All right, back to this one--I neglected it for a couple days and the plot bunnies are glaring at me…Go me!! I finished Wednesday's chapter Tuesday!!

Chapter 24--So Close

Legolas' aim was sure and the arrow flew true, but at the last moment Darrin moved. The arrow that would have certainly pierced his heart sank into his shoulder. The result was chaos, people scattered screaming while the guards looked for the attacker.

"Legolas, come on!! We have to get out of here!!" Aragorn said. They hurried down the stairs into the square. The confusion actually worked to their advantage and they were able to escape back to Gimli's old house and lock the door.

"I am sorry, Aragorn," Legolas said. "I have failed both you and Arwen."

"No you did not. Your shot was perfect and would have killed him if he had not moved," Aragorn said sternly. "There will be another opportunity to get to him, Legolas. We will be triumphant."

Hours passed. Luckily none of the guards thought to search Gimli's old house. At midnight Cade showed up. Aragorn let him inside. "What is going on, Cade?" he asked. "What is being said and done about all of this?"

"That mage is saying the assassin was aiming for Arwen so all the guards are on the alert. The festival has been called off. It will be very difficult to get close again for some time," Cade said grimly.

"So close, we were so close. I hate the thought of that bastard having control of my family. If he had not moved this would be over," Aragorn raged.

Legolas sighed, he partly blamed himself for missing no matter what Aragorn said. "Now what shall we do?" he asked.

"I am not sure, but there must be something we can do," Aragorn grumbled. "We have to stop him before it is to late."

"We will not be able to attempt anything for a few days. The guards are to alert. We will have to wait," Cade said.

Aragorn and Legolas nodded in reluctant agreement. There was no other choice.

"I must go back before I am missed, I will bring supplies later," Cade said and left. Once again all Legolas and Aragorn could do was wait.

**Meanwhile**

Darrin paced back and forth in the royal chambers. Despite what he had said he knew the arrow had been aimed at him. He winced at a sharp stab of pain from his shoulder. A healer had removed the arrow and bandaged the wound, but it still hurt. Someone dared to attack me--me!! I will not allow this to go unpunished, he raged. The guards were searching, for they believed their Queen had been the target because of that Darrin was certain they would not give up.

A cold smile spread across his face as he thought about what he would do to his attacker once he or she was caught. The scum would suffer the worst tortures he knew before mercifully death was allowed to claim him. He poured a goblet of wine and sat down, trying to relax. He ordered Sandi to massage his uninjured shoulder while he sipped at the wine and made new plans.

The next two days were pure torture for Aragorn and Legolas, the search had not died down instead it was getting more through. If the guards decided to search Gimli's place they would be caught. Neither of them wanted to think about what would happen to them if they were. They were certain to be sentenced to a slow and painful death.

The third day their fears were justified when someone rattled the doorknob. Aragorn and Legolas exchanged grim looks and nods. Both drew their weapons and prepared to fight as they heard a key turn in the lock then the door slowly opened. It revealed…..

Mwahahaha!! CLIFFHANGER!! They're so fun!! R/R!! (See, I didn't make it easy!!) Besides I'm having too much fun to stop now!! **SMIRKS EVILLY**