Author's Note: Yes, I am still alive. Had a huge wall of writer's block to get through to finish this chapter. Thank you to all who reviewed, followed, and favorited! It is much appreciated! Don't let the beginning of this chapter deceive you, the majority of the chapter is fluff :)
He was running harder than he ever had in his life. So hard, his heart hurt with every thud of his boots. Strands of his golden hair flapped in his face, stinging it. His lungs burned for air. The only problem was the fact that he seemed to be going nowhere. The trees ahead of him never got closer. Earsplitting screeches pierced his ears. Frantically, the elf glanced over his shoulder and saw the horde of spiders gaining on him. He switched his eyes straight ahead. What he saw caused him to come to a skidding halt. Another horde had descended from the trees before him, surrounding him.
Desperately, he reached for his trusty bow and an arrow. The elf only fingered air. There was no bow, quiver, or twin knives on his back, though he clawed for them, hoping they would magically appear.
Realizing that their prey was weaponless, the spiders lunged at him. He used the only weapon he had to defend himself, his fists. The elf struck fiercely at the arachnids to no avail. The monsters quickly overwhelmed him. Their prickly legs and webbing wrapped around his lithe frame. One spider's leg curled around his neck.
"Help me! Saes!" the elf cried out to his usual allies, the trees. His plea fell on deaf ears. The appendage around his neck squeezed harshly, cutting off his air. The spider who held him emitted a shrill cackle. The force of the leg crushed the elf's airways. Darkness swarmed before the vision of his dimming blue eyes. "Ha! Nothing can save you from us and the darkness! You and your precious forest will fall to us!" The spider tightened his hold to a deadly pressure. "You are ours!"
A silent scream tore from Legolas' throat as he shot straight up in bed. His chest heaved, and a sheen of sweat coated his body. Shakily, he ran a hand through his matted hair. The elf's eyes scanned his dark chambers for any threat. They zeroed in on the doors leading into his room as the handle turned slowly. Legolas quickly laid back down, feigning sleep. The door creaked open. Feet padded almost silently across the floor. It was no elf. The prince gripped the dagger concealed under his pillow. The feet crept beside his bed. Legolas could sense a hand reaching toward him. Now!
He jumped up with his dagger hovering inches away from the intruder. A second later the elven dagger clattered to the floor. Before Legolas stood not an assassin, but a small child. "Estel?"
The human stared at the prince with huge round eyes, glassy with tears. An expression of fear frozen upon his stilled face. The only movement came from the boy's quivering chin. In the span of a moment, his whole body began to tremble as well.
"Shh...do not be afraid, tithen pen. I will not harm you," Legolas murmured as he moved to comfort Aragorn. With concern he noted tear tracks and a runny nose, tell-tale signs that the child had been crying. "Tell me, what has upset you so, Estel?"
Fresh tears flowed from silver eyes. "I...I...had a night...nightmare!" wailed Estel between sobs. He suddenly wrapped himself around the prince's legs which were hanging over the side of the bed.
The elf panicked inwardly. I do not know how to handle a child in this situation! What do I say? What do I do? Ai! Why did the child come to me? Surely Elrond, or even Elladan and Elrohir are better equipped to comfort him than I. Still, despite his lack of experience, Aragorn had purposely sought him out. The boy obviously had confidence in him and needed comfort, so Legolas resolved to do his best.
He searched his memories to recall the actions and words his own parents used when they had calmed him as an elfling. "Do not cry, Estel. Everything is all right. What ever monster plagued you in your dreams is no more," the prince reassured while he scooped the human into his arms.
Aragorn buried his head into Legolas' light blue nightshirt. Salty droplets dampened the already sweaty shirt. The elf caressed the boy's head and back in a pacifying manner for several minutes. Estel's sobs evolved into wet hiccups.
Legolas smiled at the progress. "There, that's it, tithen pen. Try to take deep breaths," he soothed. A question tugged at the back of the prince's mind as the child inhaled and exhaled obediently. Gently, he inquired, "Estel, why did you come to me? Is not your ada or brothers better at consoling you than I?"
With silver orbs that seemed to look right into Legolas' heart, Aragorn peered up at the elf. "Because," hiccuped the boy shyly.
"Because what?" prompted Legolas.
Estel hesitated. With a deep breath he uttered, "Because I dreamed about…about…" The human shivered, "I dreamed about the bad spiders that almost ate you and me. They…they...caught me and I saw their fangs. And one was really really close to my face and I was so scared because it was going to eat me and...and...then I woke up! It was really terrible and scary, Legolas." Finishing his account of his dream, he snuggled closer against the prince's chest.
The elf winced at the child's dream. Unconsciously, he massaged the shoulder that the spider had pierced. Estel's rescue and the fight with the spiders had taken place over a week ago. Still, that did not mean that the nightmares had faded away in that time-span. Hmm...seems as if I am not the only one the spiders preyed upon in dreams tonight. Rubbing Aragorn's head affectionately, Legolas assured, "Fear not, Estel. I will protect you from the nasty spiders in your dream, and from any spiders for that matter."
"I know. When I woke up I thought I heard and saw the spiders in real life, so I came to you for help. I knew you could fight them, and you would not be afraid," declared the child quietly. Aragorn silently fingered the golden ends of the prince's hair, his brow furrowed in thought. After a few moments his countenance brightened. "One day, when I grow up, I want to not be scared of anything and brave, just like you, Legolas."
The statement stunned Legolas, and left him at lost for words. His heart warmed at his friend's words. He was honored by the human's admiration. The prince hugged the boy in his arms tighter. "Oh, Estel. You will be a better, and braver warrior than I one day."
"You think so?" sniffed Aragorn.
Legolas chuckled, "Think so? I know so, Estel. You have displayed great courage already."
"Really?"
"Really." The elf smiled as the child hugged him. Suddenly, Estel's frame shook with coughs. "Estel! Are you sick? Do you need your ada?" questioned Legolas with alarm.
Aragorn shook his head, "No. My throat is dry."
The prince stood up with Estel still in his arms. "Well, we must do something about that." He glided across the smooth, stone floor to the other side of his chamber. Placing the boy down momentarily, Legolas lit a small candle resting on top of a small wooden table. Beside the candle sat a fine crystal pitcher and a pair of goblets. The water in the pitcher sparkled in the silver moonlight.
After situating Estel back in one arm, the elf drained the liquid into the goblet. "Here, tithen pen." Since the goblet was too big for the child to handle without dropping it, he lifted it to the human's lips. Water dribbled down Aragorn's chin as he drank greedily. "Slow down, Estel. Drink slowly," cautioned Legolas with a laugh. The boy nodded and slowed slightly.
Once the last drop was sucked up, the goblet was returned to the table. "All better now, tithen pen?"
Wiping the sleeve of his cream-colored nightshirt across his chin, Estel grinned, "Yes, I'm not thirsty no more!"
"Good." Weariness began to gnaw at Legolas. "Come, it is time to put you to bed." He started towards the door to take the child back to his own room.
Estel clutched Legolas' shirt tightly, and shook his head against the prince's chest. "No! I can't sleep in there. It is too scary and dark." He looked up into blue orbs pleadingly. "Please don't make me sleep by myself."
The elf sighed defeatedly. "Very well." Ai! How am I going to sleep? Let alone get the child to sleep? A soft breeze fluttered through the door and caressed his cheek in consolation. The coolness is comforting… Suddenly, an idea formed in his head as he glanced towards the window. "Estel, have you ever slept outside?"
Curiosity chased away all traces of fatigue from the boy's eyes. "No," he replied.
A smile graced Legolas' face, "Then you are in for a treat." The prince pulled a warm earth-colored cloak from his armoire. He proceeded to wrap Estel snuggly with it. "This should keep you warm."
"Are we going outside even though it is nighttime?" questioned Aragorn excitedly.
"Aye. We are going to sleep in the trees tonight," Legolas informed while he leapt onto the ledge of the windowsill. Estel tensed. Tightening his grip on the child, the elf assured, "Fear not, tithen pen. I will not let you fall. You are safe in my arms."
Gracefully, he vaulted into the wizened oak in front of his window. Legolas knew the tree well for he had spent many nights in the embrace of its branches. The oak had witnessed the prince at his best and his worst. Some nights he had simply recounted a momentous event in his life, or sung a song of happiness amidst its boughs. Other nights he had watered the tree's bark with his tears, or vented his frustrations. No matter the situation, the oak was always his confidant and comfort.
Though the boy he carried hampered one of his arms, the elf skillfully ascended the tree towards the top where the branches forked, creating a small nook. Within moments, he had settled down comfortably with Estel situated in his arms. The oak inquired about the newcomer. Legolas placed a hand on the familiar bark, He is a friend, and the adopted son of Lord Elrond. We call him, Estel. Nightmares have plagued us both this night, so we seek solace in you and nature, mellon nin.
Upon hearing this, the oak eagerly rumbled its acceptance of the child and willingness to host them for the night. The prince patted the bark affectionately. Hannon le, mellon. I knew I could count on you. A small voice broke off the conversation between the tree and the elf.
"Legolas, it is really dark," the boy stated uneasily. His eyes darted around in an attempt to adjust to the light. The sudden hoot of an owl sent a shiver down Aragorn's back.
Legolas gently squeezed the boy. "There is always light to be found in the dark, Estel." He directed Estel's gaze to the sky with his index finger. "What do you see?"
"Stars. They are twinkling."
"Aye. Whenever I am in need of comfort and guidance I look to the stars. No matter where I am or what is happening, they are always there to guide me. I am never lost with the stars."
"Never?"
The elf paused from peering thoughtfully at the stars and turned his attention back to the human, "Never."
Aragorn thought quietly. Suddenly a yawn escaped unbidden from his mouth. "Will the stars help me too, Legolas?"
"Estel, the stars will always be there to help you. They will never fail you," murmured the prince.
"Which one is your favorite star?" inquired the human with another yawn
Legolas contemplated for a moment. Running a hand tenderly through Estel's brown locks, he answered,"All the stars are dear to me, but my favorite is Eärendil, for it is a source of hope for me and my people."
The boy sighed dejectedly, "I don't have a favorite star yet"
The elf chuckled softly, "Do not worry, tithen pen. You are still very young, even in human terms, and have many years to learn about the stars. One day, when the time is right, you will find the perfect star for you."
"I hope so," Aragorn mumbled sleepily. "When I do get a favorite, I'm gonna pick the prettiest star for mine."
"I am sure you will." Pulling the human closer against him in order to ward off any possible chill, Legolas commanded softly, "It is time to sleep now, tithen pen. Otherwise, dawn will find you still awake."
As he closed his heavy eyelids, Estel whispered, "Hannon le, Legolas."
"You are most welcome, Estel," smiled the prince. He hummed a lullaby that his naneth had sung to him as an elfing, while he waited for the child's breathing to even out. It did not take long for sleep to firmly take hold of Aragorn. The elf's ears easily detected the human's soft snores. "Sleep, tithen pen. Rest assured that I will insure that nothing will haunt you or your dreams anymore this night."
Unwilling to sleep himself and risk dropping Estel, the prince enjoyed the symphony of crickets and owls, along with the slight breeze that toyed with his hair. He contently relished the rare moment of peace and innocence, unspoiled by evil and darkness. And so, for the rest of the night, Legolas sat peacefully in the oak as the boy in his arms slumbered.
So...what do you think? Should I even continue? Depending on the the feedback I receive I may or may not put this story to the side and work on another one. Reviews, follows, and favorites are always adored! :) Thanks!
Translation:
Saes- please
Naneth- mother