Thanks for the reviews.
Frostyhorse - Yes the slap is still one of my favs! Glad I went back and built more into that bit of the story. I hope all the new bits are keeping it refreshing for a second read. This chap I took an irrelevant bit out and added an entirely new bit between the Elves.
GreenEyedSam - Great to know you are enjoying it and thanks for the constructism. Appreciate it and I have rectified the issue in all previous chapters. :)
ForeverTeamEdward13 - Thanks
For many hours, the company remained silent. The only noises to be heard, the birds in the trees, the soft sound of flowing water and the rhythmic splash of paddles.
Legolas was a silent and deep in thought as his companions. Try as he might, he could not figure out what the Lady Galadriel wanted him to find. Why could she not have simply told him? It bothered him that possibly, it was a creature or person in trouble he needed to find. What if it was and he did not find them? What would happen to them? A loud, wistful sigh from Gimli, stirred Legolas from his thoughts.
"All well, Gimli?" He asked quietly. The Dwarf did not turn back but Legolas noticed how he shifted and that his broad shoulders slumped a little. Each, deep in their own thoughts and saddened at having to leave the safety and beauty of the Golden Wood.
"I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. He said, head bowing. Legolas had no idea what he spoke of. "Haugh," The Dwarf suddenly cried, startling him. "Henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me." He finished, voice sad. He was upset by the Lady's gift?
"What was it?" His curiosity was getting the better of him. Gimli turned back to look at him, a smile pulling at his mouth.
"I asked her for but one hair from her golden head." Legolas raised a brow at this. A personal gift indeed and, one so very strange for a Dwarf to ask. It seemed Galadriel had gifted him a hair. Gimli's face became flushed. "She gave me three." He mumbled, casting his eyes down. Legolas could only smile, carefully holding back a laugh. Gimli, blushing over an Elf, a Dwarf, enamoured by one of his kin. His amusement vanished as swiftly as the river they floated along.
"Gimli was not the first Dwarf he had met who had been enamoured by an elleth. Memories swamped him, unbidden and he grimaced, looking out over the water, glad Gimli now faced forward again. That Dwarf had loved his friend, his companion, his comrade and, at the time, the one he thought his entire heart, his very soul belonged to. He had been wrong and she had returned that Dwarf's love. At the time, he had not understood it. How she could have any feelings, be it friendship, or more, for such a horrid race. Dwarves were the enemy of Elves.
Yet now, now he had come to see Gimli, perhaps not so different to that Dwarf, as a not just a comrade on a quest, but a friend. Now he understood a little of why his friend had fallen for the unruly creature; tall for his race, a little less narrow minded than his greedy leader. Not that Legolas could ever see any other race in that way. Not even human. No, although he had very little background in such things, only ever resulting in failure, he knew if his heart belonged anywhere, it was with another of his kin.
Across the water, he heard the musical notes of Aerlaer's laugh and he looked across to her, noting how the bright sunlight picked out each individual colour of her hair. Autumn leaves, tumbling about her. She spoke with Sam and Frodo about a Hobbit named Rosie and Legolas could see how Sam blushed.
He wished he were in that boat, his heart skipping at such a thought. No, no that would not do. He needed to be careful, his thoughts were silly, completely founded on his own foolishness and too much Elven wine.
"From the snippets of conversation, we could not help but overhear this morn, I take it you have had a falling out of sorts?" Legolas heard Aragorn ask Aerlaer. He half glanced toward her again, seeing a discontented frown cross her fair features.
"I am truly sorry anyone had to hear witness to such a conversation whether it had been in full or part." She sounded embarrassed.
"What transpired? If you would like to share? I have never seen you so angry in all the years I have known you." Aragorn pushed gently. Legolas also wanted to know more, although he had heard most, Orophin had said things which confused him.
"Yes, Miss Aerlaer, you were positively seething." Added Sam, he and Frodo regarding the elleth with a mix of worry and curiosity.
"It started last night, Orophin asked me to dance with him after I had just danced with Legolas." She began to tell the others. Legolas had wanted to snap Orophin's neck in that moment, he had been so close to… He furiously dashed that thought away. He'd had too much wine. He should not have been so close to doing anything!
"You danced with Legolas? I don't remember that." Boromir looked up intrigued and he looked, as Aragorn was, at the Man in the third boat, in disbelief. This was all Boromir's fault that anything had nearly happened. Manwë, the humiliation if anything had! Yes, it was Boromir's fault. Legolas was never going to ask Aerlaer to dance.
Although, she had danced so beautifully, so easily with him, so naturally. How many elleths could he say could dance like that? A very, very slim few and even less, so enchantingly. No, he needed to forget that dance! He should never have agreed with Boromir! "You were drunk." Legolas told the man flatly. "Although, it is a wonder you don't remember."
Gimli snorted in laughter as Boromir simply shrugged off the whole confusion. "Go on Aerlaer, continue." He urged with a broad grin. Easy enough for him to just shrug it off. Legolas thought darkly.
"Yes, so I danced with Orophin and afterward, he led me aside and told me his feelings for me. I did not realise until then, he thought I returned them. He begged me not to leave Lothlórien where he assured me he could enable my safety. I was rather surprised and, a little too much Elven wine ran through my veins and so I agreed I would think about it overnight."
"That was quite a declaration then." Aragorn murmured, his voice teasing and she rolled her eyes.
"Don't you start." She warned and the Ranger chuckled. Legolas did not understand but figured it was about something Aragorn already knew of the elleth.
"Come morning, I confronted him to let him down gently and tell him I did not feel anything more than friendship for him and that I would not be abandoning the Fellowship to hide away in Lothlórien." She paused and took a deep breath and Legolas realised he had been holding his own, but he could not quite let it go.
"He did not take it so well." Her voice grew bitter. He sank as low as to accuse me of single handily destroying my lineage and, then informed me even if I did not truly love him, with him, my lineage could continue. I could not believe he could utter such things, so desperate he was for me to stay. I refused him yet again. He became angry then and said some things I did not like and insulted Legolas. So, I made it quite clear I was done with more than his ridiculous ideas."
"That slap, I both heard and saw that!" Pippin chirped up with a cheer. "It was deserved."
"No one should be speaking to a Lady like that." Sam intoned. "I hope his face still hurts."
"Yes, he should know well enough not to trifle with our Aerlaer or degrade Legolas." Frodo smiled up at her and the elleth beamed.
"I owe you thanks, for defending my honour!" Legolas called softly across the water to her and received a playful smile in return, her eyes sparkling.
"So, who was the better dance partner?" By the quiet, conspiring way Merry spoke, he did not intend Legolas to hear but, he could hear the Hobbit clearly. He was in a completely different boat to the elleth. He pretended to look ahead, along the riverbank.
"Legolas was." She replied quietly and he felt pleased by that.
"You both looked as if you were in a realm of your own, more graceful than any other Elves dancing. Well, apart from the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien of course." Sam murmured, awe evident in his voice.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that, it was just Legolas's dancing which kept it graceful." Aerlaer laughed a little.
"No, it was you." He spoke softly and briefly, her sapphire eyes met his and his foolish heart skipped again. "I mean, you dance quite well too." He added. She shrugged, gazing down at her hands and Legolas wondered if she regretted agreeing to dance with him. That very thought only made him feel dejected.
"And it was the loveliest song of the night. "Sam mused dreamily aloud. "Though I know not what it was about." He peered at Aerlaer. "What was it about?"
"It was about love." Her voice was soft and yet wistful. He wondered why but none of them spoke again of it and so, he turned his thoughts back to trying to figure out the Lady's words to him.
…
Aragorn decided it was safer to spend most nights in the boats and for the first three, they spent them floating down the river, taking turns to paddle as the other occupants of each boat slept. It was not altogether comfortable and they only went to shore only as necessary. Aragorn was grateful of the hospitality of the Lord and Lady of Lórien; they had plenty of food stores in their boats and cooking was not necessary for a time.
Although the riverbanks were pretty and every so often, they were lucky to see deer drinking or foxes, hares or rabbits, it was a peaceful journey and it left much time to think. In between the silences, his companions had begun to share stories with one another.
Currently, Frodo was recounting Bilbo's adventures with Thorin and his company, to the Misty Mountains. Aerlaer was laughing near uncontrollably as the small Hobbit told of how Bilbo thwarted King Thranduil and his guards, releasing the Dwarves and having them escape in barrels right under the Elves noses. He glanced over to Legolas to find his friend looking rather sullen over the recount. He grinned teasingly but received a scathing glare in return before the wood-Elf deliberately turned away to face the opposite bank.
Aragorn wondered if the retelling bothered Legolas more than having the entire Fellowship know he had been a part of those guards who the Dwarves thwarted. He'd been but a young boy when the wood-Elf had come into his life. He had been kind and yet seemed lost, not whole. He had been unhappy and eventually, Legolas had quietly explained why.
It had not made much sense to Aragorn at the time but he understood his new friend had been hurt deeply, his pride pushed to breaking. As Aragorn had grown, the Elf had changed, seeming to let go of his past until it was not spoken of again.
Frodo had now reached parts of the story where the reason for Legolas's once, unhappiness were mentioned. He noticed how his friend's shoulders tensed ever so slightly.
"Legolas?" He called out softly, now quite worried for his friend. "He did not wish him to hurt." The Elf turned around slowly, his face emotionless.
"Yes?" He asked serenely and Aragorn knew he was not alright. To what degree, he was unsure. He knew Legolas had put all behind, but memories could still cause pain. Pain as real as it was the first time.
"Is all well?" He asked casually. He knew the Elf would understand his real question.
"Yes. Everything is well." He replied swiftly, turning away once more.
"We will camp ashore tonight." He decided aloud, met by quiet cheers. Talk turned to whether Sam should cook a hot meal and, as Aragorn had hopped, Frodo's recount was forgotten.
…
It was still light when they came upon the safety of a small isle in the middle of the river, hidden by a dense copse of tree and shrub. Sam had cooked and Aerlaer had a full stomach of lembas soaked in vegetable stew which had warmed her very soul.
Aragorn had taken watch and Aerlaer decided it was high time she challenge Legolas to a game of archery. She spied him, leaning contently against the butt of a tree, gazing up into its canopy. That would not do, he looked as if he needed to be woken up. A devious idea formed in her mind and she slunk off to retrieve her bow and quiver from where it rested near the Hobbits. They were already asleep so they would not give her game away.
Moving silently, she positioned herself behind a tree, sixty feet from the other Elf and took aim. Her arrow flew silently and she bit back a laugh as it skimmed to land at his side, causing him to leap up, casting about wildly. He glanced down to the arrow, imbedded into the earth at his side and Aerlaer noticed he frowned. Had she upset him? She began to regret her actions when he suddenly stalked off, towards the Hobbits. Unsure what to do, what to say, she hid guiltily behind her tree, staring off into the foliage, chewing at her lip. She needed to apologise.
Turning to find Legolas to do so, she almost leapt out of her skin as she came face to face with an arrow point.
"I believe this is yours?"
"How long have you been standing there?" She demanded, all remorse forgotten.
"A while." he shrugged, lowering the arrow. "Revenge can take time." Aerlaer noticed he was trying to supress a grin but failing. "I think it worked." His tone was teasing, playful.
"It might have." She sent him a sly smirk. "You'll never know." He grinned fully now, brown eyes alight.
"See that log, over there?" He pointed to her left and she followed with her eyes. "It would make an excellent target." She nodded.
"It is rather prone, it will not serve as much competition."
"Aye, you are right but, it could be a competition of speed and precision." There was challenge in his tone and she easily took the bait.
"Go on." She grinned at him.
"The first one to shoot a perfect spiral of twenty arrows, wins." She nodded, it was something she could certainly do.
"Terms?" She caught his gaze and waited. He did not answer though, merely gazing back down at her. "Legolas?" He seemed to snap out of his thoughts, a bewildered expression forming on his face briefly and, then it was replaced with a smirk.
"Loser takes the later watch, this eve."
"Let's shoot then." She declared.
They lined up, eight feet apart and forty feet from the large log and, on Legolas's count, started shooting. Aerlaer was determined to win, but to her dismay, Legolas was somehow two arrows ahead of her. Swifter, she pulled forth arrows and knocked, aimed, drew and released them, the tips burrowing into the dead wood.
"Twenty!" Legolas suddenly exclaimed beside her as she released her last arrow. He'd won.
"Best out of three?" She suggested and he smirked. Aerlaer should have known better than to challenge the brilliant archer but, doing anything less was simply not in her nature.
Two more rounds later and Legolas had won two and she, one. He looked extremely pleased with himself, but she didn't mind he had won. He was exceptionally good and the competition and company had been enjoyable.
"Blades, next time." She decided and he laughed. "Just. Not today. My dignity could not bear to lose at something I excel in." She threw a grin his way. They both now sat upon the log, gazing across the Anduin to the other bank. Legolas chuckled lightly.
"I shall look forward to besting you."
"Trying to best me." She corrected and he laughed.
"Yes, trying." His tone was playful again and she decided she liked his carefree company, like this. They fell silent then but, it was a nice silence as they watched deer, on the riverbank, make their way down to the water's edge to drink.
…
Boromir's watch had come to an end and he peered cautiously towards the soft sound of crunching leaves to his right, hand on his sword hilt. He sighed as Aragorn stepped out of the darkness. Instead of heading back to his bedroll, the younger man stood a while with Aragorn. It was the first time he'd had a chance to speak with the Ranger alone since they had departed Lothlórien.
"How is Frodo?" He asked quietly.
"He is doing remarkably well. The ring is a burden upon him but he is carrying it well."
"If only we could lessen his burden." Boromir sighed, a feeling of helplessness overwhelming him. I he could take the ring and carry it, Frodo would be better for it.
"I fear none of us would be able to aid him in the way you speak of Boromir." It was as if Aragorn knew his thoughts. He wondered if perhaps the Ranger had the very same thoughts as him? Did he wish to use it to aid them too? Boromir was still sure they could harness its power. Gondor could use it. "The ring carried by any one of us would undoubtedly lead to the ruin of Middle Earth. No, all we can do is accompany Frodo and ensure his protection." Aragorn finished and Boromir automatically nodded.
The Ranger was right, the ring was dangerous. Dangerous and tempting. If it were a being, it would surely be a woman. He decided wryly.
They stood silent, looking out across the water and presently a log floated along the current and two globe-like eyes, gleaming dimly in the dark night, peered above the log. Boromir wrapped his hand about his sword, unsure quite what foul beast he was seeing.
"Gollum has tracked us since Moria." Aragorn sighed as he watched the log pass by. "I had hoped we would lose him on the river but he is too clever a waterman."
"Should we not dispose of the creature?" He suggested but Aragorn shook his head.
"Gandalf did not wish him dead. We must honour Gandalf's wisdom." Boromir merely nodded, wondering why the Wizard had deemed the cretin's life so important. He let his thoughts wander as the log, the creature clung to, continued down the Anduin. He thought of Lórien, he'd felt both peace and unrest there although, the unrest had been in his own mind. He still knew little of the Elves although he saw the two Elves he journeyed with as both friend and ally.
He frowned, wondering why Legolas had expected him to remember the eve spent in the Golden Woods.
"Something has confused me since the evening we feasted in Lothlórien." He murmured, glancing to the Ranger. "What did I do that I cannot for the life of me remember?"
Aragorn chuckled softly in quiet mirth. "You set Legolas up so he had no choice but to ask Aerlaer to dance with him. He was most unimpressed."
"Oh. Did it not go well?" Boromir asked, now feeling more worried than confused.
"Quite the opposite, it went splendidly, well, until Orophin interrupted and whisked Aerlaer away."
"Ah I see." Boromir mused. He did not understand the relationships of Elves. He supposed they were incredibly long. Still, the two Elves he travelled with got on awfully well. Sometimes, he thought it to be sweet when they had gone off ahead together, talking as they scouted. That had been before Gandalf had fallen. Since, Boromir was sure the Elves had become, in some way, closer. He'd known enough men to notice tell-tale signs of protectiveness, of extra care on Legolas's part. "Why does Legolas not simply tell her his feelings for surely I am not the only one to notice?"
Aragorn sighed. "It is not as simple as it should be. Legolas has suffered a hard and humiliating rejection in the past and he will not so easily bare his heart and feelings to another again." Boromir pondered the Rangers words. "And what of Aerlaer?" He finally asked.
The Ranger ran a hand through his messy hair. "Aerlaer, I think, has feelings she does not understand. She certainly cares for him but, she cares for all of us. She was raised in a herd of mostly colts with her brother by her side. She quickly puts down any attention from male Elves as an act of friendship. I noticed this when she was visiting Rivendell many years ago, and was completely oblivious to her herd-mate who was smitten by her." He chuckled. "Unless they are as bold or, as foolish as Orophin, she is simply oblivious to such things. It is admittedly odd. Arwen understands her more."
"I do not think Aerlaer would slap Legolas." Boromir mused.
"I would hope not." Aragorn chuckled again. "It is rather funny, Elrond's sons always wished Legolas and Aerlaer to meet, knowing they would get along. Now, they journey together."
"The world is a funny place and, while we can see the funny side to it, there is still hope." Boromir was speaking of more now than just their companions.
"Indeed." Aragorn murmured. "Take some rest, Boromir, while we are in safe territory."
…
The company spent another three nights straight in the boats entertaining themselves again during the day with idle talk and songs they knew.
"Aerlaer," "sing another one!" Merry and Pippin demanded excitedly.
"What shall I sing about this time?" She had just sung the last three songs at the Hobbits insistence.
"Love." It was Boromir who answered quietly while he paddled.
"Okay, let me think of one." The Hobbits and an intrigued Boromir waited expectantly while she decided on a song.
"I will sing you the song of Beren and Lúthien. It is long, but quite beautiful also in the Westron tongue. They nodded enthusiastically and she took a breath and began.
The leaves were long, the grass was green,
The hemlock-umbels tall and fair,
And in the glade a light was seen
Of stars in shadow shimmering.
Tinúviel was dancing there
To music of a pipe unseen,
And light of stars was in her hair,
And in her raiment glimmering.
There Beren came from mountains cold,
And lost he wandered under leaves,
And where the Elven-river rolled
He walked alone and sorrowing.
He peered between the hemlock-leaves
And saw in wonder flowers of gold
Upon her mantle and her sleeves,
And her hair like shadow following.
Enchantment healed his weary feet
That over hills were doomed to roam;
And forth he hastened, strong and fleet,
And grasped at moonbeams glistening.
Through woven woods in Elvenhome
She lightly fled on dancing feet,
And left him lonely still to roam
In the silent forest listening.
He heard there oft the flying sound
Of feet as light as linden-leaves,
Or music welling underground,
In hidden hollows quavering.
Now withered lay the hemlock-sheaves,
And one by one with sighing sound
Whispering fell the beachen leaves
In the wintry woodland wavering.
He sought her ever, wandering far
Where leaves of years were thickly strewn,
By light of moon and ray of star
In frosty heavens shivering.
Her mantle glinted in the moon,
As on a hill-top high and far
She danced, and at her feet was strewn
A mist of silver quivering.
When winter passed, she came again,
And her song released the sudden spring,
Like rising lark, and falling rain,
And melting water bubbling.
He saw the elven-flowers spring
About her feet, and healed again
He longed by her to dance and sing
Upon the grass untroubling.
Again she fled, but swift he came.
Tinúviel! Tinúviel!
He called her by her elvish name;
And there she halted listening.
One moment stood she, and a spell
His voice laid on her: Beren came,
And doom fell on Tinúviel
That in his arms lay glistening.
As Beren looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise,
About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.
Long was the way that fate them bore,
O'er stony mountains cold and grey,
Through halls of ireon and darkling door,
And woods of nightshade morrowless.
The Sundering Seas between them lay,
And yet at last they met once more,
And long ago they passed away
In the forest singing sorrowless."
Aerlaer ended the song and no one spoke for quite some time as they pondered the story in the song. She glanced to Aragorn, knowing he both loved the tale of Beren and Lúthien and related to it.
Eventually Frodo spoke up. He had been quite silent that day and she was glad he was joining in. "I've never heard a happy Elven song of love. Are there any or do they all end in sorrow?" Aerlaer realised Frodo was right, many did end in sorrow. "Many do, but not all. I think you will like this one, it is one from my herd and is of love and friendship." She smiled at him.
"We can climb the highest mountain
Reaching up to catch our dreams
Together there is nothing we can't be
Dive into the deepest oceans
Dance upon the rolling seas
Make a moment, keep a memory
Don't need to think about it, step into the great unknown
Sing and shout and laugh about it
We know we're not alone
You lift me up and we are free
I'll follow you wherever you may be
You lift me up and we are free
I'll follow you wherever you may be
Staying up to watch the sunrise
Sneaking out and climbing trees
Together there is nothing we can't be
Close your eyes and see how time flies
Throw your worries to the breeze
We can do whatever we believe
I'll follow you wherever you may be
I'll follow you wherever you may be."
"You are right, I do like that one." Frodo said with a small smile and Aerlaer was happy to have lightened his spirits a little.
"Let us have some food now." Aragorn announced and they paused in their journey down the river to feast on lembas bread, nuts and dried berries.
A/N: Non Tolkien Songs Sung by Aerlaer: You and Me by Gabrielle Alpin