___
sooooo many reviews…. I am speechless … :-)
thank you all for your kind words and encouragement… it leaves me no choice but putting up another (short) chapter…
OrliBloomLuvr: Nay, it was not the end… not yet… :-)
Tara: well, I take it as a good sign if you say it at the end of the chapter and not while reading it … *grin*
Izzy : the next chapter is here, so no reason to hunt & beat me … right? … right?????
Jevvica: hehe, always thinking of the dwarf, aren't we??? Well, looks like he is going to have some fun… later…
Mebrireth: I did not intent to rob you of your sleep… hope this helps for tonight?!?… or maybe not… :-) … by the way, thank you for the compliment – I try to do my best in writing in English and sincerely hope it is good enough for a native speaker to read my stories without suffering cramps and headaches from the terrible mistakes…
Evyllen: ok, I believe your cat!!! And my English teacher never said such nice things to me… thanks!!!!!
Arwyn: yes, it is not my first language… enormous talent???… there goes my head again… swelling up… and thank you for also reviewing 'From Rivendell to Lothlorien' … it was my first try at this fandom and I am glad you liked it so much.
Carys: you are right, they are equals… and best friends. It was Gimli's deep respect towards Legolas that held him back from taking revenge on the elf's behalf… at least until now… and Legolas' wish to protect him that caused him to act the 'male' (*grin*) way he did. But I will try to let Gimli have his way more often :-) … he is hard to control anyway !!!
Everybody else: thank you for reviewing and telling me you liked it… it means very much to me to know you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.
So… on with the story…
___
Legolas had almost drifted into sleep when the sudden noise of the men entering the room jerked him fully awake again. Upon seeing Aragorn a wave of panic welled up. The strong effect of the herb slowed his reactions and his movements were sluggish as he struggled to sit up. Only Elrohir's strong grip on his shoulder prevented his from sinking down again and helped him into a sitting position.
Aragorn's eyes had swept quickly over the room. Seeing Elladan standing next to Gimli, facing him took him by surprise although his face betrayed nothing. The dwarf's protective stance shielded his view from what was going on behind him but he could make out the dark haired head of Elrohir. Only when Legolas sat up did he see the elf and his eyes came to rest on his pale face.
'Legolas?' his voice was calm but carried a tone of commanding he had never used on his friend before. With a sinking feeling Gimli realized the King of Gondor was furious.
Even though a thick fog seemed to have settled over Legolas' mind and he had distinctive troubles to focus his eyes he straightened at being addressed in this manner. The pain in his back and arm evoked by his movements seemed far away as he concentrated on Aragorn noticing the dark look in the man's eyes. A part of his mind had expected this, after all he had killed a man of Gondor. This was not a matter to be ignored although he had hoped not to be forced to deal with Aragorn so quickly.
'Strange news have been brought to my ears, Legolas. It seems that you have been seen fighting and killing a soldier of Gondor.'
'He had his reasons, Aragorn!' Gimli cried out.
'I wish to speak to Legolas, Gimli.' Aragorn dismissed him with a hard look. He turned his attention back to Legolas taking in the too pale face and the bandage around his arm. He did not miss the grip Elrohir kept on him as if he was afraid the elf would not be able to stay upright on his own.
'I wish to know how you came to kill one of my man.' Aragorn insisted. He had been informed of the death of Bethrol and at hearing who was responsible for it confusion as well as anger had filled him. He had been concerned for the elf's well being when Legolas had taken his early leave from the festivity only to find out what exactly he had been doing. He felt wronged by Legolas' behavior and could not shake a feeling of betrayal. And he wondered what could drive the usually calm and stoic elf to a fight of live or death on the streets of Minas Tirith in the dark of the night.
With a sigh of defeat Legolas gave in to the realization that he would not be able to hide this from Aragorn any longer. He had tried but with killing Bethrol he had lost the possibility to keep what had happened a secret from the King of Gondor. A small part of him had always doubted that he should succeed in leaving Aragorn unaware.
'I challenged him.' He answered his voice soft but steady. 'to seek retribution.'
Elrohir could feel Legolas leaning ever more against him. He could see the other elf was fighting against the effect of the herb he had given him and was quickly loosing.
The answer was not exactly what Aragorn had expected. A frown appeared on his face.
'Retribution? What for?'
Legolas could feel his body would not obey him for much longer as his eyes drifted out of focus again.
'Gimli?' he whispered and the dwarf moved quickly to his friend's side. He noticed the elf was almost asleep as he caught his mumbled words. 'You may tell him now.'
The dwarf quickly grabbed for his friend when he went limp and helped Elrohir to lower him to rest on his stomach again, making him comfortable the best they could.
It was then that Aragorn's eyes came to rest on the torn and bloody back of the elf and all color drained from his face. Quick strides brought him to the bed's side and he stared down at his friend while Elrohir calmly retook his task of applying the paste of healing herbs to the worst of the cuts and welts.
Questioning eyes turned on Gimli who held the King's gaze unwavering.
'What happened Gimli? And why was I not informed of this?'
The dwarf envied Legolas greatly in this moment for his perfect timing of falling asleep. Having been released from his promise the task of telling the king what had transpired fell to him now. He did not look forward to Aragorn's reaction to what he was about to hear.
Keeping his words short he told about their first meeting with Bethrol. His eyes strayed to the sons of Elrond as he repeated the words the man had spoken regarding Arwen. He could very well remember Legolas' enraged reaction and wondered how her brothers would respond to hearing them. They said no word but he could see the hardening of their features, the narrowing of their eyes and the cold light that shone in their gaze.
Aragorn did not show any reaction at all but a slight narrowing of his eyes.
'Why was I not informed?' he repeated his earlier query as Gimli paused trying to find words to describe what had happened to Legolas the night before.
Gimli's eyes flickered to Legolas.
'Not out of menace or lack of care.' The dwarf replied. 'But out of over protectiveness. The elf did not wish for Arwen to know what was said about her. And neither did he wish her to know the price he paid for defending her.'
He retold what Legolas had told him in the morning and no one spoke until he had finished his tale. The dark anger had lessened in Aragorn's eyes but it had not gone completely and another expression had mixed with it, something that Gimli could not read.
'Folly it was to try and keep this from me.' He said, his voice harsh. 'Do you really think I would not know the weakness of men? That I do not know the resentment and envy that some of them carry in their hearts for those who have what they may never reach?'
He shook his head at their foolishness.
'At least you Gimli should have had the sense to tell me when Legolas did not.'
'He only wanted to protect Arwen.' The dwarf protested, defending his friend's actions.
'A noble deed, but he should have at least told me. It is not his place to decide what I should know or not if it concerns matters of my kingdom. Did he think I would not be able to control and judge my men that he had to go and seek retribution on his own?' Anger had returned to his voice and Gimli could feel his own temper starting to flare again.
'I did not agree with his actions as they resulted in getting him hurt again, but I understand why he did it.' Gimli said. 'His pride would not allow him to hide behind your back and let you cast judgment for the wrong done to him. He is a warrior, my friend, and he would not sit and watch as another fights his battles. He did nothing he did not have the right to do.'
A sudden thought struck Gimli. His regard of men had been severely damaged during the last days and he wondered what exactly Aragorn had been told.
'He did not kill this man in cold blood if this is what you think. It was a fair fight until Bethrol broke the rules. He was already disarmed and had clearly lost the fight when he attacked Legolas from behind. The elf did nothing but protect his own life.'
The king raised on hand to calm the dwarf.
'I know Gimli, I know. I did not mean to accuse Legolas and no one else did so either. I was informed about the circumstances that led to Bethrol's death. One thing I wonder though: you said it had been four men that attacked him but from what I have been told he challenged only three. What about the fourth?'
Gimli shrugged for he did not know the answer to that. He himself had only witnessed Legolas fight two men.
'He said one of them had probably saved his life by declaring him dead. Maybe that was enough for him to forgo seeking retribution from this man.' The sound of his voice told that the dwarf did not agree with this. In his eyes none of the four had earned forgiveness for what had been done to his friend.
Elrohir had finished and stepped away from the wounded elf, cleaning his hands in the bowl of water.
'He needs rest.' He calmly said casting a meaningful look at Aragorn. The king nodded in return gesturing to Gimli to follow him as he left the room. Elladan joined them but Elrohir stayed behind his concern directed at the sleeping elf. He knew his brother would tell him everything he learned.
Aragorn left the room and the house, stepping into the cool darkness of the night. The two guardsmen kept themselves in the background forgotten by the three friends that stood together in silence.
'What do you say, master dwarf,' Aragorn finally asked. 'is the matter settled for you?'
'For Legolas it might be, for he defended his honor in a most impressive way. I doubt that those he bested tonight will ever forget this lesson. Alas, for me… I must confess that I still feel a itching to use my axe.' Gimli confessed.
Aragorn only nodded.
'Then I wish for you to accompany me. Legolas has had his revenge but what has been done to a honored friend of Gondor, to one of the nine walkers that helped save Middle Earth from the powers of evil can not be ignored and left without further consequences.'
'Then I will go and get my axe.' The dwarf answered a dangerous gleam appearing in his eyes. Before Aragorn could say anything the dwarf had returned to the house to do as he had said. Meeting Elladan's eyes Aragorn let out a sigh.
'Why do I feel like I just lost control again?' the man asked wryly.
'Maybe because you did?' the elf answered, amusement in his voice. 'I only hope for you that you will be able to voice your judgment before the dwarf carries it out.'
'So you will accompany us?'
'I would not want to miss this.' The elf's cheerful voice did nothing to ease Aragorn's mind. For being the King of Gondor he felt very much overruled by his friends, he observed.
Gimli returned, his axe in his hand and a look of anticipation on his face.
'I am ready.' He announced.
'I bet you are.' Aragorn mumbled earning him a snicker from Elladan and a raised eyebrow from Gimli. With another sigh he turned and led the way.
sooooo many reviews…. I am speechless … :-)
thank you all for your kind words and encouragement… it leaves me no choice but putting up another (short) chapter…
OrliBloomLuvr: Nay, it was not the end… not yet… :-)
Tara: well, I take it as a good sign if you say it at the end of the chapter and not while reading it … *grin*
Izzy : the next chapter is here, so no reason to hunt & beat me … right? … right?????
Jevvica: hehe, always thinking of the dwarf, aren't we??? Well, looks like he is going to have some fun… later…
Mebrireth: I did not intent to rob you of your sleep… hope this helps for tonight?!?… or maybe not… :-) … by the way, thank you for the compliment – I try to do my best in writing in English and sincerely hope it is good enough for a native speaker to read my stories without suffering cramps and headaches from the terrible mistakes…
Evyllen: ok, I believe your cat!!! And my English teacher never said such nice things to me… thanks!!!!!
Arwyn: yes, it is not my first language… enormous talent???… there goes my head again… swelling up… and thank you for also reviewing 'From Rivendell to Lothlorien' … it was my first try at this fandom and I am glad you liked it so much.
Carys: you are right, they are equals… and best friends. It was Gimli's deep respect towards Legolas that held him back from taking revenge on the elf's behalf… at least until now… and Legolas' wish to protect him that caused him to act the 'male' (*grin*) way he did. But I will try to let Gimli have his way more often :-) … he is hard to control anyway !!!
Everybody else: thank you for reviewing and telling me you liked it… it means very much to me to know you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.
So… on with the story…
___
Legolas had almost drifted into sleep when the sudden noise of the men entering the room jerked him fully awake again. Upon seeing Aragorn a wave of panic welled up. The strong effect of the herb slowed his reactions and his movements were sluggish as he struggled to sit up. Only Elrohir's strong grip on his shoulder prevented his from sinking down again and helped him into a sitting position.
Aragorn's eyes had swept quickly over the room. Seeing Elladan standing next to Gimli, facing him took him by surprise although his face betrayed nothing. The dwarf's protective stance shielded his view from what was going on behind him but he could make out the dark haired head of Elrohir. Only when Legolas sat up did he see the elf and his eyes came to rest on his pale face.
'Legolas?' his voice was calm but carried a tone of commanding he had never used on his friend before. With a sinking feeling Gimli realized the King of Gondor was furious.
Even though a thick fog seemed to have settled over Legolas' mind and he had distinctive troubles to focus his eyes he straightened at being addressed in this manner. The pain in his back and arm evoked by his movements seemed far away as he concentrated on Aragorn noticing the dark look in the man's eyes. A part of his mind had expected this, after all he had killed a man of Gondor. This was not a matter to be ignored although he had hoped not to be forced to deal with Aragorn so quickly.
'Strange news have been brought to my ears, Legolas. It seems that you have been seen fighting and killing a soldier of Gondor.'
'He had his reasons, Aragorn!' Gimli cried out.
'I wish to speak to Legolas, Gimli.' Aragorn dismissed him with a hard look. He turned his attention back to Legolas taking in the too pale face and the bandage around his arm. He did not miss the grip Elrohir kept on him as if he was afraid the elf would not be able to stay upright on his own.
'I wish to know how you came to kill one of my man.' Aragorn insisted. He had been informed of the death of Bethrol and at hearing who was responsible for it confusion as well as anger had filled him. He had been concerned for the elf's well being when Legolas had taken his early leave from the festivity only to find out what exactly he had been doing. He felt wronged by Legolas' behavior and could not shake a feeling of betrayal. And he wondered what could drive the usually calm and stoic elf to a fight of live or death on the streets of Minas Tirith in the dark of the night.
With a sigh of defeat Legolas gave in to the realization that he would not be able to hide this from Aragorn any longer. He had tried but with killing Bethrol he had lost the possibility to keep what had happened a secret from the King of Gondor. A small part of him had always doubted that he should succeed in leaving Aragorn unaware.
'I challenged him.' He answered his voice soft but steady. 'to seek retribution.'
Elrohir could feel Legolas leaning ever more against him. He could see the other elf was fighting against the effect of the herb he had given him and was quickly loosing.
The answer was not exactly what Aragorn had expected. A frown appeared on his face.
'Retribution? What for?'
Legolas could feel his body would not obey him for much longer as his eyes drifted out of focus again.
'Gimli?' he whispered and the dwarf moved quickly to his friend's side. He noticed the elf was almost asleep as he caught his mumbled words. 'You may tell him now.'
The dwarf quickly grabbed for his friend when he went limp and helped Elrohir to lower him to rest on his stomach again, making him comfortable the best they could.
It was then that Aragorn's eyes came to rest on the torn and bloody back of the elf and all color drained from his face. Quick strides brought him to the bed's side and he stared down at his friend while Elrohir calmly retook his task of applying the paste of healing herbs to the worst of the cuts and welts.
Questioning eyes turned on Gimli who held the King's gaze unwavering.
'What happened Gimli? And why was I not informed of this?'
The dwarf envied Legolas greatly in this moment for his perfect timing of falling asleep. Having been released from his promise the task of telling the king what had transpired fell to him now. He did not look forward to Aragorn's reaction to what he was about to hear.
Keeping his words short he told about their first meeting with Bethrol. His eyes strayed to the sons of Elrond as he repeated the words the man had spoken regarding Arwen. He could very well remember Legolas' enraged reaction and wondered how her brothers would respond to hearing them. They said no word but he could see the hardening of their features, the narrowing of their eyes and the cold light that shone in their gaze.
Aragorn did not show any reaction at all but a slight narrowing of his eyes.
'Why was I not informed?' he repeated his earlier query as Gimli paused trying to find words to describe what had happened to Legolas the night before.
Gimli's eyes flickered to Legolas.
'Not out of menace or lack of care.' The dwarf replied. 'But out of over protectiveness. The elf did not wish for Arwen to know what was said about her. And neither did he wish her to know the price he paid for defending her.'
He retold what Legolas had told him in the morning and no one spoke until he had finished his tale. The dark anger had lessened in Aragorn's eyes but it had not gone completely and another expression had mixed with it, something that Gimli could not read.
'Folly it was to try and keep this from me.' He said, his voice harsh. 'Do you really think I would not know the weakness of men? That I do not know the resentment and envy that some of them carry in their hearts for those who have what they may never reach?'
He shook his head at their foolishness.
'At least you Gimli should have had the sense to tell me when Legolas did not.'
'He only wanted to protect Arwen.' The dwarf protested, defending his friend's actions.
'A noble deed, but he should have at least told me. It is not his place to decide what I should know or not if it concerns matters of my kingdom. Did he think I would not be able to control and judge my men that he had to go and seek retribution on his own?' Anger had returned to his voice and Gimli could feel his own temper starting to flare again.
'I did not agree with his actions as they resulted in getting him hurt again, but I understand why he did it.' Gimli said. 'His pride would not allow him to hide behind your back and let you cast judgment for the wrong done to him. He is a warrior, my friend, and he would not sit and watch as another fights his battles. He did nothing he did not have the right to do.'
A sudden thought struck Gimli. His regard of men had been severely damaged during the last days and he wondered what exactly Aragorn had been told.
'He did not kill this man in cold blood if this is what you think. It was a fair fight until Bethrol broke the rules. He was already disarmed and had clearly lost the fight when he attacked Legolas from behind. The elf did nothing but protect his own life.'
The king raised on hand to calm the dwarf.
'I know Gimli, I know. I did not mean to accuse Legolas and no one else did so either. I was informed about the circumstances that led to Bethrol's death. One thing I wonder though: you said it had been four men that attacked him but from what I have been told he challenged only three. What about the fourth?'
Gimli shrugged for he did not know the answer to that. He himself had only witnessed Legolas fight two men.
'He said one of them had probably saved his life by declaring him dead. Maybe that was enough for him to forgo seeking retribution from this man.' The sound of his voice told that the dwarf did not agree with this. In his eyes none of the four had earned forgiveness for what had been done to his friend.
Elrohir had finished and stepped away from the wounded elf, cleaning his hands in the bowl of water.
'He needs rest.' He calmly said casting a meaningful look at Aragorn. The king nodded in return gesturing to Gimli to follow him as he left the room. Elladan joined them but Elrohir stayed behind his concern directed at the sleeping elf. He knew his brother would tell him everything he learned.
Aragorn left the room and the house, stepping into the cool darkness of the night. The two guardsmen kept themselves in the background forgotten by the three friends that stood together in silence.
'What do you say, master dwarf,' Aragorn finally asked. 'is the matter settled for you?'
'For Legolas it might be, for he defended his honor in a most impressive way. I doubt that those he bested tonight will ever forget this lesson. Alas, for me… I must confess that I still feel a itching to use my axe.' Gimli confessed.
Aragorn only nodded.
'Then I wish for you to accompany me. Legolas has had his revenge but what has been done to a honored friend of Gondor, to one of the nine walkers that helped save Middle Earth from the powers of evil can not be ignored and left without further consequences.'
'Then I will go and get my axe.' The dwarf answered a dangerous gleam appearing in his eyes. Before Aragorn could say anything the dwarf had returned to the house to do as he had said. Meeting Elladan's eyes Aragorn let out a sigh.
'Why do I feel like I just lost control again?' the man asked wryly.
'Maybe because you did?' the elf answered, amusement in his voice. 'I only hope for you that you will be able to voice your judgment before the dwarf carries it out.'
'So you will accompany us?'
'I would not want to miss this.' The elf's cheerful voice did nothing to ease Aragorn's mind. For being the King of Gondor he felt very much overruled by his friends, he observed.
Gimli returned, his axe in his hand and a look of anticipation on his face.
'I am ready.' He announced.
'I bet you are.' Aragorn mumbled earning him a snicker from Elladan and a raised eyebrow from Gimli. With another sigh he turned and led the way.