A Time To Forget

The next day dawned brightly and there was a new sense of calmness in the glade occupied by the elf and the boy. For once Legolas was content to lie on his back next to Iriador and contemplate the sounds of the forest dwellers beginning their own day.


He felt a new sense of hope that Iriador could and would be more at ease now with him and his new environment. He was surprised that in helping Iriador come to terms with his grief that his own had also eased and was now much more bearable.


As the archer looked up at the green canopy of the glade he sent a silent thank you to the Valar for bringing this boy to him for help. Perhaps that had always been the plan that these two would be able to help each other.


He decided he should get up and start preparing the breakfast, instinct told him that Iriador just might have more of an appetite today. He decided that now was the time to start getting Iriador used to how to live outdoors, so he sat up and gently shook the boy awake.


“Come Iriador, it is time to wake and this morning you shall help preparing our morning meal.” The elf called lightly.


“Legolas, isn’t it still very early, I feel like I only just got to bed.” The boy turned over and yawned before looking up with questioning emerald eyes.


“Everything in the forest is already up and starting their daily routines and if you are to survive in a forest alone, you must observe those routines for they can tell you quite a lot if you really take the time to look.”


Legolas had made his way to the packs as he spoke but paused there and looked up thoughtfully, “Do you wish a hot or cold meal this morning, Iriador?”


“Well to tell you the truth, I am kind of hungry. I think I would like a hot meal if that is alright.” Iriador replied shyly.


“Of course it is alright, but we will need to collect some firewood and water, which would you like to do?” Legolas smiled as he heard the boy’s reply for it was indeed a good sign.


“Is it alright if I collect the firewood, I promise not to go too far.” With a nod of approval from the elf the boy left the glade. Legolas stopped to retrieve a couple of pans and then followed.


Soon the wood elf was showing Iriador how to set the fire within the ring of stones they had put there when they first arrived. Once it was going and the pans of water were heated he pulled out a kind of grain and threw it into one of them. He then asked Iriador cut up some apple and wash the berries that he had found in the pack. When all was done and the tea had been made he dished up a kind of porridge then sprinkled the berries into it.


It turned out to be an interesting combination but not at all unpleasant. While they ate Legolas noticed that the boy seemed a little worried.


“What is troubling you, tithen pen (young one)? Is it something I may be able to help you with?” Legolas asked gently.


“Um, I just wanted to say thank you for taking care of me and everything.” Iriador looked apprehensively at his companion, but relaxed when he saw the elf smiling back at him. So he screwed up all his courage and was about to ask the question that had really been bothering him, when Legolas replied.


“You are very welcome, Iriador, and may I say I have enjoyed our time together, being able to share my knowledge of the forest with you.” Legolas looked over to see the boy seemed to be trying to get something else out.


“I am sorry, Iriador, I interrupted you, please go on.” He encouraged.


“I also wanted to thank you for defending me to your friends and not abandoning me. I heard bits of what was said, even though it was a bit hazy, I still got the idea they were not happy. I am sorry that you fought with your friends over me and that you had to leave them.” Iriador was now focused intently on the mug in front of him and was obviously expecting an angry response from his tenseness.


“Iriador put the mug down and look at me, please. I don’t know what you overheard but let me reassure you neither my friends nor I would ever think of abandoning a defenceless child to the evil that haunts these lands. I am not going to lie to you, there was some disagreement, but in the end it was not their choice but the Lady of the Golden Wood’s choice that I bring you here.” He got up quickly and retrieved the note that the Lady had sent with the pack and gave it to the boy to read.


Iriador looked up after reading the note, “I don’t understand that she knows about the change I went through and says I may go through more than one. Why would she be concerned about what happens to me? It also sounds like she was ordering you to take care of me.” As he questioned his eyes were filling with tears and betrayal.


“No Iriador, you misunderstand the Lady cares about all in Middle Earth and she has a gift of foresight, I suspect that she does not know who you are but only that you need help while you’re here and that I was the one that could help you. Please you must understand that I was not following orders, only my own instincts to take care of you.


There is something else you should know, although I had not intended to tell you so soon, but you have a right to know. Iriador, I touched your soul with my own in order to save you from dying when you stopped breathing, how could I not have a personal interest in what happened to you after that. I know you were in pain not just physically, search your heart you know this to be true. You and I have a unique bond and because of this I will continue to care for you and protect you. I will not abandon you even if you tried to send me away.”


Legolas looked over at Iriador, hoping against hope that he had not undone the small steps forward that the boy had made so far.


“I did not ask you to save me, Legolas and I certainly did not ask you to invade my soul.” The boy looked at the elf with critical eyes, noting the care and affection the elf so much wanted to bestow on him.


Finally after a couple of minutes silence he let out a huge sigh, “But I have no memory of who I am, or what pain I suffered from, and our so called bond is the only thing that can provide any clues, however, I think I have a right to know what you saw there. Besides if I really am going to go through any more changes, then I should not be alone when it happens. So will you stay with me for a while?”


“Yes, Iriador, I’ll stay as long as you want me to. I just remembered I also promised to teach you some of my language so that you would understand the song I sang about the Lady of the Golden Wood. So why don’t we go for a walk in the forest and I can point out and name things for you.” Legolas tried to hide his relief as he spoke.


“Alright, but you have to promise to tell me about what you saw, at the evening meal.” Iriador stated before standing up and heading to the entrance to the glade with Legolas following behind without further comment.