Chapter seven:
I'm so sorry for the long wait, but as I had exams these last two weeks I didn't have enough time to write. Anyway, thanks for the reviews!!!
Aragorn and Legolas knocked on the door that Hector had said, led to Paris' rooms. It was Helen that answered it. She was wearing a dark gown and in the corner of the room they could see a dark cloak. It seemed as if she was planning to leave. Taking a closer look at her tear-stained face the two friends shared a curious glance.
Clearing his throat Legolas stepped forward: " Excuse us milady, we were wondering if you knew where Paris was?" This only seemed to distress her even more, and she broke down her frail body shaking with sobs. Aragorn, always the gallant one, stepped forward and engulfed her in a brotherly hug. Whispering nonsense in her ear he managed to calm her down. Lifting her up in his arms he laid her on the wide bed in the middle of the room.
In the meantime Legolas had taken some leaves out of his pocket and thrown them in boiling water. Soon enough the sweet aroma was filling the room and the Princess relaxed visibly. Singing an Elvish lullaby, his voice was soon joined with the Ranger's, the melody lulled her to sleep.
"Come" whispered Legolas. The Man looked at him quizzically seeing as his friend was preparing to climb out of the window. " Legolas, I'm warning you, I'm not going to be swinging through the trees like a stupid monkey!" The Elf looked extremely shocked at that " May I remind you, O Aragorn son of Arathorn, that it is the way of my people to swing from one tree to the other. Does that mean we are all stupid monkeys?" he said in an all to sweet voice.
The Ranger immediately noticing his mistake tried to cover it. " So what was it that you wanted to show me?" he asked as he was approaching the window. Letting the subject drop for the moment the Elf pointed to the courtyard below. Leaning over the railing they could see Paris talking quietly with his father, holding what looked like a very old sword in his hands.
Silently climbing out of the window the two friends slipped to the ground, although it must be said that one of them did with clearly more grace and agility than the other.
Legolas was silently creeping towards the two figures on the bench when he heard cursing coming from behind him. Wipping around he saw Aragorn in the tree who looked as if he got stuck.
"What do you think you're doing?" the Elf asked furiously, trying to keep his voice down so as not to be overheard. "I'm stuck!" "What do you mean you're stuck!" he couldn't understand how someone could get stuck in that tree. "Yes, I'm stuck! And wipe that stupid grin of your face that I'm sure is there!" Smirking slightly Legolas climbed back in the tree. Arriving at Aragorn's height, he tried to tug the Ranger's tunic loose, which was stuck around a small branch. "Aragorn keep still! I'll never be able to free you if you keep wriggling like this!" Instead of heeding the Elf's warning, he just kept trying to get out of this position by himself.
In the meantime Priam had retreated to the palace and now the young Prince of Troy was looking at the sword of his people with awe. Suddenly he heard the quarrelling coming from the tree. Curious as ever, he approached said tree and looked at the two friends who seemed to be arguing amongst themselves.
"What are you two doing?" the young Prince asked. Startled both Legolas and Aragorn let go of any small hold they had. Realising too late what they had done, they tried to grab some support, alas, it was already too late: the two friends came tumbling down the tree and fell at Paris' feet.
"So much for the legendary grace of Elves." muttered Aragorn. "Shut up Strider!" spat the Elf in return. Getting up from the ground the two of them looked slightly embarrassed. Trying to change the subject Aragorn turned to Paris. " We came to help you train for tomorrow." "Indeed, so why don't you show us what you can do." Added Legolas.
Here Paris looked slightly embarrassed, he told them he couldn't fight actually but would appreciate their help. Here the two friends directed Paris a bit further away from the extremely dangerous tree and while Aragorn unsheathed his sword, Legolas began to explain how Paris had to hold his sword.
And so the training began. Aragorn let the boy parry some thrusts, made him move in small circles, while the Elf gave him advice about how he had to move his feet. Soon enough they were joined by the other Fellowship members and Hector, who had heard the clashing of swords and feared that Troy was attacked.
Seeing them train, Boromir decided to join in, together with Aragorn he let Paris parry their thrusts, the four Hobbits sat at the edge of what had become the training field, shouting encouragements. Gandalf and Gimli just watched amusedly while Hector was debating whether to join in or just sitting at the side and giving his brother advice.
Finally deciding that it was already late, Gandalf sent them all to their beds. Aragorn and Legolas were the last to leave. " He's not ready!" whispered the Elf "I know, but there's nothing we can do." Seemingly lost in his thoughts Aragorn decided to let the subject drop when suddenly there was a nearly inaudible whisper coming from the Elf. " Maybe there is…. You know we are very alike don't you?" "Well yes, but…" " Maybe, if I wear a helmet, no one will recognise me." Astonished Aragorn grabbed Legolas' arm " Wait, are you actually thinking of taking Paris' place?" "Well why not?" "You'll get caught! No way, Legolas, just forget about it. Come, let's go to bed."
With that, the Ranger dragged Legolas off to their room, not noticing that the Elf was deep in thought, thinking of the plan he had in mind.
I hope this was a bit good. Sorry for the long delay. I hope I'll be able to update once more, because Wednesday I'm leaving to France. Anyway I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Read and review please!
