have my reasons, Estel. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a long journey ahead of me." Legolas began walking again, but sighed as Aragorn followed. He turned his head sharply to the side. "Estel, what are you doing?"
"I'm coming with you. You shouldn't ride alone. It isn't safe." Aragorn replied.
Legolas stopped walking. "Estel, I thank you for your concern, but you can't come to Mirkwood with me."
"Why?"
Legolas sighed and turned his head away, not wishing to discuss this. "Because you can't."
"I want to help you, Legolas. It's what friends do. Why can't I follow you to your home?" Aragorn continued to pry.
Legolas gave him a frustrated sigh. "Because you're a human, that's why." Aragorn stared at him confused. Legolas groaned silently to himself. "With few exceptions, humans have not been allowed in Mirkwood for over three centuries."
"Well, you're the prince. Make an exception. Either way, I'm coming with you."
"Estel, this is not open for debate. You will not be accepted in Mirkwood. You will be shunned and banished. Stay here with your father and brothers." Legolas said, his voice unintentionally raised.
"If I am shunned so be it, but I have heard what your messenger friend told Elrond. There is more evil amiss that any of us can see. You are going to need help, Legolas." Aragorn replied, keeping his voice steady.
Legolas sighed and began walking again, not surprised as Aragorn followed. Inside he was somewhat grateful for the human's loyalty, but he knew things would not be easy to deal with in Mirkwood. No one would accept the human and when they heard Aragorn was a friend to the prince, everyone would think him highly foolish. It's not that he cared what others thought; it was that he cared what his father thought. And his father would no doubt be furious. Legolas shrugged it away and continued walking.
Once out of Rivendell, he mounted his horse and began at a gentle trot, slowly picking up speed. Aragorn rode right beside him, not speaking a word.
"We have a long road ahead of us Aragorn and we will be riding hard the whole way. I hope you are prepared." Legolas told him.
Aragorn nodded. "Lead on my friend. I will follow."
Legolas smiled at his loyalty, but quickly kicked his horse forward. The horse began to gallop at a quick speed, seemingly sensing the urgency.
For hours, they traveled on without rest. It was far into the afternoon before Legolas pulled his horse to a stop. If he were alone, he would not have stopped, but he knew Aragorn would need some rest and nourishment.
"Why are we stopping?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas looked at him as he dismounted. "The horses need rest." He said making up an excuse.
Aragorn smiled. "Thank you, my friend, but we shall not delay long."
"Take some time to regain your strength, my friend. The journey is long and we do not stop again until nightfall." Legolas told him as he looked up into the sky.
Aragorn noticed the distant look in his friend's face, but he did not speak a word. He sat down silently, pulling out a piece of dried meat that he had packed for the road. He ate in silence, watching the birds in the sky as he did. After a few minutes, he turned his attention back to Legolas.
The prince was sitting silently on the ground drinking some water. His gaze was directed towards the trees.
"Legolas?" Aragorn questioned gently. The prince made no response, so Aragorn tried again a bit louder. "Legolas?"
Legolas turned his head quickly. "I'm sorry, Estel. I was lost in my thoughts."
Aragorn chuckled. "I see that. May I inquire as to what you were thinking about?"
Legolas sighed. "Nothing. Just lost in my thoughts."
"Thoughts of home?" Aragorn asked.
Legolas nodded. He had so many thoughts running through his head at the moment and he wanted to share them with Aragorn and get them off his chest, but he was not one to openly share his feelings with other people. Just a few short months ago, he would have never even considered calling a human his friend or being at all comfortable around one. Aragorn, however, had seen Legolas at his worst moments and had befriended him when Legolas had needed it the most. Legolas felt more comfortable around this human than any other elf he had ever met. He felt that he could share his heart with the human and yet, not be ashamed of any weakness he felt. Somehow, the human connected with him.
Aragorn quietly observed his friend's actions, not pressing him for an answer. For a long moment, there was comfortable silence between them. Then Legolas looked up with a smile.
"Thank you, Estel."
Aragorn looked at him slightly confused. "For what?"
Legolas stood. "For being my friend and for being who you are."
Aragorn looked at Legolas, puzzlement written on his face.
Legolas smiled. "You are different than any other human I have met, even any elf. I trust you, Estel, and I am comfortable whenever I am around you."
Aragorn smiled and clasped his friend's shoulder. "And I trust you, Legolas. Thank you for being my friend as well."
Legolas nodded. "Are you ready to leave."
Aragorn nodded and mounted his horse. "Let's go."
Legolas mounted his horse and gently kicked him forward. Together, Legolas and Aragorn rode off into the trees.
