NEW LEAF (Legolas FF) | ✔️

Chapter 4: To the North

Legolas PoV

I ready my horse as Aragorn seems to be shaking with excitement beside me. He had been talking about our trip since last night. I had even thought that Aragorn would not go to sleep. But before dawn arrived, the young man had already settled down and had fallen asleep on the floor. Mantheniel and I had to hoist him up together. I had told her it was alright, to leave him there for I was not going anywhere but she had insisted he be brought to sleep on a proper bed and later on asked me to rest as well. It would be a long journey, she had said.

The sun was creeping up the horizon as we mounted our horses. Aragorn wore a dark cloak, to protect him from the harsh winter cold that would most likely be there once we leave Rivendell. I pull on the reigns of my horse as we ready our farewells. Mantheniel emerged from the entrance with a leather satchel in her hand and a cloak draped in another. I could only guess who that was for.

She approached me, her eyes bright as she handed me the satchel and opened the cloak in front of me. I unlatch the lock of the leather bag and find she had packed food good enough for an army. I raise a brow at her as she made a notion of letting me put the cloak on.

"Really, Mantheniel, there is no need-"

"- Get down from there and put this on. Elves are very resilient but that does not give you the right to actually go dilly dallying in the wilds ill-prepared," she scolds as she holds up the cloak for me. I let out a sigh as I catch Aragorn smirking from where he sat, mounted on his horse.

Some of the elves have gathered to see us depart. Some still looked at her as if she would do something reckless at one point. I dismount my horse and let her put the cloak around me, clasping it with a familiar looking silver brooch.

"Thranduil wanted you to have it," she stated as she patted on my shoulders with a soft smile. "It would ease his worries to know that you have a cloak and extra food." She stated and I found myself grinning at her comment.

"Ease his worries or yours?" I ask as I mounted back my horse, tying the satchel on one side.

"Both, I believe," she smiled up at me but I could still see the hesitation and uneasiness in her eyes.

"Avaro naeth, Mantheniel. I will be fine." I assured her and she gives a defiant nod with a slight frown.

"I know. I know."

"I shall take care of him, Mantheniel." Aragorn calls beside me with a grin on his face. Mantheniel let out a hearty laugh as her eyes travelled towards him.

"Now I feel most assured." She called, even some of the elves around us had smiled. My eyes travel to Lord Elrond who stood by the entry way with Lady Arwen at his side. She seemed to be looking at something interesting on the ground. Then with one swift motion, we were off.

"Navaer, Legolas. Harthon gerithach len vaer."Mantheniel called after us. I turned to glance at her one more time as she lifted her hands in farewell.

--

We had travelled the whole day and had stopped when Aragorn had finally felt that he was hungry. We sat under a willow tree, a stream passing before us. I listened to the sound of the rushing water as Aragorn talked about what he thought we might find in the north. He was worried the Dunédain would no longer accept him back, no matter how many times I assured him they would.

The stream flowed calmly with the reflection of the sun glistening on its surface. There had been a stream near the palace, I remember it well for I fell into that stream when I was little. I smile at the memory. I had only been 30 or so then and was running through the woods pretending to shoot orcs down with my arrow. Father had been with me that day. I leaned on the tree's trunk as the memory resurfaced in my mind as clear as daylight.