Chapter 19
Though Legolas had misgivings about getting Draco to agree to what he was suggesting, the other had not seemed all that horrified, though just a bit confused. Legolas supposed that was a good enough thing to be confused about, after all he was suggesting leaving the Company willingly when they had already come so far, and travelling quite in the opposite direction. It was not as bad a reaction as Legolas had feared in the first place, so there was some things to be grateful for.
"What exactly is it that you mean?" Draco asked. Not that he was confused with what the young Prince was saying, he knew exactly what he meant, he just wanted to ensure that he was not hearing things after all. He wanted to ensure that his realization was perfectly correct.
"I wish for us to go to Mirkwood." Legolas reiterated. "Haldir would, of course, be accompanying us for security reasons. The point is, that we would be leaving within a day." Legolas said softly. Legolas watched the other carefully, trying to determine what exactly the other was thinking about the situation, what he would think of it. It had come as a surprise for him after all. Legolas, however, had assumed something like this would happen eventually. He had just not quite known when exactly it was that it would happen.
Draco thought it over. There was not really much he could do, he had already sworn loyalty to Legolas. Not that Draco would have disagreed even if he had not. He was getting tired of Gandalf being around all of the time, and never really explaining things, being cryptic and thinking the entire world rested on his ability to do something. Furthermore, the tension on Boromir's end between him and Aragorn was simply getting to be too much for him. It was annoying enough that the man was constantly reminding Draco of those stupid Gryffindor Aurors, bursting into danger without actually taking mind to what the consequences could be, the extra tension on the other side as well? It was a little bit too much. The dwarf was getting to be annoying as well, with all his snide remarks on elves. Talking about things he was not alive to see, and things which he could not possibly understand. His refusal to even think of the other side of the story. It was beginning to grate on his nerves. There was only so much gryffindorian presence which he could take, and the only other person who could remotely be called a Slytherin would be Legolas. It was exhausting him greatly. The hufflepuffs (pippin and Merry, Draco would determine they were most certainly hufflepuffs, though perhaps Sam was too, though Draco could sense the strong Gryffindor traits intertwined with those as well, so he was not entirely certain) were quite sweet, but it would not make up for the aggravation of the rest of the company.
Draco barely thought it over. The truth was, if Legolas wanted to, he could simply order him to go, and Draco would have next to no say in the matter. He knew that Legolas was being kind, asking him, but Draco was wondering if he was truly asking him, or otherwise. One fact did, however, remain, and that was that Legolas was being courteous, informing him this way rather then just telling him. He had given him a facsimile of a choice, something that Draco greatly appreciated as it was more then he was normally given.
"You wish for me to accompany you to your homelands?" Draco clarified.
"Precisely," Legolas said gently. "I understand if you do not wish to go." He said carefully. Draco narrowed his eyes. He did not trust that tone of voice. Besides, he knew that it took Legolas a lot to ask for him to be willing to even come to him with this request. It was a large request, and Draco highly doubted that he would be willing to do so without knowledge of him able to force Draco to go through order rather than simply request he join him.
"Of course, I would be glad to join you, my Lord, but, how do you think this will go with the others?" He asked, ensuring that his voice was carefully low, and laced with delicacy.
"The others have no say in this." Legolas said harshly. Draco subtly flinched. Inhaling sharply.
"Forgive me, I did not wish to bring up something difficult." He spoke timidly. Legolas breathed in.
"You did not, I apologize. If I could accompany them further, believe me, I would, but unfortunately, my father has decided to call me home. I suppose I should be thankful I managed to even aid them this far. I cannot disobey my father's orders, it would do no good for anyone." Draco bowed his head. He fully understood what Legolas was saying. Though he doubted that the Prince worried over being hit with a Cruciatus curse if he disobeyed, he still understood the desire to abide by the expectations of a father, even if their reasonings were different."
"I did not mean that you were lacking in your voluntary aid for the company, my Prince. I meant those among your lands." He said carefully ensuring that no judgment was in his tone. Legolas already seemed rather addled, and he did not wish to make him feel even further overwhelmed than what he was undoubtedly feeling as of now.
"Oh, yes, of course. The only one who will question is my Father, but I have that taken care of, make no mistake. Do not worry over that." Legolas said.
"Than of course I will accompany you. I would be honored to do so, it certainly bests dealing with the ever-increasing tensions within the group, and fights which I am sure are bound to break out soon, with or without our appearances." Legolas sighed, clearly relieved that Draco had agreed. He had been worried the other would not, and that he would be forced to go above his head to make the youth agree.