Disclaimer: See the Author's Notes! This is an AU! A/L shounen ai! I promise the reunion between Legolas and Aragorn will be soon! Though that's going to be interesting… Yes, Mercuria… Just what has Meron been up to the last few chapters??? Here's a hint; it spells big trouble for Legolas. The only reason that Meron was called a Man was because no one (in the story) knew of what race he was. I've decided; Meron is half Elf, but he also has Istari blood. Now cast your votes for which Istari he is related to; Mithrandir or Saruman… Takes place a day after the last chapter. Tincya en' russe tuulo' moriloomir = Chain Lightning
Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed
Part 17. First Battle
Gimli grumbled, "Crazy Elf, get out of that tree!" He stood at the bottom of the tree, with his hands on his hips, glaring up at the blond Elf, who was frowning.
"Why?" Legolas countered. "I like trees!" He perched on a high branch, leaning against the tree trunk. His back rested on it, as his two legs lay flat on the branch.
"If you won't come down, I'll come up there and drag you down myself," Gimli growled. Must the Elf always take such heedless chances while pregnant, the Dwarf thought to himself. At this rate, Gimli was ready to tie the pretty one hand and foot to carry him back to Rivendell, to keep him from doing things like this.
Legolas' merry laughter sounded, before his sharp ears heard the sounds of an approaching figure on horseback. "Someone's coming," he told the Dwarf, as he silently stood. His pale hand drifted to his sword, in case it was an enemy.
Gimli whirled and muttered, "Stay there."
Faramir was surprised to see a Dwarf out in the open, especially underneath a tree. He slowed his horse, before he dismounted. "Hello there, Master Dwarf," he greeted. "What brings you so far from the mines?"
"Oh… I'm just seeing a friend home," Gimli answered.
"This might sound rather odd, but have you seen a lone Elf, with blond hair and azure eyes?" Faramir questioned. He'd been asking everyone he met along the way.
Gimli frowned slightly. "Maybe… Why do you ask?" He was suspicious now, because Legolas had told him that unknown Men had attacked him in the forest of Rivendell.
Legolas froze. Him? Was this rider one of the Men who attacked him, he wondered.
Faramir raised an eyebrow before he said, "He's missing; Prince Legolas of Mirkwood disappeared almost two weeks ago. I agreed to look for him on my way home to Gondor, after speaking with Aragorn, heir to Gondor."
Gimli choked. Legolas was an Elven Prince? And from Mirkwood, not Rivendell? He briefly glanced up towards the tree, and winced when he saw Legolas climbing down.
Faramir was not surprised to see the blond figure climbing out of the tree, though he disapproved. He went over and surprised Legolas by taking a hold of his slender waist and lifting him to the ground. "Somehow I don't think Aragorn would approve of you climbing trees in your condition." He pointedly looked down at the Elf's waist, before he glanced at the perfectly formed face.
"That's what I told him," Gimli said. "He wouldn't listen."
"I am not an invalid," Legolas muttered, though he did slip a hand down to his waist, where the child was growing. "How is Aragorn?" he eagerly questioned.
"He's fine, though very concerned about you," Faramir answered. "You'd best hurry home to Rivendell."
Gimli frowned. "Legolas can't hurry; he'll wear himself out too fast."
"True…" Faramir murmured. He eyed the very beautiful Elven male in front of him, giving him a silent appraisal. Golden hair, azure eyes, and ivory skin, along with the slight curve of his hips. "Yes… I can see why Meron would want you…"
Legolas' eyes flashed with slight anger at the admiring stare and the mention of Meron's name. He crossed his arms over his still thin waist, a frown on his smooth face. "Meron may want me, but he will not have me."
Gimli bristled as well, when he heard the slight quaver in Legolas' voice. "Well, you found Legolas. Now what?" He was ready to defend the Elf if need be. Whoever this Meron was could not be a good person, if Legolas was even a tiny bit afraid of him.
Faramir tore his gaze away from Legolas, to look at the Dwarf. He realized that he'd made a mistake mentioning Meron's name, but he was admittedly surprised that a Dwarf was protecting an Elf. "I would suggest that the two of you travel with haste to Rivendell. There are others out searching for you, and you should be very careful, Prince Legolas, because Lord Elrond of Rivendell has posted a reward for your safe return."
"He is a good friend," Legolas murmured. "Mayhap I misjudged you too soon. But after everything that has happened…"
"It's ok," Faramir reassured the Elf. "I ride now to convince my brother of the truth; that Meron is deceiving and using him."
Legolas nodded slowly. Rivendell still seemed so far away, in his opinion. Gimli patted him on the arm comfortingly.
"I'll get you home, Elf," he gruffly told his friend.
Faramir bid the two farewell, spurred his horse onward, and galloped towards Gondor even faster than before. He had to tell Boromir of what he had learned, so that Meron would be exposed for the liar and the deceiver that he was.
Legolas smiled at Gimli. "Thank you," he told the Dwarf. "You are a good friend."
Gimli flushed and remained silent, as the two began walking side-by-side again. "Who is Meron, and what does he want with you?" he finally asked.
"He lusts for me… for my body and my power. He envies Aragorn, because I belong to him," Legolas whispered. "He has shown me what he wants. A cruel touch or forced kiss in a dream is no less frightening than a harsh kiss or touch while awake."
"I should chop his head off," Gimli decided aloud. "He won't touch you; I won't let him."
Legolas was glad to hear those words, but he also knew that he could protect himself. He'd done so for years, against the unwanted sexual innuendos and advances from Meron. But his heart was light because he had a friend beside him. It would have been much worse if he had been alone.
Gimli could see that Legolas was still troubled after they had been walking for over an hour, so he asked, "Do you ever wear your hair down, Elf?"
"What?" Legolas asked, getting drawn out of his thoughts. "Why would I? It would get caught on branches and hamper me in battle."
Gimli snorted. "Sure…" he teased.
Legolas mock-scowled, until he froze suddenly, detecting the presence of the Nazgul… the nine evil Ringwraiths… He held up a hand in warning and looked at Gimli. "Ringwraiths…" he whispered. "With my magic currently unstable, fighting them would not be advisable right now."
"I agree," Gimli answered. Though he agreed for a different reason; he did not want Legolas to have to defend himself against the Nazgul, especially while he carried a child. "We should run."
Legolas nodded, and they began sprinting, breaking into a run as the Nazgul came into sight, with hideous shrieks announcing their arrival. The black riders instantly began pursuing the two on foot, drawn directly to the Elf's inner light; which made up his soul.
Five Ringwraiths rode after the two, while the other four circled around and came up in front of them. Legolas and Gimli stood back to back, as they were surrounded by the Nazgul. Gimli brandished his axe, as Legolas drew the short sword, wishing now more than ever that he still had his own holy sword.
The Nazgul completely ignored the Dwarf and focused on the single Elf, charging towards him. Legolas danced out of the way, and sliced upwards with his sword in an arc, leaving a jagged cut on the arm of the first Nazgul. Gimli struck the second one with his axe, cleaving its arm.
Legolas parried with the Nazgul, though sweat was beginning to drip down his brow. They were trying to separate him from Gimli, and he was slowly being driven back, as more and more blows nearly landed on him. The mithril kept him from getting seriously injured, and Legolas made a mental note to thank Gimli for his gift later.
Gimli thrust his axe into a black horse, making it shriek. He noted that Legolas was being forced away from him, so he advanced, hacking his way through the Ringwraiths, until he stood at the Elf's side. "This is bad…" he muttered, just loud enough for Legolas to hear. "There are too many of them.
"I know," Legolas gasped.
"Flee," Gimli said sternly. "Run away before it's too late."
Legolas scowled. "I will not flee like a coward." A thought came to him, and he swiftly sheathed his sword. "Defend me, my friend, while I prepare the spell."
Gimli muttered, "What are you going to do?"
"Something only I can do," Legolas answered, as Gimli stepped in front of him defensively.
Gimli defended the pregnant Elf willingly with his axe, though he hoped that Legolas would be all right after casting a spell. It was very dangerous for him and the unborn child, or so his Healer claimed.
'Tincya en' russe tuulo' moriloomir!' Legolas cried, tensing as he felt the spell begin to work… And it did not turn on him, for which Legolas silently blessed Elebereth. He flung his right hand up, and a bolt of lightning struck out of the bright, blue sky, into his hand, before it grew brighter and refracted onto the Nazgul, who screeched loudly in pain, before they began fleeing in terror and panic.
Gimli was relieved to see the Ringwraiths flee, until he heard a weak sigh, before he heard a soft thud. He whirled and saw that Legolas had collapsed from exhaustion, which was too be expected, since the spell required so much energy.
The Dwarf turned Legolas over, for he had fallen forward. The Elf whimpered Aragorn's name, and Gimli didn't know what to do. He gently dragged Legolas out of sight, behind some nearby bushes, before he removed the sleeping Elf's small pack. Gimli pulled the blankets out of the pack and gently covered Legolas with them, after laying the beautiful, blond Elven Prince on a soft patch of green grass.
Gimli then kept a vigil over Legolas, in case the Nazgul returned.
***********
Mirkwood
***********
Mithrandir sank into a chair in exhaustion, after he finally finished removing the spell that had enslaved Thranduil to Meron's will. At the same time, he had cast a second spell, to prevent Meron from realizing what he had done. The usually composed and stoic Istari looked as exhausted as he felt, breathing hard.
Thranduil blinked his eyes slowly, stunned to see Mithrandir. 'Where did you come from, Mithrandir? And where is Legolas? I haven't seen him since he left to save Aragorn from the minions of Saruman and Sauron in Gondor.'
'Thranduil… that was over a millennia ago,' Mithrandir gently told the Elven king. 'Legolas and Aragorn are planning to wed soon.'
'What?' Thranduil asked, confusion in his eyes. 'What happened to me?'
Mithrandir sighed deeply. 'It all starts with Meron, Thranduil…' The Istari began recounting the tale, as he now believed it to be.
*******************
Outside of Rivendell
*******************
Aragorn followed his instincts, trusting them to lead him directly to Legolas, though he suddenly felt weak and exhausted… as if he had just used a tremendous amount of energy to do something.
The stubborn heir of Gondor refused to stop and rest, as he continued searching for the one that he knew that he loved.
He had to find Legolas… He just had to find him.
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Back To Gimli and Legolas
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Pippin and Frodo had separated from Glorfindel, as they went around asking questions. They had finished with their side of the town, and were hovering outside of it, when they saw the single bolt of lightning strike down from the sky, before it did something really weird, glowing brighter as it struck something.
The two Hobbits had immediately run towards, being curious and cautious. When they reached the area where they had seen the lightning bolt strike, they saw nothing, but they heard a faint whimper from nearby.
Frodo led the way, as he crawled into the bushes, where he and Pippin saw a very interesting sight. A lone Elf, with golden strands of hair lay on the ground, sleeping… sort of. A slight flush was on his pale face, and his eyes were vacant and open.
"He's pretty…" Pippin breathed, as he reached out a hand towards the beautiful Elf.
Gimli sprang out of the nearby bushes, with his axe ready. "Get away from him!" the Dwarf shouted in warning.
Glorfindel had also left the town, in search of his two little friends, when he heard the sounds of fighting. He dashed towards it, notching an arrow in his bow on the way. If anyone was threatening the little ones, they were going to have to deal with him.
When he burst into the small clearing, he stopped and stared at the sight before him.
A motionless blond figure lay on the ground, being defended by a Dwarf, who was swinging his axe at Frodo and Pippin, who were jumping out of the way. Glorfindel shot the arrow towards the Dwarf, directly beside his foot.
Gimli glanced up and saw the other blond Elf. He narrowed his eyes and said, "I do believe that you should be helping me to defend my injured Elven friend, instead of shooting arrows at me."
Glorfindel frowned at those words, but refrained from firing another arrow. "I believe that you should stop trying to hurt my friends."
Gimli ceasing using his axe, and frowned at the two short figures, who sheathed the swords that they had drawn. The Dwarf warily watched the taller Elf approach and stiffen when he got a good look at the sleeping figure.
"Legolas!" Glorfindel cried, before he sank to his knees beside the gentle Elven Prince. A faint moan was Legolas' answer to his name. Gimli trudged over and gently patted Legolas' hand.
Pippin and Frodo exchanged a startled look. This beautiful Elf was the missing Elven Prince? Well, he definitely looked like royalty… at least he was pretty enough to be royal.
"What happened to him, Dwarf?" Glorfindel sharply questioned, as he removed a few herbs from his bag and twisted them together. He forced Legolas' mouth open and let the liquid drip down his throat. It would restore some energy to the nearly comatose Prince.
"He used a spell to drive off the Ringwraiths. I was helping him to find his way home from the Mines of Moria, when the Nazgul surrounded us, wanting Legolas for some reason. I told him to run, but instead he cast a spell," Gimli answered, his voice just as sharp as the other Elf's.
*********************
Somewhere In Gondor
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Meron stood inside a magic circle, preparing his magic, to make it as strong as it possibly could get. He cared naught about anything else right now, as he continued his murmuring.
The evil one would need all of his magic to do what he was planning to do… but it would work. He had all of the necessary requirements for his spell, which would make him look exactly like the son of Arathorn.
Once his disguise was on, Meron could easily seduce Legolas… and impregnate him.
To be continued
