Running to You (LOTR- Legolas and O/C)

Ch. 6- Never Trust A Man

  We set out early that next morning. Frodo and Gandalf took to the front, Aragorn, Elios and I behind them, then Gimli, the hobbits, Boromir, then Legolas. Legolas had not spoken to me since last night, but I had been avoiding him as much as I could.

   "Ari, ped- na nin (speak to me)," Aragorn said while looking at me. I sighed and looked up at him.

   "Legolas still refuses to explain why he left. What's so important that he needs to keep it from me? I thought we were best friends..."

   "Perhaps he just needs to figure out how to tell you?"

    "Aragorn he's had sixty years to think!" I shot him a glare.

    "Ari I know it seems like he's keeping things from you but for now maybe it's for the best?"

   I look at him with narrowed eyes and study him closely. His jaw was clenched slightly, his hands balled into fists. Usually when he's trying to keep something from me his cheeks turn a light shade of pink and... they are! He knows...

   "You know," I gasped, stopping in place. Elios stops beside me and sits down. Aragorn stops in front of me, allowing the others to pass us. Legolas pauses for a moment then decides it best to keep going. "You know why he left. You know why he won't tell me. You know everything!"

   "Ari it's for your own good."

   "You do not get to tell me what is for my own good. I'm not a child Aragorn!"

"No, you are not a child but you are my sister and I will do what I must to protect you."

"Had it ever occurred to you that I don't need protection? Sixty years ago I traveled across Middle Earth with thirteen dwarves, most of whom wanted me dead just for being a woman in their company. I fought orcs, trolls, goblins, I helped kill a dragon for fucks sake! And yet I need protection. Bullshit."

   We both look at each other in silence. Anger, confusion, betrayal, sadness. That's what I was feeling. Betrayed by my best friend is one thing but by my own brother? That wound hurts more than any blade or arrow wound that could ever be inflicted. It shatters the heart and clouds the mind. It forces one to put walls up and to question the loyalty of those she called "friend". As the silence dragged on and the others got further and further away, I knew this battle was lost.

   "Very well," I spoke, my voice shaking as I was in the verge of tears. I straighten up and square my shoulders, standing tall and proud despite the emotional torment within me. I look at my brother who looked like a kicked pup. "If you have nothing else to say, we should catch up with the others before they leave us behind."

   Aragorn and I did not speak to each other for the remainder of the day. We both were headstrong and stubborn as a mule but he had no right lying to me. If he refused to tell me, he will have to live with never speaking to me again. That thought made me sick but it was the truth. My best friend and my brother were keeping a secret from me, something which I never thought would ever occur. It did teach me one thing, however. Never trust a man, even those you are closest to for they'll find a way to deceive you. Never trust a man, no matter how long you've known them for they'll find a way to destroy what is most precious to you. Never. Trust. A. Man.

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  Thank you again for all the support! It truly does mean so much to me. Please continue to be patient with me. I'm very busy with work but I am trying my best to keep things rolling! This and the previous chapter were pretty much just filler chapters so I can figure out how to make the story flow a little better and so I can explain everything in depth. Thank you!

  -K