Eternal Life, Eternal Pain
II. An Unsuspected Companion
x o x o x
We were strangers
Starting out on a journey
Never dreaming
What we'd have to go through
Now here we are
And I'm suddenly standing
At the beginning with you
x o x o x
Morning came. The sun shone brightly, and the sky was clear. A perfect day to start our journey... thought Legolas.
"She's done what?" His father's harsh words cut into his thoughts. "Oh for the love of God, how could she run away?"
Elrond shrugged.
"But she's a princess! The lives of thousands depend on this marriage!"
Legolas rolled his eyes at that. Marriage, he thought. Well good for that princess who ran away.
Aragorn sat down in the chair next to Legolas and helped himself to breakfast. "'Mornin' Legolas!"
"Hasn't your mother ever told you not to talk with your mouth full?" Arwen's voice floated in from the hallway.
"Yeh! Mama says so!" Alli's baby voice along with Eldarion's laughter filled the air.
Aragorn grinned. "Well my mama never told me so!" he said in a teasing voice.
"Don't listen to Ada, dear." She turned to Aragorn. "You're setting a bad example for your children! Have you no shame?" she hissed in his ear.
"Nope."
Arwen rolled her eyes and sat down next to her father, leaving her husband behind laughing. "See that Legolas?" he asked. "If for no other reason, that's why you should marry! The looks on their faces – priceless my dear friend, priceless." Legolas returned him a cool smile.
Elrond turned his attention to the two men. "When will you leave?"
Before Aragorn could reply, there was a loud clang, a crash, and someone swearing loudly. Arwen quickly covered Alli's ears before the words could reach her ears. Legolas turned to Arwen's father and said, "I suppose we could leave now."
x o x o x
No one told me
I was going to find you
Unexpected
What you did to my heart
When I lost hope
You were there to remind me
This is the start
x o x o x
Gimli had not waken up in a good mood. Two nights ago, he had stayed up until dawn along with his friends, drinking, laughing, telling jokes and stories. Legolas told him he had slept for a day. A day! And yet his head ached so! Angrily he pounded the side of his head, frightening the horse upon which he was mounted. The chestnut brown mare whinnied, drawing Legolas's attention. Gently rubbing the top of his head, he gave Gimli a sour look and asked, "What did you do to the horse, friend?"
Angrily, Gimli replied, "If you must know... nothing."
Legolas smiled a bit. "Like you did nothing to me?" He pointed at his head where there was a rather large bump.
Gimli blushed embarrassedly. "You took me rather by surprise this morning, Legolas. You know there was no intent behind that swing of my hand."
"I know." Legolas gave him a bigger smile. "But this journey... well, we must go soon. Are you prepared, Gimli? Aragorn? Aragorn... Aragorn!"
"Hang on, Legolas," Aragorn said, walking away.
"Aragorn, where are you going?" Gimli asked.
He needed not to ask, for soon, they could see why Aragorn had walked back - to bid his daughter goodbye. Alli had come running out and was screaming, "ADA!"
Aragorn swept her in his arms and asked, "Yes my little angel?"
"Where are you and Unco Leglos and Gimwi goin' Papa?" she asked with the innocence of a child.
Aragorn kissed her. "On a little trip."
"When will you be back Ada?"
"Why don't you ask your mother?" Aragorn replied, setting her down. Alli clung tightly to his legs.
"I can't find Mama."
Aragorn sighed. "Soon, Alli. See the leaves?" he asked, pointing to the green, budding leaves. "I'll be back before they fall."
"But that's so long, Ada. I'll miss you and Unco Leglas. UNCO LEGOUS!" she yelled, running over to where Legolas was mounted on his horse. He jumped off. Oh how he spoiled that little girl. He watched her run over to him and realized how adorable she was. Every time he heard her call him "Unco Leglas" his heart melted. "Yes?" he asked, kneeling to her level.
"Nin mel lle," she whispered and kissed him. Legolas blushed a bit, and Gimli laughed loudly at his friend's reaction.
Aragorn remounted his horse. "Go home, Alli. Go to your grandfather."
Alli stood there as they rode off into the dark forests. "BYEEEEEEEEE!"
x o x o x
Life is a road
And I want to keep going
Love is a river
I wanna keep flowing
Live is a road
Now and forever
Wonderful journey
x o x o x
"Aragorn... I must know something."
"What is it, Gimli?"
"Why are we riding horses?"
Legolas suddenly stopped. "Yes, Aragorn. Why are we riding horses?"
Aragorn swore loudly. "Oh I am so absentminded!"
Legolas held out his hand. "A voice, I hear it..." Suddenly an arrow shot from one of the trees. "We've been found!"
Gimli hopped off his horse, and the other two followed suit. He gave each of the horses a push and yelled, "Go home!" With that, the horses galloped off into the distance.
Aragorn swore again. "'Tis but my fault! On guard, mates!"
Legolas held up his bow, ready to fire. But before he could shoot off a single arrow, the orcs disappeared. Frowning, he said, "Something is not right. What could make them go like that?"
Gimli agreed. "Must be a greater force than they."
"We must be ready. It may come out at any second."
The three stood in a line, facing toward the direction the orcs had been coming. There was no sign of life other than the foilage. Aragorn narrowed his eyes, trying to see if he could manage making out a figure in the darkness. But there was nothing...
A blade was by his throat.
A/N: Not my song... I wish. It's from Anastasia... forget who wrote it. Anyway, chapter 3's coming soon... Like this? )