WHISPERS OF THE RING
An Aside: Legolas
These are not meant to necessarily fall into Whispers canon, but are side thoughts and contemplations for the author's benefit.
I see him as the man he was, as the man he is, as the man he will be. I see him through the wisdom of many ages, and with the wonder of one still new enough to the world as I am to my people. I see him through the eyes of elves, and with my knowledge of men; but I see him also as you would see him, Aragorn.
He is there, trapped and defeated for now, but still defiant. There is more than a shadow in his heart that keeps him fierce in the face of such failure; I would even venture forth to say that it is this last truth of himself that gives him the strength to defy your will. What is he to you, now, he wonders? A political prisoner, a defeated enemy? But he is assured that the final victory will be his, even as you are assured that it will be yours.
Ah, yes, Dúnadan, is that not it? Another challenge, another stricken soul to save, another man touched by darkness that you must ride like a champion to rescue. Though you grew up among elves you learned no tolerance for sorrow; or perhaps because of it. When you met the Evenstar, you thought to rescue her from that malady of all elves, that layered regret that finds the hearts of even those they would call young. You knew when you saw the Steward of Gondor that here was another for your cause, another one you must save. You thought to save him through the care of his brother, but I would have had it otherwise. I knew that it would not satisfy you to have him far behind in Minas Tirith, where your healing hands could do no good; that you would ride with me in brooding silence, lost in your worry for him. Your Mannish quirks must have infected me somewhere along the lengthy time of our journeys, for I found I could not bear to witness that.
And when you met me, Estel?
What sorrow in my eyes, that made me more cause for you?
But I am not yours to save, and you know that as well as I. You have many others to care for, and as for myself, I will sail, sail over the sea, alone and I will keep you immortal in my thoughts, always.