Chapter 37
"You can't be so antagonistic to others," Loki just rolled his eyes at the ever familiar words. He did not think it was that bad. After all, it got them where they needed to go, and away from having to try and be nice and polite and really something that was just going to take up extra time that was unneeded. For Aragorn, of all people, to be telling him this as well? It was just...agitating. He could not believe it was the Lone ranger speaking on playing nice. What about these stupid horse riders made it necessary for them to be nice, or at least, play nice. He felt that this was a win in all ways possible for it to be a win. They were not held up, nobody got hurt, and they were currently making their way to where the Orc herd had been moments prior. It really could have gone a lot worse, and he was the one who fixed that issue quite swiftly and was the reason that they were on their way now. He did not understand Aragorn's meddling.
"Perhaps," Loki said simply, not agreeing nor disagreeing, figuring that neutral territory would be the best for this particular instance. He did not really want to focus more on it, there was no need for it and Loki wished that Aragorn would just drop the topic. He was not really fond of people dwelling on things that had already passed, and considering there was no negative side effects to him having decided to stand up to that Rohirrim person he did not see the need to be chastised in this form because of it. It was not as though something bad really happened.
"I think," Haldir interrupted. "Perhaps this conversation is best put to rest, or at the very least focused on in a different time frame, alternative to this one. We do have other things that are perhaps a bit more of a priority, then this particular instance." Aragorn sighed, but let the subject drop, finally. Took him long enough. So much nagging about some small topic. I swear, sometimes I see Odin, and that is not a pretty picture. Loki thought to himself. Perhaps it was a bit cruel to compare the two, Odin was far worse, but Loki could not really help himself. Sometimes when it came to the long winded lectures about how he had done something wrong, the comparison just came naturally. Loki glanced towards Haldir, grateful for his aid. Not that he needed it, if Aragorn had insisted upon continuing the conversation he would have just ignored him. Loki found that a quite effective method. It usually worked, at least, a bit. Normally it was just him blocking their continual dragging on and on about whatever meaningless matter that he could care less about.
"Loki?" Legolas swiftly walked to his side, his fingers trailing gently along his shoulder, before lifting off again having managed to obtain his attention. "Are you alright? You seemed to become a little...tense?" Curse Elves and their stupid observant natures. Then again, that was probably what caused Haldir to interrupt in the first place. Loki had to admit. He gave a small sigh but nodded in response to Legolas.
"Naturally, I am used to it." He said with a bit of a shrug, trying to portray nonchalance. The reminder of his father was a bit charring, however. No, not my father. He was reminded. Loki just ignored the concerned glances of the two Elves and pushed forwards, not wanting to speak anymore on the subject. He did not want the worry, did not need it. His father had done far worse to him than just a bit of a lecture, Aragorn expressing his displeasure was not going to throw him anymore than it already had, and Loki had that handled.
"I do not know what to do," Legolas confessed quietly to Haldir, worried blue eyes tracking Loki as he pushed ahead of the two elves and sidelined the dwarf, instead standing a bit behind Aragorn but determinedly not stating a single thing and ignoring the Ranger's attempts at conversation, or even apologies. "I...thought perhaps it would get easier, to understand him, but there are times that I feel as though he is on a different plane entirely to my thoughts."
"Young Prince," Haldir began, trying to pick his words carefully. "It is...never easy, trying to understand another person, particularly when you barely met them a few months prior, and this young individual does seem to keep his cards close to his chest, nothing is ever as easy as it may seem in the beginning."
"I know that," Legolas stated indigently.
"I am not stating that you do not, my Prince, I am merely stating that perhaps he is a bit more traumatized by some things than by others." Legolas needed scarcely a moment to understand what it was that Haldir was implying and he could not help but just sigh in sadness. Not knowing what more he could do, and at a loss as to help, he just conitnued to watch Loki carefully.
He is far more than what he tries to portray. Haldir thought to himself. Though that has been obvious from the beginning. He is far more traumatized than perhaps I had anticipated. Manages to cut down an entire horde of Urukai but cannot even handle a slight bit of displeasure from Isildur's heir? It is...a fascinating mindset. Though it would seem a rather fragile one. Even if he does not wish to admit it. Haldir glanced towards Legolas once more. Thranduil will not be overly pleased to note his son is infatuated with a creature of unknown origin.
The thought had crossed his mind without real intent, but the more that Haldir dwelled upon it, the more he realized that it was actually his job to inform Thranduil, and what was he supposed to say? There was not much that would please the Elf-King, and he doubted that knowing this information would make him any less likely to want to tear his son to shreds. Perhaps I should wait, until I am certain, to say such a thing. Perhaps Loki shall not even survive the journey. Though Haldir knew that to be doubtful. His Lady would not have so readily agreed his departure if that were to be true. Why does it seem that most things get even more complex with this person, whilst others seem to fall to the wayside?