Hello folks! thanks for all your reviews, i'm glad you like the story so far! please, enjoy chapter 2!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Lord of the Rings characters (I wish i did!), i'm just borrowing them for a while.
"Greetings Thranduil, Legolas", Thandiul bowed lowly as his brother and nephew approached him,"How is life with you, my brother?"
Thranduil in turn bowed before his brother,"Good. And you Thandiul?"
"No complaints", his brother replied."I do not wish to hinder you my brother, but, would it be possible for me to speak to Legolas in private for a second?"
Thranduil nodded."Indeed, i shall wait for you inside the banquet hall, after all, the announcement comes closer."
Legolas shrank back against the stone walls, hunching himself up, as he watched his only protection from his attacker disappear down the passageway.
"So Legolas", Thandiul whispered into his nephew's ear,"How do you feel?"
Legolas moved swiftly away, but his uncle cut him off.
"How.......how could you do that to me?", Legolas asked, struggling to stop the tears that welled up inside his bright elven eyes."How? I have looked up to you since i was a boy. My father shall exile you from Mirkwood when i tell him of what you have done to me."
Thandiul shook his head lightly, an evil smile spreading across his lips."You shall not tell your father Legolas. Do you not think that your father is more likely to listen to, and indeed believe his own brother, rather than you?"
"But i am his son", Legolas whispered softly, as he stared at his uncle's blond hair, just noticing that it was tyed in the same style as Legolas's own.
"His son you may be!", Thandiul replied sharpely,"But am i his brother, bearer of the same blood as him. He shall believe myself over you, do not doubt that for a second."
Legolas froze, edging away from the evil man.
"But you cannot tell your father anyway Legolas", his uncle moved closer toward him,"For do you think he will relish having a son who is attracted to men. I do not think he will, particularly as he is growing older. He wants you to have an heir."
"But i feel nothing for you!", Legolas cried indignatly, pushing Thandiul out of his way, and rushing toward the banquet chamber.
"I know that..........", Thandiul gave an icy smile, as he swept toward the front room, before attending the banquet,"But by the time you figure that out, it shall be too late!"
Legolas rushed toward the banquet room, his head pounding.
"What if he is right?", he thought to himself,"What if my father exiles me from Mirkwood? I cannot take the chance, for it shall bring shame upon my family, never again shall we be classed as noble elves. I do not understand!"
He leant against a candle stick, weeping softly."I feel nothing for that evil man", he whispered into the darkness.
But then, something inside his consience fought back, telling him that he was wrong.
"But then, what if it is my fault?", he buried his beatutiful face in his cupped hands, his silvery gray tears spilling through his fingers."After all, i put up no resistance when he did that to me.......did i? I do not remeber!"
Legolas stood silent, the images of the hours before flashing relentlassly through his mind.
Suddenly, a loud gong boomed in the distance.
"The banquet!", Legolas sobbed,"I must go!"
He hurried down the corridor, trying to block the memories of the pain, not realising that the emotional scars would never fully heal.
"We must start Aragorn!", Arwen's father declared.
"Not until Legolas arrives", Aragorn said politely, but firmly."You must trust in the elves of Mirkwood. If Legolas says he will be here, then he will be here."
"He shall have a few moments more then", Elrond sighed, returning to his seat."But no longer!"
"He will be here", Arwen patted Aragorn comfortably on the shoulder,"Legolas will not let you down Aragorn, he is a true friend."
"I hope so", Aragorn murmered, watching the door intently, waiting for Legolas to appear."He is the one person most of all that i would wish to hear our announcement."
Legolas slipped into the chamber right as the ceremony was about to start.
"Legolas!", Aragorn cried,"I knew you would come!"
He looked at Legolas's swollen face.
"What is wrong my friend?", he questioned anxiously.
Legolas bore a brave smile. He wanted to tell Aragorn what had happened so much, but he couldn't, he just couldn't.
"I fell on my way back to my chamber, it was nothing serious", Legolas replied, taking a seat."I'm looking forward to your announcement Aragorn."
Aragorn smiled at his friend."I shall see you as soon as i have made the announcement Legolas, agreed? I shall return soon!"
Legolas smiled at his friend, but all he could think about was the ordeal his uncle had put him through.
Arwen glanced at Legolas through her own elven eyes."What is wrong with him Aragorn?", she asked her love, very much concerned for Legolas's well being, for as a member of her own kin, she was sworn to protect him.
"He says he suffered a fall on the way to the chamber", Aragorn sighed,"But i do not believe him. He seems distant, yet still friendly. It is most bewildering, however, i shall speak with him after the announcement."
"As you wish Aragorn, i know you will find out what is wrong", Arwen smiled lightly at her partner.
"Come Aragorn!", Elrond grabbed Aragorn by the shoulder,"It is time for your announcement!"
"Coming Elrond", Aragorn smiled worridly at Arwen, and allowed himself to be dragged off by Elrond to the podium.
Outside the chamber, Thandiul breathed heavily, preparing himself for his part. Upon hearing Aragorn embark upon the poduim, he sighed and edged toward the great oaken door.
Aragorn cleared his throat."As you all know, Arwen and i are deeply in love. I have gathered you all here for a time, not only for the festival of our anniversary, but for this announcement. To honor the house of Elrond, and the people of Gondor, Arwen and i have decided to produce an heir. It will unite the people's of middle earth together. Hopefully, our offspring shall be the future ruler of the house of Rivendell."
There was a chorus of appluase, as the audience raised both their feet and their glasses to the King of Gondor and his wife.
"Here here Aragorn!", Thranduil smiled at his son's closest friend. Since the war of the ring had ended, he had grown closer to Aragorn, and had approved his son's choice of friend.
Thandiul heard the appluase, and an icy smile curved upon his lips.
"It is time", he whispered, and cleared his throat.
The oaken doors burst open, and in fled Thandiul panting hard, as if he had just run from the gardens.
"What is wrong brother!", Thranduil cried, dropping his glass in surprise, and hurrying toward his brother.
"Terrible news!", Thandiul croaked,"Terrible!"
Legolas sat up in his seat immediatly at the sight of his uncle, but to his surprise, his uncle said nothing to him. He edged closer to his family, listening to their conversation.
"Aragorn!", Thandiul cried tearfully, straining his voice so that it would be heard throughout the chamber."You must go! I have recieved a message from Gimli, dwarf lord of the caves and mountains. There are some dwarfs who are rebeling against him, and he needs your help. He asks for you to go to him immediatly."
Aragorn placed his finger upon his lip, and walked silently toward Thandiul."That does not sound like the Gimli i know", he said to Legolas's uncle quietly, as he stole a look at Legolas himself.
Legolas stood from his seat, he could not stop himself."Why does Gimli send only for Aragorn?", he asked indignantly, avoiding eye contact with Thandiul,"Why does he send not for i also?"
"I am sorry prince Legolas", Thandiul said, bowing his head,"But he asks only for Aragorn in his hour of need."
"Then i must go", Aragorn sighed,"For i cannot ignore a cry for help from one of my closest friends. I would have indeed welcomed him here today, but he informed me that he was regretfully unable to attend. I must go."
Aragorn strode toward the open door. Legolas followed swiftly behind.
"I must accompany you Aragorn", he said,"Let me fetch my bow."
"No!", Thandiul said sharpely,"You must stay here prince Legolas, the dwarf lord did not request your help."
"He is right Legolas", Aragorn sighed, turning away from the crwod to address Legolas in private."I know you are capable in battle, but i wish for you to stay here, and protect Arwen. You are the only one that i know who shall be able to protect her from harm when i am gone."
Legolas saw the pity and sadness that shone deeply in his friend's eyes. He glanced back at Arwen's beautiful rosy cheeks, her long brown hair calling to him, crying out for his love. He deeply wanted to protect Aragorn's wife, for his friend's happiness was important to him. Finally, he gave a sad smile.
"As you wish Aragorn", he embraced his friend, his own way of saying goodbye,"I shall protect Arwen. Please, give Gimli my greetings, and ask him if it would be possible for us to meet again, for i have not seen my old friend for many years now."
Aragorn could not express his thankfullness in words."Of course i shall. I shall not be gone long, keep her safe until i get back."
Legolas moved away from his friend, and nodded softly."I shall."
"Goodbye Arwen", Aragorn called, lifting Anduril from the rack which his sword lay upon by the great door."I shall return, we shall have an heir."
"Goodbye Aragorn!", she called softly, as her love left the hallowed chamber,"I pray for your swift return!"
Thandiul followed Aragorn out of the chamber.
"I shall take you to the messenger from the mountains, for you shall travel with him to the dwelling of Gimli."
Aragorn nodded, giving a sad glance back to his wife."Very well Thandiul, lead on."
Thandiul lead Aragorn down a steep passage, that grew colder with every step that he took.
"This is not the way to the entrance!", Aragorn cried, drawing his sword, baring it before the elf.
"Indeed it is not", Thandiul scorned, as two elfs that had been hidden in the shadows lept out, taking Anduril from aragorn, and striking him to the ground.
"What do you hope to accomplish by this!", Aragorn croaked, winded deeply from the surprise attack.
"You shall never know!", Thandiul cackled deep into the immpenatrable walls of the chamber.
"Lift his blade my elf slaves, destroy him!"
"This is madness!", Aragorn struggled to get free, as the Thandiul held him firmly to the ground.
"Not madness", Thandiul spoke softly, as the blade gleamed closer to Aragorn's body,"Just a carefully thought out plan. Now die ranger!"
Aragorn opened his mouth, to try and call for help, but it was too late. The elves drove the blade deep between Aragorn's ribs, and he fell back, blood dripping freely over the carefully crafted floor.
Thandiul spat as he kicked Aragorn's lifeless body onto the floor.
"What do we do with the sword master?", one of the young elves asked Thandiul quietly.
"Place it on top of his body", Thandiul answered quickly,"He is a King of Gondor, and he must be laid to rest properly."
The elf applied to the instruction quickly, placing the sword of Anduril, now stained deeply with the blood of it's bearer on top of Aragorn's dead body.
"Let us return to the banquet", Thandiul moved back through the passageway,"His body shall not be found down here, it is too far beneath the halls of Elrond."
The elves left swiftly, Aragorn's body lay still, shrouded in darkness.
"I hope he shall be alright", Arwen wept into Legolas's arms,"I worry so much when he is gone."
Legolas glanced at Arwen, pitying her, for he knew that she loved Aragorn with all her heart."He shall be fine", he whispered, trying to settle her nerves,"I am sure of it."
What did you think? Chapter 3 should hopefully be up tomorrow!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Lord of the Rings characters (I wish i did!), i'm just borrowing them for a while.
"Greetings Thranduil, Legolas", Thandiul bowed lowly as his brother and nephew approached him,"How is life with you, my brother?"
Thranduil in turn bowed before his brother,"Good. And you Thandiul?"
"No complaints", his brother replied."I do not wish to hinder you my brother, but, would it be possible for me to speak to Legolas in private for a second?"
Thranduil nodded."Indeed, i shall wait for you inside the banquet hall, after all, the announcement comes closer."
Legolas shrank back against the stone walls, hunching himself up, as he watched his only protection from his attacker disappear down the passageway.
"So Legolas", Thandiul whispered into his nephew's ear,"How do you feel?"
Legolas moved swiftly away, but his uncle cut him off.
"How.......how could you do that to me?", Legolas asked, struggling to stop the tears that welled up inside his bright elven eyes."How? I have looked up to you since i was a boy. My father shall exile you from Mirkwood when i tell him of what you have done to me."
Thandiul shook his head lightly, an evil smile spreading across his lips."You shall not tell your father Legolas. Do you not think that your father is more likely to listen to, and indeed believe his own brother, rather than you?"
"But i am his son", Legolas whispered softly, as he stared at his uncle's blond hair, just noticing that it was tyed in the same style as Legolas's own.
"His son you may be!", Thandiul replied sharpely,"But am i his brother, bearer of the same blood as him. He shall believe myself over you, do not doubt that for a second."
Legolas froze, edging away from the evil man.
"But you cannot tell your father anyway Legolas", his uncle moved closer toward him,"For do you think he will relish having a son who is attracted to men. I do not think he will, particularly as he is growing older. He wants you to have an heir."
"But i feel nothing for you!", Legolas cried indignatly, pushing Thandiul out of his way, and rushing toward the banquet chamber.
"I know that..........", Thandiul gave an icy smile, as he swept toward the front room, before attending the banquet,"But by the time you figure that out, it shall be too late!"
Legolas rushed toward the banquet room, his head pounding.
"What if he is right?", he thought to himself,"What if my father exiles me from Mirkwood? I cannot take the chance, for it shall bring shame upon my family, never again shall we be classed as noble elves. I do not understand!"
He leant against a candle stick, weeping softly."I feel nothing for that evil man", he whispered into the darkness.
But then, something inside his consience fought back, telling him that he was wrong.
"But then, what if it is my fault?", he buried his beatutiful face in his cupped hands, his silvery gray tears spilling through his fingers."After all, i put up no resistance when he did that to me.......did i? I do not remeber!"
Legolas stood silent, the images of the hours before flashing relentlassly through his mind.
Suddenly, a loud gong boomed in the distance.
"The banquet!", Legolas sobbed,"I must go!"
He hurried down the corridor, trying to block the memories of the pain, not realising that the emotional scars would never fully heal.
"We must start Aragorn!", Arwen's father declared.
"Not until Legolas arrives", Aragorn said politely, but firmly."You must trust in the elves of Mirkwood. If Legolas says he will be here, then he will be here."
"He shall have a few moments more then", Elrond sighed, returning to his seat."But no longer!"
"He will be here", Arwen patted Aragorn comfortably on the shoulder,"Legolas will not let you down Aragorn, he is a true friend."
"I hope so", Aragorn murmered, watching the door intently, waiting for Legolas to appear."He is the one person most of all that i would wish to hear our announcement."
Legolas slipped into the chamber right as the ceremony was about to start.
"Legolas!", Aragorn cried,"I knew you would come!"
He looked at Legolas's swollen face.
"What is wrong my friend?", he questioned anxiously.
Legolas bore a brave smile. He wanted to tell Aragorn what had happened so much, but he couldn't, he just couldn't.
"I fell on my way back to my chamber, it was nothing serious", Legolas replied, taking a seat."I'm looking forward to your announcement Aragorn."
Aragorn smiled at his friend."I shall see you as soon as i have made the announcement Legolas, agreed? I shall return soon!"
Legolas smiled at his friend, but all he could think about was the ordeal his uncle had put him through.
Arwen glanced at Legolas through her own elven eyes."What is wrong with him Aragorn?", she asked her love, very much concerned for Legolas's well being, for as a member of her own kin, she was sworn to protect him.
"He says he suffered a fall on the way to the chamber", Aragorn sighed,"But i do not believe him. He seems distant, yet still friendly. It is most bewildering, however, i shall speak with him after the announcement."
"As you wish Aragorn, i know you will find out what is wrong", Arwen smiled lightly at her partner.
"Come Aragorn!", Elrond grabbed Aragorn by the shoulder,"It is time for your announcement!"
"Coming Elrond", Aragorn smiled worridly at Arwen, and allowed himself to be dragged off by Elrond to the podium.
Outside the chamber, Thandiul breathed heavily, preparing himself for his part. Upon hearing Aragorn embark upon the poduim, he sighed and edged toward the great oaken door.
Aragorn cleared his throat."As you all know, Arwen and i are deeply in love. I have gathered you all here for a time, not only for the festival of our anniversary, but for this announcement. To honor the house of Elrond, and the people of Gondor, Arwen and i have decided to produce an heir. It will unite the people's of middle earth together. Hopefully, our offspring shall be the future ruler of the house of Rivendell."
There was a chorus of appluase, as the audience raised both their feet and their glasses to the King of Gondor and his wife.
"Here here Aragorn!", Thranduil smiled at his son's closest friend. Since the war of the ring had ended, he had grown closer to Aragorn, and had approved his son's choice of friend.
Thandiul heard the appluase, and an icy smile curved upon his lips.
"It is time", he whispered, and cleared his throat.
The oaken doors burst open, and in fled Thandiul panting hard, as if he had just run from the gardens.
"What is wrong brother!", Thranduil cried, dropping his glass in surprise, and hurrying toward his brother.
"Terrible news!", Thandiul croaked,"Terrible!"
Legolas sat up in his seat immediatly at the sight of his uncle, but to his surprise, his uncle said nothing to him. He edged closer to his family, listening to their conversation.
"Aragorn!", Thandiul cried tearfully, straining his voice so that it would be heard throughout the chamber."You must go! I have recieved a message from Gimli, dwarf lord of the caves and mountains. There are some dwarfs who are rebeling against him, and he needs your help. He asks for you to go to him immediatly."
Aragorn placed his finger upon his lip, and walked silently toward Thandiul."That does not sound like the Gimli i know", he said to Legolas's uncle quietly, as he stole a look at Legolas himself.
Legolas stood from his seat, he could not stop himself."Why does Gimli send only for Aragorn?", he asked indignantly, avoiding eye contact with Thandiul,"Why does he send not for i also?"
"I am sorry prince Legolas", Thandiul said, bowing his head,"But he asks only for Aragorn in his hour of need."
"Then i must go", Aragorn sighed,"For i cannot ignore a cry for help from one of my closest friends. I would have indeed welcomed him here today, but he informed me that he was regretfully unable to attend. I must go."
Aragorn strode toward the open door. Legolas followed swiftly behind.
"I must accompany you Aragorn", he said,"Let me fetch my bow."
"No!", Thandiul said sharpely,"You must stay here prince Legolas, the dwarf lord did not request your help."
"He is right Legolas", Aragorn sighed, turning away from the crwod to address Legolas in private."I know you are capable in battle, but i wish for you to stay here, and protect Arwen. You are the only one that i know who shall be able to protect her from harm when i am gone."
Legolas saw the pity and sadness that shone deeply in his friend's eyes. He glanced back at Arwen's beautiful rosy cheeks, her long brown hair calling to him, crying out for his love. He deeply wanted to protect Aragorn's wife, for his friend's happiness was important to him. Finally, he gave a sad smile.
"As you wish Aragorn", he embraced his friend, his own way of saying goodbye,"I shall protect Arwen. Please, give Gimli my greetings, and ask him if it would be possible for us to meet again, for i have not seen my old friend for many years now."
Aragorn could not express his thankfullness in words."Of course i shall. I shall not be gone long, keep her safe until i get back."
Legolas moved away from his friend, and nodded softly."I shall."
"Goodbye Arwen", Aragorn called, lifting Anduril from the rack which his sword lay upon by the great door."I shall return, we shall have an heir."
"Goodbye Aragorn!", she called softly, as her love left the hallowed chamber,"I pray for your swift return!"
Thandiul followed Aragorn out of the chamber.
"I shall take you to the messenger from the mountains, for you shall travel with him to the dwelling of Gimli."
Aragorn nodded, giving a sad glance back to his wife."Very well Thandiul, lead on."
Thandiul lead Aragorn down a steep passage, that grew colder with every step that he took.
"This is not the way to the entrance!", Aragorn cried, drawing his sword, baring it before the elf.
"Indeed it is not", Thandiul scorned, as two elfs that had been hidden in the shadows lept out, taking Anduril from aragorn, and striking him to the ground.
"What do you hope to accomplish by this!", Aragorn croaked, winded deeply from the surprise attack.
"You shall never know!", Thandiul cackled deep into the immpenatrable walls of the chamber.
"Lift his blade my elf slaves, destroy him!"
"This is madness!", Aragorn struggled to get free, as the Thandiul held him firmly to the ground.
"Not madness", Thandiul spoke softly, as the blade gleamed closer to Aragorn's body,"Just a carefully thought out plan. Now die ranger!"
Aragorn opened his mouth, to try and call for help, but it was too late. The elves drove the blade deep between Aragorn's ribs, and he fell back, blood dripping freely over the carefully crafted floor.
Thandiul spat as he kicked Aragorn's lifeless body onto the floor.
"What do we do with the sword master?", one of the young elves asked Thandiul quietly.
"Place it on top of his body", Thandiul answered quickly,"He is a King of Gondor, and he must be laid to rest properly."
The elf applied to the instruction quickly, placing the sword of Anduril, now stained deeply with the blood of it's bearer on top of Aragorn's dead body.
"Let us return to the banquet", Thandiul moved back through the passageway,"His body shall not be found down here, it is too far beneath the halls of Elrond."
The elves left swiftly, Aragorn's body lay still, shrouded in darkness.
"I hope he shall be alright", Arwen wept into Legolas's arms,"I worry so much when he is gone."
Legolas glanced at Arwen, pitying her, for he knew that she loved Aragorn with all her heart."He shall be fine", he whispered, trying to settle her nerves,"I am sure of it."
What did you think? Chapter 3 should hopefully be up tomorrow!