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Jan. 14th, 2003 11:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
eliabrithHa got part 2 of Aragorn/Legolas fic done!
When Darkness Falls.
Part 2.
Aragorn groaned and buried his face under the pillow muttering oaths as bright morning light spilled into the room. He must have forgotten to close the shutters last night after Legolas and he left the Library. Speaking of his lover, there was a distinct lack of chuckling from the other side of the bed as usually accompanied his early morning grumbling. Lifting the pillow off his head slightly he peered out onto an empty bed. Frowning he sat up and looked about the room seeing no sign of Legolas or a explanation. In the 47 years they had been together it was rare for one to wake up alone and ever rarer for there to be no note left for the other. Unusual but perhaps not entirely surprising, it has been 40 years since Legolas heard seen or heard from his father and while his exile from Eryn Lasgalen had been his choice, Thranduil had never attempted a reconciliation or even contacted him.
Aragorn rolled out of bed, squinted at the sun and deciding he had a couple of hours before he needed to get ready for Breakfast headed into his dressing room for some clothes. Pulling on an old pair of leggings and shirt he used for exercising, he slipped out of his bed chamber to hunt for his lover, the main living room was empty. He checked the other rooms in his suite finding them as empty each other. He paused at the door to the last in the suite, it was officially the room for his personal guard, for Legolas, but Aragorn could the easily count the number of times Legolas had actually stayed in it. Most of those had been the nights after Arwen had found out about their relationship.
Just after Arwen's pregnancy with Eldarion had been confirmed with the Healers and Midwife she had asked one of her handmaids why Aragorn no longer visited her. Legolas had always maintained Aragorn should tell Arwen the truth about them but Aragorn was certain Arwen had known since it seemed almost everyone in Middle Earth did, it had been quite the scandal when Legolas had been disowned by his father King Thranduil of Eryn Lasgalen. Arwen had taken the news rather badly and after a few days of screaming abuse at everyone in sight, moved out of her suite in the Royal apartments and into a tower at the far end of the Palace where she still remained, it had been after Eldarion's birth before the direct insults had stopped and another 4 years before Aragorn, Elrond and Galadriel had persuaded her to have the twins. Legolas had remained in the small guards room until Arwen had moved away and a few nights afterwards. The room was empty as well.
Aragorn frowned, Legolas was nowhere in their suite and it was still too early for there to be much for him to do. He opened the main door to the corridor and peered about it, the only people in evidence where the Guards at the entrance to the Royal apartments. He slipped out closing the heavy door silently and made for the small spiral staircase that lead directly to the quarters of the trusted servants that directly served the Royal family. From there he made his way down into the kitchens, glad that his infrequent contact with the lower staff and his old clothes allowed him to pass through the busy crowds bustling about the kitchens unnoticed.
He made it out through the trade mans entrance and headed around the kitchen gardens and greenhouses to the formal walled gardens that lead to the wooded wilderness garden created by his mother Queen Gilraen in an area of the Palace grounds that had been untended for years in favour of the more formal ornamental gardens that the previous Queens had created. Aragorn paid these structures little attention as he passed through, heading instinctively for the gateway that lead into the woodland garden.
He found Legolas in the centre of the garden curled in the root cluster of one of the few Mallorn trees that grew outside Lothlorien. The blond Elf looked up and smiled warmly at his love. He was Aragorn noted still in the clothes he had been wearing the previous night.
"How long have you been out here?"
"Since you fell asleep. I could not sleep and needed to think, this is the best place for it." He patted the ground beside him.
Aragorn took the hint and folded himself into the hollow beside Legolas who promptly leaned back and curled into his side, resting his head on Aragorn's shoulder. Aragorn hugged the lithe form closer to him and buried his face in the soft hair.
"You miss them don't you?"
"They're my kin, yes I miss them but it is when Father pretends I don't exist, never existed that it hurts. He just looks through me as though there is no-one, if he even has to look in my direction at all."
"I'm sorry." Aragorn couldn't stop the apology from slipping out though he knew the reaction those words tended to provoke, he still felt guilt over his lovers estrangement from his home. He felt the slim body against hi tense then relax with a frustrated sigh.
Legolas pushed himself up into a seated position to look his lover in the eye.
"You have nothing to be sorry about, unless you are sorry I made the decision I did?"
Legolas fought down a smirk at Aragorn's reaction, wide staring eyes mouth hanging open and head shaking frantically was not an image most of Middle Earth would associate with their staid and reserved King.
"I made the choice to follow you here to be with you knowing the consequences of my decision Father had made it abundantly clear what would happen if I went against his wishes concerning our relationship. I choose you and us. I don't regret that decision. Never have. It just hurts at times knowing I'll never be a part of my family again. But I do have you and for that I am thankful. Now I think we should go back before people start to look for you and fear you have been stolen away overnight." He rose pulling Aragorn with him and started for the gate, grinning mischievously. "Come along Little One."
"Don't call me Little One. It's annoying. How am I supposed to be a respected King if people hear me called that." Aragorn grumbled about the nickname Legolas had given him the first time they met in Eryn Lasgalen nearly 110 years before.
Legolas just laughed.
"To Men you may be quite old but to me you are still young enough to be a Little One. I am more that 2 thousand years older that you after all." He smirked at the indignant King. "Besides If you want people to respect you and take you seriously you should stop pouting like a child."
Aragorn narrowed his eyes at the smug Elf then smiled evilly to himself, he straightened his shoulders and folded his arms across his chest.
"Child! I'm not a child!" Thinking back on his children's tantrums he stamped his foot for emphasis on the last word before dissolving into laughter at the startled expression on his companion's face it wasn't often anyone could catch Legolas off guard and he enjoyed any opportunity to do so.
Legolas for his part simply stood watching Aragorn with a unrestrained grin enjoying the carefree atmosphere that would end as soon as their day started officially. Aragorn was naturally reserved and as the reports of the attacks had come in these few months he had become even more so. It was a rare sight to see him forget everything and joke around even in private. Legolas was content to watch and feign disapproval when Aragorn looked at him, which set Aragorn off again. He closed his eyes in regret as he heard someone approach the gate from the walled gardens, the laughter cut off abruptly as Aragorn caught the sound also and he opened his eyes to see a sober expression on the Kings face. It would not be dignified for the High King of Middle Earth to be found acting in such an unrestrained manner, at least that is what had been drummed into Aragorn's all his life both during his childhood in Eryn Lasgalen and his training in the Palace before his coronation. It was this training that had lead to Aragorn becoming so reserved in all matters.
"Your Majesty?"
Aragorn turned to face the newcomer as he came along the path in search of Aragorn, Legolas moved quickly into the traditional position for the Kings bodyguard, one step behind and to the left of the King.
"Your Majesty."
"Yes Thesdil?" Aragorn queried as his personal manservant bowed.
"Majesty, the Lords are starting to rise for breakfast, Captain Boromir has returned and is waiting in your study to speak with you before breakfast. He says it is a matter of some urgency."
"Thank you Thesdil. Tell the Captain I will speak with him presently."
"Very well your Majesty." Thesdil bowed low again and quickly exited the garden via the gate.
Legolas watched the gate swing shut behind the manservant and turned his gaze on Aragorn, from the set of his shoulders and the way he held himself it was clear this was his King rather than his lover.
Aragorn spared a glance back over his shoulder, before striding towards the gate to start the days duties, Legolas following at his shoulder silently.
As they swept through the gardens towards the palace Legolas continued his favourite pastime, observing Aragorn. Unlike other half Elves Legolas had met Aragorn more closely resembled a Man than an Elf at least superficially though if you took the time to notice there where many signs of his dual heritage.
In stature he resembled a Man, broad shoulders and thick muscles as opposed to the slender willowy frame normally associated with Elves and half Elves.
The resemblance to Men was heightened by the short growth of beard, which no Elf could sport and his hair was worn to the shoulder as was the fashion for Men. The resemblance was what Aragorn had wished for, as most of his day to day dealings where with Men he had thought, rightly so, that they would respond better to their own race or at least someone who wasn't obviously different. Aragorn had grown the beard to partially disguise his unchanging face when those around him had aged noticeably. The hair was not such a change, shorter that heÕd worn it in his youth it was less bother to comb out in the morning but still more than adequate to hide his most definite Elvish feature, his ears. While not as pointed as a true Elf's they was still distinct tapering enough to mark him as having close Elf blood.
His movements where those of an Elf, fluid, graceful in a way few Men could replicate and a footfall too soft and light to belong to any Man.
They entered the Palace by a side door and swiftly made their way up the staircases to the Royal apartments where Boromir would be waiting in Aragorn's private study. Entering the corridor where the Apartments were located Legolas caught the shocked looks on the guards faces and grimaced internally, obviously Aragorn had managed to get out and look for him without the guards being aware of it. He made a mental note to bring this to Aragorn's attention later, it was a frequent squabble between them as Legolas felt the guards should always know the Kings whereabouts a concern that he felt had been validated one morning just after the coronation when Aragorn had slipped out to find him and they had come back to find the Palace in an uproar thinking the new King had been kidnapped. Aragorn had thought it extremely amusing and still did while it has worried Legolas about a lack of security.
Reaching the door to the King's apartments Aragorn shoved them open with a resounding crash which Legolas mused was as good a way of waking everyone else on the floor as any if not as polite as most. Boromir appeared out of the study doorway at the sound. It was clear the Captain had come to report as soon as he arrived. He was still in his mud stained travelling clothes and cloak.
"Your Majesty." He sketched a quick bow and turned to follow them into the study.
Aragorn took his seat at the desk and waved Boromir to a chair on the other side. He ignored Legolas, leaving him to close the doors and stand by them, after all these years he had given up on trying to get Legolas to relax his vigilance and while he would occasionally add something to the discussion it would only be during private meetings like this and then only with certain people preferring to be ignored and left to do his own job as a lowly bodyguard.
Legolas finished locking the doors and stood leaning lightly against a bookcase while Boromir took off his cloak and set it on the back of a second chair before dropping heavily into the one Aragorn had indicated.
"King Elessar." Boromir paused as though searching for words. "We followed a group of Orcs for a week then we spilt and tracked other groups."
Aragorn stared hard at his Captain who raised a hand to ward off the any objection.
"Against your orders I know, but we considered it a justifiable risk, they could have attacked us at any point but as we were not in their way they ignored our presence. These Orc don't behave like any we have ever seen before. They move with purpose. They raid only when a town is in their path, they follow set trails and don't deviate as though their actions where more important. They seem to be mapping territory. Learning the lay of the land and testing whatever fortifications they come across."
"They're a scout party rather than raiders?"
"So it would seem. As I said I've never seem them act like this nor heard or read of it in the annuls. It's as though they have a purpose and we are at the centre of it."
"Orcs don't have purposes."
"Unless someone is controlling them."
Aragorn and Boromir twisted to look at Legolas.
"You think someone is controlling them?" The King questioned.
"It is possible. It has been done before by Morgoth and Sauron."
Boromir shuddered slightly at the names earning him a sharp glance from his King.
"Naming them will not invoke them."
"I know but on both those occasions Middle Earth was almost lost and indeed Numenor was lost. It is hard to think such evil necessary to control the Orcs could have arisen here again without our being aware of it."
"I think we should leave this until the council convenes after breakfast and we have more input, it wouldn't do to formulate plans without hearing all evidence. You, my friend, should bathe I'll arrange for breakfast to be sent to your quarters. I expect the council to start in a couple of hours, get what rest you can, it will be a long day I fear."
"Yes your Majesty." Boromir rose slowly to his feet.
"King Elessar." He bowed quickly, lifted his cloak and headed for the doors as Legolas opened them, nodding to the Elf as he passed him.
The remaining pair watched as Boromir left the apartment before Legolas pulled the doors shut again and took a seat.
"You really believe someone may be orchestrating these incursions?"
"I do, it seems to be the only sensible option.Though who could be controlling them or how I know not. Orcs simply do not have the minds to organise themselves."
"Forgive me Legolas but.."
"They where once Elves?" He interrupted. Aragorn nodded. "It's true but from studying our histories and questioning my tutors it seem to have been agreed that along with their bodies broken and corrupted their spirits and minds where also destroyed leaving only base instincts to drive them along with their enslavement to Morgoth. It has also been assumed that when Morgoth fell and many of the Orcs went with him they where the original ones, the ones with the link to him, the Elves he destroyed. Of course that is mostly conjecture and there is no solid proof. But from observation over the millennia since Orc have existed they have never shown any ability or inclination to organise themselves."
Legolas tilted his head to one side and glanced towards the door before rising to his feet. Aragorn looked at him curiously then caught what his lover had heard, someone moving around in the main room. Legolas relaxed minutely as a soft knock sounded.
"King Elessar?"
Legolas opened the doors to let Thesdil in.
"Ahh. Your Majesty breakfast is ready to be served and most of the Lords are in the Great Hall awaiting your presence."
"Of course Thesdil." Aragorn rose and left the study headed for the main door before he realised something was different. Turning back he realised Legolas was not behind him as usual but was still standing in the study doorway with Thesdil who was looking rather uncomfortable.
"Is something amiss?"
"Your Majesty... um.." Thesdil floundered.
"What Thesdil means is perhaps you should change into something more appropriate for a king attending an official function." Legolas' tone remained even and respectful but Aragorn could see amusement in his eyes and frowned slightly looking down at himself before flushing slightly. Taking in the old, stained black leggings almost worn through at the knees, the heavily scuffed and scored leather of his oldest riding boots and the long sleeved grey shirt that had a dozen or so patches and various rents still awaiting repair.
"Perhaps you are correct." Aragorn conceded and changed direction heading for the bedroom.
Thesdil nodded at Legolas before leaving the apartments to check on arrangements. Once the servant left Legolas followed Aragorn to change his own clothes.
"That could have been embarrassing." A muffled voice stated from the middle of a grey silk shirt and a long velvet tunic.
"Would I let that happen to you?" Legolas smiled sweetly as he helped untangle the shirt and tunic ignoring the grumbling within. "You know it would be easier to put them on separately."
A dark glare was his only reply as Aragorn managed to get his head out. Legolas left him to finish getting dressed and swiftly shed this own moss stained clothes pulling fresh ones on turning back to find Aragorn dressed but jerking at his shirts high collar trying to get it to sit properly. Realising he was being watched Aragorn gave it one last tug and fastened it before pointedly ignoring Legolas and sweeping out an amused Elf trailing in his wake.
tbc...
Had interesting day did exam. Before anyone else asks the answer is no bloody idea!
Ohh also wrote possible kinda poem not that anyone'll ever see it :P
My kinda cousin is over looking for a job and what his options were about benefits etc.
Martin is from Argentina and with the crap thats going down such as 3/4 of his savings being wiped out. Currently he's living in Majorca working in a pizza shop. he has duel nationality cos his father (my grannys cousin) is from here. and he wants somewhere he can work and have a decent life. So he's over here for a couple of days to check things out and apply for a few things. So i took him with me on the train so he could go to Belfast and meet a guy from a shipping company.
When Darkness Falls.
Part 2.
Aragorn groaned and buried his face under the pillow muttering oaths as bright morning light spilled into the room. He must have forgotten to close the shutters last night after Legolas and he left the Library. Speaking of his lover, there was a distinct lack of chuckling from the other side of the bed as usually accompanied his early morning grumbling. Lifting the pillow off his head slightly he peered out onto an empty bed. Frowning he sat up and looked about the room seeing no sign of Legolas or a explanation. In the 47 years they had been together it was rare for one to wake up alone and ever rarer for there to be no note left for the other. Unusual but perhaps not entirely surprising, it has been 40 years since Legolas heard seen or heard from his father and while his exile from Eryn Lasgalen had been his choice, Thranduil had never attempted a reconciliation or even contacted him.
Aragorn rolled out of bed, squinted at the sun and deciding he had a couple of hours before he needed to get ready for Breakfast headed into his dressing room for some clothes. Pulling on an old pair of leggings and shirt he used for exercising, he slipped out of his bed chamber to hunt for his lover, the main living room was empty. He checked the other rooms in his suite finding them as empty each other. He paused at the door to the last in the suite, it was officially the room for his personal guard, for Legolas, but Aragorn could the easily count the number of times Legolas had actually stayed in it. Most of those had been the nights after Arwen had found out about their relationship.
Just after Arwen's pregnancy with Eldarion had been confirmed with the Healers and Midwife she had asked one of her handmaids why Aragorn no longer visited her. Legolas had always maintained Aragorn should tell Arwen the truth about them but Aragorn was certain Arwen had known since it seemed almost everyone in Middle Earth did, it had been quite the scandal when Legolas had been disowned by his father King Thranduil of Eryn Lasgalen. Arwen had taken the news rather badly and after a few days of screaming abuse at everyone in sight, moved out of her suite in the Royal apartments and into a tower at the far end of the Palace where she still remained, it had been after Eldarion's birth before the direct insults had stopped and another 4 years before Aragorn, Elrond and Galadriel had persuaded her to have the twins. Legolas had remained in the small guards room until Arwen had moved away and a few nights afterwards. The room was empty as well.
Aragorn frowned, Legolas was nowhere in their suite and it was still too early for there to be much for him to do. He opened the main door to the corridor and peered about it, the only people in evidence where the Guards at the entrance to the Royal apartments. He slipped out closing the heavy door silently and made for the small spiral staircase that lead directly to the quarters of the trusted servants that directly served the Royal family. From there he made his way down into the kitchens, glad that his infrequent contact with the lower staff and his old clothes allowed him to pass through the busy crowds bustling about the kitchens unnoticed.
He made it out through the trade mans entrance and headed around the kitchen gardens and greenhouses to the formal walled gardens that lead to the wooded wilderness garden created by his mother Queen Gilraen in an area of the Palace grounds that had been untended for years in favour of the more formal ornamental gardens that the previous Queens had created. Aragorn paid these structures little attention as he passed through, heading instinctively for the gateway that lead into the woodland garden.
He found Legolas in the centre of the garden curled in the root cluster of one of the few Mallorn trees that grew outside Lothlorien. The blond Elf looked up and smiled warmly at his love. He was Aragorn noted still in the clothes he had been wearing the previous night.
"How long have you been out here?"
"Since you fell asleep. I could not sleep and needed to think, this is the best place for it." He patted the ground beside him.
Aragorn took the hint and folded himself into the hollow beside Legolas who promptly leaned back and curled into his side, resting his head on Aragorn's shoulder. Aragorn hugged the lithe form closer to him and buried his face in the soft hair.
"You miss them don't you?"
"They're my kin, yes I miss them but it is when Father pretends I don't exist, never existed that it hurts. He just looks through me as though there is no-one, if he even has to look in my direction at all."
"I'm sorry." Aragorn couldn't stop the apology from slipping out though he knew the reaction those words tended to provoke, he still felt guilt over his lovers estrangement from his home. He felt the slim body against hi tense then relax with a frustrated sigh.
Legolas pushed himself up into a seated position to look his lover in the eye.
"You have nothing to be sorry about, unless you are sorry I made the decision I did?"
Legolas fought down a smirk at Aragorn's reaction, wide staring eyes mouth hanging open and head shaking frantically was not an image most of Middle Earth would associate with their staid and reserved King.
"I made the choice to follow you here to be with you knowing the consequences of my decision Father had made it abundantly clear what would happen if I went against his wishes concerning our relationship. I choose you and us. I don't regret that decision. Never have. It just hurts at times knowing I'll never be a part of my family again. But I do have you and for that I am thankful. Now I think we should go back before people start to look for you and fear you have been stolen away overnight." He rose pulling Aragorn with him and started for the gate, grinning mischievously. "Come along Little One."
"Don't call me Little One. It's annoying. How am I supposed to be a respected King if people hear me called that." Aragorn grumbled about the nickname Legolas had given him the first time they met in Eryn Lasgalen nearly 110 years before.
Legolas just laughed.
"To Men you may be quite old but to me you are still young enough to be a Little One. I am more that 2 thousand years older that you after all." He smirked at the indignant King. "Besides If you want people to respect you and take you seriously you should stop pouting like a child."
Aragorn narrowed his eyes at the smug Elf then smiled evilly to himself, he straightened his shoulders and folded his arms across his chest.
"Child! I'm not a child!" Thinking back on his children's tantrums he stamped his foot for emphasis on the last word before dissolving into laughter at the startled expression on his companion's face it wasn't often anyone could catch Legolas off guard and he enjoyed any opportunity to do so.
Legolas for his part simply stood watching Aragorn with a unrestrained grin enjoying the carefree atmosphere that would end as soon as their day started officially. Aragorn was naturally reserved and as the reports of the attacks had come in these few months he had become even more so. It was a rare sight to see him forget everything and joke around even in private. Legolas was content to watch and feign disapproval when Aragorn looked at him, which set Aragorn off again. He closed his eyes in regret as he heard someone approach the gate from the walled gardens, the laughter cut off abruptly as Aragorn caught the sound also and he opened his eyes to see a sober expression on the Kings face. It would not be dignified for the High King of Middle Earth to be found acting in such an unrestrained manner, at least that is what had been drummed into Aragorn's all his life both during his childhood in Eryn Lasgalen and his training in the Palace before his coronation. It was this training that had lead to Aragorn becoming so reserved in all matters.
"Your Majesty?"
Aragorn turned to face the newcomer as he came along the path in search of Aragorn, Legolas moved quickly into the traditional position for the Kings bodyguard, one step behind and to the left of the King.
"Your Majesty."
"Yes Thesdil?" Aragorn queried as his personal manservant bowed.
"Majesty, the Lords are starting to rise for breakfast, Captain Boromir has returned and is waiting in your study to speak with you before breakfast. He says it is a matter of some urgency."
"Thank you Thesdil. Tell the Captain I will speak with him presently."
"Very well your Majesty." Thesdil bowed low again and quickly exited the garden via the gate.
Legolas watched the gate swing shut behind the manservant and turned his gaze on Aragorn, from the set of his shoulders and the way he held himself it was clear this was his King rather than his lover.
Aragorn spared a glance back over his shoulder, before striding towards the gate to start the days duties, Legolas following at his shoulder silently.
As they swept through the gardens towards the palace Legolas continued his favourite pastime, observing Aragorn. Unlike other half Elves Legolas had met Aragorn more closely resembled a Man than an Elf at least superficially though if you took the time to notice there where many signs of his dual heritage.
In stature he resembled a Man, broad shoulders and thick muscles as opposed to the slender willowy frame normally associated with Elves and half Elves.
The resemblance to Men was heightened by the short growth of beard, which no Elf could sport and his hair was worn to the shoulder as was the fashion for Men. The resemblance was what Aragorn had wished for, as most of his day to day dealings where with Men he had thought, rightly so, that they would respond better to their own race or at least someone who wasn't obviously different. Aragorn had grown the beard to partially disguise his unchanging face when those around him had aged noticeably. The hair was not such a change, shorter that heÕd worn it in his youth it was less bother to comb out in the morning but still more than adequate to hide his most definite Elvish feature, his ears. While not as pointed as a true Elf's they was still distinct tapering enough to mark him as having close Elf blood.
His movements where those of an Elf, fluid, graceful in a way few Men could replicate and a footfall too soft and light to belong to any Man.
They entered the Palace by a side door and swiftly made their way up the staircases to the Royal apartments where Boromir would be waiting in Aragorn's private study. Entering the corridor where the Apartments were located Legolas caught the shocked looks on the guards faces and grimaced internally, obviously Aragorn had managed to get out and look for him without the guards being aware of it. He made a mental note to bring this to Aragorn's attention later, it was a frequent squabble between them as Legolas felt the guards should always know the Kings whereabouts a concern that he felt had been validated one morning just after the coronation when Aragorn had slipped out to find him and they had come back to find the Palace in an uproar thinking the new King had been kidnapped. Aragorn had thought it extremely amusing and still did while it has worried Legolas about a lack of security.
Reaching the door to the King's apartments Aragorn shoved them open with a resounding crash which Legolas mused was as good a way of waking everyone else on the floor as any if not as polite as most. Boromir appeared out of the study doorway at the sound. It was clear the Captain had come to report as soon as he arrived. He was still in his mud stained travelling clothes and cloak.
"Your Majesty." He sketched a quick bow and turned to follow them into the study.
Aragorn took his seat at the desk and waved Boromir to a chair on the other side. He ignored Legolas, leaving him to close the doors and stand by them, after all these years he had given up on trying to get Legolas to relax his vigilance and while he would occasionally add something to the discussion it would only be during private meetings like this and then only with certain people preferring to be ignored and left to do his own job as a lowly bodyguard.
Legolas finished locking the doors and stood leaning lightly against a bookcase while Boromir took off his cloak and set it on the back of a second chair before dropping heavily into the one Aragorn had indicated.
"King Elessar." Boromir paused as though searching for words. "We followed a group of Orcs for a week then we spilt and tracked other groups."
Aragorn stared hard at his Captain who raised a hand to ward off the any objection.
"Against your orders I know, but we considered it a justifiable risk, they could have attacked us at any point but as we were not in their way they ignored our presence. These Orc don't behave like any we have ever seen before. They move with purpose. They raid only when a town is in their path, they follow set trails and don't deviate as though their actions where more important. They seem to be mapping territory. Learning the lay of the land and testing whatever fortifications they come across."
"They're a scout party rather than raiders?"
"So it would seem. As I said I've never seem them act like this nor heard or read of it in the annuls. It's as though they have a purpose and we are at the centre of it."
"Orcs don't have purposes."
"Unless someone is controlling them."
Aragorn and Boromir twisted to look at Legolas.
"You think someone is controlling them?" The King questioned.
"It is possible. It has been done before by Morgoth and Sauron."
Boromir shuddered slightly at the names earning him a sharp glance from his King.
"Naming them will not invoke them."
"I know but on both those occasions Middle Earth was almost lost and indeed Numenor was lost. It is hard to think such evil necessary to control the Orcs could have arisen here again without our being aware of it."
"I think we should leave this until the council convenes after breakfast and we have more input, it wouldn't do to formulate plans without hearing all evidence. You, my friend, should bathe I'll arrange for breakfast to be sent to your quarters. I expect the council to start in a couple of hours, get what rest you can, it will be a long day I fear."
"Yes your Majesty." Boromir rose slowly to his feet.
"King Elessar." He bowed quickly, lifted his cloak and headed for the doors as Legolas opened them, nodding to the Elf as he passed him.
The remaining pair watched as Boromir left the apartment before Legolas pulled the doors shut again and took a seat.
"You really believe someone may be orchestrating these incursions?"
"I do, it seems to be the only sensible option.Though who could be controlling them or how I know not. Orcs simply do not have the minds to organise themselves."
"Forgive me Legolas but.."
"They where once Elves?" He interrupted. Aragorn nodded. "It's true but from studying our histories and questioning my tutors it seem to have been agreed that along with their bodies broken and corrupted their spirits and minds where also destroyed leaving only base instincts to drive them along with their enslavement to Morgoth. It has also been assumed that when Morgoth fell and many of the Orcs went with him they where the original ones, the ones with the link to him, the Elves he destroyed. Of course that is mostly conjecture and there is no solid proof. But from observation over the millennia since Orc have existed they have never shown any ability or inclination to organise themselves."
Legolas tilted his head to one side and glanced towards the door before rising to his feet. Aragorn looked at him curiously then caught what his lover had heard, someone moving around in the main room. Legolas relaxed minutely as a soft knock sounded.
"King Elessar?"
Legolas opened the doors to let Thesdil in.
"Ahh. Your Majesty breakfast is ready to be served and most of the Lords are in the Great Hall awaiting your presence."
"Of course Thesdil." Aragorn rose and left the study headed for the main door before he realised something was different. Turning back he realised Legolas was not behind him as usual but was still standing in the study doorway with Thesdil who was looking rather uncomfortable.
"Is something amiss?"
"Your Majesty... um.." Thesdil floundered.
"What Thesdil means is perhaps you should change into something more appropriate for a king attending an official function." Legolas' tone remained even and respectful but Aragorn could see amusement in his eyes and frowned slightly looking down at himself before flushing slightly. Taking in the old, stained black leggings almost worn through at the knees, the heavily scuffed and scored leather of his oldest riding boots and the long sleeved grey shirt that had a dozen or so patches and various rents still awaiting repair.
"Perhaps you are correct." Aragorn conceded and changed direction heading for the bedroom.
Thesdil nodded at Legolas before leaving the apartments to check on arrangements. Once the servant left Legolas followed Aragorn to change his own clothes.
"That could have been embarrassing." A muffled voice stated from the middle of a grey silk shirt and a long velvet tunic.
"Would I let that happen to you?" Legolas smiled sweetly as he helped untangle the shirt and tunic ignoring the grumbling within. "You know it would be easier to put them on separately."
A dark glare was his only reply as Aragorn managed to get his head out. Legolas left him to finish getting dressed and swiftly shed this own moss stained clothes pulling fresh ones on turning back to find Aragorn dressed but jerking at his shirts high collar trying to get it to sit properly. Realising he was being watched Aragorn gave it one last tug and fastened it before pointedly ignoring Legolas and sweeping out an amused Elf trailing in his wake.
tbc...
Had interesting day did exam. Before anyone else asks the answer is no bloody idea!
Ohh also wrote possible kinda poem not that anyone'll ever see it :P
My kinda cousin is over looking for a job and what his options were about benefits etc.
Martin is from Argentina and with the crap thats going down such as 3/4 of his savings being wiped out. Currently he's living in Majorca working in a pizza shop. he has duel nationality cos his father (my grannys cousin) is from here. and he wants somewhere he can work and have a decent life. So he's over here for a couple of days to check things out and apply for a few things. So i took him with me on the train so he could go to Belfast and meet a guy from a shipping company.
