What Used To Be
Disclaimer: I own nothing except Linnod which sucks but I'll live. Hey, I just realised I own Lauri and Hal too! Wow.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed!! And everyone who's read this far too!!
Martiny The One And Only Still - I love shitzu's although the only one I know is dead. Well I know where I'm going now, kind of, and although yeah the kid's (or one of them anyway) do play an important part it's not the way you might think. But I'm not gonna spoil anything!
MoonDrake - Yippee a new reader/reviewer. I would too, who wouldn't? Plus I need them I'm supposed to be having archery lessons in school soon and I don't want to embarrass myself, I could use a little teaching from the master of archery himself!
Swanfeather - Yep I'm evil alright! Don't worry though because...um...well, things will get better! Eventually, anyway.
FemaleSpock - Thank Lord you found that part funny I know I would if I read it...but my worst nightmare is trying to write something funny and no-one finding it funny. But I love stuff that makes fun of them, especially that little argument they have going...:)
Nosterineth - I don't want to spoil anything...but maybe this chapter will give you some clues? Probably it will just infuriate you though. Well, they're not as close as they used to be...yet...but that'll change.
stlova - 'i dare u 2 ask me anything about lotr!' I am absolutely going to take you up on that...let me see...well before I think of a question let me just say this it's ok for not posting I don't mind but it's good to know you are still there, and is St Lova a place because I've been wondering that since your first review. OK...(I haven't read The Silmarillion or even the full appendix of LOTR by the way. It took me 2 months to read. Books usually take me 2 days to read so by that time I just couldn't take it anymore. But I am planning on reading them soon though!) Ok, who/what is Laurelin? (I don't know if that's easy for you or not but oh well.)
Chapter 5
Aragorn was sitting on a log, waiting for Legolas to come over. He certainly was taking his time. The Gondorians little camp was all packed up, and now they were waiting for Legolas to come and say...goodbye. Aragorn was miserable. No-one dared talk to him, not even Arwen and he was sitting a little apart from the others, so he would be the first one to see when Legolas arrived. Today, they were leaving. He would never see his friend again...Legolas was sailing. What would he give to go back twenty years and change things? Things could of been different. But it was his own stubbornness and pride that had got him into this mess, although they certainly weren't going to get him out of it.
Then Legolas was standing in front of him. He almost appeared out of nowhere.
"Aragorn? Are you okay?" Legolas asked.
"What? Oh..yes."
"Good. Are all your things packed up? Is everyone ready?" Legolas continued, seemingly oblivious to Aragorns feelings.
"I think so." Aragorn stood up, and turned to survey his camp. It could only be called organised chaos. "So, another ship has just left?"
"Yes. Then there will be two more, and then I will leave, and..." Legolas trailed off.
"Three days? We do not really have to leave right now then." Aragorn said, a little bit of hope rising in his chest.
"I think leaving now would just be best, as everyone will be very busy, and there will not be much point in you all being here, when I'm sure that Gondor must need you there as soon as possible."
"Faramir and Éowyn are more than capable of ruling my absence." Aragorn replied lightly as they began walking down the slight hill towards the humans camp.
"I'm sure they are." Legolas laughed. "How are they, anyway?"
"They are very well, actually." Aragorn said, but didn't elaborate. There was a short silence before Legolas said,
"I wish I could-" He stopped as Hal and Dari wandered up to them. The previous evening, Legolas had come down to spend the night in the human's camp. Surprisingly, Legolas and Hal had struck up a quick friendship, although they had next to nothing in common. They had spent most of the night together, talking and Aragorn had more than enough reason to believe they were talking about him, and also that nothing good could come from that.
"Hello." Dari said innocently. This in itself made Aragorn suspicious. Since when did Eldarion look innocent?
"Hello." Legolas replied brightly. "Hello, Hal."
"Hello." Hal said awkwardly.
"Legolas me and Hal were wondering -all right, I was wondering- if before we left, you could just do a little bit of archery practice with us?" Dari asked hopefully." I mean, only for an hour. Not even that, if you want."
Legolas glanced at Aragorn. 'Well, I don't mind. But I was under the impression that your father wanted to leave quickly."
"No, I don't mind." Aragorn said, a bit surprised. If it meant he had that much longer here with his friend...he definitely didn't want to leave quickly.
"Great!" Hal said, looking relieved and excited now that Legolas had agreed. "Let's go; where can we practice, Legolas?"
Legolas laughed. "I didn't realise you were so...eager. But I will go and get my bow and we can head over to that area over there. I practiced there before. It's very good."
Aragorn smiled. Catching Legolas' eye as the Elf turned back to where he came from he tried not to laugh. He knew exactly what his children could be like and didn't envy his friend now. "You realise it will only be a little while? Legolas has things to do, you know."
Now, Arwen, Lauri and Gimli had arrived on the scene. "Where is the Elf going now?" Gimli demanded gruffly. "I was under the impression that I'd see him while we were here, but I was wrong. I have barely glimpsed him at all!"
"Relax, he has only gone to get his bow. He'll be back up in a minute." Aragorn smiled.
"Why is he getting his bow?" Arwen asked, glancing at her sons suspiciously.
"He is going to do some archery practice with us." Hal said happily.
"I thought we were leaving." Lauri said in confusion.
"We are. But a little later." Aragorn assured his daughter.
"Why can't Legolas come with us? Just for a little while?" Lauri pressed.
"Because that would be wrong." Arwen answered. "We cannot keep him here in Middle Earth. He has responsibilities, to his people, but more importantly, to himself. I don't want any of you to say anything to Legolas about that."
"We won't." Dari replied, rolling his eyes, just as Legolas re-appeared.
"Ready?" Legolas asked brightly, an went on to lead them all to an area a little way away, relatively close to the trees. Then he stopped. What do you want to do now?" He asked Dari and Hal, as they and Aragorn had all grabbed their bows on the way through their camp.
"Show us what you can do." Dari stated simply. Gimli clicked his tongue impatiently. Legolas raised his eyebrows at this too but went on to take his stance, aim, and then he shot his arrow. It hit a tree.
"Is that it?" Dari asked, not looking too impressed. "I can do that too."
"That was the warm-up." Legolas replied defensively.
He then drew his bow, and then stood still for so long that the children thought he had fallen asleep, although Aragorn, Arwen and Gimli knew otherwise. Suddenly he made them all jump as he released his arrow and it shot a leaf that was was just falling to the ground. He did, of course, hit perfectly. Hardly bothering to rest he then turned slightly until he was facing a tree, and in less than 20 seconds managed to shoot 10 arrows into that tree, to form a circular shape. He turned quickly, until he was facing the other way. Then, to another tree, he shot 3 arrows carefully, and quickly. The first landed in one spot, the second split that arrow and the third split the second arrow. He finished with a flourish by turning to face Gimli, who had no time to move as an arrow flew by him so close that he felt it rush by. It landed in the tree he was standing 4 ft in front of. He swallowed, but Legolas was done with him. He once again went deadly still and quiet as he aimed - Aragorn realised with a jolt - towards the Elven camp with was not that far away now. He let his arrow fly by, and a split second later a cry was heard from the area the arrow had landed in. 10 seconds later another cry was heard.
Smiling only a little he turned towards the family, all of who were staring at Legolas in amazement, with the possible exception of Arwen. Gimli was also glaring at Legolas for his little 'stunt' but Dari's mouth was literally open, Hal looked as though Legolas was his new hero and Lauri looked like she might drop to the floor in excitement. Even Aragorn was amazed. Despite the countless times the two had fought together, he had let himself forget how good Legolas was at archery. Now, however, he wasn't going to forget. Aragorn was the first person to recover and he asked lightly, pointing towards the Elven camp, "What did you do over there?"
Legolas laughed. "Well, I just thought I'd repay Linnod for his...actions the other day. I didn't hit him...but I was close. That was the first cry, I suppose. Of shock. The second cry was probably him inspecting the arrow and realising it was mine." At this he grinned.
So did Aragorn. "I thought Linnod was your friend?"
"He is." Legolas said innocently.
"How did you do that?" Hal cried finally. Legolas looked over to him.
"Did you like it?" Legolas asked.
"Legolas." Dari announced. "We have to stay. You have to teach me how to do that!"
"Me too!" Hal added.
Legolas shook his head.
"No, it's not something you can learn in a few days, but I'm sure you have it in you to be able to do that someday. Although if you are anything like your father, you will favour the sword."
"I'm not like Ada." Dari and Hal said simultaneously.
"Before it is time for you to leave, why don't you show us what you can do?" Legolas suggested.
"Okay. But we're nowhere near as good as you." Dari said sadly.
"I wouldn't expect you to be."
"I always know I can count on you to be modest." Aragorn said to his friend sarcastically.
Legolas shrugged. "Go on. Don't worry, I wasn't serious." He continued to the boys.
..........................................................................................................
Two hours later, the guards, Gimli and the Royal family were sitting on their horses, waiting to leave. Apart from Aragorn, who was off with Legolas. Saying goodbye.
"Say hello to Faramir and Éowyn for me." Legolas said softly.
"I will. And...say goodbye to Linnod for me." Aragorn replied.
"I am sure he will be happy to hear that you are leaving, at any rate." Legolas smiled.
"Why?" Aragorn asked innocently.
"I wonder." Legolas said, and glanced over to where Aragorns companions were waiting. "You should go."
"I..." Then Aragorn remembered his promise to Arwen. "I suppose so."
"Lord Elrond will be happy to hear of you. I will tell him of you, Arwen, and the children. I don't suppose he's met all of them?"
"No, he left shortly after Dari was born." Aragorn sighed. "I will miss you, mellon-nin."
"I will miss you too." Legolas whispered. "I only wish we had had more time together, but we should be grateful for even this short reunion, I suppose."
"I couldn't agree more."
Legolas rested his gaze on the others, especially Hal. "They are impatient. You should really go."
"I know. But I..." What was he going to say? "Namàrie, Legolas Thranduilion."
"Namàrie, Aragorn, son of Arathorn."
With that, Aragorn turned quickly and hurried back to the group, followed by Legolas.
"Legolas." Arwen said. When he looked up on her she smiled at him. "Aa' i'sul nora lanne'lle."
"Hannon le." Legolas replied quietly, but smiled back at her anyway. Next, he moved on to say goodbye to Gimli.
"Well, Elf." Gimli announced, looking more than uncomfortable on his pony. "This is the end."
"It is not the end. It is a beginning." Legolas replied.
"I would expect a statement like that only from an Elf." Gimli snorted.
"For that, Dwarf, I will enjoying informing everyone on Valinor of Gimli Gloins son, the Dwarf who mounted a horse."
Gimli went bright red. "It is not a horse. I would remind you that I only got on it to follow you."
"Very true. Gimli Gloins son, the Dwarf who mounted a horse in order to say goodbye to his Elven friend." Legolas mused.
Seeing that he wasn't going to win Gimli moved on. "Goodbye, then, Elf."
"Goodbye, then, Dwarf." Legolas replied.
Now he said goodbye to Dari, Hal and Lauri. "I will tell your grandfather, Lord Elrond, all about you." He promised them.
"Why do you have to go?" Hal asked miserably.
"One day, you will understand." Legolas said. "I will remember you all always, although I have only known you a short while."
"Namàrie, Legolas." Lauri mumbled.
"I'll tell everyone at home about you. I'll tell them that you really are the best archer in Arda." Dari said, which made Legolas laugh.
"Goodbye." Hal was the saddest of the three children to be saying goodbye to the Elf.
"Halbarad. I suppose you know who Halbarad is?" Legolas asked.
"Yes. He was Ada's friend, but he died in the War of the Ring."
"He was. He was a brave fighter and died bravely. I am sure you will live up to that name."
Hal didn't really know what to say to that. "Thank you." He said finally.
Legolas stepped back.
"Goodbye." He said simply.
"Goodbye Legolas." Aragorn said, and his friend looked up. For the last time, the two locked eyes with each other. They held it there for what seemed an age. This time, Aragorn pulled away first. He gave the order for them to ride, and they did. Aragorn could feel Legolas gazing after him, but when he turned, the Elf was nowhere to be seen.
.........................................................................................
mellon-nin - my friend
namàrie - farewell
Aa' i'sul nora lanne'lle - May the wind fill your sails
OK guys, this is not the end...however much it might look like it. I wanted to put the next part in, but it would of taken too long. I'll try and get that next part up soon to make up for it, probably some time over the weekend, but I just wanted to let you know that it's not over yet! :)
Thanks for reading :) :) :)