Part 14

Posted: December 2003
Author: Larien Elengasse

*~*

Third Age, January 15, 2957, Gladden Fields

Aragorn sat astride his mount watching the sunrise in the east as it warmed the fields and caused a mist to rise. Legolas sat beside him on his own mount, his eyes drifting northeast, toward his home.

He and the Dúnadan had traveled long and far in the four years since they had departed Imladris. They had traveled to new lands, hunted, and fought together, and Aragorn had learned all he could from the elf. It was now time for the Ranger to strike out on his own. In a brief journey to the fledgling empire of Rohan, Aragorn had seemed at ease there, at home amongst those of his own kind. Legolas knew that the Ranger needed to be among his own, to live, work, and fight among men.

The Rangers of the North had gladly accepted him into their fold, the ring he bore on his right hand a symbol of his father's house. Now he would ride to Rohan and Gondor, form alliances that would one day make all the difference in his life.

Legolas would return home, to Mirkwood, and to his beloved father. This was, by far, the longest time he had spent away from his home, four years of absence broken only by a brief visit before leaving again. He found himself longing to spend time walking the halls of his father's palace, sleeping in his own bed, and sharing his meals with him. He had been proud to see how tall and strong Aragorn stood in front of his father, who could be quite an imposing figure. Thranduil had accepted the heir to Gondor's throne with grace, and Legolas could see the bond of friendship that formed between them in their brief time together.

Now as they sat upon their mounts preparing to say farewell, Legolas saw in his heart what was to come; that they would fight a great war side by side, and the Ranger from the North would ascend the throne of Gondor, bringing peace to the world for years to come. He took a deep breath and turned to face his friend and lover, smiling gently as he saw the sadness in Aragorn's eyes and he placed one hand upon his thigh. "Remember to always keep your eyes and ears open, mellonamin. There are those in this world that would see you buried in the ground rather than rise to Gondor's throne."

Aragorn nodded and smiled, placing his hand over Legolas'. "That I will mellon. I have been taught well, I am no longer the youngster I once was."

Legolas chuckled and nodded in agreement. "This is very true. There are few men in this world that I would fear to anger, you are one of them."

Aragorn smiled and laughed heartily. "I cannot imagine you making me angry, my elf friend, nor fearing me." He sighed and flicked a bug from his horse's neck. "Where will you go now?"

Legolas gave him a warm smile. "I am to return home, spend some time with my father. I sense my years in the great wood grow short."

Aragorn frowned briefly. "You feel the call so soon?"

Legolas smiled and looked back over his shoulder, to the west. "It is just beginning, for both me and my father. I want to spend time roaming the trails of my home before I leave again." He looked back at his friend. "There is much we still have to do, Aragorn, some together, some apart. But now, your destiny calls you. Rohan will need you, this is but the first time you will come to her aid."

Aragorn shook his head and smiled. "So full of riddles; that is one thing I will never grow used to, Elvish foresight."

Legolas laughed and patted his friend's leg. "Now off with you, Aragorn. I have much to do and do not have time to waste sitting by the river."

Aragorn placed his hand over his heart and bowed his head. "Namarie, mellonamin. Keep safe."

Legolas smiled and answered, "Namarie, Valar's speed on your journey." He watched Aragorn turn and ride south and he called out, "Noro lim, Strider!"

Aragorn raised his hand in farewell and disappeared into the trees.

Legolas turned his horse north and galloped across the Anduin, making for his home of Mirkwood.

Third Age, January 15, 2957, Last Homely House, Imladris

Elladan entered Elrohir's room and sat beside him on the bed, brushing his twin's hair back behind one ear. "Any word from him?" he asked softly.

Elrohir shook his head slowly. "No. I sent a letter by way of messenger to him, but he has not responded." He took a deep breath and sighed. "I do not think I will see him again, Elladan. The last words we shared were in anger, he returned to his home with ill feelings in his heart for me."

Elladan leaned his head against his brother's. "I do not believe that, Elrohir. He was confused and scared. He has a lot of pride; it is difficult for him to contain it. He will come around, you will see."

Elrohir shrugged and sighed again. Changing the subject, he pulled away and looked at his brother. "Any word from Estel?"

Elladan sighed. "Arwen received a letter from him. He was travelling with Legolas still, they had just left Mirkwood. I fear he is still angry with me, Elrohir. I pushed him away so abruptly, I never should have…"

Elrohir placed his fingers upon Elladan's lips, silencing him. "Ssshh… gwanur. You loved him; there is no harm in that. You gave him what he needed at that time, you could not let him hide from his destiny forever. You did the right thing, Elladan."

Elladan sighed and looked at the ceiling. "Arwen has grown very close to him, it is she that he confides in now. I am glad he does, I am glad he has someone to talk to that loves him."

Elrohir nodded. "Arwen senses something about him. What it is, I do not know, but I can see it in her eyes when she speaks of him. She has grandmother's sight, and it has grown strong within her these last few years."

Elladan leaned his head upon his brother's shoulder. "Aye, I have seen it too. She grows more beautiful each passing day, if that is possible. Her beauty rivals even that of Luthien."

Elrohir smiled and answered, "She has been a great comfort to Adar since Naneth's passing. Her love and kindness never falters."

Elladan smiled and remembered something his grandmother once said, "The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane…"

Elrohir laughed softly and nodded. "Nay, it does not. Unlike our fickle hearts."

Elladan whacked his brother on the chest and laughed as Elrohir flopped to his back on the bed. "Speak for yourself, gwanur. Mine has not faltered."

Elrohir smiled and looked up at his brother. He reached up and caressed his cheek. "Can you cleave your heart in two, Elladan?"

Elladan smiled and covered his brother's hand with his own. "Nay, as much as I try, I cannot."

Elrohir's smile softened and he whispered, "Perhaps I cannot either. Perhaps that is why Haldir and I are no more. He saw the truth, even when I denied it to myself."

Elladan stretched out beside his brother, propping himself up on one elbow. "What are we to do, gwanur? To be alone until the ending of the world is something I fear to think upon."

Elrohir nodded, sadness clouding his eyes. "You will never be alone, Elladan. I will always be with you, until the very end."

Elladan lay down, his head resting upon Elrohir's chest. "And I will be with you, Elrohir. Always."

* * * *

Arwen Evenstar sat upon a low bench in the garden, fondling a strip of leather between her delicate fingers. In her other hand, she held the letter she had received from Aragorn. Her eyes scanned the parchment, floating across the words scrawled in his masculine hand.

**For all my travels, for all my dalliances, my heart keeps yearning for the safety of your care. I have lain with those of my own sex, Arwen; I have known pleasure and warrior's comfort. What I have yet to find is the calm, secure comfort of true love; I have yet to know the surety that I belong with another. Your friendship and counsel has been the closest thing I have ever found; it is what I carry with me in my travels. I look forward to my homecoming, to seeing you again and walking with you in the gardens. Until we see one another again, keep this small, inadequate token of my affection in your care. Estel.**

"I have found my purpose, Estel," she whispered to herself. "And I will wait to fulfill it."

She entwined the strip of leather in one of her braids and ran her fingers along its length. She then rose from her seat, folding the parchment and holding it to her breast. She started up the long pathway to the main house, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

*****

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