Disclaimer: The characters, plot, and places of Lord of the Rings are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien and New Line Cinema. No profit was made from this story, and no infringement was intended. This work was produced solely for entertainment.
Author’s Note: Well hello again! Here is my second attempt at Fan Fiction, I hope it is to your liking. A few things, first, this is a drama fic. There will be no torture for those who crave it but there will be moments of action and angst. Second, this story is twenty-five chapters, that includes the Prologue and Epilogue, and it is complete so that there shouldn’t be any LONG waits for updates. Thirdly, I envision Estel to be roughly twenty-two in this fiction, he was twenty when he was told of his ancestry but it is really irrelevant to this story. Lastly, I have no idea how old Legolas would be nor anything about his family except that Thranduil was his father. I have seen MANY wonderful stories where authors have created a family for him and I have seen many strong arguments to his age. I have always felt that he was younger than Arwen but still quite old by men’s standards. Much of his character will be washed away in this story due to the premise but you are welcome to picture him at any age, I would suggest an equivalent to twenty to twenty-five by human standards. Again, enjoy, and as always, constructive criticism is most welcome.
Prologue
Never before had Adras experienced a storm equal to the likes of this one. Rain fell so thick from the sky that it was almost as if he’d had the misfortune of stumbling beneath a waterfall. Lightning lit the night and illuminated the low hanging clouds to almost a summer’s midday intensity and was accompanied by thunder so loud that the old man nearly collapsed to the muddy ground in fear. He cursed himself for the umpteenth time for laying foot outside of his home on such a night.
Adras had been caught in many storms in his long life. The man was well over sixty years of age and the trials and hard work of his life had begun to show itself on him some years ago. He remembered when he had first noticed a couple of graying hairs upon his head. They had attempted to hide themselves amongst the many brown that had flowed down to just below his shoulders and with his young vanity he would attempt to pluck them before others would notice. He gave that feat up long ago and now his head was completely covered in the ashy color. As well, Adras’ face was covered in gray hair. A long beard stretched down to mid-chest, the mustache over his lip blending in seamlessly.
Reaching up a wrinkled, sun bronzed hand, the old man wiped droplets of rain from his creased forehead, the drops seemed to be seeking solace within the deep ridges there. Again a colorful curse slipped from between dried lips at his luck for being out in such a tempest. Originally he hadn’t planned on being out so late, but finding his missing friend was taking a lot longer than he had anticipated.
He braced himself against the trunks of trees as he passed, the natural towers aiding him from slipping in the thick mud that now carpeted the forest floor. Adras clutched his lantern close to him, both for the warmth that radiated from the tiny flame and to protect said flame from succumbing to the forces of nature. Even though he knew these woods quite well, losing his light source would not lead to an ideal situation.
Squinting his wrinkled eyes in hopes of seeing further ahead, Adras pulled his filthy, brown cloak tighter around him, vainly attempting to shield himself from the heavy gusts. He wanted to call to his lost friend but was afraid of attracting too much attention to himself. No forest was safe at night, especially for one his age, although he doubted that there were any dangerous creatures out there foolish enough to be caught in such weather. That feeble-mindedness had been left to him and the one he sought.
His son would be furious if he didn’t return home tonight. His anger would be quickly followed by fear and he would probably head out into the woods himself, looking for his lost father. Adras would be heartbroken if anything happened to his son because of his foolish behavior. The death of his beloved wife had been difficult enough for the both of them to bear and Adras didn’t think either could survive another such detrimental loss.
Another explosion of light flashed overhead followed shortly by a loud rumbling of thunder. Adras gripped the handle of his lantern tighter as the earth seemed to vibrate around him. Quiet curses of his friends’ name slipped from his lips as he braced himself against, yet another, tree.
This rain would truly be a nightmare if not for what little shelter these trees provide.
A faint, distant bray caught the old man’s attention and he paused and strained to hear over the hissing of the falling rain. He heard it, he knew he had heard it, he may be getting old but his hearing had yet to fail him. His friend must be somewhere close now.
“COAL!” His voice rose only slightly over the wind rustling through the leaves above. It must be safe to call to him now with the creature being so close. “COAL!”
His shouts were answered by another high pitched bray to his left and Adras moved as quickly as possible in the direction of the call, his hand moving from tree to tree, his feet slipping beneath him. His lungs burned not only from the coldness of the air but from the strain of trying to stay upright.
The donkey had taken off before, but never had he been gone this long before. Adras loved that animal, Coal was his steady companion, his faithful friend and quiet listener. He would not allow Coal to spend a night out in the forest with wild animals and a raging storm.
Taking a risk, Adras raised the lantern up, casting light further ahead. The slight flicker of motion caught his attention straight ahead and the old man quickened his pace even more.
“Coal! What do you think you are doing standing around out in weather such as this. Have you gone mad?” A loud snort was the only answer Adras received and his own soft snicker was soon to follow. “Fool animal.”
Coal’s dark fur glistened under the illuminance of the lamp and his tail swirled around attempting to swish the large raindrops away. Adras stretched out his hand and patted the donkey’s side. “Come, we should be heading home before Dorias begins to fret and becomes angry. You know how he gets.”
Coal didn’t move. His head was hung low, focused on something on the ground and his hoofs were firmly planted. Adras gave the donkey a slight shove hoping to encourage the animal to move so they could get out of the rain. His attempt resulted in another loud, irritated snort from the donkey and Coal shifted his hind legs bumping into the old man and almost knocking him to the muddy ground.
“Coal, what vexes you?” Stepping to the head of the animal, Adras lifted the lantern overhead and was shocked by what had so consumed the animal’s attention. There, lying in the mud was a man, completely covered in the muck produced by messy combination of dirt and water.
Adras knelt down at Coal’s feet, leaning in close to investigate the fallen man. He lay on his back, eyes tightly closed, face glistening with rainwater, no motion could be seen. The old man pressed an aged hand to the man’s chest, the faint pulsing beneath his fingers reassured him that the man still lived and he attempted to rouse the injured stranger.
Lightly he tapped the pale face, calling loudly for him to wake but he was awarded no response. He slid his hand up to the forehead and he pushed long strands of muddy hair off of the man’s face. Thick locks of hair fell away and Adras was once again surprised by what he found. Delicate, pointed ears peered out from beneath dirtied golden hair.
“An Elf!” Adras froze, looking over the fair being. He had seen an elf once, but not at such a close proximity and not in such a dire state.
Coal’s bray called to him and Adras turned to the donkey. “Well, we can not very likely leave him here. He would not last the night.” The old man turned to the elf once more. Wonder and curiosity flooded his mind. “Will you help me get him home Coal?”
The donkey snorted his acceptance and nudged the unconscious elf with his nose. He was also unable to elicit a response from the elf and Adras subconsciously patted Coal’s neck, in an attempt to sooth the distraught creature.
Adras carefully set the lantern on top of a nearby rock and grabbed the elf by the arms. He lifted the limp body into a sitting position then swung around behind the injured being and slipped his hands under the elf’s armpits. He wasn’t heavy, but Adras wasn’t exactly young anymore, nor did he wish to injure the fair creature any more than he already was.
After much pulling, pushing, lifting and sliding, Adras finally managed to get the blonde elf atop the donkey. He was slung over the animal’s back, his feet dangling off one side his head and arms off the other. The old man knew that it wasn’t exactly the best way to transport a gravely injured individual, but it was all he could manage at the moment. Time was of the essence and it would be illogical to return home for more practical transportation.
Rain continued to pelt the trio as Adras moved around to the elf’s head. He quickly checked for signs of life once again then, grabbing the lantern, he spoke commands to the donkey and they moved off toward home.
I do not know what happened to you my friend, but you will be safe with me until you are well.