-Rising Storm-
By: Bill the Pony
Rating: PG-13 (just being cautious)
Feedback: elf_master752@yahoo.com
Spoilers: Not yet really.
Disclaimer: Don't own them, I'll leave that to the Tolkien family and whoever. I make no profit either.
Summary: The shadow of Mordor is growing darker and spreading across the lands like a plague. Dunlendings have allied themselves with orcs, terrorizing the neighboring lands. Worse yet, it is heard that the head of this movement is inside the order of the Istari. A friend of Gandalf has been framed as the head of this evil plot. It is up to Aragorn and Legolas to clear his name before the order of the Istari bring him up as a traitor, allowing the real traitor to continue his scheme.
Note: Not all the names in this actually mean something. I couldn't get enough info for that. As well as I know that this is not all accurate, I had limited resources. Fasse is an original character, in Quenya (as far as I can tell) means 'Shaggy'. :)
Additional Note: This is set a few years at most before the Fellowship of the Ring and the beginning of the War of the Ring. So if that clears up any confusion… As well as, Aragorn is a Ranger by now, that is why you will see him referred to as Strider. Also, from terrain on most maps, I think that Dunland was more plain land than forest, but I'm setting the 'city' of Dunland
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Rising Storm
Part 8
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It was said that with the passing of years came wisdom. Obviously, Fasse thought, Aragorn had not had enough years pass. After the ranger had huffed off, the wizard had kicked himself into action. Well, as much action as he could muster. With his wizardly staff in hand he donned a grass woven hat to protect him from the rain, then marched off with a determined stride. He had to admit he was not the brightest of the Istar. He held no illusion of great power either, but he could not tolerate letting others fight his battles for him.
Following Ralamir's tracks, he made good time, even on foot. The rain did not cease to fall, making Fasse wish that he had paid more attention to his weather spells. But on he went, rain or no.
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Borlanon with Horengof at his side, stood rigidly along with a company of armed men. People milled about on the streets below, casting curious and suspicious looks up at the scene. There was a commotion at the gates, followed by whinnies and shouts of pain and anger. Soon afterwards a rider upon a magnificent bay rode towards them. "What did I tell you, my liege? You did not even need my skills to be rid of these nuisances. In a case like this, where friendship is a binding force, all you need is half of the link."
The rider did not halt at the steps, instead, horse and rider lunged up the steps coming directly before the king and assassin. There was no fear in the man's hidden glittering eyes, nor any hesitation in his movements. "Where is he?"
Borlanon smiled innocently up at the man seated upon the prancing horse. "Who do you speak of?" A sword was at his throat before he could speak further.
"You know of whom I speak! I have not the time for your prattling." With a sweep of a hand, the rider brushed back his rain soaked hood to reveal a sun brushed face and eyes more intense than any Borlanon had ever seen. The glistening blade point at the Chief's throat pressed harder.
"You need not work yourself up, my good man." Vanen's voice sounded from beside Borlanon. Quiet and reserved as usual, the assassin's hooded eyes twinkled in delight at his own schemes. "He has decided to join us."
Aragorn twisted in the saddle at the grunt of both pain and frustration, though the utterances of discomfort did not come from the prisoner thrashing between the four guards. Bound as he was, it did not hinder Legolas from bucking and thrashing violently in the grasp of the men. He passed out more than a few bites and landed a good number of blows to noses and stomachs with his elbows. Then one of the soldiers, baring a bloody nose and a bruised eye, growled and raised a fist, bring it down hard against the back of Legolas's head. Ralamir swiveled on his back hooves at his rider's frantic twist. The horse reared, threatening anyone that drew too near.
Before Aragorn could make any move, Vanen had drawn the limp elf against him with a blade pressed to the prince's neck. "Come now, there is no need for you to take part in this violence. If you struck them down, you would be no better than them, would you not?" Aragorn lowered his sword, stabbing the assassin with a fearsome stare. "Good, I knew you would not be so rash as to let your friend suffer for your sins." Vanen carelessly dropped Legolas, allowing him to fall back to the ground. Two guards stepped forward and hoisted the elf between them, dragging the dead weight of the archer back into the confines of the house. "Why don't you follow his good example and let us discuss our differences out of the elements."
He had no other choice. But if all went according to plan…He dismounted, tucking the reins over the saddle horn. A guard ventured to grasp Ralamir's bridle. His hand only met teeth. Or the teeth met his hand. He yelped in pain as Ralamir's strong jaws closed about his hand. The horse's ears were pinned back. The whites of his brown eyes showed as he struck mightily at any who dared to try an take him. With a command from Aragorn the bay fled. Aragorn had complete assurance that Ralamir would be on hand when needed.
"You do choose the most beastly animal don't you?" Vanen said deceivingly pleasant. Aragorn favored him with a cold smile. Vanen motioned to the door, "Shall we?"
With guards behind and before, Strider was ultimately forced to enter. Long halls, dimly lighted, were decorated with tapestries and an odd assortment of weapons, most of which, Aragorn had never seen the likes of and would loath to meet in combat. The interior of the house proved to be a maze of corridors and rooms. The large company passed through seemingly countless twists and turns.
Finally, he was brought to a polished and intricately carved door of dark oak. The door whined plaintively as a sentry stationed at the opening pushed the door respectively open for the Lord of Dunland. As he was issued inside, he realized that it was both the quarters and the work – in a loose term – place of Borlanon. The chief in question moved to stand beside a massive desk. He lowered his considerable bulk into a luxurious armchair, while Horengof remained standing. To his relief, Legolas had also been brought here, though he was still incapacitated and unconsciousness. The elf lay practically ignored behind the backs of both Vanen and Borlanon. An even better turn, decided Aragorn.
The men removed his sword from his side and the knife from his belt. Aragorn held his breath as they felt his boots for hidden weapons. Only when they stepped back did he allow himself a mental sigh. The custom pocket he had sewn into the leather of the boot had gone unnoticed. Inside the pocket he kept a small knife, more than once had it aided him. So far so good. "In a usual formal meeting, I would ask your name. But I see no point to such formalities when you will be dead in but a few moments." Vanen prowled slowly before him.
"Such an honest sort you are." Aragorn matched the wry sarcasm of the assassin tone for tone.
"I hate to waste breath."
"Then why don't you just kill me now?"
"For one I agree with you, stranger," Borlanon mumbled.
The shadow-eyed assassin ignored the comment by the Dunlending lord, he stopped to smile lightly at Aragorn. "But what fun would I have in that? It is not every day I am privileged to deliver such pain and suffering upon two friends. Far too often must I simply shoot," He made a motion of firing a bow, "And get paid." Horengof leaned against the desk. "By this, I get to slowly destroy one of your lucky hearts, in the process breaking the other tender heart as well. Quite literally."
Aragorn could see clearly the assassin's weakness in his pride. For once, perhaps for the last time, Vanen was letting his guard down pleased as he was with his scheme. Aragorn slowly lowered himself into a chair, his theory strengthened when Vanen waved the approaching guards away from Aragorn. Easily, he drew his boot up to rest over his knee, the dagger now in easy reach of his relaxed hand. "That hardly sounds entertaining to me."
"The upstanding never do." While Aragorn appeased Vanen with witty and challenging remarks, the ranger threw a glance at the elf in time to see Legolas's eyes slowly flicker open half way blearily. When the elf was conscious enough to understand Aragorn's body language he tapped a finger against his boot resting across his thigh. To the observer it would have just appeared as a casual habit. But in their circumstances, and even in Legolas's muddled state, he knew what Aragorn was relaying to him.
"…So you and I are not so different. I must say it is somewhat of a pity that I must end your existence. You and I would have made quite a duo."
Aragorn only smiled. On cue, Legolas rolled, colliding hard with a guard, knocking his legs out from under him. With a domino effect the hit felled two more. Legolas provided more than enough distraction for Aragorn to draw out his dagger and with it, regain possession of his sword from the guard standing dumbfounded behind him. With a previously unconscious elf rolling about and a suddenly armed prisoner, the guards and Borlanon were more than a little bewildered.
Legolas rolled to the side, just dodging a stab from a spear which narrowly missed his back. Spinning on his back he kicked out another two pairs of legs. With a howl the downed men fell in a tangled mound. Looking up just in time to see another incoming spear, Legolas somersaulted backwards to his knees where he ducked just in time to avoid a blow from the hilt of a sword. Pushing himself handlessly to his feet he rolled back on his left heel for balance and delivered a sharp kick to a charging man's abdomen. His eyes swept the room, taking in Aragorn holding at bay the guards who seemed to endlessly flood through the doorway, before they landed upon the letter laying openly as before on the desk.
The elf stepped back abruptly, colliding hard with a fast approaching Dunlending, sending the man careening back with the wind knocked solidly out of him. Changing his reversed motion suddenly, he stepped right twisting his body and bringing his left leg up in a powerful kick, cracking against another man's jaw. At this moment he was relatively clear of danger for a split second. Taking this opportunity, he leapt high, tucking his feet tightly beneath him and swinging his arms from behind his back under his legs. He landed gracefully, perfectly balanced and his bound hands now before him. From the moment his feet touched the ground he was back in motion. He spun away from two oncoming men, bringing him closer to the desk. Then with one last step he grabbed the letter tightly in his shackled hands and danced away from another onslaught of armed men.
From across the room, Aragorn was busy performing his own deadly dance. With strong sweeps, he stuck more than a few foolish men who drew too close to his singing blade. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glance of Legolas's flaxen mane as he brought his hands under his legs in an impossibly fluid leap. Aragorn dared not hope that things might be going according to his plan as Legolas skipped backwards then grabbed hold of a letter off the desk.
It was a good thing he hadn't, for just at that moment did he catch site of Vanen - who had remained safely away from the fray - pull back and hurl a long rapier directly for Legolas's head.
"Legolas!"
The elven prince whirled at Aragorn's panicked shout to see a silver blade hurtling towards his face. Eyes widening slightly in alarm, Legolas twisted his head to the side, though not quite enough. The edge of the dagger raked across the side of his face, but he came away in much better shape than the Dunlending standing immediately behind him. When Legolas straightened, Vanen had disappeared, not surprisingly, Borlanon with him.
Catching the lightly tossed dagger from Aragorn he put his near escape from death behind him, he began working his way over to the ranger.
The Dunlending men were slowly realizing that their leaders had disappeared. Without their proverbial strong arm to back them, they had no desire to sell themselves cheaply to death at the hands of the two warriors. With a half-hearted defense, the men tried to push the elf and the fire-eyed man back but to no avail. Legolas and Aragorn broke from the room, fleeing down the halls giving passing guards no time to recognize them. Legolas led the way, his instinct and elven memory guiding his feet through the labyrinth of corridors and chambers. "Remind me next time you plan on taking things into your own hands, elf," panted Aragorn from beside him. The ranger tossed him a key as they jogged.
Legolas laughed as best he could at their pace. "Surely you will not hold it against me?" Fumbling with his shackles he managed to insert the key into the lock of his chains. With a snap they broke from his raw wrists and fell to the floor, soon far behind them as they ran on.
"No, of course not. You only knocked me out and sent me back to Fasse like a child to his room."
"Oh, you would know how that feels more than I would." Legolas bolted ahead before Aragorn could smack his arm.
Much to both of their relief, the elf's memory served true. They broke from the house into the drizzle of the outdoors. Legolas had never been so glad to be in fresh air. One night in the dank cells of Dunland had been quite enough for him. But by the looks of things, their troubles were far from over. At least this time it appeared that they would not have to face it with just the two of them. Fasse on Falmarin, with Ralamir close beside him, twirled his 'staff' and raised bruises on Dunlending heads like a child with a stick beside a spring pond full of frogs. Ralamir, not to be outdone, reared and struck with his sharp hooves, while Falmarin, careful to keep the somewhat wobbly wizard astride, bit and stamped every foot and ear that came within reach.
As Aragorn sped past Legolas, he failed to see Vanen step from the shadows and lunge for the elf.
Legolas felt the force of the man barrel into his back threatening to send him toppling. Tipping forward he tried to unbalance the man by sending him over his back. But the assassin managed to push him to the ground instead. In a dangerous fury, they rolled and thrashed. Vanen's second knife came into play. Legolas found himself pinned beneath the much heavier man. Working one hand free he propelled a fist into the side of Vanen's face. His results were a grunt, and that was it. Then it became a power struggle. Vanen thrust the knife downwards, in an unhindered path for the elf's throat. Legolas only barely managed to catch the assassin's wrist a mere three inches from his neck. With gravity on Horengof's side, the one handed Legolas was hard pressed to keep the hand at bay. He was rapidly losing his meager three inches. "I swore to you I would not miss, elf. I may have missed the last time, but I care not how many times it takes. Be it the second, or the hundredth." Vanen's face was nearly touching his as he hissed his oath into the elf's face. It was now or never. Slowly, Legolas was able to work his other hand that was grasping Aragorn's dagger from where it was pinned beneath him.
"You'll just have to wait a bit longer then." He said quietly in response. Just as the knife above him pricked his throat, he brought his other hand up, slashing the assassin's right cheek deeply with the small blade. Vanen reeled back in surprise, giving Legolas just enough maneuvering room to roll from beneath the man's crushing weight.
It was then that more guards, re-assembled from the previous pandemonium, spilled from the doors of the house, closing in upon the elf. Aragorn called for him to run. He had no other choice. As he swung up behind Fasse, he spared a glance back. Vanen had pulled himself to his feet, an insane light in the assassin's eye. Blood running freely down the side of his face, his eyes spoke volumes of his unspoken pledge. The assassin, Legolas feared, they had not seen the last of. With a burst of speed, Falmarin lunged forward through the gates past the stunned sentries and pedestrians, carrying them quickly away from the confusion in the city. No, Legolas thought as he felt the letter holding within it the defense they needed to aid Fasse, this was just the beginning. Whoever was at the head of this was still unknown, but they had done what they had been asked. The rest was in the hands of Mithrandir. Legolas knew that there was more to this whole situation than he had been told and it was not for him to become involved. Just yet at least.
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Vanen's countenance was darker than the thundering sky above. His eyes flared brighter than the torches placed in sconces under the protection of the eves. He had failed this once; the elf had escaped with evidence enough to free their wizard friend of doubt. The assassin cared not of this, this was not his home, and these were not his people, though of half Dunlending blood he was. He had not home and he had not kindred. This was not his battle. But he did have one battle to wage, it had only just begun.
Vanen Horengof was not one to make the same mistake twice. Next time, and there would be a next time, he would not be so careless.
Turning his back to the activity of Dunland, he pulled his cloak about him and walked slowly, without reserve or a backward glance from the corrupt city. He would have weeks, months, maybe years to brood and plan. Anger and revenge was a delicate thing, it could not be rushed. The assassin could be certain the elf would pay for his humiliation. In that there was no question.
TBC…
(Well…whatcha think?)
Short A/N: Thanks Akia Jaya For the really nice review. You get best review of Part 7 award! Hurhur. I should start something like that.
Also it looks like this story is winding down. It will be one of the first I've actually completed in this short amount of time. Truthfully, this story was really to just get me writing longer fiction in this genre and to prove to myself that I could finish it. It looks like I will!! I think there might be one or two more chapters. Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed the last part!