The elvish teachings are going great, I've gotten some excellent advice regarding websites, so I'm trying to memorize everything. Soon I'll forget my own language! =o)

Anyway, the help has returned, although neither Rain nor I could figure out what to do with this chapter, so it… well… sucks! *sighs* I been experienced some writers block, but I think I'm on my way out of it now. Just to add to the troubles, I've gotten sick AGAIN, now with the worst cold you can imagine. You can guess how much capacity my brain has then… Can someone please shoot me for all this nonsense?! *mentally kicks herself*

Here is the story! Thank you everyone who reviews, you are my personal Gods!

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CHAPTER SIX

His mind did not seem to get one moments peace so Aragorn paced the stables, time and time again on the verge of grabbing a horse and riding after Legolas. Sending a wounded Elf on a mission like this was reckless and it kept nagging at his heart. It was after midnight and the city lay silent. No one would question if he left, he was the King and could do whatever he wanted, but he could not go without leaving the city to its own destiny. He had to stay.

" What are you doing up, my Lord?" a voice spoke and he turned violently, almost stumbling over one of the stable boys.

" The business is my own", he replied and walked over to the door. The night was cool and he wondered if Legolas was cold.

" I am sorry, my Lord. I spoke without thinking, please forgive me."
' There is nothing to forgive', he spoke absently his eyes catching a falling star.

" Excuse me?" Turning, Aragorn took a closer look at the boy, maybe not older than fifteen. He was lightly built and had large grey eyes that reeked of innocence. Forgetting that how he looked when he was thoughtful, he walked over to the boy to take a closer look but the boy misinterpreted and withdrew from him.

" I do not wish to harm you. Tell me your name."

" Eolin, my Lord."

" Eolin, how good are you at riding?"

" I have been riding all my life, my Lord. There is not a horse I cannot master."

The boy was small and on a fast horse he would be hard to hit, even for an Elf. It was a daring decision, but he just wanted to know.

" If I asked you to take a horse and ride north, would you do so?"

" If it pleased my king."
" It would. You shall be paid for your deed when you return. Are you willing then?"

The boy did not need much time to think it over and nodded fiercely, eager to be of service.

" I want you to follow a friend. Ride until you spot Elves. They are tricky and if you are not careful, they may take you captive. Try not to be seen, but if you are, turn immediately and ride as fast as you can. Just tell me what you saw."

" Yes my king. Shall I ride now?"
" If you could."
" Let me just saddle a horse and I am on my way."

More courage lived in that small boys heart than Aragorn could have guessed.

" I am glad I at least have some men among me that are efficient."

***

When Legolas awoke the next morning, the rest of the Elves was still asleep, with the exception of a few guards and Haldir, who stood looking to the north, looking home. Careful not to attract his friends attention, Legolas arose from his blanket and walked soundlessly over to the thoughtful captain.

' What is bothering you, Haldir?'

Turning around in surprise, Haldirs hands was already on his bow before he recognized Legolas and relaxed. Not expecting to be killed, Haldir had excellent self-control after all, Legolas stood silent and still, waiting for his friend to calm down.

' Do not attempt that again, next time I will be on my guard."

' You cannot harm me, Haldir, you are too slow.'

Smiling slightly, Haldir returned to his staring and Legolas joined him.

' It is tomorrow now. Do you want to tell me why you are here, and where you are going?'

' It was almost a promise, wasn't it?' His voice betrayed his tormented spirit and made Legolas put an arm around his shoulder.

' I want to help you, Haldir, but I cannot unless you tell me.' As if the meanings of the words was foreign to him, Haldir frowned and seemed to consider them.

' Help me?' Nodding, Legolas released Haldir and stood in front of him.

' Just tell me what is bothering you.'

Walking closer to a withering tree, Haldir let his hand feel the dry bark.

' See this tree, Legolas. Once it was big and powerful, but something made it fade. Made it die. That same something is eating at my heart, altering my thoughts, changing me. I can feel it destroy me.'

' When?' Legolas could not think of anything more to say.

' I don't know. When I left Lothlórien, before or after, I cannot tell. Soon it will have taken me over completely.'

Surprised at this confession, Legolas was robbed of all the comfort he had wished to offer. What troubled Aragorn was not even half as bad as what ate at Haldir. Following to the tree, Legolas too lay is hand on it, talking to its spirit.

' What makes you travel these lands, Haldir?'

' That something. It drives me forwards, feeds my hate for Men. I don't want it to, but is does, I cannot…. I cannot control it.'

' I shall help the best I can. You are not alone.'

Swallowing his sadness, Haldir nodded, laying his hand on Legolas shoulder.

' Thank you, my friend.'

The sound of branches breaking and hoofs in fast retreat made them both look up, seeing a small boy on a horse ride away.

' What the…'

' Calm, Haldir. It is just a boy.'

' Of Men.' His voice a low growl.

' Haldir!'

Realizing what he was saying, the Lórien Elf closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. Feeling his pain, Legolas said nothing further, just walked him back to the camp. Before sitting down, Haldir spoke to Legolas in old Elvish Tongue, that most of the others did not understand.

' See what it does to me. Had you not been there, there is no telling what I would have done to that boy. I want it to stop.'

' We shall make it stop. Together.'

***

When Eolin rode through the gates, Aragorn was there to meet him, questioning him even before he dismounted.

" What did you see?"

" Two Elves!", the boy answered, his eyes shimmering from the excitement. " They spoke a language I could not understand."
" Were they arguing?"
Jumping down one the ground, Eolin shook is head.

" No, my Lord. They seemed friends. One lay a hand on the other ones shoulders, he seemed upset."
Feeling something knot in his stomach, Aragorn was hesitant about continuing, not being sure he would like the continuing.

" Could you see their faces?" his voice not as powerful anymore. Eolins eyes found a new spark as he nodded.

" Yes, I got really close, they could not hear me, they were too involved in their conversation."
" Did you recognize any of them?"

He knew that Eolin had been there when Legolas had arrived, and since the boy had not mention him, Aragorn hoped against hope that Legolas had not joined their forces.

" One of them was that Elf that you brought here" Eolin admitted. " The other looked like him, but they were not alike, my Lord, if you understand."

He understood completely. The Lórien Elves was not too unlike those from Mirkwood, just some minor differences. There was only one person Legolas would care enough for to talk to in the way the boy described.

" Yes. The other one is Haldir."
" You cannot be sure, Aragorn." Gandalf stood behind him, eying both the king and the little boy. Eolin bowed for the wizard hand hurried away with the horse, without Aragorn excusing him. "He can be mistaking, he is just a little boy."
" I do not doubt him, he did not know my intentions for sending him. Gandalf, what have I done to get the wrath of Galadriel upon me."
" You do not know for sure that it is her that has sent him. I could be Elrond. I have decided I shall ride to Rivendell to see what I can find out. I shall return with whatever news I hold. Do not despair until you see no other way, Aragorn. You will get wrinkles."

Staring in disbelief at the departing wizard, Aragorn shook is head. Problems seemed to pile themselves in front of him.

" My Lord?"

" Yes, Eolin."

The small boy bit his lip, looking around for someone to could listen. When he had decided it was safe he stretched on his toes and lowered his voice.

" Is it true that Elves…."
" What?"

" Is it true that they can.. That two boys can… be together?"

The air was caught in Aragorn throat and he could do nothing but stare at the boy. When he finally found the ability to talk again, he had to steady himself against a tall statue of an old king.

" Why do you ask?"

" Well, I got the feeling that those two elves…. they seemed close."
" They are friends since before either of us was born." Thinking for a moment, Eolin gave Aragorn time to recover, and he soon regained his composure.

" No, my Lord. They seemed more… almost like lovers. One of the elves, your elf, looked at the other…"

" Haldir."
" Yes… My parents look at each other like that, my Lord, when one is hurting. It just made me wonder."
Not knowing how to handle the sudden rush of jealousy, Aragorn left without thanking Eolin for his help and walked straight to his chambers.

It could not be, Legolas would not… Not without saying. Not with Haldir. The pain almost got too unbearable and he could feel something else, something he had not felt for a long time, not since Boromir had died. He felt sad, confused and so terribly alone. The pressure that weighed at him finally took its toll and the tears could not be kept back.

***

Legolas had expected the army to be bigger, but there was only about fifty men and not all of them armed properly.

' We are only the advance guard. The rest of the army is two days behind us. We are to meet at a small village north of Minas Tirith.'
It pained Legolas to see his friend so involved in what darkness that were taking him over. Now was not the time to begin trying to heal Haldir, but if they were going to stay at a village for two days, then maybe he had the opportunity to do so. The other men were divided in two; those who did not care for Legolas presence and those who did. The latter category was then divided again; those who approved and those who did not. And those who did not was those who tried to turn Haldirs mind against him. During their journey, he had been forced to plead his case more than five times. It pained him to lie, but he did not think that he would gain more popularity by mentioning that he was sent by Aragorn, the very Man they were marching to destroy.

All day they travelled, some riding, like Legolas, some running ahead. Haldir rode in the lead, surrounded by men and had no time to speak in confidence.

' You have time, Legolas', he told himself when his fourth attempt to talk to his friend was intervened by a scout who returned. Sighing, he fell back.

' What is bothering you, Mirkwood?'

The voice was so known to him, that he first thought he had misheard.

' Elrohir?'

The son of Elrond smiled and waved frantically, just to draw a smile to Legolas face.

' Where is your brother?'

Looking down on his hands that fidgeted with the rains to his horse, Elrohir sighed even deeper than Legolas had.

' He is still in Rivendell. He did not want to come.'

' Why?'

' He does not believe that Men is responsible for the unhappiness that has been drawn upon us. I cannot understand why he does not see it. It is so clear.'

Whatever had infected Haldir, had reached Rivendell as well, but had not affected Elladan. Why was that? There was no big difference between the twins and what one did, the other one was involved with, one way or another. But Elrohir talked like Elladan had disappointed him.

' Why not?'

Raising an eyebrow, Elrohir glanced at Legolas.

' You ask many questions, but I should not be surprised. You have always been curios. I do not know why. He has become as weird as you Mirkwoodians.'

With an offended glare, Legolas looked away. There had always been a rivalry between the Mirkwood princes and those of Rivendell.
' I was only kidding. You are so sensitive, Legolas.'

' Was that an apology or another insult?'

Not even thinking it over, Elrohir answered like it was the most natural thing in the world.

' Both.'

Grunting at the brutal honesty, Legolas resumed the study of his environment. Most of the men were "common" (A/N: amongst elves) soldiers but some were high positioned both at Lóriens and Rivendells courts. But there was two things that shone with their absence.

' Where is Haldirs brothers?" Orophin and Rúmil was rarely far from their brother. Looking around, Elrohir nodded with a frown.

' You are right, they are not here.' It seemed to surprise him just as much.

' They were not with you when you set out?'

Elrohir shrugged.

' Cannot say. I did not join until they arrived in Rivendell. Maybe they were out on other business. Haldir had not time to wait long in Rivendell for reinforcements.'

This surprised Legolas further. Not time? Where was the hurry? They could have waited years for the Men's defences to weaken, so their attack would not mean casualties among the Elves. Yet it seemed like it should have been done tomorrow. Another look around showed that Elrohir was only one of three Elves from Rivendell to follow. So whatever had infected Haldir, did not affect every Elf. It sorted them out. But how? Take Elrohir and Elladan, they were just the other half of each other. What made it choose Elrohir but not Elladan? It was a hard nut to crack, but Legolas was both determined and strong. Some would call him stubborn. It made him think of Aragorn.

***

Shadowfaxe danced on the courtyard, eager to carry his friend again. Since the Rings destruction, Gandalf had travelled a lot, but he had spared his friend's back and had mostly used his legs.

Gandalf stood talking to the still agitated Aragorn, who kept giving him advice to be careful.

" Are you sure you would not come with me, so I do not get lost? I am an old man, maybe I have forgotten the way."

Too dense to take a hint, Aragorn shook his head in sorrow.

" I wish I could, but I need to stay. Just make sure you stay on open roads. Elves do not like to use them."

" You are hopeless", Gandalf said under his breath and called Shadowfaxe to him. " I will return as soon as possible."

As he mounted his horse, Aragorn stretched out his hand as if to ask him something, but withdrew it without saying a word.

" Do not worry for him, Aragorn. He is not a child."
Spurring Shadowfaxe, Gandalf rode out the gates, wondering what would come of it. He had seen many things during his three hundred and something years, but this was by far the most peculiar.

"Whatever have gotten into their minds?" he asked himself and Shadowfaxe whinnied his agrees. Smiling to himself, Gandalf pulled his hat down further and gave his horse free reins to run as fast as he liked.

***

The town could not be called a town, just as the elven haven of Rivendell could not. It was merely a few farms scattered on a field. Most of the men stopped a good way before the houses at a sign from Haldir, and only he, Elrohir and two guards continued Noticing the warning glares in his back, Legolas slowed his horse, uncertain whether to stop or follow. When Haldir noticed Legolas was missing, he turned in his saddle and motioned him to follow.

' You need to represent the Elves of Mirkwood."

Cautiously letting his horse pick up the speed, Legolas heard the men behind him move and whispered. He knew what they were thinking; They had more right to go with their leader. He was just a messenger they had picked up on their way, they did not know who Legolas truly was.

They closed in on a larger building, and as Haldir dismounted a round man with a white apron came out on the stairs.

" Yes?"

" My name is Haldir, I have been sent here by the Lady Galadriel of Lothlórien. She has informed you of our coming."

Eyeing the small company carefully, the round man nodded.

" Yes, she has. My name is Rhon. I am the caretaker of this inn. You are very welcome as my guests. But I do fear that I have not room for as many men."

" Do not worry. Most are used to sleeping outdoors."
Satisfied with the answer, Rhon nodded and motioned for them to enter his house. Legolas could smell the food cooking and he realized he was hungry. Too many thoughts had whirled in his head for him to remember trivial things like eating.

Though it was a small village (even that term was not quite right either), the houses was built with fascinating skill. At a fast glance you could mistake it for Elven art, but looking closer, the patterns was different and the design slightly altered. But Legolas was still impressed. These Men knew of fine taste.

" Your rooms are up here" Rhon said, pointing upstairs. " You can settle in if you like, the dinner is not ready yet. The food is enough even for your men outside, master Haldir, if they would like."

' Thank you', Haldir replied and begged his entourage to follow. Being the last to go, Legolas saw the confounded look on Rhons face. Legolas could not help but wonder, why Galadriel would send Haldir to a insignificant and unheard of village, that resided Men? And why did not Haldir show any signs of aggressiveness against Rhon, who could not be other than completely human.

He knew he could not linger long without causing suspicion, so he ran up the stairs. Haldir stood waiting for him in the corridor.

' If you do not mind, I have arranged for us to share room. I must try to room as many of my men as possible.'

Shrugging, Legolas walked into the room to where Haldir was pointing. It was big and airy, and there would be no problem for two elves to share.

' I do not mind.'

' Good. Leave your things here and rest a while. I must go talk to the others. I will come get you when dinner is ready.'

Looking at the soft bed, Legolas nodded absently. It was not that he was not used to sleeping in trees, but he would never deny a bed.

Just moments after he had lain down, sleep overpowered him and he was lost in dreams where there was no problems in the world.

He did not know how long he had been sleeping when he heard a soft knock on the door.

' Yes?'

' Dinner is served.'

The voice that answered him did not belong to Haldir, unless he had had a terrible accident. Opening the door, Legolas caught the eye of a young girl, but not too young, with long dark hair and the brightest green eyes he had ever seen. She did not seem surprised to see him, then again, fifty Elven soldiers wandered around the area, she had probably gotten used to them already.

' I shall be down in a moment.'

' We will be waiting.' Following her flowing movements as she walked, Legolas could not help but marvel. He thought that such grace was restricted to Elves alone. Obviously he had mistaken.

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Ok, lots of ramble, no story, just passing time. It needs to be written for the story to be understood. Can't stand it, can't be without it… Please have patience!!!!!!!!!

// Zierra

RAIN: Not much to say about this one, except for what Zierra already told you. Though I think she's overreacting a little. It's not really that bad.