A/N ok, hello, I decided to give anyone who for some reason still wants this story the last bit I had written already. This is like...half a chapter and the beginning of a scene, but that is as far as I got. Also thought I should have an "end" bc every so often a new person will stumble across this and I feel bad leaving it so open ended. (seriously, something dies inside me every time I see someone else put this dormant story on their reading list) So sorry for letting anyone down...

So to answer the pressing question: no I will not be finishing this story

I'm sad too, but the main reason is that I don't have the characters anymore. There wasn't ever a solid outline and I was just playing with the characters in each others' worlds. However, even back then and definitely now I don't know the Ranger's Apprentice characters very well. People rightfully pointed out that I was focusing on the Lotr side because that's what I knew better. I only read RA once, and by now it's been years. So...I don't know the characters and it's very hard to write for characters you don't understand anymore.

So do with this what you will, thanks to everyone who liked this little story <3 

Legolas was troubled. He looked down, not really seeing the ground in front of him, his mind miles away in the beloved forests of his home. But they were not bright anymore, not green nor full of song. Pictures flashed before his mind, images of blood and death and spiders, elves he'd known his whole life dead or dying. The others had gone while he lingered in the courtyard, and away from other eyes he could not maintain a proud or confidant facade. The young prince's imagination ran wild, producing horrifying image after horrifying image and at the center of it all was him, helplessly stuck and useless. He jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder, looked around wildly before meeting Halt's gaze.

"Are you alright?" The ranger asked, stepping a respectful pace back and looking up at the elf. Legolas nodded, but convinced neither of them. He struggled to pull together some confidence, attempting to emulate his father who was always so proud and unmovable and strong; everything a good king should be. He failed miserably. With a soft sigh he turned and placed his palm against a nearby tree, drawing soft comfort from the warm bark. The Willow bent its leaves towards him in response, the soft whispering sound they produced helping to calm his fears.

"Thank you," Legolas said at length, looking back slightly at the ranger, who stood patiently behind him.

"For what?" Halt returned.

"For helping us. Not many would ride willingly to a battle in which they have no obligation. It is very brave." He averted his eyes, looking up into the willow tree.

"It's what rangers do," Halt said dismissively. "We're glad to be of service." He paused, his eyes softening. He understood the immense pressure that must lie upon those shoulders. "You should get some rest. I take it we will leave early tomorrow, and ride fast."

Legolas shook his head. "No, I do not believe I shall find rest this night." He glanced back at the ranger, dropping his hand from the tree. "Do not worry for me," he said with a faint smile.

Halt regarded him carefully, then smiled, or smiled as much as Halt could be expected to. "I don't."

Legolas looked up, surprised at how much the words were comforting coming from a near stranger. But he knew the confident gleam in his eye, the proud and self-assured way he carried himself. Yes, this ranger was not so different than another that he knew.

"You do not?" Legolas asked quietly, turning around to face the short and rather unimpressive man at first glance, but one that Legolas had already begun to see was wise and strong and worthy of following.

Halt shook his head. "No."

Legolas held his gaze for a moment. He said it with conviction; with such surety it bolstered the elf's own confidence. He smiled slightly. The elf turned, looking about him and breathing in the calm of the forest. He began to breathe again, the weight of what was coming leaving his shoulders, if only for a moment. He sighed, closing his eyes and tilting his head to the wide sky. He opened his lids a moment later and gazed up at the familiar stars that glittered above him. They filled him with hope and peace, and he exhaled a long breath, coming back to the present and meeting the ranger's curious gaze.

Now that his mind was clearer and in a more thoughtful state he noticed the look in Halt's eye, and the way he stood and the feel of his spirit.

"What troubles you?" Legolas asked, peering at the ranger. Halt raised an eyebrow in response. "There is a weight on your soul," the young elf explained, now looking more intently at the man. And now roles of counselor and patient were switched, the golden haired archer furrowing his brow and asking silent question.

"Nothing you need to worry yourself about," Halt said gruffy after a moment, drawing his cloak further about him.

But Legolas was not so easily dissuaded. "You worry for your companions, do you not?" he asked gently, taking a small step closer to the man, who's face was now hidden in shadow. "In the other world. In your world." the elf prince looked down, his own eyes clouding over. "As do I. I wish they were here with us now." the earnest and almost pleading note in his voice made Halt look up.

"Yes. We left people behind when we came here, just as you all did."

Legolas waited patiently, but it seemed like Halt refused to go on without prompting. "Tell me about them," he asked softly. He had heard some tale of them from Alyss, but was interested in hearing the weathered ranger's story.

Halt hesitated then went on, something about the soft moonlight, peaceful courtyard, and welcoming smile of the elf allowing him to speak. "Will," he said faltering slightly. "Ah, Will, Crowley, Horace, and Cassandra were at the cabin. We left them there and also everyone else we may have known back home."

Legolas smiled. "You miss them dreadfully. Aye. As do we all." He sat down on the fragrant grass, Halt sitting cross-legged as well by his prompting. "Tell me about them. I would like to know with whom my companions are waiting."

"Will, he's my apprentice." Halt's hands rested on his knees, his face hidden in the shadow of the cowl. Legolas wondered at the strange material of the fabric, as even as they sat there, when the wind moved the shadows of the trees over them if he did not keep a solid eye on the ranger the man would disappear, the edges of him lost in shadow and grass.

"A ranger?" Legolas asked, remembering the man's stated occupation.

Halt nodded wordlessly. He shifted his weight, absently plucking up the grass in front of him. He cleared his threat. "Horace is a knight, Crowley, our ranger commandant, and Cassandra daughter of nobility in our realm."

Legolas smiled, imagining these people Halt spoke of. "You fear for them?" He asked gently, twirling a fallen leaf between his fingers.

Halt considered the question. "No," he answered eventually. "They can take care of themselves until we get back."

Legolas smiled softly and nodded, but the ranger's words rung with a note of finality and the elf intuitively knew their conversation had come to an end, and he would draw no more words from the old ranger that night. Legolas was content to sit quietly for a moment. Just sit and reminisce and solidify their hope and faith that everything would turn out fine. To be quiet and hopeful and not worried about what lay ahead. He sighed a long sigh. These moments were too few and far between.

<~>

Alyss was pacing her room. Her arms were crossed tightly and her white courier's dress swished about her ankles as she moved, reaching the wall and turning sharply then marching back towards the bed. Gilan watched her with half his attention. He was sprawled in a chair a few feet away, his fingers running over his bow. His eyebrows drew together and eventually his flicked his eyes up to watch Alyss pace.

"Alyss," he said at length, and Alyss sighed, stopping and standing stiffly. "Thank you." He paused, eyeing her. "Why are you worried?"

Alyss fit him with a cold glare for a moment, driven more from anxiety than from any anger directed at the ranger. "Because, we are in an unknown land, in an unknown world and we're suddenly marching off to battle! They don't seem to know what they're doing for goodness sake! Araluen is who knows how far away and....and..." she stopped in an angry huff.

Gilan smiled his easy smile, attempting to draw one from the girl herself. "You've been in a battle zone before," he reasoned. "And I think those elves can take care of themselves."

Alyss deflated and sighed. "I know," she said quietly. "I just...I've got this feeling...this bad feeling." She turned, meeting Gilan's earnest gaze. "Something's about to happen, and I don't know if we'll be ready for it."

The young ranger smiled softly. "You don't have to worry about the battle, Alyss. Halt's won wars before, and I was talking to that Elrohir today and he gave me a brief history; in short, the elves are powerful and have resisted such attacks for centuries."

Alyss nodded several times to reassure herself. "Of course," she said eventually, regaining her composure. Gilan nodded and smiled. Alyss took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again she was composed and feeling slightly silly. "I'm sorry, I know Halt has everything under control." She said. She had always looked up to the man and had heard several stories from Will about his abundant virtues. Gilan smirked and nodded.

"He does," he agreed. "But I do suppose we'd ought to get some rest; we'll be off early tomorrow." His smile faltered and Alysss eyebrows drew together, asking silent question. Gilan huffed and leaned back in his chair. "I don't have Blaze," he said sadly. Alyss nodded, knowing how highly the rangers valued their horses. "I'll have to ride some horribly ordinary horse who doesn't know me."

Alyss smiled and pat him on the shoulder sympathetically. "I'm sure you'll manage."  Gilan smiled dryly at her then stood, departing for his own room with a cheerful and reassuring, 'Bye Alyss, see you in the morning!'

The girl sighed, standing and going out onto the balcony again. The wind rustled the leaves of the trees pleasantly and the river roared below. The stars gleamed white above her and she was struck with a melancholy feeling. "Oh Will," she sighed. "I wish you were here." With that she pushed off the railing and closed the door, clambering into the bed. She sighed once more, blew out the candle and settled down. "I wish we were home."

<~>

A floor above the two araluens a similar conversation was taking place.

"Elrohir!" Elladan snapped at his twin. The other stopped pacing and glared at him.

"What?" He shot back bitterly, turning and marching back towards the door. Elladan sighed and stood quickly, placing himself in Elrohir's path and catching his shoulders.

"Please stop moving," he muttered, his head lowered as his mind raced. Elrohir sighed, tension draining from him and he pulled Elladan into a hug. The two stood thus for several long moments, taking strength from one another and building courage. At last they broke apart, Elrohir flopping backwards onto the bed and Elladan lowering himself to the desk chair.

"You are unusually worried, Brother," Elrohir muttered, staring up at the ceiling.

"Am I?" Elladan said, laughing dryly. "I wonder why." He shook his head, casting his eyes to the heavens then back down to his twin. "I...I am afraid." He admitted. Elrohir waited patiently for his twin to go on. "I am afraid for Legolas. He will not know what to do without King Thranduil. And these people! We do not know them and yet they would ride to battle? They are terribly brave but I am worried for their safety. And Estel." He looked up briefly, meeting elrohir's gaze who was sitting on the bed now. "He is trapped in some other world without us to get him into trouble."

Elrohir grinned. "Ah but he has Glorfindel, and that is just as good!" He laughed, Elladan chuckling too.

"There is a lot to worry about, dear brother," Elladan sighed. "Beyond the oddities of this battle there are the normal woes of war to worry about. I worry for you, of course, I worry for what might happen, to you..to both of us."

Elrohir smiled softly. "Do you think I'm incompetent?" Elladan just raised an eyebrow back.

"I think you're an idiot and that is far worse," he said, completely deadpan. Elrohir glared at him and tossed a pillow at his face.

"Yeah well you always seem to be right by my side, so if I'm the idiot what does that make you?" Elrohir teased as Elladan threw the pillow back and sat beside him on the bed. He laughed and caught the pillow.

"I don't know," the elder twin sighed, running his fingers over the fabric of the blankets. "I suppose it does no good to worry."

"Quite right," Elrohir smiled. He stood fluidly, opening the doors to the balcony. The moon had already slipped past its zenith, though the sky remained dark. Elladan soon joined him on the balcony, leaning on the railing.

The two brothers lingered for long hours, talking of anything and everything. They shared their worries, hopes, jokes, insults, compliments and everything in between. Elrond watched fondly from the courtyard, just out of sight. He smiled, feeling his heart warming at his two little boys who he would never feel comfortable sending into battle, but in whom he had the utmost confidence and faith. He smirked as laughter drifted down from the balcony. They had always been inseparable, his twins. Inseparable little troublemakers, Elrond thought, rolling his eyes. The elf's thoughts drifted to the Araluens and he frowned a bit. They were quite a conundrum, he conceded to himself, but he had faith. Everything would work out, or so he hoped.

<~>

Worlds away.... Aragorn blinked slowly, leaning back in his chair. The quiet had descended again. He exhaled a long, laborious breath, putting away his pipe and taking a bite of the bread on his plate. Around the table the rest of his companions slowly unwound, the soft sounds of people shifting in their seats and remembering to breathe surrounding the ranger.

"Well," Glorfindel said tiredly after a few moments of awkward silence. "That happened." Aragorn looked up, slightly surprised at the weariness that tinged the elf's voice.

"Will he be okay?" Evanlyn asked quietly, looking out at the trees where Thranduil had stormed off,

"Yes, yes," Glorfindel reassured her quickly, glancing over his shoulder. His gaze lingered on the treeline and Aragorn did not miss the slight regret in the elf's old eyes.

"I'll go after him," Will said, standing from his seat. Aragorn glanced up, smiling softly at the young man. He watched Will go until he could no longer follow his figure and he disappeared into the wood, bent low to pick up Thranduil's trail.

Glorfindel sighed heavily again, then pushed his chair back and stood up. "I apologize," he said softly to Horace and Evanlyn, "For our disagreement. He...is not happy with waiting." 

The two Araluens were quick with reassurances and Aragorn turned his eyes towards the green forest,  that was so familiar and yet completely foreign.