Summary: Legolas and Aragorn ride ahead to Mirkwood to celebrate an
occasion but never make it.
Disclaimer: I don't own them for their own good.
A/N: Written for a challenge issued on Mellon Chronicles.
Chapter 1
Just an ordinary trip to Mirkwood, that was what Aragorn and Legolas thought it would be. Aragorn had been so happy that his father had allowed him to leave a few days before him. Elrond and his family were to go to Mirkwood to prepare a celebration for Thranduil.
It had been Aragorn's idea. Elves in Mirkwood did not celebrate birthing days, an Aragorn had mentioned it was about time Thranduil did. Elrond had tried to sway him to forget the idea but Aragorn had been adamant about it. Elrond knew that Thranduil didn't exactly cherish the idea of his son's friend being a mortal, but that he allowed it simply because he could not prevent it though he tried.
Elrond and the others finally caved, telling Aragorn that it was a thoughtful idea, and after a day or so Legolas warmed up to it. Knowing his father should be prepared for the onslaught of the elves and Aragorn coming Legolas agreed to ride ahead to inform the cooks of the plans. Aragorn had begged his father, over and over till at last Elrond gave him permission to go with Legolas.
Legolas had pulled Lord Elrond to the side before he and Aragorn were to leave. "Lord Elrond, you know my father is not keen on Aragorn. Do you think it wise to send him without you?"
Elrond's eyebrows rose so high Legolas thought they would disappear beneath his hair. "Your father while stubborn, will not be unkind to Estel. He understands that though Estel is human, he is also your friend."
Legolas nodded that he understood and mounted his horse, telling the others not to linger too long and to hurry to Mirkwood. He and Aragorn rode for many days, sleeping underneath the stars, swimming when they could.
"Your father will be surprised will he not?"
Legolas turned, "Aye, this will definitely surprise him.
"Well he deserves it. All seventeen of my birthdays I have celebrated. By the way Legolas, how old will your father be?"
Legolas halted his horse, and wrinkled his forehead in thought. "I do not rightly know, and I suggest we do not ask. Come we shall reach the forests of Mirkwood before nightfall if we hurry."
Aragorn and Legolas did indeed reach the edge of the forest and Legolas felt at peace, knowing his home was but just beyond the trees. "We should camp here for the night. I think your father packed enough venison for us to have another meal."
Neither of the two had any idea that they had been followed. They were so busy recalling the latest prank they had pulled on Erestor before leaving that they didn't hear the men approaching them, not until the blades were at their throats.
Aragorn dropped his cup of tea, but Legolas was swift to draw his daggers. One of the Easterlings fell to his blade, but there were too many. Aragorn began to yell, hoping a patrol was nearby, but the feel of the blade pressing to his neck ceased that.
"If I were you elf I would drop the blade, lest you wish to see your friend here perish."
Legolas glared at the man holding Aragorn. No sooner had he thought of taking this man's life, than another joined him, pulling Aragorn's hand behind his back. "As I suggested, drop your weapons, or this one dies."
Legolas did as he was asked and soon he too was encircled by the men. He could tell they were Easterlings by their garb. These were vicious men, ones who cared for nothing but greed, and power. "What do you wish? Is it money for we have none."
"Nay we do not wish your money."
Aragorn was fuming, his anger barely contained. "If it is not money you want then what is it? What do creatures like yourselves wish?"
The Easterling that held Aragorn's hand behind his back, twisted it until he heard a small groan escape his lips. Legolas tried to break free, wanting to kill those who had caused Aragorn any amount of pain, but his hands were also held.
"Tonight men, we shall have our satisfaction. Too long have the elven realm feasted each night while we starved, too long have they lived in luxury while we scavenged for everything. Too long have they lived in protection while we have feared for our lives. Today we take a bit of our dignity back. Today men, we shall avenge those who fell to elvish swords."
Legolas was taken over to a nearby tree and tied to it. His horse which was only a few meters away, was now dead, the Easterlings feasting on her remains, roasting his beloved mount as if it were nothing. Legolas wanted to turn his head around to glare at those who dared to harm him so close to his home. Twenty feet away another was lost in thought.
Aragorn fought against his bonds, glaring at the man who was coming near him whip in hand. Aragorn prayed his father and brothers would find his body in time; that King Thranduil's patrols would not leave his nor Legolas' body to be eaten by the spiders. He knew he would be the first to falter, his was weaker.
"Ahh, young son of Elrond. Your father has caused us much grief, and yet I harbor even more hatred for you. You have chosen a life with elves, though they are not your kind. It will be by your hand that the elf suffers."
Aragorn's eyes grew huge as he realized what they wished him to do. The whip had not been for him, but instead to use upon Legolas. "I shall not do it!" he yelled.
The man walked over to Legolas yanking his tunic from his back, bearing it to the harsh sun. "You shall do it, or I shall let Bortian do it, your choice."
Aragorn refused to hurt Legolas, the whip falling from his hand onto the ground at his feet. Bortian was almost gleeful when he picked it up and made the first strike. The scream was cut off as Legolas bit down hard on his lip, but the damage had been done as his back was cut to the bone. Bortian raised the whip again but Aragorn's yell stopped him.
"I will do it!" He was handed the whip, but he could not bring himself to raise it, not towards his friend, his brother.
The first lash had been the hardest, but now Aragorn had grown numb to everything around him, his ears filled with nothing but the sound of the whip and the screams it brought.
A/N: Chapter 2 in a few days!