Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Watching Estel take flight (and already certain that his ill-conceived jump would fall well short of the creviceās far edge), Legolas felt as though his own heart sprang from his chest alongside the reckless Man. He cried out his companionās name, loud enough that even the Peredhil Twins paused and turned to see what was the matter. Their matching expressions of horror were no comfort to the Mirkwood Elf.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā "Avaro naeth!ā Legolas called to them, his eyes already on Estelās fallen form at the base of the shallow ravine, āā I have him. Seek the Orcs to their end!ā He did not wait to see whether Elrohir and Elladan stayed, or if they gave further chase of their quarry. The Prince judged the drop in a momentās glance then alighted from his position at the cliff edge, landing a short distance from Aragornās stunned form. He bent over the manās prone body, breathing out in relief when he found him not to be greatly injured.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā āCe uchandā¦ā The Elf sighed, but the fear that had leant a sharp edge to his voice was greatly softened. He crouched next to Estel and opened the pouch at his off-hip, extracting a fold of clean linen to dress the Manās wounds. Preoccupied, Legolasās gaze lifted from binding the unpleasant scrape down Aragornās forearm, going still at the touch to his cheek. Without thinking, he clasped his companionās wrist with his hand.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā "The White Shores cannot have you, Muin nĆn.ā Greenleaf replied, unexpectedly fierce. āI will not allow it, not for many years yet.ā Ā He leaned his cheek away from Aragornās palm, inspecting the Manās abraded fingers, ā⦠your brothers make chase. We are going nowhere.ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā He focused on Legolas for several moments as he fussed over him. When his palm moved from his cheek he half smiled. If he did break something he was still in the haze of the pain. For the moment he thought he could move. His eyes lifted to the cliff above where he had tried to make it.Ā āThey will go on.ā He grunted.Ā āNot the first time.āĀ
Ā Ā Ā Ā Estel injuring himself and taking risks had not been anything new to them. There would often be a negotiation to keep the affair quiet from his father. With a heavy sigh he relaxed, allowing his ambitious to catch up to them to subside. Laying here with Legolas was not the worst punishment for his failure.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā āIām alright..ā He assured the worried Legolas as he looked over him.Ā āNowhere doesnāt sound so unpleasant with you.ā His voice lowered to a whisper. Laying here with him for the rest of his days was not a terrible fate.Ā āI would keep this between us.ā
A small plea from a reckless Man