To Borrow Freedom

[rutaari.livejournal.com]

Title: To Borrow Freedom
Author: Rutaari
Rating: PG (could go up?)
Summary: Legolas and Aragorn in Edoras on a moonlit night...
Disclaimer: (insert usual crap here)
A/N: Could be a sequel? Yes or no? Let me know!

Legolas stared out across the seemingly infinate plains that rolled languidly toward the horizon. The earth went on for an eternity before being interrupted by the violet silhouette of the rugged mountains which stood regally against the cobalt sky, as if daring any enemy to threaten their safekeeping. The moon stood steady watch over Rohan this night, iluminating the earth and sky with a protective light that caused Legolas to feel, even with his elven eyes, that he was gazing upon the sunlit day. It was an eerie, almost magical sight to behold, as the treasures of the Rohirrim grazed calmly, occasionally punctuating the stillness with a soft whicker at a companion or a whinney to a youngling.

The elven prince loved the equine. Since he was a small child Legolas had felt most comfortable in the presence of a horse. Nothing in all of Middle Earth could challenge this machine of war; a single, solid body of muscle that moved in perfect rhythm without hesitation or delay. This one creature who held such intelligence it knew precisely of what its master thought, and yet, at the same time, if it chose, could simply refuse a master at all. They were the epitome of grace, the embodiment of beauty, the quintessense of loyalty, and the bearer of forgiveness. Chivalrous, devoted, swift, agile, and above all, loving, it was no wonder the Rohan had decided, many hundreds of years before, to take on the horse as their beloved crest.

The silence was interrupted again, but this time, not by the sound of horses' quiet doings. The footsteps of the future king were heavy with burden, weighing him down so that his usual, graceful stride was encumbered. One did not need elven senses to come to this realization. Yet Legolas did not turn to regard his companion. Instead, he continued his ponderings, letting his fingertips brush lightly over the steed that passed before him on his scouting of the band.

"I thought I would find you here," Aragorn's voice was low and gruff, as if he had been arguing with some infernal rival.

Legolas did not respond for a long while, and did not turn to the future king. He instead continued to enjoy the simple majesty of his surroundings.
"It pains me." Legolas finally said quietly.

Aragorn closed the distance between himself and the elf, and looked questioningly upon the eldar's face as the blonde continued to gaze across the valley. "What pains you?"

"Their loyalty... their trust..." Legolas replied, his eyes still wandering over the herd. "They offer us all they have to give and more, knowing well that all we have to give is pain and suffering. Yet they continue to serve us as they do."

"I could say the same of you." Aragorn spoke, his face now so close to Legolas' the prince could feel warm breath tickling his pointed ear. "Why do you follow me thus, Legolas? Through fire and water and wind; through iron and steel and cries of battle, and yet you persist to follow my every waking step? I have nothing to give you, Legolas, not even my heart, though Vala knows I wish I could."

A greatly stirred elven prince pivoted slowly to face the Man who had spoken such words. Legolas' throat choked with tears, but a hard swallow forced down his emotions and he took Aragorn's worn hand in his own, flawless one.

"I follow you for the same reason Brego follows you, and Shadowfax follows Gandalf..." A choked reply came, and Legolas' azure elven eyes found Aragorn's radiant blue. " I love you, Aragorn. Whether you may return that love or no, I still love you. I always will. It is for that reason that I follow you."

The Man turned from the Elf, then, back to look upon the stars and beyond. Legolas turned his attention to the horses, once more, and for a long time the two hidden-lovers said nothing.

"I am tired, mellon-nin." Aragorn said at last, in a voice laden heavy with fatigue. "You have done so much for me already, but before the end, I will need you. I know not for what purpose, but the want will be present, and it will be dire."

Legolas rested his hand gently on his friend's shoulder and smiled comfortingly at him. "I will be there for you long before the need is dire, Aragorn."

The prince of Men smiled back encouragingly, and another pause filled the silence, but this time with far less unpleasantry. When at last words were spoken, they were not words that Aragorn had thought he would hear.

"Come, I wish to show you something."

The blonde elf led the surprised and curious Man into the herd of horses, until he halted before a horse like no other Aragorn had ever witnessed.

"What is the matter with her?" Aragorn questioned, regarding the large, white spots that dappled the equine's chestnut coat. "What sort of plague is this?"

"It is no plague." Legolas laughed, sweetly stroking the mare's soft nose. "Gahli was given life by a chestnut mare, bred to a chestnut stallion. She was born on the banks of the Anduin, on a brightly moonlit night, much like this one. When the Rohan saw her, they first thought the same as you; that she was plagued or diseased, or even worse, cursed. It wasn't until many years later, when Gahli outran an entire fleet of uruk-hai to warn them of attack that they realized she was not cursed, but gifted. Some people's true fate does not shine through until they are rightly given a chance, Aragorn."

With that, Legolas gracefully kicked up his legs and swung himself gently onto Gahli's soft back. The mare nickered in response, happy to have the company of her elven companion once again. A delicate, pale hand extended outward to Aragorn was all the invitation he required to join Legolas on this strangely, yet beautifully marked horse.

"I have never ridden in the fashion of the elves." Aragorn remarked, feeling the need to reveal to Legolas, subtly, that he was not certain he was comfortable riding the strange mare with no saddle or bit.

"I know." Legolas replied. "And for that you have been defied the greatest liberation that even an immortal life can offer. Hold on." And with an invisible cue from the mischevious elf, Gahli jumped into a gallop, parting the sea of flickering ears and curious eyes as she bolted into the open field, her stride churning the ground beneath her, eating away at the earth with powerful force. For a moment Aragorn was startled, even frightened as he gripped Legolas' waist with unyielding embrace. But as Gahli flattened out, turning her stride into one smooth motion after another, like riding upon a speeding cloud, the future king of Men began to relax, and suddenly realized that Legolas was right. Muscles churned beneath him in symmetrical and continuous motion that was almost too fast to discern with the human eye; a mighty chest heaved with the quick and repetitive intake of one breath after another; hooves pounded noisily on the dirt until the rhythm seemed almost to fade into one, indiscernible hum. This is what Legolas had meant when he had spoken of liberation. Here atop this powerful creature Aragorn felt as if nothing in the world could conquer him, that not even the troubles and toils laid upon him by the stubborn king of Rohan could follow him. Here atop this extraordinary animal Aragorn was, for the first time since he could remember, finally free.

It was over all too soon, as Legolas' cheery laughter floated back on the wind as he teased the excited mare for her reluctance to stop. When at last she did she did so with a playful toss of her head and a whicker of defiance and delight. Aragorn found himself breathing deeply, and saw that Legolas was, as well, when he realized he still held his companion around his slender waist. He discreetly removed his hands, laying them instead upon his own thighs, and wondered if that had been a sigh of disappointment on Legolas' behalf when he committed the action.

As Gahli turned herself around to slowly walk back to Edoras, Legolas tilted his head back to admire the stars and moon, and spoke in a voice that Aragorn would almost call eerie.

"My father never loved me." Legolas whispered haltingly. "I was never good enough for him. Even now that I am a member of the Fellowship I am not good enough for him. If I were to take up the throne of the Greenwood and destroy all the evil of Middle Earth he would still refuse to love me." The elf paused then, as if he were waiting for some reply, but before Aragorn could think of something to say he continued. "There was one thing my Ada told me that I will never forget. It was the day he gave me Rokku, my first horse. 'In riding a horse, we borrow freedom.' It wasn't until many years later I realized he was right, the only thing he was ever right about, but it's true. I want you to know that freedom, Aragorn. Brego loves you, and if you will simply ask it of him, he will show you this freedom as well."

"And what of you, Legolas? Who will give you this freedom?" Aragorn whispered deeply, almost as if he were afraid to ask the question.

Loving blue eyes met curious ones, and Legolas smiled at the Man.

"You will." Legolas replied. "I take freedom in knowing that you are safe and happy, and that you love me the same way I love you."

"And I do, Legolas," Aragorn said passionatly as Gahli halted before the steps of Meduseld, "I do love you."

With that, Aragorn leaned foreword and pressed his lips to those of his dearest companion and deepest love, plundering his mouth as if in search of his very soul. Abruptly, the kiss ended, and Legolas slowly opened his eyes, expecting to find the man smiling back at him. Instead, he found that the future king of Men had vanished, leaving the Prince of Elves to sit solitarily astride the spotted mare in wonder, staring thoughtfully up at the cobalt sky of stars and moon.

"He may borrow freedom," Legolas whispered, "but Gahli, will he ever find his own?"

Comments

[crimsonsenya.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful parallel between the horses&freedom and the situation of Aragorn and Legolas! You created a peaceful and almost magical surrounding and atmosphere with such a short space. I'd love a sequel and I'm sure the others would too <3!

[rutaari.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'll be sure to write it!