First Meeting

Chapter 11: Secrets Revealed and Unrevealed

Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy belongs to J. R. R. Tolkien. I'm writing this for fun, not money.

In contrast to the other Mirkwood elves he had encountered, the healer who tended to him was friendly and talkative. He woken to find himself in a talan, reminding him of his blissful days spent in Lothlórien. Lying comfortably on several blankets, he could not understand his sudden change in fortune.

The healer chatted happily with him as she examined his head wound and checked his vision. Aragorn concluded that the eleth likely had not been told of his crimes, for she regarded him without a smidgen of suspicion or hostility. She told him that her name was Isteth, and that she served in Mirkwood's northern patrol. She explained that he had been brought to the northern patrol's camp to be healed. That answered many of Aragorn's questions, but the biggest still remained. What was going to happen to him now?

Despite the comfortable and friendly atmosphere in the talan, his lack of weapons, which were conspicuously absent, made him feel vulnerable. Even the small daggers concealed in his boots were missing. He was not tied up, but he was surrounded of an army of elves. For some reason he doubted that they would allow him to simply walk away. He knew that he was a prisoner still. Yet his punishment was now unclear. He had fought beside an elf of Mirkwood to defeat their common enemy, but would that be enough to earn him mercy? He hoped that it would at least be enough to receive a chance to defend himself.

Isteth distracted him from his thoughts by beginning to question him, checking his memory to determine if he had a concussion.

"What is your name?" she began.

"Strider." He answered, giving her the name he had supplied to Legolas.

"Tell me about your family?" She continued. "Do you have any siblings?"

"My father is a healer as you are," he replied in half-truths, feeling slightly guilty for being untruthful to this kind, cheerful elf. "And I have two elder brothers."

She smiled at him, completely unaware of any deceit, encouraging his so far promising answers. "How did you come to be in the prince's company, Strider?"

Aragorn had no answer for that, and simply stared at her confused. His first idea was that he had indeed suffered a concussion and lost his memory, for he was quite certain that he had not been in the company of any prince recently. That thought changed when Isteth, with a concerned look, questioned him again. "How did you make the acquaintance of Prince Legolas?"

Aragorn had no response to that, and simply stared in complete astonishment. Prince Legolas? The elf he had captured was only a guard, not a prince. Perhaps it was possible the prince would serve as a guard though, Aragorn knew nothing of the Mirkwood elves' customs. Yet neither Legolas nor any elves at the stronghold had said or done anything that even hinted that the elf he held hostage was more than he appeared to be. For a moment he doubted what she said, but he could sense no dishonesty in Isteth. Why would she lie to him about this?

"It is nothing to worry about." Isteth hurriedly assured him, misunderstanding his reaction. "It is normal to lose some memories leading up to your head injury. It is quite possible that you will regain them once you are fully recovered."

Isteth continued her questioning after that, but Aragorn found it difficult to give even the simplest of answers. His mind was occupied in considering the consequences of what he had done.

If he had threatened and held hostage the prince of Mirkwood, the Elvenking's son, then his situation was even more precarious then he had thought. The Elvenking, always respected and often feared by enemies and allies alike, was unlikely to be forgiving of such a grave offence.

Isteth's questions were eventually interrupted by Legolas' appearance in the talan.

Isteth stood to greet her prince, and Legolas acknowledge her with a nod.

"Isteth, would you please give us a moment?" Legolas requested politely. "You may continue your treatment afterwards."

"No need." She replied. "I believe I am done for now. He does not appear to have suffered a concussion, although his memory of the events leading up to his injury seems to have been lost. Still, I am confident that he will have a complete recovery."

Legolas thanked her, then waited until she had left the talan before he sat down a small distance away from the adan. Although he had ordered the warriors to search and disarm the human shortly after their arrival to the camp, he was still mindful of his previous mistake in underestimating Strider. He would be careful to stay alert and vigilant during this meeting, and to be wary of any tricks.

Strider made use of Legolas' appearance to study him closely for a moment, searching for clues of what he might have missed. It was true that both Legolas and King Thranduil possessed the golden hair and light eyes which were uncommon among the Mirkwood elves, yet Strider could detect no other resemblance between the young elf before him and his memory of the Elvenking. He remembered King Thranduil to be broader and taller that most elves, while Legolas possessed the slimness that was typical of his kind. In addition, although Legolas' face presently showed no great warmth or kindness, his features still appeared softer and more open than Thranduil's cold and stern appearance.

A moment of silence passed between the two before Aragorn acknowledged him.

"Prince Legolas," he greeted softly.

The elf narrowed his eyes, and looked at him suspiciously. Aragorn took that as confirmation that the Valar had indeed cursed him with enough ill luck to unknowingly take hostage the Elvenking's own son.

"You knew?" Legolas demanded, his tone sharp.

Aragorn quickly shook his head. He had no doubt that if it was believed he had known who he was kidnapping, then his punishment would be even more severe.

"No." He answered firmly.

"The healer...she mentioned it when she was checking my memory," he explained.

Legolas considered him for a moment before deciding that he was telling the truth.

"It matters not," Legolas informed him. "You are still guilty of trespassing and abducting an elf of Greenwood, in addition to your crimes in Esgaroth. The King will judge you for those crimes."

"I have committed no crimes in Esgaroth," Aragorn stated.

He told Legolas about the town which the outlaws had ransacked and the promise he had made to the village woman to hunt down the men. He also pull down the shoulder of his tunic, revealing skin that was bare of the brand which was the typical punishment of outlaws in many human towns.

The prince listened intently without interruption, but his face remained impassive. Aragorn could not tell whether or not the elf believed him.

"It is true that I have trespassed into your forest and wrongfully abducted you," Aragorn admitted. "But I would have you know that I hold no enmity for your kind, and that I meant for no harm to come to you. I only wished to leave the forest and avoid an execution for crimes that I did not commit."

He considered how much else to tell Legolas. Lord Elrond had instructed him to tell no one of his heritage. He knew that the Mirkwood elves were allies, but they had done nothing so far to inspire Aragorn's trust in them. In addition to his personal experiences with them, he knew that, although the two elven nations were formally allies and trade partners, there was little love or friendship between them. According to Lord Elrond, King Thranduil, who was an elf of Menegroth, still felt resentment for the Noldor for the sins of Feanor's sons and their followers in their quest for the Silmarils. He had learned from Elladan and Elrohir that their father and the Elvenking disagreed often, but always remained civil towards each other for the sake of their realms. This led Aragorn to decide that it would be best not to reveal his secret yet, not unless there was no other option.

He could tell Legolas only that he was the adopted son of Lord Elrond and an elf-friend, which was a title of great honour and would demand that he was granted some level respect, but knew that such a claim would invite too many questions which would be difficult to answer. For now, he would just keep his silence.

It was awhile before Legolas spoke, and Aragorn noted that, when he did, he gave no indication of believing in his innocence.

"You fought beside me in battle, and saved my life in doing so." Legolas said. "I am in debt to you, and I will repay that debt if I can."

Legolas stood to leave, but Aragorn's voice halted him.

"I'm sorry," he said sincerely. There was no pleading or supplication in his voice. He said it out of genuine remorse.

Legolas acknowledged him with a small nod.

"Rest now," he commanded. "We will be travelling back to the stronghold as soon as you are well enough." He paused for a moment.

"Do not attempt to run." He advised. "I will not bind you, as you are injured and will need to get rest to recover. I will inform you, however, that you are surrounded by elven warriors, and you will not reach this forest's boarder if you attempt to flee."

Aragorn simply nodded, unsurprised. Legolas turned and left the talan.

I would like to thank Aikwen, who pointed out that I was calling Strider Edain (plural), rather than Adan (singular.) I did go back and edit the previous chapters, so it should be correct now.

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