Would you believe that as I wrote this I sat on my bedroom floor and my
legs were starting to have serious circulation issues. I was also listening
to "Portland's Only Rock Station" which by the way is completely false.
There are, like, four. But you're wanting to read chappy 2 right now,
right? Not my ownpathetic life story.
On with it.
Stolen
Rating: Eventually PG-13. This chapter - uh, maybe up to PG.
Disclaimers & Summary: See chapter one, cause I don't want to type all that again.
Chapter Two:
Legolas sighed and entertained thoughts of beating his head into the tree trunk behind him just for something to do. The elf had near fallen asleep on his watch, not from exhaustion, but from sheer boredom. He envied his human friend, who was able to at least pass the time by sleeping. Legolas glanced up through the leaves; the stars were still hidden behind the thick clouds. The elf was almost certain there would be rain before dawn came. In an unusual show of restlessness, he tapped his long fingers against his bow and resolved to wake Aragorn promptly when the human's watch was to start. Even if Legolas didn't sleep for the second half of the night, there was no way he was letting Aragorn while away the night in pleasant dreams. Not when the elf felt and overwhelming need to beat his head against a tree.
Legolas glanced down to the sleeping form of his friend, barely able to pick him out in the darkness. The night, couple with the man's uncanny ability to hide when he wanted to, made him especially capable of disappearing. The elf smiled as he thought of the previous days events. He knew he'd tried Aragorn's patience for the better part of the day, but it was all for a good cause. Irritating Aragorn was one of the best causes he could think of. And one of the most rewarding.
The smile slid off Legolas' face, quickly replaced by a frown as the elf sat up, bow in hand. He peered through the darkness, concentrating on the presence he could feel and the sheer terror that seemed to accompany it. Swiftly and silently, he made his way across the branches and dropped in a crouched next to Aragorn's sleeping form so lightly the man didn't stir. Legolas laid a hand on the ranger's shoulder, wordlessly waking him.
Aragorn woke, not with a start, but by simply opening his eyes. Seeing Legolas crouched next to him with his bow ready, the man skipped the obvious questions - "What's going on?" being foremost in his mind- and quickly sat up, hand already on the hilt of his sword next to him.
"In the woods, coming from the south," Legolas whispered, his voice barely above the rising wind. Aragorn had to strain to hear him. "I do not know how far exactly, but close."
Aragorn eyed the elf. Legolas had missed the one thing that went a long way toward completing the picture. Legolas only stared back, confused until he replayed his own words. "At least one in number," he told Aragorn.
The ranger sighed softly. "You've no idea then?"
Legolas shook his head.
"Well," Aragorn whispered, standing, "should we wait for them or go find out what this new threat is?"
"Must you ask?"
"Right. Stupid question. Lead the way," was the response.
They slipped through underbrush, Legolas leading, using the keen senses he'd been blessed with to track the new presence. They'd gone perhaps a mile when they both pulled up short. Legolas turned to Aragorn, eyebrows raised as the sounds of something crashing through the trees reached them.
"Not being especially quiet, is it?" Aragorn observed. "I'll circle around behind."
Legolas nodded, and waited until the man disappeared in the brush before drawing and arrow from his quiver and moving forward. He listened intently, only able to hear one.whatever it is, he thought.heading toward him. He stopped and crouched, hidden, just as it came into sight. Legolas' arrow was already on target.
The elf almost dropped his arrow when he saw his target. Crashing through the underbrush and tripping over branches, rocks and his own feet came a small human. A child, Legolas thought as he stepped into the path of the obviously terrified boy, judging by the pale countenance, wide eyes and slack jaw.
The child stopped his headlong rush when he saw the elf, bow in hand and arrow still half drawn. With a strangled cry, he pivoted only to find Aragorn, sword in hand, behind him. The boy looked over his shoulder, eying the elf, chest rising and falling in a frantic rhythm.
"It's a child," Aragorn called to Legolas, concern and surprise coloring the amused tone he'd adopted.
"I see that," Legolas answered in kind.
"He seems frightened."
"Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that our weapons are still pointed at him," Legolas responded lightly as he returned the arrow to his quiver.
"I see your point." Aragorn sheathed his sword and crouched to that he was closer to eye level with the boy.
The boy, for his part, had followed the short conversation with growing confusion, but that hadn't done much to counter the terror. What did help was when the two put the weapons away.
"Who are you, child?"
The boy turned a wide-eyed gaze on Aragorn, childish trust hoping he'd found a savior. "Rabryn," he stuttered in a soft voice Aragorn couldn't make out. The ranger turned a questioning gaze to the elf behind them.
"Rabryn," the elf repeated.
Aragorn nodded. "And how old are you, Rabryn?"
The boy held up five fingers.
Aragorn grinned. "I'm assuming that means five years. And, while five years may be quite mature, I have to wonder what you're doing out here all alone."
To Aragorn's surprise, Rabryn started to cry. Before the ranger could say or do anything besides stare at the child, Legolas spoke.
"We should go," the elf said. He nodded in the direction Aragorn had come. "Something comes."
At that, Rabryn bolted, trying to slip past the elf. Legolas, however, was both faster and more agile than the child and caught him, lifting the small boy into his arms. Rabryn panicked, leaving Legolas with an armful of squirming, screaming child. Rabryn's flailing elbow caught Legolas' temple and the child quickly moved to pull the elf's long hair. He caught a large fistful and pulled hard before abruptly stopping.
"Hey, you're an elf," Rabryn said, wonder creeping into his voice.
Despite the situation, Aragorn couldn't help but laugh at the scene before him. Rabryn hadn't let go of the fistful of hair and was using his other hand to repeatedly touch the point of the elf's ear. All the while, Legolas stayedabsolutely still, thoroughly annoyed but trying not to look it. It was obvious, to Aragorn at least, that the last thing the elf wanted was to panic the child again by showing anger or irritation. Legolas settled a pleading glare on the man and mouthed "Help me."
It took all of Aragorn's self control not to burst into laughter. He couldn't, however thwart the grin that spread across his features. "Rabryn," he finally said, "why don't you come with us for this night? It's rather obvious you need a bit of help."
Rabryn bit his lip. "I don't know you. And you're an elf," he exclaimed, fingering Legolas' ear again.
Legolas closed his eyes. He caught Rabryn's wrist and pulled the child's hand away form his ear. "Rabryn," he said, "what's out there?" Rabryn didn't answer. "Would you rather be with us or them tonight?" Legolas continued.
"You," Rabryn said without hesitation.
"Then I can trust you to walk with us?"
Rabryn nodded.
"Good." Legolas set Rabryn down. "Very good. Now, stay between us. Do you understand?"
The boy nodded. Legolas sighed.
"We should head for Rivendell," Aragorn told Legolas.
The elf nodded wearily, motioning for Aragorn to lead the way.
They didn't get far. Rabryn had started stumbling only a few miles into their journey. Legolas had been keeping track of the "something" he'd felt earlier and had since informed a vastly relieved Rabryn and a tense Aragorn that it seemed to be heading in the opposite direction.
That bit of information had given Rabryn a short second wind, but did not ease his fears enough for him to consider stopping, even for the sleep the boy so desperately needed. After Rabryn almost fell again, Aragorn stopped the short procession.
"Rabryn, you need sleep."
"Don' wanna stop."
"I don't care what you don't want to do. It's what you need to do that concerns me." Aragorn noticed Legolas open his mouth to speak. "And I know," he told the elf, "that you did not sleep this night either."
"It is mere hours before dawn."
Aragorn started to reply, but stopped when a large raindrop splashed on his hand. "Perfect," he grumbled. He frowned, and then brightened. "A tree. We'll sleep in a tree until dawn. How does that sound, Rabryn?"
Rabryn smiled. "So that if what's-it comes, it'll be below us and they won't see us."
"Exactly."
"I want to sleep in a tree," Rabryn stated firmly. Legolas rolled his eyes. Considering the child had been adamant about not stopping just minutes ago, the statement was surprisingly firm. "How about that one?" Rabryn pointed and walked to a large tree with many low branches.
"I think that's a wonderful choice," Aragorn said brightly. "Come, Legolas. In the tree."
Legolas glared at the ranger. So much for maturity, the elf thought wearily. He leapt into the tree and Aragorn handed the child up to him. Aragorn followed and they settle Rabryn in where two large branches met, using their own cloaks as his blankets. The child nestled in the branches and was asleep as soon as he was settled.
Aragorn sighed as he leaned against the trunk. "How's you head?"
Legolas threw an annoyed look at the man.
Aragorn held up his hands. "I did not ask in jest."
"In that case, my head is fine, though I think my ear has had all it can handle."
Aragorn choked back laughter. Legolas did his best to remain unaffected, but his friend's mirth was contagious. Soon, the corners of the elf's mouth lifted in a smile. "And I do not know," continued Legolas, "if I should be affronted or not that he protested coming with us because I am an elf."
Aragorn's choked laughter came out in a breathless rush. Legolas quickly tried to hush him.
"You might wake it up."
"It is a child," Aragorn exclaimed, albeit quietly.
"I know. Please do not wake it up."
"Legolas," Aragorn said around muffled peals of laughter, "prince of Mirkwood and mighty warrior," here he swallowed, tears coming to his eyes, "afraid of a five year old child." The ranger sobered, carefully keeping his mirth in check. "Do not worry, my friend," he said, clapping a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I will take the watch. Sleep well. I will protect you from the fearsome beast."
Legolas glared, but his upturned lips and a mischievous twinkle in his eye gave him away. "I have utmost faith in you, my lord," he said before settling down against the branches.
TBC
AN: I just realize I ended another chapter with people falling asleep.Either I've fallen into a rut, it actually made sense to do it that way, or I'm so boring I put my own characters to sleep. That thought is kind of sad.
On with it.
Stolen
Rating: Eventually PG-13. This chapter - uh, maybe up to PG.
Disclaimers & Summary: See chapter one, cause I don't want to type all that again.
Chapter Two:
Legolas sighed and entertained thoughts of beating his head into the tree trunk behind him just for something to do. The elf had near fallen asleep on his watch, not from exhaustion, but from sheer boredom. He envied his human friend, who was able to at least pass the time by sleeping. Legolas glanced up through the leaves; the stars were still hidden behind the thick clouds. The elf was almost certain there would be rain before dawn came. In an unusual show of restlessness, he tapped his long fingers against his bow and resolved to wake Aragorn promptly when the human's watch was to start. Even if Legolas didn't sleep for the second half of the night, there was no way he was letting Aragorn while away the night in pleasant dreams. Not when the elf felt and overwhelming need to beat his head against a tree.
Legolas glanced down to the sleeping form of his friend, barely able to pick him out in the darkness. The night, couple with the man's uncanny ability to hide when he wanted to, made him especially capable of disappearing. The elf smiled as he thought of the previous days events. He knew he'd tried Aragorn's patience for the better part of the day, but it was all for a good cause. Irritating Aragorn was one of the best causes he could think of. And one of the most rewarding.
The smile slid off Legolas' face, quickly replaced by a frown as the elf sat up, bow in hand. He peered through the darkness, concentrating on the presence he could feel and the sheer terror that seemed to accompany it. Swiftly and silently, he made his way across the branches and dropped in a crouched next to Aragorn's sleeping form so lightly the man didn't stir. Legolas laid a hand on the ranger's shoulder, wordlessly waking him.
Aragorn woke, not with a start, but by simply opening his eyes. Seeing Legolas crouched next to him with his bow ready, the man skipped the obvious questions - "What's going on?" being foremost in his mind- and quickly sat up, hand already on the hilt of his sword next to him.
"In the woods, coming from the south," Legolas whispered, his voice barely above the rising wind. Aragorn had to strain to hear him. "I do not know how far exactly, but close."
Aragorn eyed the elf. Legolas had missed the one thing that went a long way toward completing the picture. Legolas only stared back, confused until he replayed his own words. "At least one in number," he told Aragorn.
The ranger sighed softly. "You've no idea then?"
Legolas shook his head.
"Well," Aragorn whispered, standing, "should we wait for them or go find out what this new threat is?"
"Must you ask?"
"Right. Stupid question. Lead the way," was the response.
They slipped through underbrush, Legolas leading, using the keen senses he'd been blessed with to track the new presence. They'd gone perhaps a mile when they both pulled up short. Legolas turned to Aragorn, eyebrows raised as the sounds of something crashing through the trees reached them.
"Not being especially quiet, is it?" Aragorn observed. "I'll circle around behind."
Legolas nodded, and waited until the man disappeared in the brush before drawing and arrow from his quiver and moving forward. He listened intently, only able to hear one.whatever it is, he thought.heading toward him. He stopped and crouched, hidden, just as it came into sight. Legolas' arrow was already on target.
The elf almost dropped his arrow when he saw his target. Crashing through the underbrush and tripping over branches, rocks and his own feet came a small human. A child, Legolas thought as he stepped into the path of the obviously terrified boy, judging by the pale countenance, wide eyes and slack jaw.
The child stopped his headlong rush when he saw the elf, bow in hand and arrow still half drawn. With a strangled cry, he pivoted only to find Aragorn, sword in hand, behind him. The boy looked over his shoulder, eying the elf, chest rising and falling in a frantic rhythm.
"It's a child," Aragorn called to Legolas, concern and surprise coloring the amused tone he'd adopted.
"I see that," Legolas answered in kind.
"He seems frightened."
"Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that our weapons are still pointed at him," Legolas responded lightly as he returned the arrow to his quiver.
"I see your point." Aragorn sheathed his sword and crouched to that he was closer to eye level with the boy.
The boy, for his part, had followed the short conversation with growing confusion, but that hadn't done much to counter the terror. What did help was when the two put the weapons away.
"Who are you, child?"
The boy turned a wide-eyed gaze on Aragorn, childish trust hoping he'd found a savior. "Rabryn," he stuttered in a soft voice Aragorn couldn't make out. The ranger turned a questioning gaze to the elf behind them.
"Rabryn," the elf repeated.
Aragorn nodded. "And how old are you, Rabryn?"
The boy held up five fingers.
Aragorn grinned. "I'm assuming that means five years. And, while five years may be quite mature, I have to wonder what you're doing out here all alone."
To Aragorn's surprise, Rabryn started to cry. Before the ranger could say or do anything besides stare at the child, Legolas spoke.
"We should go," the elf said. He nodded in the direction Aragorn had come. "Something comes."
At that, Rabryn bolted, trying to slip past the elf. Legolas, however, was both faster and more agile than the child and caught him, lifting the small boy into his arms. Rabryn panicked, leaving Legolas with an armful of squirming, screaming child. Rabryn's flailing elbow caught Legolas' temple and the child quickly moved to pull the elf's long hair. He caught a large fistful and pulled hard before abruptly stopping.
"Hey, you're an elf," Rabryn said, wonder creeping into his voice.
Despite the situation, Aragorn couldn't help but laugh at the scene before him. Rabryn hadn't let go of the fistful of hair and was using his other hand to repeatedly touch the point of the elf's ear. All the while, Legolas stayedabsolutely still, thoroughly annoyed but trying not to look it. It was obvious, to Aragorn at least, that the last thing the elf wanted was to panic the child again by showing anger or irritation. Legolas settled a pleading glare on the man and mouthed "Help me."
It took all of Aragorn's self control not to burst into laughter. He couldn't, however thwart the grin that spread across his features. "Rabryn," he finally said, "why don't you come with us for this night? It's rather obvious you need a bit of help."
Rabryn bit his lip. "I don't know you. And you're an elf," he exclaimed, fingering Legolas' ear again.
Legolas closed his eyes. He caught Rabryn's wrist and pulled the child's hand away form his ear. "Rabryn," he said, "what's out there?" Rabryn didn't answer. "Would you rather be with us or them tonight?" Legolas continued.
"You," Rabryn said without hesitation.
"Then I can trust you to walk with us?"
Rabryn nodded.
"Good." Legolas set Rabryn down. "Very good. Now, stay between us. Do you understand?"
The boy nodded. Legolas sighed.
"We should head for Rivendell," Aragorn told Legolas.
The elf nodded wearily, motioning for Aragorn to lead the way.
They didn't get far. Rabryn had started stumbling only a few miles into their journey. Legolas had been keeping track of the "something" he'd felt earlier and had since informed a vastly relieved Rabryn and a tense Aragorn that it seemed to be heading in the opposite direction.
That bit of information had given Rabryn a short second wind, but did not ease his fears enough for him to consider stopping, even for the sleep the boy so desperately needed. After Rabryn almost fell again, Aragorn stopped the short procession.
"Rabryn, you need sleep."
"Don' wanna stop."
"I don't care what you don't want to do. It's what you need to do that concerns me." Aragorn noticed Legolas open his mouth to speak. "And I know," he told the elf, "that you did not sleep this night either."
"It is mere hours before dawn."
Aragorn started to reply, but stopped when a large raindrop splashed on his hand. "Perfect," he grumbled. He frowned, and then brightened. "A tree. We'll sleep in a tree until dawn. How does that sound, Rabryn?"
Rabryn smiled. "So that if what's-it comes, it'll be below us and they won't see us."
"Exactly."
"I want to sleep in a tree," Rabryn stated firmly. Legolas rolled his eyes. Considering the child had been adamant about not stopping just minutes ago, the statement was surprisingly firm. "How about that one?" Rabryn pointed and walked to a large tree with many low branches.
"I think that's a wonderful choice," Aragorn said brightly. "Come, Legolas. In the tree."
Legolas glared at the ranger. So much for maturity, the elf thought wearily. He leapt into the tree and Aragorn handed the child up to him. Aragorn followed and they settle Rabryn in where two large branches met, using their own cloaks as his blankets. The child nestled in the branches and was asleep as soon as he was settled.
Aragorn sighed as he leaned against the trunk. "How's you head?"
Legolas threw an annoyed look at the man.
Aragorn held up his hands. "I did not ask in jest."
"In that case, my head is fine, though I think my ear has had all it can handle."
Aragorn choked back laughter. Legolas did his best to remain unaffected, but his friend's mirth was contagious. Soon, the corners of the elf's mouth lifted in a smile. "And I do not know," continued Legolas, "if I should be affronted or not that he protested coming with us because I am an elf."
Aragorn's choked laughter came out in a breathless rush. Legolas quickly tried to hush him.
"You might wake it up."
"It is a child," Aragorn exclaimed, albeit quietly.
"I know. Please do not wake it up."
"Legolas," Aragorn said around muffled peals of laughter, "prince of Mirkwood and mighty warrior," here he swallowed, tears coming to his eyes, "afraid of a five year old child." The ranger sobered, carefully keeping his mirth in check. "Do not worry, my friend," he said, clapping a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I will take the watch. Sleep well. I will protect you from the fearsome beast."
Legolas glared, but his upturned lips and a mischievous twinkle in his eye gave him away. "I have utmost faith in you, my lord," he said before settling down against the branches.
TBC
AN: I just realize I ended another chapter with people falling asleep.Either I've fallen into a rut, it actually made sense to do it that way, or I'm so boring I put my own characters to sleep. That thought is kind of sad.