Chapter 26 - Farewell My Friend
Being amongst the cooling shelter of trees was a welcome and refreshing feeling for Alcandir. He could almost understand the elves’ love for these natural towers, he felt safer and protected now that he sat, leaning against a thick trunk. Alcandir wondered what it was that trees said to the elves, did they have normal conversations or was it just the sound of rustling leaves and creaking branches that comforted the first born? He wondered if Legolas could hear them in his current condition.
Alcandir had woken two days ago, the morning after they had arrived at their present campsite. He had learned that the reason for his extended sleep was because Aragorn had slipped something into a tea he had drank. It was upsetting that he had been drugged, but wasn’t going to voice his displeasure to his King. For one, he really did understand the reasoning behind the sleeping drought and for two, King Elessar had enough to deal with at the moment.
He had been a silent observer to the camp’s goings on. Watching as Legolas was fussed over, vigils were kept and silent, one-sided conversations occurred with the elf prince. These conversations had been deeply moving at times and quite humorous at others. Alcandir had learned a lot about some of the adventures taken by Legolas and his friends and the antics of the golden elf had been amusing to say the least. It was hard to believe that someone so angelic and innocent looking could be the one referred to in the stories he overheard.
The past two days had been trying on the four friends and they had experienced some frightening moments while taking care of the ailing elf. Alcandir had watched as Aragorn had cleaned the ugly, poisoned wound on Legolas’ back and could see the look of frustration in the Kings eyes as he tried to determine what had caused the blackness encompassing the injury. Trembling and fever had continued to rage through the thin, starved body and teas, water, juices, herbs and mashed berries had been forced down Legolas’ throat in hopes of replenishing lost nutrients.
Now Alcandir sat watching as Aragorn tried to encourage the elf prince to breathe. Moments ago, a coughing fit had racked Legolas’ body and he had stopped breathing. Angrod, Gimli and Eomer stood over the elf and King, each subconsciously holding their own breath, as Aragorn furiously rubbed and pounded on Legolas’ back and commanded him to take a breath. Alcandir even found himself holding his breath as he watched and waited.
"Legolas! Breathe!" The King’s voice echoed through the trees and the other men of the camp had stopped what they were doing to await the outcome.
Aragorn then dropped his head, took a deep breath and, grimacing due to his own pained shoulder, which he had unwrapped the day before out of frustration over his immobilization, lowered the elf back to the forest floor. Legolas had begun to breathe again and his breath was echoed by every other observer in the camp. This was the third time in two days that this scene had been played out and each time the fear in the camp intensified a little more.
"Do you fair well?’ The melodic voice was unexpected and Alcandir turned his eyes to the dark elf now standing over him. He nodded his head in response and Angrod crouched down in front of him. "I have not yet thanked you for what you have done. I am sorry."
Alcandir sat quietly for a moment weighing the sincerity behind the statement. For many long weeks he had failed to believe in the success of the mission he had been sent on, feeling that there was no way he would be able to bring Legolas home alive. After witnessing what he just had he had, his fear had begun to increase. Perhaps he would fail afterall.
"There is no need to apologize. You have been consumed with Legolas’ health and that is understandable."
Alcandir found himself under the critical scrutiny of bright, blue eyes and held the elf’s gaze for a moment before dropping his own eyes. He picked up a small twig and began twisting it between apprehensive fingers. The elf made him nervous and Alcandir almost felt that he was the one to blame for Legolas’ current condition.
"You are not at fault for what has happened." Alcandir’s thoughts were interrupted by the dark elf’s words. "The elves of Ithilien will be eternally in your debt for returning our Prince to us."
Angrod released the squirming man from his gaze and looked now into the boughs of the tree that loomed overhead. Alcandir followed his line of vision and found himself entranced by the dancing leaves that were pushed around by a gentle breeze.
"Do they speak to you as well?" The dark elf asked.
"No, they do not." Responded Alcandir as he looked back to the elf before him. "Are all elves capable of communicating with the trees?"
Alcandir watched as Angrod seemed to ponder this question for a brief moment. "I do not know about all, but those I have met have been blessed with the ability. Some, however, are more in tune than others. Legolas has a deep love and connection with them. I think that his mother was blessed with foresight, for she named him well." Angrod must have seen the look of confusion on Alcandir’s face because he continued in his explanation. "His name translates to Greenleaf, did you not know?"
Alcandir smiled at this and now understood Legolas’ desire to return to the trees as quickly as he could. Angrod returned the smile and there was a warmth and compassion in his face that the bounty hunter had never seen in another.
"Do they speak to you then?"
"I am a wood elf. I hail from Eryn Lasgalen." The matter of fact tone in Angrod’s voice told Alcandir that he should know what was meant by this statement but confusion must have returned to his face as Angrod continued. "Aye, they speak to me and I to them."
"What do they tell you?"
Angrod’s eyes glossed over and his face dropped. "They weep and fear for the Prince. But they have hope. They call to him and sing of a day when he will frolic in their branches once more."
The statement only increased Alcandir’s curiosity and he found himself, once again, looking into the outstretched arms of the tree that supported him. Why was he not able to hear the tree’s song? Were elves able to speak to other creatures as well? Alcandir had remembered seeing the dark elf talking with his horse and the other horses of the camp. Interesting creatures, elves.
When Alcandir’s eyes fell from the trees, he was met with empty space. Angrod had left him and now sat next to Legolas once again, speaking quietly to the trembling prince. The two elves were alone now and Alcandir sought out his King, he wanted to speak with Aragorn and he needed to do it soon.
Alcandir had decided that it was now time for him to go home. He had been away for far too long and ached for familiar faces and structures. Although he didn’t have a family of his own, the small village where he resided when not working held many friends and those he considered family. He did not have a home there, but stayed in an inn and, several years ago, had found himself returning there for brief respites before taking on new work.
He spotted Aragorn standing across the camp from him, stirring the fire and speaking with some of the younger soldiers. Using the tree for support, Alcandir pushed himself from the forest floor and began to walk across the camp. Many soldiers were absent and he suspected that they were out in the forest hunting or working on different tasks ordered them by their King.
The camp was quite orderly considering it was filled with men, most of which were young bachelors. Aragorn ran a tight ship and nothing was out of place. Bedrolls were rolled and stacked out of the main campsite. The horses were roped off several yards away to prevent them wandering off into the forest or entering the camp. A fire burned in the center and two pots hung over it, one for water, the other with a stew for that eve’s dinner.
Aragorn saw Alcandir approaching and ceased his conversation with the young soldier. "A word My Lord?" Aragorn didn’t answer, instead he turned to the soldier and nodded his head. The young man bowed and quickly left the campfire.
"You are feeling better I see." The King stated, reaching a long stick back into the fire, stirring the burning wood beneath the pots.
"Aye My Lord, thank you. How does your shoulder fair?"
Almost subconsciously Aragorn lifted his arm and rotated his shoulder, testing the healing joint before answering. "It still pains me some, but is healing quickly. The restraint was more troublesome than the actual injury."
They stood in silence for a moment, neither knowing how to breach the topic that they both knew was going to be discussed. Aragorn, wanting to check on Legolas once more, urged Alcandir to speak. "You had something you wished to tell me?"
"Aye My Lord. I ask that you grant me leave tomorrow so that I may return to my home."
"You do not wish to accompany us back to Minas Tirith then?"
Alcandir considered this for a moment, his eyes focused on the flames of the fire. "I have finished the job assigned me and am eager to return to my own friends and family."
The King did not answer so Alcandir continued. "I will worry for Legolas and wonder of his well being, but he is well protected and surrounded by those who love him. I am no longer needed here."
Aragorn sat quietly for a moment, staring into the flickering flames before him and Alcandir feared for a moment that his request would be declined. He did want to return to his home and he did yearn for the peace and quiet he would find there, but more so he feared that he would have to stay and see his failure played out before him. If Legolas were not to make it back to Minas Tirith then that was something that Alcandir wished to be ignorant of. He wished not to know the final outcome if it were to be poor.
"You have my permission and my gratitude. There will be a horse prepared for you in the morning" Aragorn stepped past Alcandir and went back to Legolas’ side, leaving the man to his thoughts once again.
Alcandir let out a sigh of relief as he watched his King’s retreating back, he would always wonder about the elf and how he was fairing. He knew that he would receive word when he was in Minas Tirith next and that would be enough for him. For now, there were jobs waiting for him back in Gondor and Rohan and he wanted to be far from this somber forest.
The remainder of the night passed as the previous nights in the camp. Some of the soldiers had returned with a large buck that would hold them over for a day or two. He didn’t know how long the group would remain here in this forest, but knew they would stay until Legolas was fit to travel again.
Aragorn had come to him just before retiring for the night and had quietly checked over the arrow wound to his side. Healing had gone well and the stitches would be able to be removed within a week’s time. He watched as the King took his usual sleeping spot next to Legolas and wondered if the elf knew how loved he was by his friends.
Settling onto his back, his eyes once again found themselves studying the branches of the tree he had spent the past two days beneath. Aye, how I would love to hear what it is you speak of.
The rising sun woke the bounty hunter, he hadn’t realized that he had fallen to sleep and was pleased that he had slept through the night undisturbed. He packed up his belongings and loaded them onto the horse provided by Aragorn. It was a beautiful animal, large and strong. Its color was a deep, rich brown that was seldom seen in horses and the King promised that it was a good, loyal horse and would serve him well.
Quick words of thanks and goodbyes were offered by Angrod, Gimli and Eomer and then Alcandir stepped over to the still unconscious elf prince. He knelt down by Legolas’ head and placed a palm on his forehead. The elf was burning with fever and trembled lightly beneath his touch.
Alcandir leaned in over the ailing elf and whispered silently to him. "I leave you now my Prince but our journey cannot have been in vain. You must wake soon. Your friends miss you. Farewell my friend."
He rose from Legolas’ side and without another word went to his horse and mounted. He looked over the camp one last time, his eyes lingering on Legolas for a moment, then turned the animal and guided it into the forest and out of sight.