A/N: Forgive my long delay, but I have had a busy schedule and a great deal going on in my life, both online and offline. I hope to be writing a little more often now.

Please review! Thank you very much.

Chapter Seven: Cancer

"Freeze, men. Do you not realize where you trespass? Do you not know this is the realm of the Elves and that you are not welcome here?"

Aragorn knew the elves were there, he knew the direction where the voice originated, yet he could not pinpoint it, or see any of the stealthy being that stalked them.

"I am Aragorn and I have come to speak to your Prince. I am his friend and never once has he turned a cold shoulder to me. Let me and my company pass, I beg you."

Silence.

"I do not believe the Commander of our armed forces would be comfortable with men in our midst. Especially after what your kind are accused of in these dangerous times."

Aragorn objected, "Legolas is your commander and he would let me pass."

"Things are not as you believe, Arrogant King." Mocked the Elf from his perch.

"Please, allow me to go on alone." Pleaded Aragorn, "Allow me to meet with…."

"I shall allow you to meet with our Commander," Interrupted the Elf, "but you shall not meet with our Prince. He does not need that torment."

'What has happened to him?' Thought Aragorn.

The Elf appeared, having descended from his perch above. He was a guard of Eryn Lasgalen and wore the traditional colors of greens and browns. His long blonde hair was typical of these Woodelves.

These paths were known to the Ruler of Gondor from his multiple visits to see Legolas. He knew the room they were going to, where officials from other lands were met by representative of Eryn Lasgalen. The Elf he truly wanted to see was not present, only an Elf he knew by title alone stood at the center of the large room.

"Aragorn, King of Gondor, why do you venture here? Why do you bring armed men into our lands? Explain yourself." The Elf asked, with no particular emotion in his voice.

The man cleared his throat, "We have had many men killed in our lands. We do not know the identity of who has committed these crimes. We have come to find out if there is a way we can work together to uncover the truth."

Varyar stood firm. The truth was out, men were dying as well, Aragorn knew nothing of use to him.

"I see." Varyar paced, "There is more to your story is there not?"

Aragorn met Varyar's eyes. This elf was a clever one. "Aye, there is. It would seem these crimes have been committed by an Elf or done in such a fashion as to frame the elves. To what end we are not sure, but it is odd that someone would go through all that trouble to do so."

"We are not responsible, King of Men, how dare you even think us possible of such crimes." Varyar calmed himself, "Oh, we know the nature of these crimes. Our kin have also been slaughtered in the woods apparently by the hands of men. All of them were on a journey to your lands, Aragorn, none of them arrived."

"We are meant to be standing here, Elf Lord, do you not see?"

"Varyar, my name is Varyar."

A slight smile crept onto the man's face, "Ah yes, Legolas spoke of you with affection. That you are a noble, kind and a good friend and that you are a true asset to Eryn Lasgalen."

Varyar knew Aragorn spoke true; he knew that his Prince would say such kind words to his credit.

"Please, Varyar, tell me, where is Legolas?"

Varyar decided Aragorn deserved to know the truth.

"Legolas felt that given the nature of the crimes and the identity of the accused," Varyar's stone gaze left Aragorn with no doubt of whom he was referring, "our Prince felt he could not lead the investigation and possible outcomes without bias. I am in command until this matter is resolved."

"Why can I not see him?"

"He is unavailable."

"What do you mean?" Aragorn took a step forward.

"Good day, Aragorn. I believe there is nothing more we can learn tonight. There might be some dark force at work here, there might not. I do not believe this matter will be solved this very evening.

Bowing slightly to the Elf, Aragorn knew when he was polity being asked to leave.

Another figure crept out from his hiding place in the dark corner. Arcon.

"He's not telling you all that he knows. If you allow him to escape now, he may go and rally Gondor's forces against us. You cannot allow that to happen."

Silently, Varyar nodded and turned away from his companion.

"My Lord," an aide said, entering the room, "Prince Legolas requests an audience."

"Let him in." Varyar responded.

Legolas entered in determined strides. "I saw that men of Gondor have arrived and are camped. I've also heard that you just now met with Aragorn. What was said?"

"Well," A voice stopped Varyar's.

"Matters of military importance cannot be said to those not in power, Legolas, surely you know this." Arcon interrupted Varyar's words before they could even be said.

Legolas stood stunned, "Of course." Clearing his throat, he continued, "Did Aragorn request to see me?"

"No, Prince, he has not. He only came to accuse us of conspiring to murder his kin."

The new Commander shrunk away, there was so much more going on here, if only he could tell Legolas everything and end all the secrets, but now was not the time.

"I do not believe Aragorn would do such a thing."

"Believe it or not, Legolas," Arcon sneered, "it does not matter anymore." Arcon then left the room with a furious stride.

Varyar and Legolas stood eye to eye.

"He is lying to me and you are not giving me the truth, why my friend?"

"I may not know the riddle of why our people are being slain on the roadside, but I have waited for this opportunity all my life. To finally be in a position to get Thranduil's attention, to make him see!"

"What must my father see?" Legolas questioned.

"That there is more to me than he knows!" Varyar screamed. Legolas recoiled, in all his long years of friendship, he had never know Varyar to raise his voice as he had just done.

"Excuse me, Prince." The proud Elf walked slowly out, shaken by what he had just spoken.