((Author's note: well…here it is…the second part. I hope you enjoy it. Eowyn still hasn't come on the scene, but she will, soon…I promise!!! Thanx for all the reviews and I hope you all continue to enjoy my little tale))
This is dedicated to that dude I saw at my track meet…it's not nice to go around giving people heart attacks cuz you look like Orlando Bloom…
Disclaimer: I own my really cool elvish dagger that I can now spin…
Chapter One: A Dream is Answered
"What troubles you, my king?" Arwen whispered softly in her lover's ear. "Tell me so we may share the burden that rests so heavily on your shoulders."
Aragorn closed his eyes and took a deep breath of her sweet perfume. "I am sorry, my love, but this is one burden I must bear alone for I fear you would not understand it."
They were alone in the garden, walking off the stress of another long day together. The flowers were in full bloom and a few birds gave their melodic songs to the wind. The sun was just preparing to set in the Eastern sky and purple decorated that horizon.
Arwen wrapped a pale arm around his waist. "It is about Legolas, is it not?" she murmured sadly.
Making no response, Aragorn wrapped her in a hug.
"Why can you not let him go, Aragorn?" she questioned. "It pains me to see you hoping when no hope remains."
Aragorn stiffened, staring at the dark green foliage of the trees. "There is always hope," he repeated.
Leaning against his chest, Arwen tried assuage the king. "I did not mean to offend you, only speak the truth. It has been three years, you need to let him go. If he is not dead, he has probably left for the West with many of the other elves."
"He would not go without saying goodbye."
"Perhaps. But let us not speak of that now. Are not these new flowers lovely? My father had them sent from Rivendell a week ago and I have been helping the gardeners tend them."
Absently, Aragorn nodded but his eyes were not focused on the flowers but at the expanse of blue sky that stretched over them in every direction.
"My Lord?"
They both turned from the flowers to face the Captain of Aragorn's palace guards. He was a large man, towering even over Aragorn; his black hair was pulled back in a low, unruly ponytail and his eyes were sharp and intelligent.
"Jarínu," Aragorn greeted, nodding slightly in acknowledgement to him and noting the worry that had been etched upon the Captain's strong features.
Jarínu bowed slightly to both of them. "My Leige? With your permission I would like to speak to you."
Aragorn smiled warmly at the nervous man. "You know I always have an open ear, Jarínu. Tell me what is on your mind and I shall listen."
Looking decidedly uncomfortable, Jarínu shook his head. "I meant, alone," he ducked his head. "With all due respect to Queen Arwen, but this matter is of the utmost importance."
Arwen pulled away from Aragorn. "I am not offended, Captain. I understand that some matters are best not discussed in the presence of a woman. I beg your leave, Aragorn," she curtsied then turned to leave the garden. "Dinner is at seven. Faramir and Eowyn are joining us so please, for once, do not be late," she called quickly over her shoulder.
Aragorn nodded then turned to walk beside Jarínu. "Tell me," he commanded but not harshly.
"We have had news from some our sources with in the city that an 'assassin' has entered the city."
"A what?" Aragorn asked pulling to a halt.
"An assassin," Jarínu repeated. "Now these reports are not confirmed but from what our sources said, he is credited with the death of a noble figure in the East. I do not mean to worry you unnecessarily but I do want to inform you that everyone will be on heavy guard for the next few weeks."
Aragorn nodded slowly. "You believe he will try something?"
"I cannot say, but we wish to take no chances with your life or the life of your queen."
"Thank you," Aragorn rubbed his fingers through his air. "Establish a detail of your best men to accompany the queen every time she leaves the palace. I do not want her wandering the streets alone."
"Yes, my Lord. Shall I create one for you as well?"
Aragorn shook his head. "I am a soldier, Jarínu. I can take care of myself."
"With all due respect…"
"But I will not due any thing foolish, Jarínu. I would appreciate if you would supply me with one of your good men that would watch my back when I cannot," Aragorn forced a smile. "Even I do not have eyes in the back of my head."
Jarínu smiled also. "It shall be done." He bowed and turned to leave the garden.
"Oh, and more thing."
The captain turned. "Do not inform Arwen of this quite yet. I shall do so when I feel the time is right." Aragorn stared off in the direction the queen had gone. "I fear she will not take it well. Especially since the birth of Eldarion is still so fresh in her mind."
"Of course, King Aragorn." He nodded head and raised one fist in the customary salute of the Gondorians. "Now hurry and prepare yourself for dinner, I do not imagine the queen would take it well if you were late," he said with a smirk.
Aragorn made a comical face at him but hurried towards his quarters in the castle anyway.
()()()()()
The lights were low in the Aragorn's study and the stars flickered outside the large glass window right behind the desk where Aragorn was bent over his paperwork, pen scratching softly across the parchment paper.
The only other sound in the room was the steady ticking of the clock and Aragorn's even breathing. His sword was resting beside the desk, within an arm's reach of the king should anything amiss occur.
There was slight rustle as the a wind swept by the window, throwing the tree branches around in a weird dance under the moonlight.
Aragorn looked up for a moment, glancing at the silver moon and then his eyes made a quick sweep around the room before returning to the parchment resting in front of him.
"You must be congratulated," he spoke suddenly in the silence of the room, his voice was steady and strong. "Very few possess the skill to slip pass my guards unnoticed." Aragorn still did not look up from his work.
A cloaked figure stepped silently out from the shadows by the bookshelf. "Your guards are not even worthy to wear a sword around their waist," the figure said in a low voice.
Aragorn kept writing. "You have come here to kill me," he stated.
"Perhaps," the figure replied. "That is what I am sure seems to be the most logical conclusion."
Finally looking up, Aragorn took in the tall figure standing mere inches from his desk. A large hood covered the figure's face and the cloak concealed all of the body. "Things are not always as they appear," he said slowly. "If you had come here to kill me, I believe you would have already done it."
"Can you be sure? Perhaps I was just waiting for the right moment." There was a quick flash of movement and a sword was drawn from the depths of cloak. "Or perhaps I was waiting to see how long it would take you to sense my presence."
Aragorn stood to his feet, bringing Anduril with him. "Perhaps," he agreed. "But in doing so, you have made a fatal err. Now I shall not go down without a fight."
Even though Aragorn could not see his face, he was sure the assassin had smiled. "I did not expect you would."
Walking around the desk, Aragorn cocked an eyebrow at the figure. "Why did you come here?" he asked calmly.
"My business is my own," he replied and lunged at Aragorn, sword held at ready.
Aragorn stepped to the side but was surprised to see that the assassin had not run past him as he had hoped but instead followed his movements. He brought his word up just in time to block the downward swing of the sword and jump back a few feet. "You are skilled," he acknowledged.
There was no reply as they commenced at each other with a flurry of quick blows. The assassin had speed and agility on his side while Aragorn had the advantage of being heavier.
Aragorn narrowly ducked a blade aimed at his head and finished in a smooth roll to come up and swing at the assassin's middle.
The assassin flipped backwards and jumped on top of Aragorn's desk before lithely skipping to come down behind Aragorn. "Are you getting to old for this?" he taunted, but Aragorn thought he could detect a hint of amusement in his voice.
"You do not fight like a mortal man," Aragorn said. "Who are you?" He ducked another blow and spun into meet the coming sword with his own. The king felt as if he fought this battle before, as if at one time he had known every move but now it was just vague memories.
The figure did not answer his question but somersaulted underneath Aragorn's blade to come up behind him.
Aragorn, however, was expecting this maneuver and was ready. He planted one foot and spun, flicking his sword upward at the same time.
There was a cry of pain as the assassin's sword flew across the room. But that would not stop him. The assassin jumped forward at Aragorn's legs but he miscalculated the speed of his opponent.
With a quick downward stroke, Aragorn cut into his side and blood spurted upwards.
Letting out a gasp of pain, the assassin collapsed at Aragorn's feet, clutching his profusely bleeding side.
Moving quickly, Aragorn had his sword up against the throat of the figure. He reached out with one hand and ripped the hood from the face.
Even in the dim lamplight, he could make out the shine of the blonde hair and the features crunched up in pain.
"Legolas?" he whispered.
((You know…Cliffhangers are fun…very fun in fact…))
Notes:
Dark Phoenix: don't worry…it's not gonna be that sad in my opinion. You'll just have to read and see, but I promise, there will at least be a glimmer of happiness at the end
Kirsten: it could be about Legolas and Eowyn's romance. lol. You'll just have to wait and see but I'm speculating that Eowyn still feels something for our silver prince…but that's just a speculation…
Miss Fizz: yup, I love my sister too. and I have socks that say "I rock" on them. They're really cool. lol…yup Eowyn gave up hope waaaay too fast. Don't worry, there's gonna be tons of fights coming up…*evil grin*
Happy Reviewer: well, you're not gonna have to wait anymore, cuz here it is!!
Tara: I'll make sure to tell my sister for you. And I'm glad I made you happy cuz I love making people happy…just ask any of my friends…lol…
i reached level 12 for dungeon keeper: augh…I am waaay too absent minded…I changed it just to make you happy…lol…
Rideoffwithshadowfax: thank you…I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Kayo: of course he will come back!!!! Your right Merry leaving Pipping would be just plain wrong on all counts!!!! Lol…I'm still waiting for that icicle, lol.
Mouse: yup, a few years have gone by. Plenty of time for things to happen…like Eowyn and Faramir getting married and having kids…I should just stop there before I give too much away….
Brghost: I'm sure I could've started out with Legolas coming back…but that wouldn't have been near as intense. When I write, I don't go for the "everything works out great" approach. I go for the "you fight for what you want" approach. I'm sorry you don't like the way this sequel is working out but you should at least be open minded about it, not everything in life works just they way you want it to, you know. And besides, whoever said it wasn't gonna be Eowyn/Leoglas?
