"My king, are you sure about this?"- Borghild frowned.
Aragorn fastened last strap of his sadle on the horse. He patted the horse on its loins and looked up.
"I am not a child."- he almost rolled his eyes.
Borghild slightly blushed in embarrassment . He shook his head rapidly.
"Of course not, but I don't.."- Aragorn raised his hand.
"You are needed here. Same as the rest of my guard. Nothing will happen to me. Besides, I think I am still able to defend myself if something unexpected shows up."
Borghild blushed even more.
"Please, don't misunderstand, my king. I only think that it can't to any harm if I go with you."- the man tried to explain.
Aragorn smiled and rested his hand on the man's shoulder.
"My old friend, I do appreciate your concern, but this time you cannot follow me. Your duty lies here."- he gently squeezed hard shoulder.
Borghild returned the smile but strong revolt was still burning in his clear eyes.
Aragorn turned around and checked the reins once again.
"I do pity you for you have to endure that madness that will be shaking our city in next few weeks."
"And our drunken lords."- Borghild added with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Aragorn laughed.
"Speaking of which, take good care of Salin."
Aragorn caressed the horse's long mane and looked up into the sky. The Sun hasn't risen up yet and there was no one in the main garden except of pale darkness. Borghild caught his gaze.
"Soldiers are sleeping. I thought they need some rest."- he hurried.
"Yes, of course. I should have slept longer."- Aragorn yawned.
Both men lifted their heads up and looked aside when they heard another horse's hoof. Legolas was slowly approaching them, leading his brown stud by the reins. His long, silvery hair was ably braided on the sides of his head and he was dressed in easy, dark tunic and leggings. Clean skin was subtly gleaming and his angelic face was peaceful. A serene smile was formed on his lips.
"Good morning."- he almost whispered in dreaming tone and stood.
Aragorn smiled and Borghild let his gard down.
"Pardon me."- Borghild uttered shortly and walked away when he felt that he was redundant, leaving Aragorn and his elf alone. Legolas was stilling his horse that was nervously digging stone ground with his hoof with light caresses over his strong neck and almost silent elven words.
"Where were you last night? You weren't in the bed."- Aragorn asked suddenly and Legolas lifted his chin a bit.
"I had something to do with our companion."- he explained.
"Who is it?"- the man asked and leaned against his horse. He watched the Elf curiosly.
Legolas laughed.
"You can guess. I know how much your guard is concerned so I decided that we should take someone with us."- he said and lifted his gaze. His blue eyes were dark and very tired and weak but happy smile was still trembling on his pale lips.
Aragorn crooked his head on side in confusion.
"Legolas, what is it?"- he asked quietly and moved towards the Elf. Legolas slightly frowned when he felt warm hand on his neck. He closed his eyes and small wrinke was shaped on his forhead in the manner of discomfort. He grasped the wrist with his fingers and dragged it down. At last, he sighed and buried his face in Aragorn's shoulder. He let out few frustrated sighs and gritted his teeth.
Aragorn hesitating caressed soft hair. The horse let out a high shrill.
"Sorry for this, I am too nervous. I can even smell him."- Legolas hissed and pressed his hands on the man's chest. He lifted his head and shook it when he sensed Devon's presence although he was nowhere to be seen.
Aragorn endured the Elf's forceful fingers on his neck with a sigh.
"Legolas, please.."- he started but the Elf only rubbed his face in Aragorn's shirt.
"Yes, I know and I don't want to talk about it."- his voice was blocked by the clothing.
Aragorn said nothing on this but remained to move his fingers through pale tresses. Cold and plain texture of elven hair relaxed him and destroyed his morning anxiety.
"Legolas!"- one voice called and both the man and the elf straightened up and took a step back from each other.
Bjarte was on his horse. The boy was waving with his hand in the air and smile of pure happiness was dancing on his lips. It seemed that he was the only one who was in a good mood.
"I knew it."- Aragorn whispered for himself and Legolas only grinned at him.
"He is good with a sword."- Legolas said to Aragorn who only smiled a bit.
"Yes, but you took him for another reason."
Legolas looked down for a moment.
"This is the least I could do for him in return. I owe him my life. "- he explained.
"So do I."- the man whispered and Legolas looked at him with painful eyes filled with love. Aragorn didn't return the gaze.
"Legolas. My king."- Bjarte said when he approached. He bowed.
"Call me Aragorn."- he said with tender smile.
"But.."- Bjarte started and Aragorn breathed out in frustration.
"That's an order."- he said and put a full stop on this matter. Bjarte silently nodded his head and Aragorn moved back to check if he took everything he needed with himself.
The boy was almost jumping in his sadle. Legolas was already grim when he captured two walking figures.
Borghild was walking next to Devon but Legolas couldn't but see small distance between them. Devon's long hair was tied and he was looking around himself, almost bored. Legolas caught moving behind their legs of small figure that led a big horse.
Devon only nodded his head when he stood with them. His colorless pupils tightened when he saw the boy.
Legolas clenched his teeth and turned around.
"I took my personal servant with me."- Devon spoke in tone that sounded like apologize and he weakly pointed his finger on the small man behind his legs.
It seemed like Aragorn paid no attention to this. He climbed on his horse and Legolas followed his example. Few more words were exchanged between Borghild and Aragorn.
Legolas carefully looked at Devon as he climed on his horse and the small figure. Devon's face went panful for a moment and he gritted his teeth.
The man caught the Elf's curios gaze.
"He can walk."- he explained shortly in rugged tone.
"What if we gallope?"- Legolas said in poisonous voice.
"He can run. Very fast."- Devon returned with a smile and Legolas looked down with sad eyes at the scared creature.
Devon's servant showed his teeth and hid behind horse's legs. Legolas let out a heavy sigh. He spurred his horse and headed towards Aragorn and Bjarte in order to get away from Devon. He started to feel waves of rot and dirt.
Borghild shook his head once again in disappointment when he felt that the subject was closing and Aragorn had no intention to change his decision. He stepped back and wished good luck.
Aragorn and Bjarte headed first and when Legolas wanted to follow he heard Borghild.
"Legolas.."- his tone was uncertain and the Elf felt slightly surprised for this was the first time the man actually called him by his name. He turned his horse around and both of them waited for Devon to pass by. It was too obvious but the necromancer acted like he hasn't noticed a thing.
Legolas was silently looking at Borghild who seemed confused.
"I wanted to tell you something.. In fact I wanted to ask for a favor.."- he tried to say something but his uneasiness wouldn't let him speak.
"Just tell me."- Legolas encouraged him with a smile.
Borghild nervously run fingers through his thick hair.
"I know how this sounds but.."- he took a long breath and closed his eyes- "if there is any problem send a bird."- he finished.
Legolas blinked.
"What?"
The man opened his eyes and the Elf saw pure worry in them.
"A raven or an eagle.. It doesn't matter. When you reach Rivendell, Rohan or any other place, you will see birds that deliver letters, rolls or anything. At least one of them should know the way to Gondor. If there is any problem, please, let me know."- he gazed at the Elf with all fierce he had.
Legolas raised his eyebrows.
"Why didn't you tell this to Aragorn?"- he asked in suspicous tone.
"He wouldn't listen. He would try to fix everything by himself. My duty is to protect the king and I cannot do it when he is thousands miles away from me. If anything happens, let me know so I can come on time."- the man explained in low voice.
Legolas narrowed his eyes.
"And what kind of problems you think.."- he started but Aragorn's voice interrupted him. The man suddenly turned around and saw that the Elf wasn't there.
"Trust no one and keep safe. Take good care of Bjarte, he is a good lad, I don't want anything bad to happen to him. And Devon.."- Borghild removed his weight on the other leg- "He can only help you.
Legolas face went sour when he heard last sentence but he only nodded.
"Yes, Borghild, I shall remember this."- he said in serious tone and grateful smile was shaped on Borghild's face. Legolas stretched his arm out and opened his palm. At first, clear line of shock lanced through Borghild's brown eyes and he didn't know what to say but Legolas remained to wait. At last, the man gave an unsure laugh and shook the elf's hand.
"You won't even learn about ways of Men in Minas Tirith, will you?"- he said, half with admiration and half with disapproval but he slightly jerked when he felt elven skin beneath his touch. It was smooth, neat but he could also feel its flexibility as well, like steel covered with layers of silk. Legolas ignored the man's reaction to his touch and simply tightened his grip around the crude hand.
"Maybe because I am not a man but a male elf and you, same as the rest of humans, stand on the same level as everyone else does. I see no difference between you and your highborn lords dressed in expensive robes."- he was serious but obvious sympathy was glistening in his sincere eyes and the man found it difficult to stand the Elf's gaze so he lowered his own down.
"My lords don't think so."- he whispered, feeling tired and useless although there was no reason for it for the morning was bright and blue eyes showed no hostility. Only understanding and everlasting rebellion towards every kind of system noble men set.
Legolas laughed.
"I do not care what your lords think."- he said with a big smile and gently pulled his hand that was in the man's for too long back.
Borghild's empty hand was left to hang in the air empty when he realized it and lowered it down.
With a one more smile and shine in his eyes, Legolas spurred his horse and headed towards Aragorn and Bjarte who were obviously waiting although Bjarte was looking around in a manner of boredom, but Aragorn's grey eyes were hard to read. Legolas caught his gaze and wondered if what he saw in them was sorrow.
First straw of the Sun lanced through the air and then more fell down. Dawn was glistening in all its beauty and covered small group with a thin layer of yellow. It touched silver hair of the Elf and sudddenly painted it in faint gold and warmed his whole being. Borghild stared at the moving, plain locks that fell down Legolas' back and in that moment he realized that he has been looking at the elven hair and its owner for far too long in those eight years. His eyes weren't able to capture the waiting figure of his king, his lord and master or his kind-hearted eyes.. Only playful, untroubled sunshine in the silver hair that belonged to someone else. Sudden understanding and emptiness filled his body and he did what he was taught and supposed to do. He bowed to his king and turned around, back to his sacrificed life and duties although his wasn't able to erase the sun in icy hair.
But that wasn't something Legolas could see or feel and that wasn't something he should know. He couldn't look back for he was not going that way. So that view of a man who thought he lost something precious to him remained to be a blind spot to his blue eyes. As it has always been.
When Bjarte saw that Legolas was with them again, he felt free to go. He rode away through the garden and continued through the street of Noble Men of Minas Tirith, with Devon and his servant few steps in front of him.
But Aragorn didn't move. With his palms resting one over the another on the saddle, he was studing Legolas with thoughtful gaze. His steel eyes were misted and after few minutes he started to look through the Elf but not at him, seeing things and times that died long ago, faces of forgotten people and dusty memories. With a small smile that wasn't a happy one, he lowered his eyes down.
"Aragorn?"- Legolas called out and stood beside him. Aragorn jerked his head.
"Yes?"- he answered but not really listening.
Legolas only smiled and slightly touched the horse with his feet on the side so he started to walk. Aragorn absently followed him.
"Where are you?"- Legolas continued when the man stood in line beside him. He carefully studied his profile and saw how his pupils were lowered down and empty.
Again, the man was pulled back into reality. He yawned and looked in front of himself.
"I was only thinking."- he said frankly and followed Bjarte's restless figure with his eyes.
Legolas didn't remove his deep gaze.
"About what?"- he asked but when he received no answer he slightly pulled the man by his sleeve and gave an uncertain smile when Aragorn looked at him.
"It's not the right moment to talk about it."- the man said after few moments of looking at the immortal lines of Legolas' face.
Legolas only raised his eyebrows but from Aragorn's face expression he understood that he should leave this subject, not to push it any further. At least not for now.
"You will tell me once."- he said in joyful and certain voice although his conclusion sounded to his ears half as a question. He removed his palm from the reins towards Aragorn's hand and touched the man's skin with careful fingers. Legolas breathed out in relief when Aragorn finally smiled and tightened the grasp around his fingers before spurring his horse so they can follow their companions who drifted away from them.
"Once."- he promised and Legolas knew that he couldn't ask for more.
When they started to go down the levels of White City and got nearer to Devon and Bjarte, Legolas studied Devon's behaviour. There was no usual smug expression on his narrow face and his posture wasn't certain and strong. His shoulders were lowered and he was leaned over his horse almost as if he was holding onto him. When Devon sensed that someone was watching him, he looked back at the Elf, but his eyes were empty and uninterested. With almost sad face, he turned around and leaned over his horse even more, letting his tail to fall over his shoulders.
If Legolas paid more attention to this, he would wonder what was wrong with the necromancer but that wasn't the situation.
In fact, he traced Aragorn's unusual contures. He didn't talk or show any sign that he was aware of the world around him. His eyes were still somewhere else, somewhere far away, beyond Legolas' reach, deep into the man's past where was no place for Legolas. Where Legolas didn't even exist.
The Elf wondered why this morning was so black and silent although the Sun started to shine in its full might and the birds started to sing in high voices. His eyes caressed Devon's bent and weak back. For a moment he even felt pity but then he captured Aragorn's bemused eyes and with a heavy sigh he accepted that he needed some time alone.
They got out of the city and headed towards the forest and Legolas slowed down his pace and let Aragorn to pass by. He was following them, keeping some distance. He forgot what was the main goal of their journey. He didn't think about his family or anything that awaited for them, over the hills and rivers. It mattered little to the Elf now.
Instead he lost himself in that cloud of thoughts that was floating above them, same as the rest of his small fellowship. Even Bjarte stilled himself.
But Legolas had no thoughts. He was listening to the easy wind that was blowing in the trees and with a serene smile he heard trees speaking. He understood them, all the pain and happiness, lives of many people or animals running through their old roots like the blood runs through the veins. He lost himself somewhere in their songs and laments, in their eternal memory of everything that was and everything that is. And hints of something that will be. And Legolas opened his eyes and looked at his companions who were battlling with their inner feelings. He realized that he will be the only one who will stand after all of this comes crashing down. He knew that he will live somewhere far beyond the sea.
In that moment of clear realization, Legolas blinked in horror of what he has just thought. Trees went suddenly silent and he felt like he came to surface again. He let out a painful breath and with almost fearful eyes he gazed at the trees. Their song was lost. Not dead, only silenced. He knew he can listen to it again, if he wanted to. But he didn't. Instead he hurried towards Aragorn and Bjarte's cheerful voice, eager to talk with them and see them. And with their presence he quenched sudden feel of longing in his chest. For now. And that was enough.
Anxious cloud passed and everyone were freed to breathe and live. Legolas looked up into the sky and smiled. One raven flew above them and for a moment Legolas caught small piece of paper tied to his leg. It was already forgotten when the raven passed by for neither Legolas nor Devon knew that the raven carried a message about them.