Authors notes : Alrighty new chapter!! Wahoo! But I don't like it so I think posting it was a bit pointless. Oh well, it'll give me more time to come up with a better chapter. Ok I'll keep these notes short this time. As always, THANK YOU ALL WHO R/R!!!!!! I live for you people!!!!! Love ya!
AGAIN, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sorry but I simply do not have time to reply to all those lovely reviews right now. *cries* I'm SOOSOS bad!!! I swear I'll email every single one of you (at least the ones who left email addresses Grrrrrrrrr) this week!!! I'm sorry I love you all I'm not worthy I'm not worthy I'M NOT WORHTY!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok on to the story!!!! *runs away and hides.*
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT *insert curse word here* Own LotR's or any of its characters. (`cept for Galfin in this so don't steal my openly gay little boy kay!) However, the idea for this story is solely mine so please don't take that either. Ok Sankyou!
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Chapter 5 : "Of Painful Problems and Unwarranted Changes."
"How are they?" Gimli asked softly as Pippin closed the door to their tall companions' bedchamber. The little hobbit shook his head and looked at Merry. "They have yet to wake and we still cannot remove those strange bands." The half-ling responded with a small, confused shrug, rubbing faintly at his empty stomach. Gimli heaved a heavy sigh and leaned against the wall, his right hand straying to his trusted ax.
"I just do not understand it! They have no wounds, there are no signs of pain, yet they WILL NOT awaken. What did that blasted mirror do to them?!" He yelled in anger and not for the first time in the last two days, his thick hands balling up into fists at his sides. The two little half-lings shrunk back at his outburst, both silently worried for their tall companions and for their own grumbling tummies.
"We will not know that until they do indeed wake, Master Dwarf." Frodo whispered as he and Sam walked up to the their three friends. "How is Galfin?" Pippin asked, moving over to Frodo's side, genuinely worried about their annoyingly bubbly new companion. Frodo sighed and shook his head.
"He swears up and down that he is alright yet he continually complains of blurred vision, a slight ringing in his ears, and he is always clutching at his head like it pains him... He may be awake for the most part but I fear he is in no better shape than the others." Sam replied, looking worriedly over at his tired master who leaned heavily against the hallway wall with his bright blue eyes closed.
"We will just have to keep an eye on him, I think. But for now, it would be best if we sleep ourselves. Come, the sun is setting and I doubt our companions shall wake anytime soon." Gimli spoke, pushing off from his leaning position to move down the hall. "Aye." Sam replied, gently pulling Frodo from against the wall and turned towards their own bedchamber. Pippins stomach growled loudly and he blushed as the others started suddenly and looked at him inquisitively. He shrugged and took up Merry's arm.
"I think I shall go find some dinner before bed." He whispered meekly in reply to their inquiring smirks and backed off a bit more. Merry nodded and turned to go with him. "You three go ahead. We will be there shortly." He informed, pushing Pippin quickly down the hall and whispering with a laugh at his friend whose blush darkened.
"Do not take too long, you two!" Gimli called after them, then slowly followed the other two hobbits into their room and collapsed upon his bed. "What a mess we got our selves into..." he muttered into his pillow, vaguely listening to the hobbits as they settled in for the night. `Havens, I hope everything is alright...'
*********
Boromir groaned as he began to wake, stretching his sore muscles as sleep slowly left them. Weakly, his eyes fluttered open blinking rapidly against the soft candlelight to clear the slight blur about his vision. Again he shifted, forcefully pushing his tired body up into a vaguely sitting position as he rubbed at his weary face and looked about him in confusion. What?
`He was back at the inn? How did that happen? Last thing I remember was... was running to help Legolas with Aragorn.. and then... and then a white light and something being.. ripped from me then- a faint burning sensation around-my stomach. How did I get back here?' He thought, confused, a stray hand moving to his belly unconsciously. However, what met him was a surprise indeed.
Boromir's head snapped down and he looked at his exposed lower abdomen with wide eyes, examining it closely in the faint glow about the room.
His clothing around his stomach had been burned away, leaving behind a black jagged hem upon his shirt and vest that brushed roughly against the naked skin just below his chest. Encircling his waist, shining with a soft ethereal glow, was a thick silver band weaving in and out of itself with a small elvish symbol embedded directly above his belly button. Upon the flesh surrounding the band were small hobbit sized red fingerprints and slightly purplish thumb sized bruises.
In silent wonder and sheer puzzlement, Boromir gently ran his fingers over the soft woven band a small tingling sensation following the slight contact.
Closing his flushed fingers upon the bejeweled belt, Boromir gave it a sharp tug trying to yank it free. It wouldn't budge. The man's eyebrows knitted up in confusion as he pulled again, his right hand moving to join the first pulling fiercely upon the seemingly fragile band. Quickly he searched for a clasp and upon finding none reverted back to his powerful yanking. After many unsuccessful tries to remove the blasted thing, he finally gave up, his chest rising and falling sharply from his exertion.
Shaking his head, he gently brushed his hair behind his ear and threw the blankets aside looking to his still sleeping comrades. Swiftly, he pushed to his unsteady feet and stumbled over to Aragorn's bed, looking the unconscious man over worriedly. Folding the blanket back slightly, Boromir started upon seeing a similar band encircling the dark haired man's neck, the shirt and cloak around it burnt away just like Boromir's own shirt had been exposing the top of Aragorn's supple, well-toned chest.
With surprisingly nimble fingers, the bright haired man gently ran his touch over the silvery band upon Aragorn's throat, feeling the same chilling tingly sensation upon contact that he had upon touching his own.
Boromir then slowly started to trail his fingers down Aragorn's neck, feeling the sharp cords under the tanned skin, over the smooth dip of his enticing collar bone, down his strong chest... then lower... he wanted to go lower... Standing there, starring at Aragorn's sweet face, gentle closed eyes, full lips that wanted oh so badly to be kissed, he wanted-
Sharply Boromir pulled back, mentally cursing himself. What was he DOING!?!? This was Aragorn, son of Arathorn and heir to the throne of Gondor and above all that his friend! He shouldn't be touching him like THAT let alone feeling...feeling... what WAS he feeling towards him?...
Lust?... need?... want?.. it couldn't possibly be Lo-. No! No, It couldn't be that! He couldn't be L- wanting another man! That was wrong! No! No that THING must have messed with his head somehow! Boromir's mind spat, a clear image of the judge appearing in his head. He scowled.
Shaking slightly, Boromir pulled away and crossed over to the softly sleeping Legolas' bed, looking over the sweet prince carefully as he tried to forget what had just happened. Again he started as he spotted another one of those blasted bands, however this time it was upon the Elf's soft forehead.
It looked like an Elvish crown adorned by a proud and beautiful elf Prince, weaving back into his long pale hair which had fallen free of its customary partial braid letting the moonlight locks cascade like silk about his exquisite face.
Boromir was oddly drawn to the slumbering beauty. His quivering hand reached, against his will, out to touch the thin woven crown upon the gentle mantle then trail down the bridge of the elf's fine nose, over his left cheek, and down through his satin hair to rest next to his head, his thumb stroking over his neck softly as a lover might. `I never noticed how beautiful he truly was... how beautiful they truly were...' he though to himself, glancing between the elegant sleeping Prince and the strong Ranger.
Slowly his body started to lean forward, his face inching closer towards the blonds pale waiting lips... closer.. closer...
What the-!!
With a violent jerk Boromir threw himself away from his elf Companion, landing rather roughly upon the hard wood floor, his heart pounding in his abused chest. WHAT IN MIDDLE-EARTH IS GOING ON HERE!?!?!?! Why am I - lusting after my friends?! Not just one, but b-but BOTH!!?! Boromir was extremely shaken, and way beyond confused.
"What is wrong with me?..." the bright haired man whispered shakily, yet to his shock, no sound came out. Or more correctly he heard no sound.
Boromir's body went rigid with a violent shiver, his left hand flying up to his ears. Oh God! He couldn't hear! What did that cursed mirror do to him?!??! First, he was coming on to his friends and now, now he COULDN'T HEAR!?
Unsteadily Boromir shot to his feet and moved towards the door. `I've got to get out of here.' He thought, glancing back at his friends again only to feel a hot flash rise upon his cheeks and down somewhere lower. Shamefully, he ducked his head and tried to push his disturbing thoughts of kissing and caressing his two closest friends from his mind, leaving the large room to find something to distract himself with.
Vaguely he felt his stomach grumble rather than hear it since, at the moment, he was incapable and moved silently towards the kitchen.
********
"Pip! Come on I'd like to get SOME sleep tonight!" Merry wined, leaning forward on the table as he watched his little friend dig through a nameless cupboard for more food. "Don't you think this is enough yet?" He asked exasperated, picking up something that looked like a yellow apple and mindlessly munched on it looking over the large pile of miscellaneous foods in front of him. Pippin peaked out from behind the cupboard door and threw another piece of fruit at Merry then stuck out his tongue and retreated back into the shelves.
"Don't be so grouchy! I want some more of those strawberry things, but I can not seem to find them." the little hobbits voice was muffled from behind the door. Merry sighed again and walked over to the counter across from his little companion. "There over here." He replied, holding up a small bowl full of the purplish fruit. Pippin looked up at that and shook his head, returning into the cupboard.
"Those are for Legolas when he awakens. Galfin got them out for him this afternoon." Merry opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the door suddenly bursting open and a rumpled Boromir running in his shirt half falling off. Pippin jumped at the loud bang and smacked his head on the shelf above him hard. He crawled out of the cupboard grumbling under his breath and rubbing the forming bump on the back of his skull.
"Boromir!?" Galfin called from out in the hall looking for the bright haired man. "Boromir, Lover boy where be you?!" The boy called again running frantically through the halls laughing.
Boromir leaned up against the door to hold it closed just encase Galfin tried to get in then jumped when he saw Merry and Pippin laughing at him from across the room. "Wha' are you two - doing here?" he asked slightly out of breath, hoping he had said the right words.
"Pippin was hungry. When did you wake up?" Merry asked, walking towards the heavily breathing man. Boromir looked at him without responding his eyebrows creasing in confusion, as recognition at the words failed to glance across his features. Merry stopped walking and looked into his eyes, puzzlement showing upon his own face. "Boromir?" he asked, moving to place a hand on the man's arm.
The son of Gondor again didn't reply, not knowing what it was he was supposed to reply to. He could see Merry's mouth moving but he couldn't hear any sound and couldn't read from his lips what he was saying. "Boromir what is wrong?" Pippin asked, moving up to his other side and placed his hand on Boromir's other arm.
The bright haired man jumped as the dark haired hobbit touched him, not having noticed he was there. "Boromir?" Pippin asked again, worried at the man's surprise.
Boromir released a deep shuddered breath, his eyes glazing over and slid down the door as the full impact of his new impairment hit him. Oh stars! He couldn't understand them! How could he talk to them, protect them, fight for them if he couldn't hear anything?! He quickly covered his face with his hands as he fought to understand what was going on, unaware of the two hobbits practically yelling in his ears.
"I cannot hear..." he whispered to himself in disbelief, shaking his head slightly. At that however, Pippin and Merry went stock still, their innocent eyes wide in horror their attempts to talk to him stopped. How can this be...
*********
Aragorn shifted silently in his bed, his eyes still hungrily devouring the sight in front of him as they had been for the last ten minutes. The Ranger had awoken to the sound of Boromir leaving the room and had turned to see the most beautiful thing next to him and since then had been incapable of tearing his gaze away.
The window above Legolas' bed was open allowing a soft breeze to blow in and gently rustle his long pale mane in an almost poetic dance of golden and silver threads that had Aragorn mesmerized. The moonlight was also streaming in glazing gently over the tall glowing form, casting an ethereal light about the elf's heavenly body making him seem an angel sent from heaven just to greet the ranger in his wakeful hours.
As enthralled as Aragorn was with Legolas and the gorgeous sight he presented, he was also somewhat disturbed by the way the elf was sleeping for he had his eyes closed and was in full dress, quiver and all. How had that happened? Elves never sleep with their eyes closed unless something was seriously wrong.
Without making a sound the ranger quickly threw back his blanket and climbed out of bed, moving over to sit on the edge of the princeling's instead.
A gentle, weather worn hand reached up and brushed the loose locks of pure heaven form the pale face grazing accidentally across the woven band upon his forehead which sent a shiver up Aragorn's arm. His eyebrows then knitted up as he gazed carefully at the soft silver crown, encircling the small symbol in the middle repeatedly. It was the elvish letter for `J'. What could that stand for? What had happened?
Confused, Aragorn sat back as memories flashed swiftly through his mind in a hurried jumble.
( ~~~ The mirror began to spin, emitting a fierce glow and an ungodly shrieking sound that all had to duck their eyes and cover their ears in pain. An incredible wind began to kick pulling the group closer towards the gazebo against their will. "What is this?!" Aragorn called, grabbing a hold of Frodo and Sam, trying to hold them back.
"Never mind it! Just RUN!!!" Boromir called, also grabbing onto two of the Hobbits pushing them back. Gimli nodded and grabbed a hold of Legolas' arm and turned to pull him away- but instead came to a jolting halt as the elf's form refused to budge. Confused the dwarf turned and looked up at the blonds face and instantly gasped, tightening his grip on his arm.
Legolas' eyes were wide open and glossy almost as if he were asleep yet he was standing and his free arm was up, his trembling hand reaching towards the judge. "Master elf?!" Gimli called, tugging fiercely on the princes arm trying to shake him to his senses. "Aragorn! Legolas, HE'S!-" His cry was cut off as a sharp beam of light shot forth from the violently rotating mirror and engulfed the blond prince and pulled him flying forward against the dwarf's will.
The elf's body came to a mean halt a mere few feet away from the gazebo, levitating about a foot form the ground, head snapped back. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened if even possible, his nimble arms thrown out to the side. Aragorn and Boromir drew to an immediate halt at Gimli's cry and turned with wide eyes to look upon their bewitched friends glowing form.
"Oh Stars!" Aragorn cried in reply, both men shooting forward towards the trapped elf. Two more beams of white hot light shot out with immense fierceness as the men passed the startled Dwarf and connected with their bodies, pulling them forward in a similar fashion forming a triangle around the gazebo.
There were now three imprisoned glowing forms, each snapped back chests arched up as the intensity of the ferocious light brightened. "Strider!" "Boromir!" "Legolas!!"
Something burning snap around Aragorn's neck and then there was one last flash of light. Then~~~ )
With a jolt the Ranger came back to the present, blinking wide eyes and breathing hard as a stray hand found its way to his own neck. Another tingling shiver ran down his arm as he felt a similar band upon his throat and the burnt edges of his tattered clothing. What exactly happened to them out there? What did that mirror do?
Aragorn was so lost in thought that he missed the slight movement beneath him as the wood-elf stirred to life. A small sound escaped Legolas' pale petal soft lips as his hand moved up to his aching head, feeling his long moonlight hair unbound and free about his face. The rangers eyes snapped back down to the Elf's face, looking him over quickly as he awoke and placed a hand upon his tender cheek without thinking.
Legolas felt a body move atop him and he could hear the heavy breathing of the individual but he could not for the life of him open his eyes to see WHO exactly it was. The princes body started impulsively as he felt the hand upon his cheek, but the touch was warm and non-threatening so he did not pull away. "Who.. who's there?" Legolas whispered faintly, soft enough that he himself almost did not hear it as he again tried to pry his unresponsive eyes open.
Aragorn stiffened at the question. He cannot tell who I am? He thought leaning forward to look closely at Legolas' face as he opened his mouth to reply - And promptly froze shocked as no sound came forth. His hand flew to his mouth as he again tried to say his name and he did indeed feel his lips moving and breath coming from his mouth but there was just no sound. He couldn't talk!! How did this happen?!? WAIT! The-
"Who is there? W-why do you not answer?" Legolas whispered again, trying for the third time to open his too heavy eyes.
Aragorn looked almost sadly upon the elf's white face and took up his hand curling his rough fingers gently around the perfect skin. "Why can't I open my eyes?" the prince asked, his free hand again moving towards his head and the crowning band upon it. Aragorn's own eyes shot wide as realization hit him.
He couldn't speak and Legolas-
`But... they are open...'
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TBC!
Hehe, nice place to leave it huh? ^_^ I hope you all liked that chapter because I DIDN'T!!! *seethes with anger ripping at hair* I'm in a slump!!! SERIOUS WRITTERS BLOCK!! I can't think of what to write. This stupid chapter took nearly four hours to write!!!!! And I hate the dumb THING!!!!!!!! ARGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think I'm gonna keep this one. Should I? You all seemed to like the other one how `bout this one? No? Okay I'll delete it soon..
`N e way, I should have a new chapter up soon so yeah. Please all you lovely people out there *falls onto knee's kissing your shoes* Please if you liked it hey even if you didn't like it review!! PLEASE!!!
Well as always Sankyou for reading!
AGAIN, I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Sorry but I simply do not have time to reply to all those lovely reviews right now. *cries* I'm SOOSOS bad!!! I swear I'll email every single one of you (at least the ones who left email addresses Grrrrrrrrr) this week!!! I'm sorry I love you all I'm not worthy I'm not worthy I'M NOT WORHTY!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok on to the story!!!! *runs away and hides.*
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT *insert curse word here* Own LotR's or any of its characters. (`cept for Galfin in this so don't steal my openly gay little boy kay!) However, the idea for this story is solely mine so please don't take that either. Ok Sankyou!
***************************************
Chapter 5 : "Of Painful Problems and Unwarranted Changes."
"How are they?" Gimli asked softly as Pippin closed the door to their tall companions' bedchamber. The little hobbit shook his head and looked at Merry. "They have yet to wake and we still cannot remove those strange bands." The half-ling responded with a small, confused shrug, rubbing faintly at his empty stomach. Gimli heaved a heavy sigh and leaned against the wall, his right hand straying to his trusted ax.
"I just do not understand it! They have no wounds, there are no signs of pain, yet they WILL NOT awaken. What did that blasted mirror do to them?!" He yelled in anger and not for the first time in the last two days, his thick hands balling up into fists at his sides. The two little half-lings shrunk back at his outburst, both silently worried for their tall companions and for their own grumbling tummies.
"We will not know that until they do indeed wake, Master Dwarf." Frodo whispered as he and Sam walked up to the their three friends. "How is Galfin?" Pippin asked, moving over to Frodo's side, genuinely worried about their annoyingly bubbly new companion. Frodo sighed and shook his head.
"He swears up and down that he is alright yet he continually complains of blurred vision, a slight ringing in his ears, and he is always clutching at his head like it pains him... He may be awake for the most part but I fear he is in no better shape than the others." Sam replied, looking worriedly over at his tired master who leaned heavily against the hallway wall with his bright blue eyes closed.
"We will just have to keep an eye on him, I think. But for now, it would be best if we sleep ourselves. Come, the sun is setting and I doubt our companions shall wake anytime soon." Gimli spoke, pushing off from his leaning position to move down the hall. "Aye." Sam replied, gently pulling Frodo from against the wall and turned towards their own bedchamber. Pippins stomach growled loudly and he blushed as the others started suddenly and looked at him inquisitively. He shrugged and took up Merry's arm.
"I think I shall go find some dinner before bed." He whispered meekly in reply to their inquiring smirks and backed off a bit more. Merry nodded and turned to go with him. "You three go ahead. We will be there shortly." He informed, pushing Pippin quickly down the hall and whispering with a laugh at his friend whose blush darkened.
"Do not take too long, you two!" Gimli called after them, then slowly followed the other two hobbits into their room and collapsed upon his bed. "What a mess we got our selves into..." he muttered into his pillow, vaguely listening to the hobbits as they settled in for the night. `Havens, I hope everything is alright...'
*********
Boromir groaned as he began to wake, stretching his sore muscles as sleep slowly left them. Weakly, his eyes fluttered open blinking rapidly against the soft candlelight to clear the slight blur about his vision. Again he shifted, forcefully pushing his tired body up into a vaguely sitting position as he rubbed at his weary face and looked about him in confusion. What?
`He was back at the inn? How did that happen? Last thing I remember was... was running to help Legolas with Aragorn.. and then... and then a white light and something being.. ripped from me then- a faint burning sensation around-my stomach. How did I get back here?' He thought, confused, a stray hand moving to his belly unconsciously. However, what met him was a surprise indeed.
Boromir's head snapped down and he looked at his exposed lower abdomen with wide eyes, examining it closely in the faint glow about the room.
His clothing around his stomach had been burned away, leaving behind a black jagged hem upon his shirt and vest that brushed roughly against the naked skin just below his chest. Encircling his waist, shining with a soft ethereal glow, was a thick silver band weaving in and out of itself with a small elvish symbol embedded directly above his belly button. Upon the flesh surrounding the band were small hobbit sized red fingerprints and slightly purplish thumb sized bruises.
In silent wonder and sheer puzzlement, Boromir gently ran his fingers over the soft woven band a small tingling sensation following the slight contact.
Closing his flushed fingers upon the bejeweled belt, Boromir gave it a sharp tug trying to yank it free. It wouldn't budge. The man's eyebrows knitted up in confusion as he pulled again, his right hand moving to join the first pulling fiercely upon the seemingly fragile band. Quickly he searched for a clasp and upon finding none reverted back to his powerful yanking. After many unsuccessful tries to remove the blasted thing, he finally gave up, his chest rising and falling sharply from his exertion.
Shaking his head, he gently brushed his hair behind his ear and threw the blankets aside looking to his still sleeping comrades. Swiftly, he pushed to his unsteady feet and stumbled over to Aragorn's bed, looking the unconscious man over worriedly. Folding the blanket back slightly, Boromir started upon seeing a similar band encircling the dark haired man's neck, the shirt and cloak around it burnt away just like Boromir's own shirt had been exposing the top of Aragorn's supple, well-toned chest.
With surprisingly nimble fingers, the bright haired man gently ran his touch over the silvery band upon Aragorn's throat, feeling the same chilling tingly sensation upon contact that he had upon touching his own.
Boromir then slowly started to trail his fingers down Aragorn's neck, feeling the sharp cords under the tanned skin, over the smooth dip of his enticing collar bone, down his strong chest... then lower... he wanted to go lower... Standing there, starring at Aragorn's sweet face, gentle closed eyes, full lips that wanted oh so badly to be kissed, he wanted-
Sharply Boromir pulled back, mentally cursing himself. What was he DOING!?!? This was Aragorn, son of Arathorn and heir to the throne of Gondor and above all that his friend! He shouldn't be touching him like THAT let alone feeling...feeling... what WAS he feeling towards him?...
Lust?... need?... want?.. it couldn't possibly be Lo-. No! No, It couldn't be that! He couldn't be L- wanting another man! That was wrong! No! No that THING must have messed with his head somehow! Boromir's mind spat, a clear image of the judge appearing in his head. He scowled.
Shaking slightly, Boromir pulled away and crossed over to the softly sleeping Legolas' bed, looking over the sweet prince carefully as he tried to forget what had just happened. Again he started as he spotted another one of those blasted bands, however this time it was upon the Elf's soft forehead.
It looked like an Elvish crown adorned by a proud and beautiful elf Prince, weaving back into his long pale hair which had fallen free of its customary partial braid letting the moonlight locks cascade like silk about his exquisite face.
Boromir was oddly drawn to the slumbering beauty. His quivering hand reached, against his will, out to touch the thin woven crown upon the gentle mantle then trail down the bridge of the elf's fine nose, over his left cheek, and down through his satin hair to rest next to his head, his thumb stroking over his neck softly as a lover might. `I never noticed how beautiful he truly was... how beautiful they truly were...' he though to himself, glancing between the elegant sleeping Prince and the strong Ranger.
Slowly his body started to lean forward, his face inching closer towards the blonds pale waiting lips... closer.. closer...
What the-!!
With a violent jerk Boromir threw himself away from his elf Companion, landing rather roughly upon the hard wood floor, his heart pounding in his abused chest. WHAT IN MIDDLE-EARTH IS GOING ON HERE!?!?!?! Why am I - lusting after my friends?! Not just one, but b-but BOTH!!?! Boromir was extremely shaken, and way beyond confused.
"What is wrong with me?..." the bright haired man whispered shakily, yet to his shock, no sound came out. Or more correctly he heard no sound.
Boromir's body went rigid with a violent shiver, his left hand flying up to his ears. Oh God! He couldn't hear! What did that cursed mirror do to him?!??! First, he was coming on to his friends and now, now he COULDN'T HEAR!?
Unsteadily Boromir shot to his feet and moved towards the door. `I've got to get out of here.' He thought, glancing back at his friends again only to feel a hot flash rise upon his cheeks and down somewhere lower. Shamefully, he ducked his head and tried to push his disturbing thoughts of kissing and caressing his two closest friends from his mind, leaving the large room to find something to distract himself with.
Vaguely he felt his stomach grumble rather than hear it since, at the moment, he was incapable and moved silently towards the kitchen.
********
"Pip! Come on I'd like to get SOME sleep tonight!" Merry wined, leaning forward on the table as he watched his little friend dig through a nameless cupboard for more food. "Don't you think this is enough yet?" He asked exasperated, picking up something that looked like a yellow apple and mindlessly munched on it looking over the large pile of miscellaneous foods in front of him. Pippin peaked out from behind the cupboard door and threw another piece of fruit at Merry then stuck out his tongue and retreated back into the shelves.
"Don't be so grouchy! I want some more of those strawberry things, but I can not seem to find them." the little hobbits voice was muffled from behind the door. Merry sighed again and walked over to the counter across from his little companion. "There over here." He replied, holding up a small bowl full of the purplish fruit. Pippin looked up at that and shook his head, returning into the cupboard.
"Those are for Legolas when he awakens. Galfin got them out for him this afternoon." Merry opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by the door suddenly bursting open and a rumpled Boromir running in his shirt half falling off. Pippin jumped at the loud bang and smacked his head on the shelf above him hard. He crawled out of the cupboard grumbling under his breath and rubbing the forming bump on the back of his skull.
"Boromir!?" Galfin called from out in the hall looking for the bright haired man. "Boromir, Lover boy where be you?!" The boy called again running frantically through the halls laughing.
Boromir leaned up against the door to hold it closed just encase Galfin tried to get in then jumped when he saw Merry and Pippin laughing at him from across the room. "Wha' are you two - doing here?" he asked slightly out of breath, hoping he had said the right words.
"Pippin was hungry. When did you wake up?" Merry asked, walking towards the heavily breathing man. Boromir looked at him without responding his eyebrows creasing in confusion, as recognition at the words failed to glance across his features. Merry stopped walking and looked into his eyes, puzzlement showing upon his own face. "Boromir?" he asked, moving to place a hand on the man's arm.
The son of Gondor again didn't reply, not knowing what it was he was supposed to reply to. He could see Merry's mouth moving but he couldn't hear any sound and couldn't read from his lips what he was saying. "Boromir what is wrong?" Pippin asked, moving up to his other side and placed his hand on Boromir's other arm.
The bright haired man jumped as the dark haired hobbit touched him, not having noticed he was there. "Boromir?" Pippin asked again, worried at the man's surprise.
Boromir released a deep shuddered breath, his eyes glazing over and slid down the door as the full impact of his new impairment hit him. Oh stars! He couldn't understand them! How could he talk to them, protect them, fight for them if he couldn't hear anything?! He quickly covered his face with his hands as he fought to understand what was going on, unaware of the two hobbits practically yelling in his ears.
"I cannot hear..." he whispered to himself in disbelief, shaking his head slightly. At that however, Pippin and Merry went stock still, their innocent eyes wide in horror their attempts to talk to him stopped. How can this be...
*********
Aragorn shifted silently in his bed, his eyes still hungrily devouring the sight in front of him as they had been for the last ten minutes. The Ranger had awoken to the sound of Boromir leaving the room and had turned to see the most beautiful thing next to him and since then had been incapable of tearing his gaze away.
The window above Legolas' bed was open allowing a soft breeze to blow in and gently rustle his long pale mane in an almost poetic dance of golden and silver threads that had Aragorn mesmerized. The moonlight was also streaming in glazing gently over the tall glowing form, casting an ethereal light about the elf's heavenly body making him seem an angel sent from heaven just to greet the ranger in his wakeful hours.
As enthralled as Aragorn was with Legolas and the gorgeous sight he presented, he was also somewhat disturbed by the way the elf was sleeping for he had his eyes closed and was in full dress, quiver and all. How had that happened? Elves never sleep with their eyes closed unless something was seriously wrong.
Without making a sound the ranger quickly threw back his blanket and climbed out of bed, moving over to sit on the edge of the princeling's instead.
A gentle, weather worn hand reached up and brushed the loose locks of pure heaven form the pale face grazing accidentally across the woven band upon his forehead which sent a shiver up Aragorn's arm. His eyebrows then knitted up as he gazed carefully at the soft silver crown, encircling the small symbol in the middle repeatedly. It was the elvish letter for `J'. What could that stand for? What had happened?
Confused, Aragorn sat back as memories flashed swiftly through his mind in a hurried jumble.
( ~~~ The mirror began to spin, emitting a fierce glow and an ungodly shrieking sound that all had to duck their eyes and cover their ears in pain. An incredible wind began to kick pulling the group closer towards the gazebo against their will. "What is this?!" Aragorn called, grabbing a hold of Frodo and Sam, trying to hold them back.
"Never mind it! Just RUN!!!" Boromir called, also grabbing onto two of the Hobbits pushing them back. Gimli nodded and grabbed a hold of Legolas' arm and turned to pull him away- but instead came to a jolting halt as the elf's form refused to budge. Confused the dwarf turned and looked up at the blonds face and instantly gasped, tightening his grip on his arm.
Legolas' eyes were wide open and glossy almost as if he were asleep yet he was standing and his free arm was up, his trembling hand reaching towards the judge. "Master elf?!" Gimli called, tugging fiercely on the princes arm trying to shake him to his senses. "Aragorn! Legolas, HE'S!-" His cry was cut off as a sharp beam of light shot forth from the violently rotating mirror and engulfed the blond prince and pulled him flying forward against the dwarf's will.
The elf's body came to a mean halt a mere few feet away from the gazebo, levitating about a foot form the ground, head snapped back. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened if even possible, his nimble arms thrown out to the side. Aragorn and Boromir drew to an immediate halt at Gimli's cry and turned with wide eyes to look upon their bewitched friends glowing form.
"Oh Stars!" Aragorn cried in reply, both men shooting forward towards the trapped elf. Two more beams of white hot light shot out with immense fierceness as the men passed the startled Dwarf and connected with their bodies, pulling them forward in a similar fashion forming a triangle around the gazebo.
There were now three imprisoned glowing forms, each snapped back chests arched up as the intensity of the ferocious light brightened. "Strider!" "Boromir!" "Legolas!!"
Something burning snap around Aragorn's neck and then there was one last flash of light. Then~~~ )
With a jolt the Ranger came back to the present, blinking wide eyes and breathing hard as a stray hand found its way to his own neck. Another tingling shiver ran down his arm as he felt a similar band upon his throat and the burnt edges of his tattered clothing. What exactly happened to them out there? What did that mirror do?
Aragorn was so lost in thought that he missed the slight movement beneath him as the wood-elf stirred to life. A small sound escaped Legolas' pale petal soft lips as his hand moved up to his aching head, feeling his long moonlight hair unbound and free about his face. The rangers eyes snapped back down to the Elf's face, looking him over quickly as he awoke and placed a hand upon his tender cheek without thinking.
Legolas felt a body move atop him and he could hear the heavy breathing of the individual but he could not for the life of him open his eyes to see WHO exactly it was. The princes body started impulsively as he felt the hand upon his cheek, but the touch was warm and non-threatening so he did not pull away. "Who.. who's there?" Legolas whispered faintly, soft enough that he himself almost did not hear it as he again tried to pry his unresponsive eyes open.
Aragorn stiffened at the question. He cannot tell who I am? He thought leaning forward to look closely at Legolas' face as he opened his mouth to reply - And promptly froze shocked as no sound came forth. His hand flew to his mouth as he again tried to say his name and he did indeed feel his lips moving and breath coming from his mouth but there was just no sound. He couldn't talk!! How did this happen?!? WAIT! The-
"Who is there? W-why do you not answer?" Legolas whispered again, trying for the third time to open his too heavy eyes.
Aragorn looked almost sadly upon the elf's white face and took up his hand curling his rough fingers gently around the perfect skin. "Why can't I open my eyes?" the prince asked, his free hand again moving towards his head and the crowning band upon it. Aragorn's own eyes shot wide as realization hit him.
He couldn't speak and Legolas-
`But... they are open...'
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TBC!
Hehe, nice place to leave it huh? ^_^ I hope you all liked that chapter because I DIDN'T!!! *seethes with anger ripping at hair* I'm in a slump!!! SERIOUS WRITTERS BLOCK!! I can't think of what to write. This stupid chapter took nearly four hours to write!!!!! And I hate the dumb THING!!!!!!!! ARGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think I'm gonna keep this one. Should I? You all seemed to like the other one how `bout this one? No? Okay I'll delete it soon..
`N e way, I should have a new chapter up soon so yeah. Please all you lovely people out there *falls onto knee's kissing your shoes* Please if you liked it hey even if you didn't like it review!! PLEASE!!!
Well as always Sankyou for reading!