~Guardian~
Hours passed, and Legolas did not leave her side. Elrohir had checked Aerlaer twice in that time but nothing had changed. Legolas had only become more fretful by each passing hour. Gimli had stayed by his side along with Taurorn who had been in and out throughout the afternoon and early evening. Merry had also been injured badly, and he flitted between the Elves and the Hobbits.
Presently Gimli stood beside Pippin as they gazed down at Merry, muttering incoherently in fitful sleep. The Healing chamber had quietened as night fell and all its injured occupants had been tended by Elrohir and Elladan, and by Aragorn who had worked tirelessly on restoring Éowyn's health. All three had gone to rest and now there were only a third of the Gondor healers moving between the wounded. Every now and then a soldier would moan in pain and some of the less injured soldiers were talking amongst themselves from their pallets.
A voice suddenly sounded angrily above the others. "I am not leaving her!" It growled out and Gimli and Pippin turned to see Legolas seething at the healing Warden.
"It is late, all visitors must leave now. You can return in the morning." The Warden said stoically to the blonde Elf and Gimli could see his friend's eyes blaze from the forty-foot distance between them.
"I said I am not leaving her side!" He heard Legolas snap.
"Oh, he's angry." Pippin murmured, and Gimli nodded. "I think I better head over there." He said and did just that.
"Ah can you please persuade your friend visiting time is over." The Warden said to him and Gimli shook his head.
"No, you cannot separate them, they are Elves." He explained to the old Warden, only seeming to annoy him.
"I really don't see what difference that makes, I can soon have the guards send you away if you will not leave quietly." He stated, sticking out his chin in arrogance.
"You could try but they will not get past that door without each receiving an arrow to their shoulders." Legolas threatened coolly, and the Warden barely contained his anger.
"You will leave now." He demanded.
"No. I refuse to leave her." Legolas replied again, and the Warden stormed off angrily muttering about finding the guards and Gimli, sensing pandemonium was surely going to ensue, hurried back over to Pippin.
"Find Aragorn and have him come here quickly!" He urged the Hobbit. "Tell him Legolas is threatening to shoot anyone who attempts to drag him from Aerlaer's side." Pippin dashed away, and Gimli hurried back over to a still seething Legolas.
"I absolutely will not leave her alone in this chamber of men." He hissed quietly, and Gimli discreetly glanced around. Those who had been speaking quietly amongst themselves were all now watching them. He had heard them himself speaking quietly of how intriguing the Elves were and he knew word had travelled in the Houses of Healing that there was a she-Elf in their chambers.
Suddenly six guards came storming through the doors followed by the warden looking very smug. Swiftly, Legolas had his bow drawn, two arrows knocked to the string.
"Lower your bow, Elf." One of the soldiers commanded but Legolas only let out a dark laugh.
"I do not think so." He aimed at the guard.
...
"Lower your bow! I will not ask it again." Aragorn heard the steely demand as he raced into the entrance of the Houses of Healing followed by Taurorn and beheld the sight of six guards, swords drawn facing off Legolas as he stood protectively before Aerlaer, two arrows drawn and pointed towards the first two guards.
"What is the meaning of this?" He demanded, pushing through the guards.
"That impertinent Elf is causing trouble, he must leave." The Warden snapped irately as he glared at Legolas. "Visiting time is over." He added.
"That impertinent Elf I am sure will be on his best behaviour and you will barely realise his presence if you would but let him remain." Aragorn reasoned calmly to the Warden.
"I cannot allow it, it goes against our policies." He replied, and Aragorn held in a sigh of exasperation. This old badger clearly did not have a clue over Elves.
"If you want little disruption to your healing chamber then I suggest you let him remain." Aragorn said with a hint of regal command in his voice and after a moment the Warden nodded before turning to glare at Legolas.
"Fine." The Warden said reluctantly and signalled for the guards to leave. "The Elf can stay but now everyone else must leave, you can return in the morning." He said stiffly.
"My thank you." Aragorn said politely. "And I am sure Prince Legolas is grateful to your consideration concerning Princess Aerlaer." He used the status titles of both Elves and received the shocked and embarrassed expression he had hoped for. He hated ousting their identity, he knew they both hated it but Éowyn and Éomer's status had helped Éowyn be treated with respect and she had been moved to her own chamber in the Houses of Healing.
Aragorn was certain one of Legolas main issues with leaving her was due to the whispers by the wounded soldiers and their comrades throughout the chamber that a she elf was here. From the few times he had been in the chamber he had seen many who could walk had purposely passed by the pallet she lay upon on their way to and from the chamber to catch a glimpse of her.
"Oh well I ah... if I had known my Lord, I would have had the Lady moved to a private chamber immediately." The Warden stumbled out. "In the morning I'll see to it a chamber is prepared for her right away." He gushed. Legolas gave a stiff nod.
"It would be appreciated thank you." The Elf replied in a clipped but princely manner which Aragorn noticed Taurorn having a hard time not to chuckle over. He gave the younger Ranger a slight nudge.
"Not a word." He whispered warningly to the younger Ranger.
"We will leave you now to your duties once I have quickly checked upon young Merry." Aragorn said and strode over to the sleeping Hobbit, followed by Pippin. The slight fever he had seemed to carry earlier had left him, the Hobbit's small forehead dry. His sleep seemed unhindered now too, he muttered less. Aragorn smiled down at his small friend and turned to Pippin beside him.
"He is on the mend now. He might even be awake by morning." He reassured, and Pippin beamed up at him before glancing towards where a healer was now bringing a chair to Legolas, so he could sit beside the other Elf instead of standing all night.
"What about Aerlaer?" He worried, and Aragorn shook his head. "Truly I do not know." He murmured low enough for Legolas not to hear. "We will see what morning brings." He made his way over to Taurorn who had just placed a goodnight kiss upon the elleth's head and was now speaking quietly to Legolas. Most of the other patients in the chamber had settled for the eve.
"Hannon le Aragorn." Legolas voice was shaky, but grateful. He nodded to his friend, placing a hand briefly upon his shoulder in comfort before following the others from the large healing chamber. As he passed through the entrance of the healing chamber he noticed the two guards had changed. One of them was the Gondor man they had rescued from the Corsair ship, Bregon. The guard recognised him.
"Aragorn, I did say we would cross paths again." The strong young man said cheerily.
"Greetings Bregon, I am glad you made it back to the city unscathed." He replied cordially.
"Yes, I owe thanks to the Lady Aerlaer for her aid in finding me a horse." He replied and then his eyebrows furrowed. "Tell me, why do you leave the Houses of Healing? Has some ill befallen one of your missing companions?" He asked in a genuinely worried tone.
"Merry, a companion of ours, and a Hobbit like Pippin here, and Aerlaer are both in there." He said quietly and Bregon looked shocked.
"Will she recover?" He asked.
"We do not know, but she is strong. I believe she will." Aragorn replied truthfully.
"I dearly hope she does. Maybe I shall visit the Healing Chamber tomorrow once I am off duty." He murmured, and Aragorn nodded.
"Where is your other elf companion?" He suddenly asked. Aragorn gestured towards the building.
"In there also, watching over Aerlaer." Gimli replied in a slightly gruff tone and Bregon looked at him curiously.
"I see." Bregon answered and Aragorn caught a hint of coldness in his voice. "Well I best let you good people be on your way." He said, his voice good natured again. Aragorn nodded, and they proceeded back towards where the Rohirrim and Rangers had set camp upon the fields under the city walls after cleaning up the result of the battle.
"That man, he is not what he seems. I do not trust him." Taurorn said quietly and Aragorn looked at him.
"That is interesting for Aerlaer said nearly the very same thing but a day ago." Aragorn replied, glancing back in the direction of the Gondor who man who was perhaps more than he seemed.
...
For an Elf a year is but a moment in time, an hour less so, however time seemed to pass tediously slow that night as Legolas sat keeping vigil beside Aerlaer. The Warden had gone and instead four healers took the night watch, but he barely noticed them as they flitted between their patients, checking how they fared during the night.
Feeling useless although Elrohir had told him he had done all he could, he gently ran his fingers through Aerlaer's hair, removing any tangles. His heart felt like led as the action no longer caused even a flicker of a glow. Only hours earlier it had glowed in strands of a bright pale gold as she had kissed him. He took a shuddering breath. That kiss had lit up his heart, his soul and sent energy rocketing through his veins making him feel so very alive. How could the fiery, lively giver of that wonderful, enlightening kiss now be so still before him?
He took her hand in his again and traced over the lines of her palm and the barely there callouses from wielding a sword. How had the hand he now held managed to force her own lifeforce into his still heart? Tentatively he placed his other hand over her heart. It still beat steadily. He wished he knew how to check if her life force had increased but even if he did know, it was Elrohir who knew how much she had. He had nothing to compare too and let out a quiet sigh, feeling useless. Presently he heard footsteps and looked away from Aerlaer and up at a dark-haired young woman who was watching him a little unsurely. Legolas supposed she had been informed by the Warden of his earlier behaviour.
"Do you need anything, my Lord?" She asked, and Legolas was struck by the honest concern in the woman's voice. He shook his head.
"Are you sure? I could bring you a drink or something to eat?" She looked a little guiltily at him. "You would have to tell me what Elves eat though, I am afraid I do not know of your kind." She added apologetically with a small, encouraging smile. He had not eaten since the small pieces of coconut he and Aerlaer had shared. Shared before they had swum together and played in the waters of the sea. His heart ached at the memory. She had been full of more life than ever and because of his one reckless decision she now paid the price. He sighed dejectedly.
"My Lord?" He had completely forgotten the young healer woman was still waiting for his answer.
"Thank you, but I am not really hungry." He replied quietly, and she nodded, gazing down at the still elleth.
"She looks like someone who usually smiles and laughs often." She whispered, and Legolas nodded. "What is her name?"
"Aerlaer."
"She has a beautiful name." The woman answered.
"It means Sea Song." He explained.
"Is that where she dwells, by the sea?" The woman asked, and he shook his head.
"The royal line of her kin are named for the sea from whence they came." He explained, feeling better for being able to talk about Aerlaer.
"What is she like?" The healer asked, and Legolas smiled for the first time in many hours.
"She is wonderful. Her spirit is wild, and she is fierce and dangerous in a fight and Manwë does she have a temper if provoked. But she is kind and caring and loyal. When she does smile it chases away darkness itself and her eyes are like the sea, ever changing depending her mood. Sometimes they are starlight too, for on a clear night the stars reflect in their depths and they shine silver. She is mischievous, so very mischievous and reckless too and if there is a boundary to push, she will break it. She is very competitive, and I think none are as fleet of foot as her or more skilled with fighting knives. Her laugh it is like the joyous sound of water tinkling melodiously down a stream and her voice, it is as if she brings new life to even the plainest of words and when she sings it lights up one's soul with such feeling and her own soul, I think it is sunlight itself." He explained and for a moment he could forget she lay so pale and still before him as he imagined her in all her lively brightness.
"You are right, she really does sound wonderful." The healer said with a warm smile and Legolas was pulled from his reverie.
"Yes, but now it is my fault she lays here." He said sadly and closed his eyes as the pain once again washed over him.
"What happened to her, if I may ask my Lord?"
"My name is Legolas. Please don't use titles." He said with a weary sigh. "I died, and she gave me nearly all of her life force to bring me back." The healer stared at him in wonder.
"Can all Elves do that?"
"No. No elves can do that, at least not known or recorded in any books or papers. What she has done is the impossible." He whispered.
"Then if she has willing given up her life for you but still lives, then I think she will certainly come back to you." The healer answered. "I should check on more of the soldiers. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. My name is Aida by the way." She said with a smile which Legolas managed to return before she quietly resumed her work. I hope she is right, I hope Aerlaer does come back. He thought as he resumed watching the other Elf.
…
Dawn came and Bregon was relieved of his watch. All eve he had pondered on the captivating she-Elf, Aerlaer. How harmed was she? This was the exact reason females should not go into battle. They got hurt. Yet he knew she had strength, it was in the way she moved. She was not like the woman of Gondor; her spirit was wilder. Her eyes even had a wild look about them which was not present in the eyes of the male Elf she had been traveling with or for that matter the identical dark-haired Elves. It was unfortunate the light-haired male Elf stayed with her. He had detected the Elf was attached to her, Bregon just hoped she was not attached too. She had seemed interested in him when he had spoken with her. He very much wanted her to be. He very much wanted to make her his.
He strode quietly into the main healing chamber and was met with a wary look from Aida as she attended to the soldiers who were stirring from their sleep. He immediately located Aerlaer's pallet for the pale blonde hair of the male elf which practically glowed silver in the dim chamber. As Bregon approached the pallet he looked up warily. Bregon saw he held the she-Elf's hand in his and fought back anger, letting a friendly smile slip onto his face.
"Lord Aragorn said she was here when he left yesterday eve. I had guard duty on the entrance to the Houses of Healing." He explained quietly, and the male Elf nodded. Clearly, he was not as talkative as the day he had been freed from the corsair ship.
"How does she fare?" He asked.
"I am unsure. I will know when her cousin returns hopefully soon to check her again." The Elf replied to him.
"You must be tired, you have been here all eve, would you like me to watch over her while you take some rest?" He asked, and he was sure he saw a flash of annoyance cross the Elf's features before he calmly answered.
"Your offer is kind but no, I will not be leaving her until I know she is at least well again." Bregon realised there was no point in arguing with the Elf. "Did you not just spend a night on duty? Shouldn't you be taking some rest yourself?" The Elf asked him, and he detected the hidden meaning behind the polite words. Leave her alone.
"Yes, I probably should." He replied. "Perhaps I will call in once I have. If you change your mind, my offer still stands." He replied. Hoping the Elf received his hidden message loud and clear. I will not be leaving her alone. This time he did not miss the glimmer of annoyance which flitted within the Elf's brown eyes.
"Very well." He replied in dismissal and Bregon nodded in return before quietly turning and striding from the room, casually catching Aida's eye and winking at her on the way past. He received an annoyed look on return. Oh well, Aida needn't worry, my attentions will no longer be on her.
...
That Bregon! Legolas quietly seethed as the man's footsteps retreated down the outside passage. Mount Doom will freeze over before I leave Aerlaer in his company! He hoped by the time he thought to visit again, Aerlaer would be in a private chamber or better, awake and well. He desperately hoped it would be the later. Pale light filtered through the high windows of the healing chamber and he hopped Elrohir would arrive soon, Aerlaer had not stirred all night and his heart ached steadily with fear for her.
...
Elrohir threw on a tunic as Elladan stirred upon the sleep roll beside him.
"Brother, I am heading up to check Aerlaer." He said quietly to his twin and Elladan sat up swiftly blinking, his eyes bright.
"I'm coming too." He declared as he leapt up and quickly ran his fingers through his long dark hair straightening it out. He unlike his brother had slept in a clean tunic and only had to drag his boots on before heading out.
"Shall I wake Taurorn?" Elrohir asked and Elladan shook his head as he located his boots and began pulling them on.
"No, he slept fitfully, and I fear if it were not for the knowledge Legolas watched over her, he would not have slept at all. Let him rest." Elrohir nodded, quietly slipping out of the tent followed by his brother.
The early morning air was fresh as they hurried on light feet through the city gates, receiving curious nods from the Gondor guards at its walls when they jogged up white stone stairs. A guard who was walking down the stair they were currently acceding held a hand up, stopping them.
"Greetings to you both." He said kindly. "Are you heading to check on the Lady Aerlaer?"
"Yes, actually we are." Elrohir replied. "Do you know her?" When had Aerlaer spoken with Gondor guards? Perhaps she has awakened!
"Still she sleeps." The man said and Elrohir knew his face fell as did Elladan's.
"Oh, I had hoped she had awoken." He his shoulders slumped in disappointment, and the man drew a concerned frown..
"Can you tell me what keeps her so still and near lifeless?" He asked and Elrohir allowed him a grim smile.
"Do you know the blonde Elf, Legolas?" The man nodded.
"He died and somehow Aerlaer brought him back to life. We don't know how, but it has something to do with her lifeforce." Elladan explained and Elrohir saw the dark, cold look appear and then quickly disappear in the man's eyes. He decided the man had heard enough.
"Come brother we must be on our way to check her." He told Elladan, nodding politely to the man who inclined his head albeit stiffly. They parted ways then and Elrohir was glad for it, sure somehow, they had done wrong by Aerlaer by speaking to that strange man.
Legolas whipped his head up when they entered the large healing chamber, and Elrohir saw relief in his dark eyes. As he approached he was dismayed to see just how weary Legolas looked. He looked emotionally drained, his face paler then was healthy for an Elf of his fair complexion. He still held Aerlaer's hand, almost as if it were the only thing holding him up. Elrohir doubted the Elf had let it go once during the night.
Elladan shot him a concerned gaze and he sent back a minute nod. They would need to try and convince Legolas to look after himself during the day or he would burn himself out. Elrohir was still uncertain if the Prince's own lifeforce would return.
"How did she fare overnight?" He asked, and Legolas shook his head, those brown eyes filled with sadness and worry.
"No change, she did not stir even a little. Her heartbeat remains the same though." Elrohir nodded, placing his right hand over her heart and closed his eyes. Concentrating on her lifeforce, he set to remembering exactly how much he had seen the eve before. Nothing had changed. It had not increased at all. Dread swirled like a sickness within him. What if she doesn't get better? He almost went to give her some of his own lifeforce but held back. No, we should give her a little longer. It has not been twenty-four hours yet.
"What do you see?" Legolas whispered, his tone desperate for answers.
"There is still no change." He replied softly, and Legolas closed his eyes, hiding the pain he felt but Elrohir saw it plainly written upon his face. He let out a shaky breath and opened them again. "If there is no change in twenty-four hours from when you gave some of her lifeforce back, then Elladan or I will give her some of ours and see if it helps." He reassured his afraid friend.
"This is all my fault." He said brokenly as he stared at Aerlaer. "I should not have gone back into the sea."
"No." Elrohir sighed sadly. "This is my fault. I should have asked her if she could heal me yesterday instead of just presuming she had the energy there to." He rubbed a hand over his forehead, fighting back tears. If only he had known!
"No." Elladan said firmly. "Neither of you are to blame for this. We all know Aerlaer, she has a habit for doing the reckless, the mad even. Even if you had asked her Elrohir, she would not have told you, she would still have healed you. And Legolas, when she brought you back I do not think she knew what she was doing, but I think you will find she did that just as much for you as for herself." He explained and Elrohir and Legolas nodded, although Elrohir much like he suspected of Legolas, didn't feel any better for Elladan's words.
"My Lords?" All three of them looked towards the voice addressing them. It was a young healer woman.
"This is Aida." Legolas introduced the woman who twisted her linked hands nervously.
"These are Aerlaer's cousins, Elladan and Elrohir, both are healers too." Legolas explained and Elrohir gave a small, quiet laugh.
"Actually, all four of us Elves are healers." He said to the woman who looked pleasantly surprised. "Nice to meet you, please don't call us Lord, it gets rather tedious after a thousand or so years." The woman blinked a couple times as she processed his words and age and then composed herself with a sweet and friendly smile. She seems alright. Better than that Warden!
"A private chamber has been prepared for the La- I mean for Aerlaer if you would like to carry her and follow me?" Aida asked, and Legolas looked visibly relieved. Had he had trouble during the eve or morning? Perhaps that strange Gondor guard who had stopped to speak with them of Aerlaer? He was unsure of that man, he would ask Legolas what his deal was.
"Thank you, Aida." Legolas murmured, his focus on carefully scooping Aerlaer into his arms. Elrohir hopped she would stir at the action, but she remained unconscious. They followed Aida from the chamber and further along the passageway and into a smaller chamber which contained a bed, a two chairs, a side table and a washing area segregated by screens. Legolas gently laid Aerlaer upon the bed.
"Would you allow me to change her from her dress? It is quite soiled from battle." Aida asked carefully and Elrohir looked to Legolas as did Elladan too. By some silent agreement they had decided it would be the woodland Elf's decision as to who tended their young cousin.
"Yes, I am happy for you to do so. We will wait just outside the door until you are finished." Legolas replied, and Aida gave him a grateful smile. Healers, they just hate having filthy patients. Elrohir smirked inwardly to himself as he and Elladan and Legolas stepped outside, closing the door behind them.
"Aida is the only one of them I trust." Legolas explained once out of earshot of the young woman.
"She does seem like a compassionate healer." Elladan murmured. "Unlike that damn Warden." He added.
"That Warden is an idiot." Legolas said darkly.
"Yes, we heard from Taurorn about your disagreement with him. I would have paid decent gold to see the look on his face when Aragorn addressed you and Aerlaer by titles!" Elrohir snickered.
"Speaking of trust, who is the young Gondor guard who knows our little cousin?" Elladan asked and Legolas mood snapped form solemn to thoroughly annoyed.
"Bad news I think." He replied and Elrohir implored him to go on. "He was enslaved on one of the corsair ships which had already docked at the village at the mouth of the Anduin. We freed him along with three other slaves. Unfortunately, he has taken a liking to Aerlaer."
"I do not trust him." Elrohir said quietly and Legolas closed his eyes and nodded.
"Neither do I and thankfully, neither did Aerlaer when she met and spoke with him. She said his eyes are heartless and cold." Legolas replied and Elrohir caught a slight bittersweet smile playing on the blonde Elf's lips.
"What brings a rare smile about, Legolas? He asked softly.
"Oh, nothing really, just something Aerlaer said about my eyes a couple days ago on our way to the sea." He mumbled, looking pained once more.
"Tell us of the sea Legolas, we have not seen it before." He said to the dejected Elf, hoping it would distract him, distract all of them from the heaviness which was pressing upon their hearts.
…
As Legolas spoke to both Elladan and Elrohir of the sea and of the wonderful world beneath the waves and of the seals, he could once again hear the sound of the waves crashing in his mind, that sound which tried to pull at him. No! Leave me be! He cried wordlessly to their ancient beat and thankfully Aida opened the door to Aerlaer's chamber, pulling him from the battle in his mind.
"You can go in again now." Aida smiled warmly to them and thanking her, Legolas strode swiftly into the chamber, immediately assessing Aerlaer, now dressed in a white cotton sleeping gown. She lay so peacefully upon the soft covers of the bed. He could almost trick himself into believing she just slept and would awaken soon, and he would be able to gaze into those sea blue eyes again.
"I am off duty now for the rest of the day but will return again in the eve." Aida said, and Legolas looked up, worry tugging at him. Did this mean he would have to deal with other less amicable healers? He quite liked Aida.
"Do not worry, the Warden I think will stay clear. He knows now what ails her is of an elven matter and for that she will not be bothered unless you request our aid." Aida explained.
"I do not mind if you tend her." He said quietly. "I think she would like you." He added, and the healer's cheeks tinged rose, her smile shy but pleased.
"Your words are kind, thank you. I will check how she fares in the evening." She said before leaving the chamber.
Legolas arranged a seat beside Aerlaer and sat down, gazing at her before he realised he could feel two sets of grey eyes on him. He looked up at the twins who stood at the end of the bed.
"Legolas when did you last have a proper rest, you look exhausted." Elladan hedged and he shrugged.
"I am fine, I do not need the sleep." He replied and Elrohir approached him and lifting a hand, gently placed it over his heart.
"Still you only have half of Aerlaer's lifeforce keeping you here Legolas. Do not weary yourself." He warned which Legolas chose to ignore.
"I will get less peace and my heart will be further tormented if I must leave her side." He answered and Elrohir took the hint, dropping his eyes.
"Why don't you rest here then beside her?" Elladen asked and Legolas shook his head.
"Truly my mind, my heart cannot fathom the idea of rest while still there is no change for the better within her own heart." He murmured and received a solemn nod from the other twin.
"We should check in on the soldiers and on Merry too." Elladen said. "If anything changes-"
"You will be the first to know." Legolas replied and with grim smiles, the twins left the chamber, quietly closing the door behind them.
Legolas drew the chair he sat in closer to the side of the bed and suddenly realised he could check Aerlaer's lifeforce and take its measure now, so he could check it later and gauge if it had increased or not. Quickly he placed a hand over her heart and focused, seeking the light which ebbed from her heart, memorising its quantity before once again taking her hand in his and holding it. He sank down, rested his arms upon the edge of the bed and his head upon his arms.
"Please come back to me." He whispered to her, wishing more than anything that she would. If it were not for Aragorn's words upon the field and now the knowledge she had intended to die for him, he would give his life for her to awaken. He knew that could never work, he needed her like the trees needed the sun and by her actions, she needed him too.
I've rushed this one through in my lunch break, so hope it is okay on the edits!
Thank you to all the awesome reviews and hi to the new story followers!
thrndlwood - Cheers!
WickedGreene13 - Thanks! I am hell bent on actually finishing this story by the end of this year! :) There is so much stuff that comes after where I last left off which I want to be able to write and share!
PrettyRecklessLaura - Pretty much! Have to throw a few twists in! Just wait until you read the next twist a few chapters away!
RaqualiaMio - Hey I'm so glad you are enjoying it! Absolutely continuing past the film ending, including a slightly non-cannon road trip! I'm still deciding if I go for a sequel story or not also. Oh, Estel is Aragorn's Elvish name. It means Hope.
XiiKakashi - Thanks so much! I'm trying to make it as good as I can. Unsure if you realized, this is the re-write. I got grumpy with the first write because it was just messy with grammar. So its great to know its heading in the right direction! There are a ridiculous amount of chapters left so you won't be fading for a while yet!
pineapple-pancake - Oh my gosh thanks for the big review! Love it! Glad you are enjoying it. Have you read the prequel, The Nameless Ones? Its about why they were separated. Basically we can blame Thranduil for being a prat for why Falas (Aerlaer's dad) made the decisions he did. Its not completed and needs a serious grammar and flow overhaul in my opinion, but if you get bored, give it a gander. :) Ooh you remembered Legolas's gift! Haha, not quite ready for the reveal yet!
A xx