Scars Chapter 8- Voices
Disclaimer: This story is being written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters.
Author's Note: Wow! Thank you all once again for your kind words of support. They are truly appreciated:)
I like to apologize for taking so long in getting this next chapter out. I recently finished a long term assignment, which included a lot of extra time filling in various reports. Also I had many family obligations with the end of the school year approaching. I have most of the summer ahead freed up, though I will be working part time. I hope my future updates won't be so long in coming. :)
Well enough said! Here is Chapter 8. It's been in my head for a long time. I hope you enjoy it.
Scars
Chapter 8 - Voices
Elrohir paused with his story for a moment to take a troubled breath as his mind remembered the disturbing scene unto which he and Elladan rode up to. "He was appropriately named . . . " The Elf continued bleakly though his fellow brethren beside him did not quite know at first to whom it was that Elrohir alluded.
"For even in death, he was to afford our Estel with one last measure of protection by delaying them. Never will it be mine to forget as long as I walk upon These Lands the grisly sight, which was ours to witness, when we at last discovered his mount or what was left of him after the Orcs had finished. Ah . . . brave and gallant Berior . . . " The Elf broke once more as if needing a moment in which to gather himself.
"Nor will I ever forget the pain, which marked Elladan's face as he studied Berior's remains for some sign of what had become of Estel. He pressed himself unmercifully in those hours following after a second set of tracks had been found. It was not his to know that the fell group had split into two contingents upon entering our lands. Never have I witnessed such total devastation within one soul. For he blamed himself, though such a matter had never been his to control. What failings we pour upon ourselves . . . "
"For you see, even from the very start he has always viewed himself as a guardian over Estel. Such a belief emerged within him the moment we tragically came upon Arathorn in the minutes following his untimely death. Kneeling beside our departed friend and taking his lifeless hands within his own, Elladan heartbreakingly pledged to him that we'd take his small son back to Rivendell, along with the child's mother, to be raised and safeguarded from the Enemy. He has since regarded himself as a protector over him. To such an extent at times that none, whether mortal or Elf kind, could ever possibly live up to the stringent standards he set for himself. You, yourself, mellon-nin , fell victim to these unrealistic expectations for a time , though he was to grievously realize the error of his way. I will always credit you for never holding a grudge against him. For you see, Legolas, though he leads with his heart, in the end Elladan is fair-minded to all save himself."
Whether it had been the mention of his past transgression or the own troubled inner workings of his ailing body, Legolas was unsure. But the Elf could not put a stop to the ill-feeling now spreading more readily through him. Though Elrohir's allusion to his own mishap with Estel undoubtedly brought pain, he could never hold Elladan accountable for the role he played in the unfortunate events. The Human's foster brother had acted only accordingly as he, himself, might have done, had a loved one possibly come to harm by the hand of another. Swallowing hard, Legolas knew most assuredly of the burden Elladan now carried. For he, himself, shared a similar fate. Even though it now lay many years in the past, the archer had never quite forgiven himself for the pain he had brought to Aragorn, though the victim of his blunder had never given him any cause to do so.
'Ah, Estel!' his mind called out as his thoughts first turned toward the Man, whom he had come to know and love as a brother. 'How magnanimous you have been toward us . . . though your brother's offense pales in comparison to my own indiscretion. How can Elladan possibly hold himself accountable for these actions, which Elrohir has just revealed to me? My stubborn Elf friend . . . You have allowed yourself much too much culpability toward events that were never yours to determine.' And if there had ever been any ounce of reproof still left within the fair-haired Elf's heart toward being unjustly accused , then it was to now dissipate with Elrohir's last revelation.
With his distracted attentions, Legolas, at first, failed to notice that Elrohir had once again resumed telling his tale. And though unease still flowed strongly through him, the Elf remained silent concerning his own growing discomfort and listened on.
"Aragorn knew not how long he lay there in grief upon Berior's now still body. Completely distraught, he just stroked the horse's dark mane with his good hand, while his tears continued to fall. But a change was gradually overtaking the darkening woodland surrounding him. One so sinister that even in his anguish, he could not dismiss its gravity. For the earth now quaked beneath him with their punishing approach. They were still a distance away, but moving closer in an unyielding pace . Berior's flight had bought him time, but now the mantle of responsibility fell to Aragorn. Broken and dispirited, he could have remained there and accepted his fate, but that was not Estel . . . "
"They are coming . . . " His raw voice choked out . The ground trembled beneath him alerting him to their unmistakable approach. Such a sign was as indisputable as the long devoted voice that now filled his pain-ridden head.
"They come, Estel! You cannot tarry! Make haste, brother!"
Wounded grey eyes closed in reaction to Elladan's prophetic appeal, but the boy could not ignore the persistent voice that still droned on within his head. "You must seek escape, brother! They hesitate not! Remember the tenets Elrohir and I taught you . . . Put your trust in them . . . "
Opening pain glazed eyes, Aragorn's mind struggled in his attempt to recall all the pearls of wisdom his brothers and others had imparted to him during his childhood here.
"Examine your surroundings Estel . . . " Elladan's voice directed. "The wilderness around you and the creatures, who inhabit it, act as guiding forces and can instruct you upon the proper course to take . . . "
Sliding his head from Berior's now cold body, the boy bent his ear toward the ground. The muffled stomp of approaching footfall hearkened from the east. To his best knowledge after Berior's reckless flight and the hindrance of the now enveloping darkness, he believed Imaldris lay to the southwest.
"Do not forget the water's flow, Estel . . . " It was Elrohir's voice, which now addressed him. "For its swirling force speaks out to you."
Reaching past the pounding within his head, Aragorn tried his best to focus even further, letting go of everything surrounding himself, even the impending danger bearing down upon him, as his mind tried to concentrate solely on Elrohir's counsel. What he came up with was faint and distant, but it was his. "The Bruinen," He whispered now more thoughtfully, though its banks still lay many leagues away. Nevertheless, the cadence of its flow provided the young Human with the direction he now must take.
Lifting his aching head to survey the darkened interior that stood before him, Aragorn acknowledged what he must do. He could remain here no longer, but must prepare to make a move. The Enemy lay between him and where he had last left his brothers. That path was barred to him. His only escape lay toward the Wilds between him and home.
"Home . . . " He whispered desperately as a picture of his father and brothers loomed inside his head. "I must get home!"
Though his brothers would've approved of this stoical determination now rising within him, a trace of uncertainty still lingered on in the boy as Elladan's voice sounded again. "Do not hesitate to use These Lands about you, Estel, in your escape even if only to conceal your presence from the Enemy. There is no shame in hiding from them! Only in the inability to accept the limitations placed upon you! There is a time to act and a time to refrain. True wisdom is knowing the difference. The Enemy, which hunts you, is relentless in their pursuit. But they are creatures of the darkness and the light of day will serve to disable them. Know your Enemy's strengths and weaknesses, and your own, brother! They will instruct you on the correct course to take . . . "
"And leave no trace . . . " Elrohir's words cut in, "even if traveling amongst the thickest shadows of vegetation. For hasty movement may not serve you well, and might only attract their attentions, whereas, slower maneuvers create less noise and conserves energy. Take care, Estel, and stop frequently to listen to the sounds around you. Keep mind of the wind as well. For it can act as a foe against you toward alerting the Enemy to your presence especially if you are injured. The Orcs are only driven on further by the scent of blood. Remember nature bears many gifts that can serve you in your journey. Do not overlook them, but be mindful of the bounty afforded you . . . "
Aragorn's heartbeat quickened inside of him as the remembrance of Elrohir's last words drew to an uneasy close, while despairing thoughts once again reared their ugly head. His current physical condition left him in dire want. He was certain his left leg was broken and most likely the same arm as well. Pain rioted through him whenever he attempted anything more than a shallow breath. And to make matters even worse, when he drew his good hand away from where it had been cupped about his ailing side, it was coated with the slickness of blood. Its crimson stain now fouled both his tunic and the cloak about it.
The increasing wind was no friend to him either. For it blew from the west and would only alert those now following him more readily to his current situation. He could not set out upon the direct path he initially planned to take . . . at least not at first. No. He must travel in a southerly direction only until either the wind changed its course or the light of day allowed him the same support. For he could not stay here. Each second he remained brought the Enemy closer and closer to his current location. He had not the time now either to tend to his many wounds. No, they must wait as well until the break of day.
Turning his gaze once again to his immediate environs, he sought what was necessary to aid him in his venture, a fallen branch. And when he spied one sturdy enough to support his weight and height, he dragged his body toward it. By the time he realized his goal, his ailing body was covered with sweat. Clasping it within his good hand, he pulled it toward himself. Levering it against the hard ground beneath him, he manipulated it as he attempted to prop himself upward into a standing position. Biting down hard once more upon his previously injured lip, he tasted blood yet again as he desperately sought to hold in the resounding scream that would have filled the dark woods surrounding him. Using precious minutes to regain control over the pain coursing through him and his now rasping breath, he finally attempted one small step forward. Agony tore through both his leg and arm as he grasped the limb that acted as his crutch more securely.
In resignation he bit out through the pain-filled tears acting to clog his throat. "What good is all of this? How can I possibly hope to gain escape?"
Another voice was to answer him inwardly, intolerable of the surrender it now heard within his youthful voice.
"Do not allow fear nor anger to cloud your judgement . . . " It began . " For they will serve you no purpose at all, but will thwart you at your every turn. Where is the brave heart your brother, Elrohir, so passionately spoke to me of? For surely I do not witness its existence now . . . "
Gritting his teeth in indignation, Aragorn tried to ignore the grating words of his brother's Silvan friend, but Legolas' rebuke would not abate.
"You fight for your life, Estel! There are none around to presently protect you! Do not carelessly cast aside the knowledge, which your brothers have endowed you with. Yes, the battle before you will not be an easy one, but do not give in to frustration. I thought more of you than this! Think of your brothers and your father... Do you not owe it to them to do more than just lay down and die? Are you so unworthy of them?"
"I shall not lay down and die!" Aragorn snapped at the incorporeal voice now filling his head.
"Good! Then act! For they are not far away now! Do not allow your fear to operate against you by immobilizing you. Focus on the anger you feel and use it to your advantage not theirs. Remember that those, who love you, have taught you well. Never forget this, for it will aid you in your upcoming quest. Keep it in mind at all times and draw upon it to give you strength and to sustain you in your darkest hour!"
"I shall . . . " The boy repeated determinedly once again into the darkness that surrounded him. He was oblivious now to his solitary state as he struggled forward toward the Wilderness awaiting him. For he no longer felt alone.
Author's Closing Note: Well if you reached this point, then thank you for reading chapter 8. I hope you enjoyed it.
I was so sorry to hear about your own sad experience, Someone Reading. I hope the previous and this last chapter weren't too difficult for you. I know many people dislike reading about animals getting hurt and dying. I , myself, become emotional under such circumstances. I cry every time I watch "My Dog, Skip", even though the dog in the movie lived a long and purposeful life. I guess he reminds me of my own first dog.
Thank you all once again for your many kind words. They are truly inspiring. Well I hope to get the next chapter out in a shorter amount of time than this last one. Until then! Sue-a.k.a. Quickbeam1 :)