Chapter 2 - Discourse
"How many?" Aragorn asked, his eyebrows furrowed together as he tried to absorb what Legolas had just told him.
Arwen sat next to her husband listening closely to what was being said but not including herself in the discussion.
Legolas, sat opposite Aragorn leaning forward resting his arms on the table and looking directly into Aragorn's eyes. "Three over the course of a month, that we are aware of." He was tense, every bit of stress and fear that he had been feeling over the past couple of weeks had seemed to settle in his muscles. His back and neck were tight and ached from lack of rest and his eyelids were heavy due to a prolonged absence of sleep.
"That you are aware of?" Aragorn raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was very unusual that the elven colony didn't know exactly what was going on in their forests. It concerned him that whatever had happened to these missing elves was done so stealthily that it had caught even them off guard.
Legolas stiffened even more as he tried to cope with the shame he felt for not having a straight answer. "Aragorn," he began, "the elves of Ithilien are free to come and go as they please. The royal guard is currently speaking with other elves in the area and searching the surrounding forests for any signs."
The Elf Lord sent up a silent prayer to the Valar that there would be answers waiting when he returned home. He hoped that there was a simple explanation for the disappearance of the three elves, but deep in the back of his mind there was a nagging feeling that something more sinister was at work.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Aragorn leaning back in his chair with a large sigh. "Who are those that are missing?"
One of the things that Legolas had sworn to himself was to make an effort to know all of the elves who had come to Ithilien. He had made it a requirement that all who came to the colony would present themselves to him and his advisors. His father had always pressed upon him the importance of knowing who resided within your realm, and there was really no arguing that Thranduil was a great king. Legolas had watched his father at work as often as he could. Observing how he responded to certain situations and how he communicated with his subjects. Sure he was known to have a temper and Legolas had been on the receiving end of his anger on many occasions, but it was never ill placed and when all was said and done the King had always judged correctly.
"Nienna and Lómëdil, of Mirkwood. They were bonded just after the destruction of the One Ring and came to Ithilien shortly thereafter. I did not know them well, but they were diligent and loyal and have been very much in love for many centuries. The third, most recent, was Adaria of Lothlorien. She has been learning the healing arts recently and vanished whilst collecting herbs."
"Aye, I knew her. I believe Arwen did as well." Arwen nodded in agreement with Aragorn's comment. "She came to the Houses of Healing on a number of occasions to learn and share new herbs and methods. I did not know Nienna or Lómëdil but let us hope that they are together and can rely on one another for strength."
"It is my hope that they are not in need of added strength." Legolas uttered quietly.
There was silence for a moment as each thought about the possibilities of what had happened to those missing. It was altogether possible that they had succumbed to the calling of the sea and had departed, but for an elf to leave without word was something unheard of and the prospect that something more menacing was occurring weighed heavily on each of their minds.
"Help me understand one thing Legolas," Aragorn said with a slight twinge of frustration in his voice, "elves are vanishing, without any trace of what is happening to them, and you ride to Minas Tirith without any type of escort?"
Legolas knew that this was coming and also knew that no explanation that he could offer would satisfy his long time friend. The Elf Prince and former ranger had taken it upon themselves to be each others protector, but the longer they knew one another the more they had come to realize that they had each taken on a near impossible responsibility.
"There is much to be done in Ithilien. I wanted every available elf working on finding those missing. As well, I do not want people to panic. I have enforced the need to be aware and cautious, but I also want to show them that we cannot be scared to live our lives."
Legolas held eye contact with Aragorn momentarily and could tell that the King was not accepting his explanation. "Aragorn, I think that I have proven that I am capable of taking care of myself," he added with a smirk.
Aragorn returned the smile, "That is something that you and I could spend the eternities debating and still never come to any type of agreement. I seem to recall you dragging me into many an adventure before you became Lord of Ithilien."
Legolas' smile deepened at this statement as he remembered some of the many adventures to which Aragorn was referring. The two had managed to get themselves into quite a few less than desirable situations.
Aragorn's smile fell, his expression becoming serious once more, "Where is Angrod?"
Angrod had been a lifetime friend of Legolas'. He was a mere half-century older than Legolas and in elven years that was next to nothing. They had been almost inseparable while growing up in Mirkwood and had given Thranduil many a headache and scare during their elfling years. Angrod had also had the poor fortune of getting himself pulled into some of Aragorn's and Legolas' many adventures and had sworn that the two were cursed with bad luck.
"I sent him, along with another guard, to inform Faramir of the situation. They are to meet me on the journey home and we will travel back to Ithilien together." Legolas explained.
Aragorn nodded at the knowledge of this and furrowed his brow back up, his eyes staring off into the distance as he returned to his thoughts.
"Aragorn," Legolas continued, "I do not know that this is anything to cause real alarm, however, I felt it best to inform you and Faramir of the situation so that you could take the necessary precautions."
Aragorn nodded once again, his thoughts still remaining far away, trying to remember anything he had learned as a ranger that might explain what was going on. "And, thus far, there were no signs at all?"
"No."
"No signs of a struggle, no signs of foul play, no signs of these elves at all?"
"No," Legolas let out a small sigh and glanced over to Arwen, "Nothing." He saw her flinch slightly at this and she stared openly at Legolas, sadness and confusion written in the expression on her face.
Legolas returned his attention back to Aragorn, "We are doing everything in our power to find them, or find what has happened to them," he said in barely above a whisper.
"I will send a contingent of men back with you to assist in your search," Aragorn began but was quickly interrupted by Legolas.
"No, I think that it is best that your men stay here to protect you and the people of Minas Tirith. As well, the fewer men we have tracking through and around Ithilien the less chance we have of destroying any signs that might lead us to the lost three."
Aragorn considered this for a moment, "Agreed. When do you plan to return to Ithilien?"
Legolas mulled this over, he wanted to return home as soon as possible to check on the progress of the search, however, it was rare that he was able to spend time with Aragorn and Arwen. He would have enjoyed a leisurely visit in Minas Tirith, but now obviously was not the time, not when the elves of Ithilien needed his guidance and leadership more than ever.
In the end his devotion to his people won out. "I plan to leave shortly, I want to get back and see what, if anything, has been discovered"
Legolas saw understanding in Aragorn's expression and he wasn't surprised. Aragorn had the same love and devotion for the people of Gondor and would not want to be away, either, at such a time.
He thought how interesting it was that the two of them had developed such a bond with each other. The time they had spent together and the times they had confided in one another had formed an inimitable relationship between the two. They had begun to think a lot alike and could usually tell what the other was thinking just by looking into their eyes. They could communicate with the slightest of facial expressions and eye signals. Even when they were apart, Legolas being in Ithilien and Aragorn in Minas Tirith, they had a unique connection.
"Aye, it must be difficult being away and not knowing what progress is being made," said Aragorn.
Indeed, it was very difficult for Legolas. Thoughts were constantly racing through his head with regards to the missing elves. He hoped that he would arrive in Ithilien to find that they had returned. He worried and wondered if others had vanished in his absence.
"At the very least, take an escort with you," Arwen pleaded.
Legolas could hear the concern in Arwen's voice. He hated to see her upset. He would have preferred to keep the news of the disappearances from her, but these were her people as well and he felt that she had a right to know.
He reached his hand across the table and placed it over hers reassuringly. "I will be fine Arwen, it is a short ride and I will make better time on my own. I will be careful."
Arwen held Legolas' eyes and smiled but Legolas could tell that she was hiding her fears. He gave her a comforting smile in return and then rose from the table.
"I must gather my things so that I can be on my way."
Aragorn rose in unison with Legolas, a discontent look on his face. "Send word if there are any changes. And Legolas, do not hesitate to request aid if it is needed."
Legolas raised his right arm and placed his hand over his heart, he fluidly swept his hand out and away from his body in a respectful farewell, then turned and walked silently out of the dining hall. The King and Queen's eye's followed his departure every step of the way, an unexplainable fear and anxiety increasing inside them as Legolas stepped out of the room and disappeared from sight.