Chapter Text
Anduril rose to meet Lastor's own blade and guided it smoothly past its intended target by a millimeter. The farmer could see every movement of the glinting steel with frightening clarity. The blade was deflected at the height of its arc and brought down so close to Elessar's own head that a few strands of ebony hair spiraled down to accompany the barbarous weapon. Lastor's breath hitched, his hand spasmed, the leather hilt of his sword slipped through his rough fingers burying itself in the dusty dirt at his king's feet. Fear washed everything from the man's brain as he stumbled back away from both the elf whom he had just tried to murder, and his opponent who looked on with eyes made of flint.
He had almost murder the High King of Gondor. What would have happened to him? Imprisoned for life, no that would be far too lenient for the person who killed the hero of the Free Peoples of Middle Earth. More likely for him to be exiled beyond the hospital borders of the peaceful races to face the evil lurking in the abandoned north. Or even worse…his blood chilled and his heart raced even faster that it was already pounding. Executed. He would be executed in front of the outraged masses never to see his farm or family ever again.
Lastor vaguely registered his knees thudding lightly against the earth as he stared fixated at the hands trembling uncontrollably before him that suddenly seemed foreign. Words were being spoken around him but it was meaningless dissonance. All he knew, all that mattered, was that his life had almost been over and it was for what? Some pigs? The life of an elf? Yes…he forced his head up to look at the creature who had stepped into the dueling circle.
He wasn't even looking at the man who had almost taken his immortal life. He was hovering over the king speaking rapidly though the words could not reach Lastor through the roaring of his own blood in his ears. Elessar waved off his companion's concern going so far as to obligingly spin once to show he was truly unharmed.
"Why?" He barely recognized his own voice, distorted as it was by adrenaline and fear pumping through his veins. The pair turned to faced him. One set of eyes questioning and the other irritated.
"Why?" He questioned again, this time the word was stronger and steadier. The ring of people quieted watching the exchange with such riveted attention it was almost comical. Though the farmer couldn't really blame his neighbors, the most exciting thing that had ever happened in their village was when the nobleman's daughter had eloped with the local barmen. To his surprise the king did not look angry, instead a small smile was lifting the edge of his lips.
"Because he is my friend." He answered glancing at the elf standing at his shoulder. "And I know he would do the same for me."
Lastor had to resist the insane urge to laugh. He wasn't even sure why. Perhaps his nerves had finally frayed and he was going the same way as loony Bill across the hill but looking at the duo before him he could almost believe it. There was no King and commoner, nor elf and man. The two stood shoulder to shoulder, at such ease that one would think their natural state was with each other at their side.
The two beings couldn't be more different, one with dark hair and grey eyes with ranger garb, the other fair haired and blue eyed dressed in fine elven silks. Yet those difference seem to melt away as Lastor looked on. He finally gave in and gave a short bark of laughter before hanging his head in resignation. Perhaps he really was going mad.
"I yield." I said loud enough for all those gathered to hear him. "I yield ta ya and drop ma charges against ye elf." Behind him Runen was so stunned by the sudden turn of events it took him a few seconds to stutter out a response.
"Uhh, yes. The plaintiff Lastor has yielded this match to the accused's champion, King Elessar. The elf is declared not guilty and is free to go." He announced. Murmurs rose, but they were not angry but rather curios and tinged with a bit of excitement. Lastor remained on his knees staring at the yellow dust between his knees trying to regain his erratic breath. Behind him he could hear his accomplice walk up beside him. He hadn't heard the retreating steps of his opponent so he assumed the king and elf still remained.
"Lawman, Runen your name was, correct?" A deep voice broke the settled silence.
"At your service your Majesty." The addressed replied with a bow darting his eyes to Lastor who had yet to make a move to stand.
"If I launched my own investigation into the alleged thefts of Mr. Lastor's pigs would I find his claims to be credible?" He asked. Runen stiffened and his smile was so forced it looked like a light tap would shatter it.
"I assure you it would be your Highness." Why was Runen still trying Lastor wondered. The ploy was over, the king would never let him go unpunished for assaulting him and accusing the elf. Because, no matter how impossible it seemed to the farmer, there was no magic that could weave the illusion of such camaraderie. The two beings before him were most definitely the closest of friends.
"Why ya still even try'in?" He spat. "It's over." He raised his eyes to his judge and jury. "Why don we skip ova the useless questions en get on with it?" Aragorn raised his brow and glanced at his companion.
"And what precisely would we be 'getting on with' Mr. Lastor?" He asked in an infuriatingly clam voice.
"Lock me up, thow me outta me own village. Ya gon punish me fer accus'in tha elf ain't ya?"
"It would not be my place to deal out punishment against you for it was not I who has been so wronged. The only one who may judge you is the one who you yourself tried to destroy." Any hope of leniency fled as Lastor shifted his gaze from the cold grey to the brilliant blue. He would have to live out the rest of his life as a toad avoiding being trampled by his own swine. Runen opened his mouth to protest but shut it almost instantly realizing the futility of arguing against his own liege.
"What say you?" The king asked looking at the fair creature beside him who gazed down with an unreadable expression. Lastor searched desperately for a sign of his fate in those depthless eyes.
"Let him go free for I do not hold him responsible for the charges brought against me." Lastor could not comprehend the crystal clear words sung into air. His mouth actually dropped open as his brain tried to form words. How could the elf not blame him? It was a trick he was sure of it. But what was the point of the deceit? Seeing the look of absolute bafflement on the man's face the elf elaborated, now speaking to the entire crowd present.
"Old lore and prejudice have been bred into the hearts of men here. I admit it has been partially my own race's fault." At this the king tried to protest but the elf cut him off. "It is true we have grown withdrawn and disconnected from our fellow children of Eru but the absence of knowledge should not be any reason for there to be animosity between our peoples. This entire situation has been the result of fear, of hate, and of a lack of courage to begin understanding new things and leave behind the old."
The elf swept his gaze across the circle of humans meeting each pair of eyes unflinchingly. "My people want nothing but peace with the people of Gondor and if you are willing to listen we are willing to answer." He turned back to Lastor finishing his statement directly addressing him. "My business with you is done and you are forgiven." The immortal stepped forward.
A slender hand was proffered. Aragorn shifted ready to intercede should Lastor try anything. The kneeling man stared at the hand for a moment before making a decision. He reached out and took the hand to pull himself up. He gave a stiff nod to the elf whose smile was brilliant. Runen gave one last rigid bow before retreating with Lastor away from the perfect circle to join their fellow townsfolk.
Legolas turned back towards Aragorn smiling like an idiot. He could see exasperated fondness the in the man's eyes. The king of Men stepped forward placed his hand on the elf's good shoulder letting their foreheads touch for a brief moment before raising his fingers to his lips and giving a loud whistle. The shrill sound was answered by a distant whinny and the crowd parted as two magnificent stallions trotted up to greet their masters.
"Hannon le Arod. It seems you heeded my request with the greatest of speed." The wood-elf praised as his steed buried his soft nose in Legolas's chest. His eyes immediately snapped to Aragorn who had been surreptitiously inching towards him.
"I can mount just fine by myself Estel." He said preemptively. The man quickly changed direction and mounted his own horse instead.
"Would never dream of insinuating otherwise mellon-nin." The prince gave a very unelf-like snort. Muttering quietly about mother hens and overbearing healers he managed to mount with minimal jostling to his broken arm.
"I'm ready to head home, you?" The former ranger asked.
"Not that I would ever call the dusty pile of stone 'home' but I do believe returning would be desirable." Aragorn gave a small laugh spurring Roheryn into a slow trot. Arod followed and the pair made their merry way out of the village that had caused them so much grief.
Runen walked up to join the broad figure already standing at the base of the ancient oak. Lastor stood his brown eyes locked on the two retreating figures riding further and further away.
"Well that turned out to be a right mess." He said casually coming to a standstill beside the shorter man. Lastor only grunted in response. Runen watched his companion for a moment trying to decipher the thoughts raging inside that thick head. Finally he asked the question that had been burning in his mind since the two foreigners had rode out of town.
"Why did you take his hand? Why did he spare you?" Lastor didn't respond of a long while and Runen thought perhaps he never would. But after a long moment the gruff man simply said.
"Jus maybe they en't all tha bad." The lawman blinked but didn't respond. Watching the green dot on his white steed Runen realized they never did learn the elf's name. They both waited until the two silhouettes on the planes became dots then vanished behind a knoll altogether before turning away. Before the two men could leave the grove two large branches crashed down from above the canopy catching both of them on the head and leaving two very large bumps and colorful expletives tainting the air.
"I believe it would be to both our benefit if the fair Lady Arwen is not regaled with the entirety of this tale." Legolas said casually watching the rippling grass dance beneath the horses' hooves.
"I do believe you are correct. It shall save us both a public dressing down in front of my staff. Though in this case most her ire will most likely be directed towards you my unfortunate friend." Aragorn agreed giving the elf a sideways grin.
"I still maintain this was not my fault." Legolas insisted with all the haughtiness he could muster.
"You know you are far too caring and forgiving." The prince grinned.
"Sometimes it takes a gesture of faith and goodwill from one side before any progress can be made."
"Does that sign of faith and good will have to include a broken arm, bruised ribs, and multiple lacerations?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Preferably not, Elbereth knows we manage to get enough of those, good will or not." He joked and the man couldn't help but smile as he recalled their many misadventures that had his foster father moaning and complaining in the hall of fire for weeks. "But if that's what it takes Estel I don't regret it." He added sobering.
"I know Legolas, but I wish it wasn't so." He said sincerely eyeing his friend's bound left arm.
"What are you going to do with the lawman? Runen." He asked. Aragorn shrugged. He knew just as well as Legolas that the man was lying through his teeth about the whole affair. His only redeeming quality was that he had respected his King enough to follow his decrees. "I shall send a replacement to the town soon. We have no proof of what he may or may not have done but I think we can safely say his days of power of over."
"Shame." Legolas said. The king's head snapped towards his friend.
"You don't wish to see that man punished?" He asked incredulously.
"You misunderstand me mellon-nin. I simply think it is a shame I did not simply turn the lot of them into ravens and have them deliver messages for my father." Aragorn chuckled. He had long gotten use to the Eldar's tendency to swing from serious to jovial in the blink of an eye.
"True, or perhaps cats to catch the palace mice."
"We could always use some more thrushes to keep the snails at bay in the gardens." The duo rode towards the white gates of Minas Tirith with nothing but laughter and creative uses of humans turned animals rising into the crystal skies.
End