Title: For the Love of Friendship

 

Author: Carol

 

 

E-Mail: kjcarjo@cox.net

 

Rating: General

 

Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien nor do I have any association with him. I am in no way profiting from writing this. I own none of these characters; however I wouldn’t mind an elf of my own.

 

Summary: Aragorn releases Legolas of his promise, but can he really let his best friend go? And if he does can Legolas find the courage to sail.

 

Warnings: angst and emotional torture.

 

Timeline: After the battle at the Black Gate, but before Legolas and Gimli sailed.

 

 

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Aragorn had been riding hard, and his mind consumed with stopping Legolas, he did not see the lone warg until it was too late.

 

 The vile creature had jumped from the bushes so rapidly, he was not even sure it was real.  Sharp rocks dug into his flesh, as he crashed into the ground, knocking his breath away. Stunned he laid there staring into the dark black eyes. Eyes that reflected anger and hate.

 

Before he could react, Aragorn felt a searing pain in his side, as the creature bit down, lifted him off the ground, and began shaking his already sore body back and forth. Aragorn tried to reach for his sword, but the swift movements of the warg prevented him from doing so. All he could do was wait; pray the animal would tire with its game, and release him from its clutches.

 

Finally after what seemed like hours, but he knew it was only a few minutes, the beast dropped him back on the soil and stepped back to examine its prey. Thinking Aragorn dead the warg slowly approached.

 

Aragorn knew he would stand no chance if he didn’t move fast. Rolling onto his side as the beast moved in he quickly drew Anduril, and held it before him.

 

 Eyeing the man wearily the warg circled around his prey, unsure whether to attack again or not. It could smell the fear mixed with the strong scent of blood. The need to kill taking over again the vile creature lunged.

 

Aragorn twisted his body out its way, bringing the sword down upon the creature’s neck, killing it with one well placed stroke. He stood and tried to make his way back to his horse. Each step sent pain down his side and the world around him slowly started to swirl.

 

He dropped to his knees, catching his breath. Looking down, he saw the crimson blood pooling beneath him. The sounds around him were fading, the light was dimming. Complete and utter pain consumed him. Aragorn was drowning in fear. What would happen, now that he couldn't break through? He blinked, trying to lift himself up once more, and failed. He had to breathe, but he was falling forever into the shadow. Legolas had left him. Now he would die.

 

He lay upon the ground reflecting on the day’s events. The pain in his heart overtaking the pain in his side, silent tears began forming in his steel grey eyes.

 

“How could I have been so stupid, why did I not tell him how I truly felt, while I had the chance?” he whispered.

 

As he slowly slipped away the day’s events began replaying in his mind…

 

The soft glow of sunlight had just begun to fall through the window when a soft knock came upon his door. Knowing who it was, and what he wanted Aragorn could not bring himself to answer. Legolas would be leaving today. Sailing away and never coming back. Closing his eyes he wished the sound to go away.

 

Arwen reached over and gently laid her hand upon his chest. “I know you are in pain my love, but if you do not say goodbye it will only be worse.’ she whispered in his ear.

 

“I know, but how can I face him, and wish him well when my heart will not be in it?”

 

“You will do it because you love him.”

 

Sighing, Aragorn rose and began to dress. “She is right,” he thought to himself, “he has always stood by me, never complaining, never asking for anything in return. I owe him the same.”

 

Clutching the door knob Aragon tried to still his thundering heart. He slowly turned the handle and stepped into the hallway. Legolas stood before him and the sight of his best friend made the torment in his heart increase. “I can do this,’ he thought to himself, “I have to do this.”

 

“Maer aur nin mellon, (good morning my friend),” he clasped Legolas on the shoulder; “shall we go down and have some breakfast before you go?”

 

“Nay Estel, I have no need for food this morning. I really should be on my way.”

 

“I understand, Legolas.” he replied casting his eyes to the floor.

 

Reaching over, the mirkwood prince lightly grasps his chin, and lifted his face, staring into his eyes he quietly replied, “I do not think you do. Aragorn I know how hard this must be for you and I must admit it is no easier for me.”

 

Pasting a smile on his face Aragorn turned and began walking down the hall. “Then let me at least escort you to the stables.” He knew in his heart if they stood still much longer he would not be able to control himself.

 

Legolas turned to follow, quickly falling in step with his best friend.

 

They walked silently down the cobblestone path. The morning sun was slowly bathing the city in its glow, turning its grey walls into a brilliant white. Normally they would have stopped to watch, commenting on the beauty that rose before them. Today however their hearts were too heavy to even notice.

 

Those who rose early in the great city to begin their morning routines could not help but stop and stare as the two passed by. Never had they seen two souls more tortured then their king and his elf friend. They stood and watched the pair, as they disappeared into the stables, wondering what terrible thing could have come to pass that their normally joyful faces were so grim.

 

Legolas approached Arod and began strapping his pack on her back. Sensing her master’s mood she began to softly whinny and brushed her nose across his face. Legolas reached over and patted her neck, “Shhh… It’s alright, I am fine girl.”

 

Finished with his task he turned to face his friend, “Well I best be going, the longer I wait the harder this will be.”

 

His composer finally failing him Aragorn could no longer hold back the tears that had been threatening to fall. “I will miss you mellon.” Grabbing the prince and pulling him into a tight embrace he took a deep breath, inhaling the familiar earthy scent the elf emitted. It was a scent he would burn into his memory forever.

 

Legolas arms encircled his friends back. He could feel the tears soaking through the shoulder of his tunic. Aragorn’s body was racked with small sobs. Guilt began to form in the princes’ mind. “How can I do this to him?” he silently thought. His own tears began to fall.

 

Pushing Legolas at arms length, Aragorn wiped his eye, straightened his back and tried to laugh. “Go now quickly, but before you do know this, ned innas dar ned nin gur an pan annan. (You will stay in my heart for all time).”

 

Trying to swallow the lump that had risen in his throat Legolas whispered, “As will you my friend, im meleth neth (I love you).”  He quickly mounted Arod and rode out of the stables, turning down the cobblestone path; he rode away as though being chased by a pack of orcs.

 

Aragorn ran outside and watched as his best friend, the person who knew him best in all of middle earth disappeared. “Goodbye Legolas,” he mouthed and turned to head back to the castle.

 

Hours later he sat in the garden with Arwen. She had suggested they eat lunch out here hoping to lift his spirits. Laying her head on his shoulder she gently called his name. “Aragorn, please say something, you have been so quiet all afternoon.’

 

“I am sorry my love, I can’t see to get him of my mind. I fear I have made a big mistake,” laying his head on hers he replied, “I should not have allowed him to go.”

 

“Allowed? Aragorn you could not have stopped him, he must follow his heart.”

 

“No. I do not believe his heart told him to go, I can not believe that. His heart is here with us, I seen it in his eyes.”

 

“Aragorn I know this is just your pain speaking, you are not this selfish, you must let him go.’

 

“No! I will not let him go Arwen, not yet!” Aragorn stood and started swiftly across the garden.

 

“Where are you going?” Arwen yelled after him.

 

“To bring my friend home, where he belongs!”

 

She watched as the garden door closed behind him and slowly shook her head. She knew the pain of losing those you love. Her mind screamed at her to go after him, stop him, but her heart would not let her. Had she not wanted to do the same thing when her Ada had sailed.

 

 

* Part 2 *

 

Legolas had just finished loading the last of his supplies on the boat and slowly walked back to the beach. Sitting down he let the cool sand engulf his bare feet. Lowering his head to his knees, he thought about Aragorn and their parting.

 

There was so much he had wanted to say. So much he needed him to know and understand, but in the end the pain in his friend’s eyes had been too much to bear. He had run away like a child, distancing himself from those grey eyes that seemed to look into his soul. He could see the betrayal in those eyes.

 

 He had promised not to sail until after Aragorn had passed. He remembered sitting in the garden the night before when Aragorn had released him from that promise. Guilt tore at his heart. How could he break it? How could Aragorn release him? The man didn’t have a selfish bone in his body and yet here he was being more selfish then anyone he’d ever known.

 

Aragorn had once again gone in search of Legolas. He had not showed for dinner. This was the third night in a row and his absence weighed on Aragorn’s mind. He knew where to look, the same place he had spent the last three nights. Opening the garden door he spied the silhouette of his friend standing against the wall, eyes seeking the ocean in the distance. Even though he could not see it from here, he knew in which direction it lay.

 

Legolas tilted his head slightly as he heard Aragorn approaching. He had hoped to be alone with his thought, but deep down inside he knew this time would come.

 

“The stars are beautiful tonight,” Aragorn spoke.

 

“I had not noticed,” Legolas answered, “My mind seems to be somewhere else.”

 

“Talk to me my friend, what is it that ails you?”

 

“It is nothing, I am fine,” Legolas turned facing Aragorn and began to walk way, “Come it is getting late, you should rest.”

 

Aragorn grabbed his arm and swung him around so the two met eye to eye.

 

“Please Legolas, talk to me, I can not help if I know not what the problem is,” the king voice was filled with concern.

 

“Then let us sit.” Legolas led them to bench and they both sat in the white moonlight.

 

For the next hour he tried to explain the feelings that were overwhelming him. He spoke of how things had changed. Aragorn was king now, and his duties were ever increasing. How he walked alone through a city that was not his home, while Aragorn was locked behind doors in council until the wee hours of the morning. But most of all about the increasing call of the gulls.

 

They haunted his dreams, haunted his waking moments. Calling, calling, forever calling. He had tried to hush the calls in his head but they continued to grow louder and louder.

 

 “You do not need me anymore Aragorn, you have a new life, one in which I can never be a part. I have tried to go home but it no longer holds the wonder it once did. The world has changed and so have I. I know I have made a promise to you, but with each day it is getting harder to fulfil. I do not know how much longer I can stay, I am sorry.”

 

“No mellon,’ Aragorn laid his hand on Legolas shoulder, “I am the one who is sorry, I should never have accepted that promise. I knew you were unhappy, but I never realized how much.”

 

 His heart broke at the thought of what he was about to do. “I release you Mellon, go, find happiness once again, of all who are so deserving of it, it is you.”

 

Sea gulls began calling in the distance bringing Legolas out of his daydream, and he covered his ears trying to muffle their cries.

 

Doubt began to work its way into his mind.

 

“Can I really do this, can I leave the only place I’ve ever called home? Can I just walk away from my friends and never look back? What if I am making a mistake?” he began muttering to himself.

 

The gull’s cries were getting louder and more desperate. They seemed to be begging him to get up and move. Taunting him with the knowledge of another life waiting for him. But was it a life he was ready for?

 

If only he could get a sign. Anything to tell him he was making the right choice.

 

Lying back onto the sand he stared at the clouds passing by. Each one began to take a familiar shape. Bringing back a forgotten memory of the life he had lead up until now.

 

There was the forest he had been raised in. Where he took his first step, spoke his first word, shot his first arrow. He remembered his first hunt and how proud his ada was of him as he rode up with the carcass slung across the back of his horse.

 

The next one reminded him of a cave. The one he had visited with Gimli. How he hated dark, moist caves, but Gimli had showed him a world below ground he never knew existed. Had taught him that there was beauty in the most unusual places. He would miss that little dwarf.

 

A star shaped cloud suddenly drifted into view. It reminded him of Arwen, the evening star. Her soft gentle laugh, her kind friendship, the way she always knew how he felt no matter how hard he tried to hide it from her. How she had promised to watch over Aragorn and make sure he took care of himself.

 

He chuckled at the thought. He remembered the knack Aragorn had for finding trouble; she was going to have her hands full.

 

Suddenly a desperate feeling enveloped him. He felt as though the very breath was being forced from his chest. Fear clutched as his heart, and the sense of being all alone engulfed his very soul.

 

He looked up and down the beach in wonder. “Where did that come from?” he thought.

There was no one else around. He was alone except for the sound of waves and the cry of the gulls.

 

Getting to his feet he stumbled towards the boat. Resting his head against the side he closed his eyes and was assaulted by a vision. He saw Aragorn lying on the ground, his life slowly slipping away, his mind desperately crying for help. Crying for him.

 

He grabbed his pack, and raced back up the shore towards Arod. Swiftly climbing up, he spurred her back the way they had come. He had asked for a sign, and had received it. He knew now where he belonged. It was here, by the side of his best friend. If only he wasn’t too late. Leaning over he whispered in Arod’s ear. The horse picked up her pace, sensing the urgency in her masters voice.

 

* Part 3 *

 

Aragorn fought against the darkness that was slowly enveloping his mind. He knew if he let it over take him, he would be lost forever. Straining to open his eyes, he glanced around. The sun was starting to sink low in the sky, casting shadows around him.

 

His mind began playing tricks on him, seeing an enemy in every bush, and tree. Crying out in alarm Aragorn laid his head back down and closed his eyes. “Gohena nin, (forgive me) Arwen and Legolas, I have failed you both.”

 

Finally giving in to the darkness Aragorn did not notice the sound of an approaching

horse and rider.

 

Legolas brought Arod to a halt next to the prone figure in the middle of the path. Sliding form his saddle he bent down to get a closer look. A small gasp escaped him as he realized he had found his friend exactly as the vision had predicted.

 

“Estel, do not leave me now,” he lowered his face to Aragorn’s, “please hold on, it is not your time to go.”

 

There was no reply. He cradled Aragorn’s head in his lap, and began searching for the source of his injuries. Lifting his tunic he noticed the bite on Aragorn’s side. The skin had been ripped into jagged pieces. “What has done this?”

 

Legolas’ eyes began searching the roadside in search of the enemy that had caused such a serious wound. There lying by the roadside was the fallen warg. Gently laying Aragorn’s head down he rose and cautiously approached the beast. Nudging it with his foot, he was relieved that it was dead.

 

Returning to his friend he began to clean and bandage the wound. “I am sorry Estel; I should have been here for you.” Wrapping the bite as best he could he noticed the red crimson blood beginning to seep through. He knew he had to get Aragorn back to the city and in the hand of the healers.

 

Gently lifting Aragorn up on Arod’s back, Legolas slowly climbed up behind him. Tilting his head to rest against the prince’s cheek, and wrapping his arms around the kings waist, Legolas could feel the heat beginning to radiate from Aragorn’s body.

 

Knowing it was a three day ride, but that Aragorn’s injury was severe, he turned Arod and slowly started back to Gondor. He could not afford the wound to open any further, and although he was somewhat experienced in the art of healing this was beyond his means.

 

They travelled through the day and night, Legolas was afraid to stop even to rest. The fever was increasing and Aragorn would awaken only to mutter some incomprehensible words and then drift back off to sleep. He tried softy singing to ease his friends mind but nothing appeared to be working. “Stay with me Estel, we are almost there,” Legolas whispered.

 

“Arwen, I have failed him,” the king muttered.

 

“Nay, Aragorn you have not failed me, it is I that has failed you.”

 

“He is gone, I could not stop him.”

 

“Rest my friend, I am here.”

 

Legolas’ heart wrenched at the words falling from the kings lips. He knew he was the cause of this emotional pain, and that if it were not for him Aragorn would never have been on that road. Tired and wracked with guilt he tightened his grip on Aragorn and continued toward the white city.

 

The guards noticed the horse slowly approaching, recognizing the two riders they opened the gate to permit their entry. Once inside they rushed to Legolas side and tried to take the king form him… Legolas refused to turn loose of Aragorn. “Nay, I will carry him.”

 

The people of Gondor watched the elf carrying the body of their king past and up toward the house of healing. The fear in his eyes sent shivers down their spines. Soft whispers began to form among the crowd.

 

* Part 4*

 

Aragorn awoke and tried to sit up, but the pain was too intense. Trying to gather his bearings he looked around. He was home, in his bed, and Legolas was sleeping next to him in a chair.

 

Seeing his friend he felt his heart begin to pound. “Is this a dream?” reaching out he laid his hand on the elf’s knee, “Legolas is that really you?”

 

A small smile began to grace the elf’s face, and placing his hand atop Aragorn’s he replied, “Nay, it is no dream, I am here.”

 

“Legolas I am so sorry, about everything,” Aragorn pulled himself up to a sitting position.

 

Legolas raised his hand to silence the king, “No Aragorn, it is I who am sorry, I was being selfish and it is you who has the price. I never meant to cause you any pain or harm, can you ever forgive me?”

 

“No it is I who should be apologizing, if I had only listened more, spent more time with you then perhaps you would have not felt so alone. I should have been less of a king and more of a friend.”

 

Leaning closer to Aragorn, Legolas took hi face in his hands, “Listen to me, Gondor could not have asked for a kinder and gentler king, I am proud of the man you have become, as so should you.

 

Aragorn pulled his face away from Legolas, “But a good king does not forget those who helped him get there, a friend does not…..”

 

“You did not let me finish, I was going to say I could have asked for no better friend.” Legolas laughed and slapped Aragorn lightly on his head.

 

Aragorn reached over and tried to swat him back, but the pain in his side stopped him.

 

Suddenly Arwen appeared from the doorway laughing, “Would you just for once agree not to agree.”

 

Both Ranger and elf looked at her replying in unison, “Nay, now where would the fun in that be?”

 

Walking over, and sitting next to her husband she chuckled, “It is good see the two of you together again, where you both belong. You do realize you both need each other to survive?”

 

Both gasped as they replied, “Me not him, nay he needs me!”

 

Arwen sighed as she rose to leave the room, “May the Valar help us all, things are finally back to normal.”

 

 ~ The End~

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this story. Thanks for reading.

Reviews are always welcome…