Taelin's Story

Author's Notes: Please review! This story is at last coming to an end..there are only two more chapters, I would love to know what you think!

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The air was crisp and clean when Taelin woke up that morning. He rose slowly from his bed, and padded quietly across the room to gaze out the window at the dawning golden light. A smile graced his elven features as the sweet sound of the first morning birdsong made it to his ears.

Soft noises from within the cottage alerted the elf to his companion’s waking. The soft clatter of pots and the smoky smell of the wood-fire being built up, allowed Taelin to know that the old man was beginning to make breakfast. Taking a deep breath of fresh air, Taelin moved to the small wardrobe and dressed for the day.

Taelin found himself filling with excitement. It was a rare occurrence that he and Wess were able to ride out together to hunt for the day. The young elf had been looking forward to this day for weeks, and now that it had arrived, he could not wait to feel the wind in his hair once more.

“Are you ready, my boy?” Wess asked with a smile, when Taelin finally left his room.

Taelin nodded with a small smile and sat down at the table after accepting a mug of tea. It had become a morning ritual for the two. They would relax and eat breakfast whilst enjoying each other’s company before they parted ways for the day. Wess served Taelin some of the toasted bread and eggs, which he had just finished making, before serving himself. After eating, the two packed their bags and saddled their horses for a long day of hunting within the woods.

The crisp air had the horses feeling rather spunky, along with their elven companion. Taelin hadn’t felt so comfortable in many months, and he was glad to be outside, and in Wess’ company. They rode quickly away from the small village, knowing that any worthy game would steer clear of such a settlement. After nearly an hour of riding, Wess called his companion to a halt, needing to rest his injured body.

“Perhaps we could start here, Taelin? Do you think the hunting might be good?” Wess asked sliding from the saddle and carefully stretched his left arm.

Taelin listened intently around them, looking through the bushes as though he could see much further than Wess could even imagine. With a short hand gesture, Taelin slid silently from his own saddle and nodded to Wess to indicate that indeed the hunting would be well.

Creeping with silent steps, the elf neared the edge of the underbrush. Holding his bow in hand, and sliding an arrow slowly from the quiver upon his back, Taelin sighted the large stag, which grazed in the clearing beyond. Carefully taking aim, Taelin paused a moment as if waiting.

Watching all of this, Wess grew curious at what could possibly stay the elf’s shot in such a manner. Carefully limping to the elf’s side, Wess quietly asked what the problem was. Taelin replied, without taking his eyes from the prey before him.

“There is a doe, my lord. A doe and her fawn. I will not risk harm to them.” Taelin whispered.

Wess glanced along the line of Taelin’s sight and sighed very softly for he could see no such thing, yet he trusted his elven companion completely. If Taelin said there was a doe and her fawn, then certainly there would be. Wess knew of Taelin’s love for young things. Many times he had found the elf carefully scaling a tree to return a fallen bird, or watching the neighboring dogs and their pups. It made the old man think what a wonderful father the elf might have made, had he been given the chance.

While Wess was lost in his thoughts, Taelin let his bow drop slowly and released a soft sigh. “There is no clear shot here. We will have to keep moving, I’m afraid.”

Wess smiled softly and gently patted Taelin’s shoulder. “Come, then. I’ve rested long enough.”

Taelin nodded, gathering his bow and sliding the arrow back within his quiver. He noticed that the old man seemed to be moving with more trouble, however. He had grown used to Wess’ limp, and yet there was something different about it this day. The old man seemed to move more stiffly, and Taelin knew that it was not simply from the ride.

“My lord? Are you sure you are rested enough?” He asked, concern clear in his question.

Wess only smiled. “Yes, my boy. If I gave in to every ache or pain I had, I’d never get anything done!” Then, with some difficulty, Wess climbed onto his horse and waited for Taelin.

With a heavy heart, Taelin led Wess on through the woods. He knew all the good places for hunting, and would pause in each to see if there was reason to stop. All the while, the elf’s eyes darted towards his companion. Taelin was sure that they should have returned to the village, but on Wess’ insistence, they continued on.

At last they came to the edge of a clearing, and Taelin signaled a stop. With a slight nod of his head, he told Wess that there was another buck grazing. Taelin knew he would have to be quiet else the deer would hear him and bolt. This was one thing that Taelin seemed to excel at, using his elven heritage to his advantage he was able to move through the brush without sound.

Sliding an arrow slowly from his quiver, the elf concentrated upon the deer. He knew that there would be a clear shot, and was determined to get it so they could then return home. His mind reeling with worry for his friend, Taelin took aim and paused as the deer stepped forward. It would be a clean shot, no question as to the outcome. Taking a final breath, Taelin released his arrow.

A sound came from behind the elf at that precise moment, however, and his arrow flew wide. The buck was startled and bolted into the underbrush of the opposite side of the clearing. Taelin spun around just in time to see Wess’ horse sidestepping away from the crumpled body of the old man.

Panic filled the elf’s heart as he ran to his companion’s side. Dropping his bow and kneeling down, Taelin carefully rolled Wess to his side. The old man’s face was contorted with pain as he clutched at his chest and gasped for breath. Fear now mixed with the panic inside Taelin’s heart.

“Wess? Wess, what is it?” Taelin pleaded. His only reply was a sharp ragged breath as Wess stiffened for a moment before becoming lax in Taelin’s arms. His watery blue eyes gazed up in an unfocussed haze at Taelin and he smiled lazily.

“I...want to…go home.” Wess croaked, raising his hand shakily to touch Taelin’s cheek.

“Of course, my lord! We’ll go right now. Just let me get your horse.” Taelin said, not understanding the gravity of the situation.

“No…Taelin. I…mean when…I die. Don’t…leave me…here. …Please.” Wess whispered breathlessly.

Taelin felt his eyes fill with tears as a fine tremble ran down his spine. He clutched the man closer to him as a pain-filled sob began to build within his chest.

“No! You can’t leave me, Wess! You cannot!” Taelin pleaded tearfully. The panic welled up within him at the thought of his only protector dying. “Wess, you can’t go. I…” Taelin paused before closing his eyes and bending down to rest his head upon Wess’ chest as he cried. “I need you.”

Wess smiled softly, his shaking hand coming to gently stroke Taelin’s blond head. He knew there was little time left as he could feel the life leaving his body. The old man wanted nothing more than to gather his elf into his arms, but his strength waned.

“Taelin. Listen to…me. You…are stronger…than you think…you will…be fine, I…promise you.”

Taelin shook his head against Wess’ chest. Soft sobs escaping him as he clutched at the dying man. The elf’s fear of mortal men welled up once more, as he thought of returning to their village home. He knew that the only thing keeping many of the men from following their desires was Wess. Without him, Taelin knew he would be vulnerable again. A soft hand at his chin caused Taelin to look up and into the glazing eyes of his friend.

“Taelin,” His name came like a soft sigh of wind. “I want you…to know…I…I…loved you…from the first…moment I…saw you.” With that, the old man’s head relaxed limply against Taelin’s arm, as his last breath of air escaped his body.

Taelin felt new tears roll down his already damp cheeks. He held Wess’ limp body to his chest and sobbed brokenly. He had never known of Wess’ true feelings, and now wished he could return them. He began to feel empty and alone as he knelt in the woods with nothing but his own sobs to comfort him.

The young elf remained crouched upon the forest floor, his companion clutched tightly to his chest. He wished for nothing more than to join Wess in his journey to Mandos’ Halls. Taelin felt there was nothing left for him upon Arda. No hope. No joy.

When at last his tears finally dried, Taelin was left with a decision. He knew he would have to pick himself up and carry on. At least long enough to fulfill Wess’ dying wish. The old man had asked to go home, and so home was where Taelin was determined to take him.

Finally drying his eyes, Taelin took a deep breath to calm himself. It was a long ride home, and he would need to be wary. Night was falling, and the woods were not safe after dark. He knew he would have to hurry, for he would be slow moving having to lead two horses and the precious burden one would carry upon its back.

A soft whistle sounded, and Taelin’s horse trotted up to his side once more. The elf slid himself out from under Wess’ body, and stood up slowly. It took all that he had to lift the limp body of his friend up and onto his horse’s back. With a heavy heart, Taelin then swung himself into the saddle as well. Sliding one arm around his mentor and friend, he urged his horse to move over close to Wess’ horse. Taking up the reigns of both animals, Taelin started for home.

The journey was long, and tiring. Taelin remained on guard, knowing the fresh smell of death might attract the worst sort of company imaginable. The horses were quick to startle at the slightest noise in the underbrush, and so Taelin was finally forced to lead them on foot.

When at last he reached the small cottage that he thought of as home, Taelin was tired and nearly torn apart with grief. His only companion, his only friend, was now gone. He was, again, alone.

Carefully, Taelin unburdened his horse. He carried the body of his friend into the cottage and laid him upon the small couch by the fire. With a breaking heart, Taelin gathered a bowl of water and a cloth, and set to cleaning the dirt of the day from Wess’ face.

“You saved me, did you know that? You found a frightened elf in the woods. You took me in, and taught me things I never thought I would learn. You showed me there was hope left for me. You showed me that I could be a better person, that I could rise above what was done to me.” Taelin whispered as he carefully cleaned his friend.

“I never told you…how much I admired you. I felt safe with you, Wess. Something I never thought I would feel again.” Taelin bit his lower lip as tears rolled softly down his cheeks once more. He looked into the peaceful face before him, before laying his head down upon the man’s chest once more. As the elf slowly closed his eyes, he whispered softly. “You said you loved me, Wess. I just wanted you to know,” He paused, and curled his legs underneath him where he sat upon the floor. “I loved you, too.”

Once more the cottage grew quiet, the only sound that night was that of Taelin’s soft sobs of grief.