Disclaimer:
Still not owning anything.
Rating:
R – to be safe.
A/N: Forgive the late update!
CHAPTER SIX
A cloaked figure moved silently through the darkness of the trees, his fingers brushing the earth as he crept along, searching for signs along the path. Eyes lifted beneath the cloak and set their stare upon the road ahead. A twisted sneer touched his lips as he mounted his steed, kicking the horse's flanks, ere he turned the horse in the correct direction, following the path of the fey creature and his strange companion. The winding path led him toward the borders of a land he had heard much talk of…Rivendell…Not nearly as foul as the dark wood he knew so well, but no better for giving refuge to Elves.
To fleeing cowards…
His eyes narrowed. He was no fool to allow himself to be caught by the hands of Elves and with a growl, he kicked the steed's flanks once again, turning the horse around. He rode back the way he had come, aware now of where the wood-elf resided. One word pounded against his mind, an endless mantra.
Justice.
Aragorn rubbed his eyes wearily as he traipsed down the hallway toward the chambers his brothers occupied. He had been unable to find sleep in his own room; his thoughts constantly plagued him with their vivid notions and allegations. He was uncertain whether Elladan had already spoken to Legolas or was speaking to him at that very moment. But either way, he had hoped to have found Elrohir, as he had not seen his brother earlier; much to his surprise and amusement, considering that the Elf-twins were seldom apart from one another.
Knocking twice upon the large doors to the twins' chamber, he waited for admittance. Moments of silence passed. Aragorn frowned as he turned away from the room, wondering where Elrohir had gotten to. Either way, determined to find the younger twin he turned away from the door and quietly made his way toward Legolas' guest chamber, located a few doors down the long corridor, wondering if the archer would know where to find Elrohir or even Elladan.
A rather feeble excuse so you might be able to see how he fares.
Aragorn suddenly paused as his better judgement kicked in; reminding him that Legolas perhaps would prefer time alone. With a sigh of defeat, Aragorn moved back toward the twins' door and knocked once more ere entering quietly and slowly. Looking around, he noticed that the beds had not been slept in and the room was relatively dark.
Tis' strange…
He also noticed that the curtains billowed on the night breeze and he frowned, wondering why the twins would leave the balcony door open. As safe as Rivendell was, it seemed somewhat unusual.
Either that or your mind has adopted paranoia far too keenly.
Deciding to sate his curiosity, he parted the silken sheets and stepped out into the cool night air. The world appeared peaceful, as if in a state of slumber.
How I desire that rest right now.
Leaning against the stone railing he let his gaze stray from the outside world to the adjacent chambers. Aragorn frowned when his gaze fell upon Legolas' guest chamber. He noticed the long drapes flapping in and out of the room like fair, white wings on the breeze. He also noticed that no light was emitted from inside of the room, why would Legolas also leave his balcony door open when he did not occupy the room?
To air the chamber? To feel the breeze?
With a smile Aragorn wondered if his imagination was indeed as vivid as Legolas had claimed. Daring to risk proving his friend right, he let his eyes drift to the large tree which stretched from the twins' balcony, across toward Legolas'. With a final glance around him, to ensure that none were watching, he gripped the overhanging branch and slipped into the tangled boughs.
Staring into the pale eyes of Elladan's twin, Legolas felt Elrohir's grip upon his wrist flex doubtfully. The shocked elf gazed past Legolas and stared at his brother with wide, confused eyes, sweeping them over Elladan's body to ensure that he was not hurt. Elladan straightened and met his brother's gaze.
I am fine. His thoughts brushed Elrohir's mind, a gentle whisper. Soothing.
Elrohir's stare flitted back to Legolas, who stood as it appeared, in a daze. The blond elf's breathing was once again hitched as he sought to understand his outburst and sudden loss of control. This was not in his nature, wholly against it, to turn so brutally upon a friend. Trying to reason with the torment that raged within his mind, words and memories flickered in the depths of it. Theories and ideas.
Grief, Elven Grief. Was this what it was? Nay, surely not.
"Legolas?"
What is wrong with me? Is this grief? Why do I…Legolas…How can I be…Legolas…
Legolas…Legolas, is it? My fey one…Legolas…Legolas...Now you'll scream…What ails you?...Legolas…Legolas…I shall haunt your steps.
With a tormented cry the blond Elf tore his wrist from Elrohir's grasp, the mere force of his jerk, tugging Elrohir toward him. The twin stumbled slightly and nearly fell atop the Prince. However, Legolas leapt forward and brushed past the youngest brother, causing Elrohir to stagger back ere his brother's hand gripped his shoulder to steady him. Elladan acted on instinct and immediately moved forward, grabbing the archer's arm in desperate attempt to quell the startled elf.
"Legolas! Farn! Saes!"
In that moment Legolas' eyes darkened. Instinct emerged unbridled. An instinct he wished he had trusted on his road to Rivendell. An instinct he had ignored and as a result? Helplessness at the mercy of a strange traveller, who had vowed to haunt his steps, a traveller who had betrayed and violated his trust, all the while invisible to his eyes, hidden beneath the shroud of a cloak.
Recognition faded away in those blue eyes as he turned to face Elladan. Jerking away from the hand that gripped his elbow, he clenched his fist and directed a shot toward Elladan's unprotected jaw. The hit connected and the elder twin swayed on his feet whilst Elrohir stood dumbfounded for a moment, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
My eyes betray me…
Legolas stepped back and his fair head swayed from side to side as his eyes desperately sought an exit. The drapes of the balcony stirred, as if calling him toward their sure chance of escape. Without a second thought, Legolas raced toward the open doors as Elrohir spun on his heel, ready to dart after the archer at his brother's command.
Not heeding the cry of Elrohir or Elladan, he cut through the gap in the drapes. Blinded by his want for escape, Legolas let out a startled cry when he collided into the solid body of Aragorn. Both staggered back at the force of the impact and Aragorn steadied himself with a startled laugh.
"Perhaps the door would be better next time, lest I wish to crack my skull." The man smiled, brushing a hand over his clothes.
The moment Aragorn's eyes fell upon Legolas, the mirth faded from both his smile and his eyes, replaced instead by a look of concern and confusion.
"Legolas? What is wrong?"
"Estel!" Elladan's desperate cry sounded, "Daro Legolas! Si!"
Before the man could even register the weight and panic behind Elladan's words, Legolas had leapt over the balcony into the branches of the nearest tree, the moonlight flickered off his retreating figure. Unable to form a coherent thought, Aragorn was more than shocked when Elrohir swept past him and following the route Legolas had taken, disappeared amidst the trees.
"Elrohir?!" The ranger called after the younger twin.
Turning toward the drapes, he blinked when Elladan stepped out onto the balcony, turning his troubled gaze toward his foster brother. Immediately, Aragorn noticed the dark bruise forming on Elladan's jaw.
"What happened?" Aragorn asked, aghast.
"Legolas." Elladan replied, waving his hand to dismiss the matter of the strike, "We must find him."
"Legolas?" Aragorn repeated, eyes wide in the darkness, "Legolas struck you?"
"He is not thinking clearly," Elladan replied, walking back into the chamber.
Aragorn followed, still trying to wrap his mind around the concept that Legolas had dared to strike the elf twin.
"That much is blatantly obvious, Elladan!"
Wheeling around to face his human brother, the elf's eyes darkened, "Dina!" he hissed, "Do you wish to alert the whole of Rivendell to our quandary?"
"Nay," Aragorn murmured apologetically, his tone dropping to a mere whisper in the room, "What happened?"
"I do not altogether know." Elladan replied, reaching for one of Legolas' Elven blades, "It appears that you were correct, I highly doubt King Thranduil would invoke such wild terror in his son."
"Is that what it was?" Aragorn whispered, more to himself as he stared sadly at the floor, "He was afraid?"
Elladan paused and turned to face his brother, who now gazed hopelessly at the floor, his eyes narrowed as he tried to search for answers in the cold marble.
"Estel." The elf whispered as he stepped up to the mortal, touching a hand to the man's arm.
"Why would he not tell me?" Aragorn thought aloud, lifting his eyes.
Elladan tilted his head slightly, a sorrow in his gaze, "We do not even know what it is that ails him. Mayhap he would not have spoken of it for reasons we do not wish to ponder."
Lifting his gaze to Elladan's, Aragorn almost saw the wisdom of Elrond sparking in those pale eyes, though it did not comfort him much.
"You do not comfort me." He admitted.
Elladan shook his head, "I know, but there is a more pressing matter at hand. Come, let us away!" He turned toward the balcony, the Legolas' blade still clutched in his hand, "I pray to the Valar that Elrohir has managed to keep track of our Elven Prince."
"Should we not inform Adar?" Aragorn asked, following closely behind the elf.
Elladan turned his head sharply, "Nay, this is a matter between us and our friend, Aragorn. If Legolas is beyond our means of aid, then, we shall inform our father."
"And if Elrond cannot aid him?"
Elladan frowned at the pessimistic air that hung about Aragorn and he shook his head, refusing to think of such a thing, "Then I would fear for my brother's safety even more at this moment. As I told you, we do not know what is wrong with Legolas, so let us save our thoughts of his outcome till after we have found him."
With that, Elladan leapt from the railing into the nearest tree, ere dropping to the earth to follow his brother's trail beneath the canopy of the woodland.
Aragorn stood a moment on the balcony, his mind debating with his heart. Making up his mind and about to follow, Aragorn placed a hand to the cold railing; however, he turned suddenly and strode back into Legolas' chamber. Staring around the room he stepped over to Legolas's weaponry and stared down at the bow and quiver, all the arrows were accounted for.
There must be something!
Turning his head, he looked down at the travel pack that the elf carried with him. Crouching low in the darkness, he set about sifting through the items. He removed the small packages of Lembas, still wrapped in their leafy covers, ere removing the water pouch. Staring at the items Aragorn sighed, seeing nothing amiss. He spent a moment staring at each item, studying them intently. Then leaning forward to place the provisions back into the pack, he reached for the water pouch and held it carefully, remembering how Legolas had eaten and drunk little on the way. He also noticed that the pouch was in fact empty, save for the light weight of something within it. A frown moulded the man's expression as he shook the pouch, hearing something rattle within it. Twisting the cap he brought the end of the pouch to the palm of his hand and shook it once. A small slender thread stuck out from the hole. Frowning and upon closer examination, Aragorn gripped the slender strand between his fingers and tugged it, the item popped out from the flask. Placing it into his palm, the Ranger's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the small root which rested in his hand. The root from an extremely powerful herb.
Valar...
Aragorn's eyes widened.
Sindarin Elvish Translations
Farn! – Enough!
Saes – Please!
Si! – Now!
Daro Legolas! – Stop Legolas!
Dina! – Be silent!
Adar – Father
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REVIEWERS: Thank you again to all of you!
IMTrinity – Hannon le for your review, meldir! (friend) As always, I am deeply appreciative of your feedback! Sorry this update was a little late! I shall attempt to be more prompt! Lol! I hope you fare well and shall catch you next post!
Zoe – Heya Zoe! I'm glad that you're enjoying this! Lol! I hope that you also enjoyed this chapter. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks again for your review!
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Blaise – Hello Blaise! I hope that now that this is being posted up that the sequel will make more sense lol!! [laughs] Yes, elf angst, kind of addictive that? No? Or perhaps we're just evil little sadists lol! Take care! Thanks for your review! Would love to know your future thoughts on this!
Greenleaf's Daughter – Aaw, what a lovely name! [grin] welcome fellow angst-lover! LOL! What is it about torturing these poor characters? LOL. Thank you for your review! I'm glad that you're enjoying this!
Irish Anor – [laughs] Mae govannen (Well met)! I wanted to touch up the chapters a bit, hence that was why the story was taken down. But up it comes with some minor alterations. I'm most happy that you are enjoying the two stories! As always, I am so grateful for your feedback, so thank you so much!
To anyone I might have missed, please let me know. I should like to thank all of you!
Much love, Silver Thorne