Note: Thank you, Property of Legolas, for the inspiration that helped me to end this fic. None of these are my characters, and Elvish speech is in ` '. This is the final chapter for this story! Enjoy! The POV (point of view) changes in this fic, and is marked with ****. This is also after Legolas and Aragorn are in Legolas's room. (Sorry, no slash) Look for the first chapter of the slashy sequel coming out within seventy two hours! And if you want lemons in the sequel, sorry, but I am no good at writing those.
Forever Friends
Part 8
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*Aragorn Pov*
*******************
As I sit down on the bed next to my longtime friend, I am very thankful that he has decided to forgive me, all in due time. I know that I hurt his pride for taking him prisoner, but it truly was just a misunderstanding.
Legolas reassures me that someday we will look back on it and laugh. But I can see the pain in his eyes as I gently inspect the rope burns, careful not to hurt them further. They will be painful and sore for a few days; that is easy to see. But Legolas's Elven ability to heal will speed up the process.
I take out the herbs I grabbed from the Healers' Room and gently split them. I then gently began to rub them onto Legolas's wounds. I will feel an aching guilt for the wounds that I have caused him for a long time, I fear. He is so gentle and frail-seeming, that it seems impossible that he fought me so fiercely right before I took him prisoner.
My memories dwell on the first time I saw him sleep. Legolas was so innocent, and vulnerable as he breathed deeply. He did not see me as a threat, even though he had been wrestling with me only moments before. This quiet and peaceful Prince of Mirkwood trusts far too easily, for his own good.
And I cannot understand why King Thranduil sends him out alone to do patrols. I never have cared much for Thranduil, since the day that he first left his youngest child in Rivendell, and didn't even hug him goodbye or reassure him. The same goes for when he took Legolas home for the first time. I had seen that Legolas wanted to embrace his father, but he had held back, knowing Thranduil would be angry.
Legolas, of course, told me that it was all part of being the son of a King. Royalty must operate on different levels other than their emotions, or so Thranduil had told him. But Legolas was the most likely successor to the throne of Mirkwood, in my opinion. A quiet nobility showed in him, as well as compassion. He retained his dignity, yet did not do so by humiliating those around him. And even Elrond believed that Legolas was beautiful to behold. His beauty came from the strength of his heart.
Where had the little child who had cried for his father on that first night gone? I scarcely recognized the elf in front of me, as I began to bandage his wrists gently.
Did you think he would stay the same forever, I thought to myself. Legolas grew up in a war. I looked at him, and felt like I was seeing him for the first time. I could see two different parts to him, one overlapping the other;
A sensitive and gentle Legolas, who showed his emotions clearly in his face and eyes, who cried when he was left behind, and who hated fighting, for it scared him.
And a strong and noble Legolas, who defended his people and kingdom against an evil threat, without fearing for his life. He was not afraid to fight any longer. And a frightening thought went through my mind.
He doesn't need me any longer. Legolas can take care of himself, I realized. But where did that leave me? He was still my best friend.
***************
* Legolas's Pov*
****************
I fear that Estel will soon have a confrontation with Haldir, but who will win, I do not know. Haldir, when he puts his mind to something, rarely fails. But the same can be said for Aragorn.
I sat there silently, as Aragorn treated my injuries with the utmost care. I knew that he felt guilt over them, but I did not know how to appease it.
Part of me was a little disappointed, for I could see that Aragorn still thought of me as just a child. He hadn't seen some of the things I had, and did not know the truth. I wonder what he would say if I told him what I've seen and done.
I've changed some. I'm not as trusting as I once was, and my childhood is gone. A war will do that to a child, particularly if that's what they remember constantly. It was very hard in the beginning, for I missed Aragorn terribly.
Centuries passed between visits, and they were never long enough for my liking. Every time that we finally got to know each other again, he had to leave, or I did. And then I wasn't allowed to see him at all, for fear that I would be kidnapped. I hated my father for that, for tearing me away from my best friend and forcing me to do things that I should never have had to do. And sights that I should never have seen.
But those things made me stronger. So I was no longer certain whether or not I should have been forced to kill other creatures, for I had respect for all life. It wasn't until my father forced me to look upon the face of my murdered mother that I willingly began to fight.
I do not know what Aragorn would say if he knew that I was as capable of killing as an Orc or goblin was. I had to defend my people and my kingdom. `Duty comes before your heart', my father told me constantly. But it wasn't until the Orcs and goblins had killed my mother that Rivendell and Lothlorien took the threat seriously.
That was when Haldir and other elves from `Lorien came here. They had been here for half a millennia now. I suspect that my father told Haldir to only interfere if my life was in jeopardy. The rest of the time, I was on my own.
Haldir and Aragorn have more in common than they believe. Both are stubborn and protective of me, although Haldir has recognized that I am no longer a child. Aragorn has yet to realize that, and I wonder if I should not just say the words, `You no longer need to protect me. I can protect myself.' But if I said that, I would hurt his feelings. Aragorn had always done his best to shield me from pain. And in my heart, I knew that nothing I said would make a difference in the way he felt.
I looked at my friend as he finished bandaging my wrists, and swung my right foot up to him, so he could begin treating it.
Aragorn gently pulled my leggings up so he could reach my ankle. I gasped a little when he began applying the cold aloe to the wound. He immediately stopped and asked, `Am I hurting you?'
I inwardly sighed. `No. Tis just a bit cold,' I told him in Elvish. He nodded and continued, and bandaged it as well. The rope burns no longer felt as painful as they had before. Only one ankle left, and the pain would subside for a while.
Aragorn gently let go of my ankle, and I brought the other one up to him as well. He tended to the one carefully as well, before I moved to lower my feet to the floor. However, my friend refused to let go and started to tickle them ever so softly.
I couldn't hold in my laughter, as I turned and began to tickle him back. I knew exactly where he was most ticklish at, and aimed straight for his ribs. Aragorn started to laugh to, as we tickled each other for a while.
I then turned to face my best friend, who was looking at me.
`Aragorn?' I asked him quietly.
`Yes, Legolas?' Aragorn replied, as he let go of my feet and looked at me.
`We'll always be friends, right?' I wanted that reassurance, so that I would know for certain that no matter what happened, I could count on him. And Aragorn could always count on me.
Aragorn said, `Of course, Legolas. We'll be friends forever, even when you're the king here, and I have to grovel at your feet.' He thought I was joking.
I mock-glared at him for that, before turning serious. `I'm serious, Aragorn. We don't know what will happen in the future. Strange things are happening now, and not just in Mirkwood,' I told him earnestly. `I do not wish to lose your friendship now.'
Aragorn caught the seriousness of my voice. `I know, Legolas. We don't know what the future holds, but we will be friends forever. I swear it.' He looked partially relieved, as well as solemn and surprised. Twas if he was seeing me for the first time as I truly was; with both of me showing; my gentle side, and my fierce side.
I looked at him, and he looked back. And I knew that I did not have to tell him that I no longer needed his protection. He could see it for himself.
I smiled. I knew then that whatever happened to us in the future, we would face it as friends and equals.
The End
Forever Friends
Part 8
*******************
*Aragorn Pov*
*******************
As I sit down on the bed next to my longtime friend, I am very thankful that he has decided to forgive me, all in due time. I know that I hurt his pride for taking him prisoner, but it truly was just a misunderstanding.
Legolas reassures me that someday we will look back on it and laugh. But I can see the pain in his eyes as I gently inspect the rope burns, careful not to hurt them further. They will be painful and sore for a few days; that is easy to see. But Legolas's Elven ability to heal will speed up the process.
I take out the herbs I grabbed from the Healers' Room and gently split them. I then gently began to rub them onto Legolas's wounds. I will feel an aching guilt for the wounds that I have caused him for a long time, I fear. He is so gentle and frail-seeming, that it seems impossible that he fought me so fiercely right before I took him prisoner.
My memories dwell on the first time I saw him sleep. Legolas was so innocent, and vulnerable as he breathed deeply. He did not see me as a threat, even though he had been wrestling with me only moments before. This quiet and peaceful Prince of Mirkwood trusts far too easily, for his own good.
And I cannot understand why King Thranduil sends him out alone to do patrols. I never have cared much for Thranduil, since the day that he first left his youngest child in Rivendell, and didn't even hug him goodbye or reassure him. The same goes for when he took Legolas home for the first time. I had seen that Legolas wanted to embrace his father, but he had held back, knowing Thranduil would be angry.
Legolas, of course, told me that it was all part of being the son of a King. Royalty must operate on different levels other than their emotions, or so Thranduil had told him. But Legolas was the most likely successor to the throne of Mirkwood, in my opinion. A quiet nobility showed in him, as well as compassion. He retained his dignity, yet did not do so by humiliating those around him. And even Elrond believed that Legolas was beautiful to behold. His beauty came from the strength of his heart.
Where had the little child who had cried for his father on that first night gone? I scarcely recognized the elf in front of me, as I began to bandage his wrists gently.
Did you think he would stay the same forever, I thought to myself. Legolas grew up in a war. I looked at him, and felt like I was seeing him for the first time. I could see two different parts to him, one overlapping the other;
A sensitive and gentle Legolas, who showed his emotions clearly in his face and eyes, who cried when he was left behind, and who hated fighting, for it scared him.
And a strong and noble Legolas, who defended his people and kingdom against an evil threat, without fearing for his life. He was not afraid to fight any longer. And a frightening thought went through my mind.
He doesn't need me any longer. Legolas can take care of himself, I realized. But where did that leave me? He was still my best friend.
***************
* Legolas's Pov*
****************
I fear that Estel will soon have a confrontation with Haldir, but who will win, I do not know. Haldir, when he puts his mind to something, rarely fails. But the same can be said for Aragorn.
I sat there silently, as Aragorn treated my injuries with the utmost care. I knew that he felt guilt over them, but I did not know how to appease it.
Part of me was a little disappointed, for I could see that Aragorn still thought of me as just a child. He hadn't seen some of the things I had, and did not know the truth. I wonder what he would say if I told him what I've seen and done.
I've changed some. I'm not as trusting as I once was, and my childhood is gone. A war will do that to a child, particularly if that's what they remember constantly. It was very hard in the beginning, for I missed Aragorn terribly.
Centuries passed between visits, and they were never long enough for my liking. Every time that we finally got to know each other again, he had to leave, or I did. And then I wasn't allowed to see him at all, for fear that I would be kidnapped. I hated my father for that, for tearing me away from my best friend and forcing me to do things that I should never have had to do. And sights that I should never have seen.
But those things made me stronger. So I was no longer certain whether or not I should have been forced to kill other creatures, for I had respect for all life. It wasn't until my father forced me to look upon the face of my murdered mother that I willingly began to fight.
I do not know what Aragorn would say if he knew that I was as capable of killing as an Orc or goblin was. I had to defend my people and my kingdom. `Duty comes before your heart', my father told me constantly. But it wasn't until the Orcs and goblins had killed my mother that Rivendell and Lothlorien took the threat seriously.
That was when Haldir and other elves from `Lorien came here. They had been here for half a millennia now. I suspect that my father told Haldir to only interfere if my life was in jeopardy. The rest of the time, I was on my own.
Haldir and Aragorn have more in common than they believe. Both are stubborn and protective of me, although Haldir has recognized that I am no longer a child. Aragorn has yet to realize that, and I wonder if I should not just say the words, `You no longer need to protect me. I can protect myself.' But if I said that, I would hurt his feelings. Aragorn had always done his best to shield me from pain. And in my heart, I knew that nothing I said would make a difference in the way he felt.
I looked at my friend as he finished bandaging my wrists, and swung my right foot up to him, so he could begin treating it.
Aragorn gently pulled my leggings up so he could reach my ankle. I gasped a little when he began applying the cold aloe to the wound. He immediately stopped and asked, `Am I hurting you?'
I inwardly sighed. `No. Tis just a bit cold,' I told him in Elvish. He nodded and continued, and bandaged it as well. The rope burns no longer felt as painful as they had before. Only one ankle left, and the pain would subside for a while.
Aragorn gently let go of my ankle, and I brought the other one up to him as well. He tended to the one carefully as well, before I moved to lower my feet to the floor. However, my friend refused to let go and started to tickle them ever so softly.
I couldn't hold in my laughter, as I turned and began to tickle him back. I knew exactly where he was most ticklish at, and aimed straight for his ribs. Aragorn started to laugh to, as we tickled each other for a while.
I then turned to face my best friend, who was looking at me.
`Aragorn?' I asked him quietly.
`Yes, Legolas?' Aragorn replied, as he let go of my feet and looked at me.
`We'll always be friends, right?' I wanted that reassurance, so that I would know for certain that no matter what happened, I could count on him. And Aragorn could always count on me.
Aragorn said, `Of course, Legolas. We'll be friends forever, even when you're the king here, and I have to grovel at your feet.' He thought I was joking.
I mock-glared at him for that, before turning serious. `I'm serious, Aragorn. We don't know what will happen in the future. Strange things are happening now, and not just in Mirkwood,' I told him earnestly. `I do not wish to lose your friendship now.'
Aragorn caught the seriousness of my voice. `I know, Legolas. We don't know what the future holds, but we will be friends forever. I swear it.' He looked partially relieved, as well as solemn and surprised. Twas if he was seeing me for the first time as I truly was; with both of me showing; my gentle side, and my fierce side.
I looked at him, and he looked back. And I knew that I did not have to tell him that I no longer needed his protection. He could see it for himself.
I smiled. I knew then that whatever happened to us in the future, we would face it as friends and equals.
The End