Title: Predator
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Aragorn and Legolas (not slash!)
Summary: In response to a friendly request, Aragorn and Legolas travel to distant Carnuin. Unknown to them, they were invited for a reason - to be players in a madman's twisted "game". Now they must rely on their wits - and each other - to survive. **pre-quest**
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DISCLAIMER: Okkkk, I don't own the LotR characters, only those I have made up myself. (Why do we have to bother with disclaimers anyway. not like anyone on FFN is bored enough to sue - I hope =Þ )
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes:
Ok, here I am again with a second story! My first one, The Bonds That Keep Us, didn't turn out QUITE as I wanted it to, so here's my second attempt! Hehehe, I hope you guys like it!
Also, this is pre-quest and Aragorn will seem a little immature at times. Please keep in mind that he's only 25 in this story! Also, I know Aragorn doesn't receive his coolio sword Anduril until a lot later, but I might or might not use it in this fic. If I do, I'm just changing the story a bit to fit it in to my fic; the right of a fanfiction author, right?? Haha I hope so. Anyways, I'm thinking this will be a few chapters longer than my first fic, so let's pray we all make it out alive eh?? Read on!
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Chapter 1: Gilded
Soft sunlight filtered in through breaks in the forest canopy. The ancient wood still thrived with old and new life, offering solace it its quiet tranquility. Below the protective branches of the Great Trees, a hackneyed dirt pathway wound its way through the green wilderness like a brown serpent. Lush ferns, shrubs, and various other green things sprung up beside it, spilling over the edges. No one had traveled that old road for countless generations. It was no wonder why the ancient trees and woodland creatures living there whispered bewilderment at the two lone travelers on it.
The two brown geldings plodding along casually on the pathway were remarkably similar, yet their riders were not. One was of slender build, deceptive in his lithe form. His hair was spun gold and hung past his shoulders, held back from his fair face with three thin braids. He carried himself in way that suggested he was of royalty, coinciding with the aura of noble grace he radiated. A bow and a quiver of arrows were strapped to his back alongside twin Elven blades. Always alert, Prince Legolas Greenleaf's blue eyes glinted brightly in the afternoon sunlight as he admired his woodland surroundings while maintaining sparse conversation with his companion. .
Aragorn son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur, was young to bear the burden of such a title. Despite his youth, he was built well for his twenty-five years. His dark hair and storm-gray eyes contrasted sharply with the light colors of his Elven friend. Darker than Legolas, he also appeared more rugged and wild, though not in a derogatory way. He too bore an air of high heritage and grace as he rode straight-backed and balanced on Sillow. The very air around him sang of danger and risk, which made the bow on his back and the sword at his hip all the more imposing. Despite his dark and solitary appearance, the light and casual conversation he kept with Legolas showed he was not so antisocial.
"How long do your father and mine expect us to stay in Carnuin?" inquired Aragorn, snapping Legolas from his sweet daydreams of the woods in his homeland of Mirkwood..
"Not sure - probably a week or two. This "King Hayden" will most likely want to catch up on all the years he hasn't heard from Rivendell and Mirkwood," replied Legolas, his tone unconcerned. Time meant very little to him.
Aragorn shifted his weight a little. "I still think our fathers should have come themselves instead of sending us. Hayden obviously would rather see his old friends than his old friends' sons."
Legolas turned his head to look at his companion. "You know they can't just pick up and leave their kingdoms whenever they want to. They have business to attend to in Rivendell and Mirkwood." He turned his eyes back to the road as a small smile touched his lips. "Besides, you and I need a trip - we've been trapped in Rivendell for months."
"True, but I didn't even know the city of Carnuin existed before my father told us of this trip. I wonder why he never told me there was an Elven city so far off," mused Aragorn.
Suddenly curious, Legolas reached into the bag that hung off his saddle and pulled out a scroll tied with a velvet ribbon. Letting go of the reins completely, the elf unrolled the parchment and read it aloud
~King Thranduil,
I pray this letter has reached you in timely speed and with no great hassle. My messenger is oftentimes aloof and travels slowly at his own leisurely pace. So how do you fare in Mirkwood? I am aware that it had been many years since I have last spoken with you or Lord Elrond, and that this letter must be very unsuspectied. I was reading transcripts from the old wars and remembered fondly upon the alliance that ran strong between Rivendell, Mirkwood, and my own Carnuin.
I feel that the three of us have let an old friendship fade, and I do not want it to disintegrate any further. It has been long years since we have set eyes upon each other and spoken of the old days. Therefore, I invite you and Elrond to visit Carnuin once the snows are past. It will be a long way for the two of you should you choose to come, but I think it will be most rewarding for all three of us. I pray you consider my invitation, my friend. When spring comes, I will begin my patient waiting. Good day and may the days treat you with favor.
~Your friend, King Hayden of Carnuin
Aragorn's father had received a very similar message. In a few days time, the two Elven rulers had discussed the trip and decided to send their sons in their place. Both Aragorn and Legolas were eager to get away from home, anyway.
After Legolas read the message out loud, Aragorn responded thoughtfully.
"It's odd though, don't you think?"
"What's odd?"
"Why would this Hayden send for Thranduil and Elrond for a visit, and now of all times?"
Legolas shrugged. "Remember what your father said. Carnuin was an ally of both Mirkwood and Rivendell in the past - perhaps Hayden just wants to renew old ties."
"Yes, but after four thousand years?"
"Good point.."
Their curiosity was left hanging in midair when Legolas drew Fira to a halt and pointed. "Look, Estel, there's it is!"
Tall gray towers could be seen above the treetops, banners flying in the refreshing breeze.
Aragorn smiled with relief. Finally - two months of riding was wearing on his nerves. Smiling the young human gazed at the city walls as they drew nearer and nearer. The architecture, even from a distance, was astonishing, very obviously of Elven make. The banners flying high in the wind were intricate and colorful, they symbols on them representing power and peace. He glanced at Legolas. Even the elf with his dislike of stone things, gazed in awe at the magnificent arches and spirals that rose above the trees . Slowly though, Aragorn saw Legolas' smile of awe changed into a frown of slight confusion.
"Is something wrong, Legolas?" Asked Aragorn, concerned.
"I'm not sure.. . something doesn't seem right." replied Legolas, his eyes focused.
Aragorn turned to look again at the city walls. Now that they were closer and his human eyes had more effect, he understood what Legolas meant. Something seemed wrong. Even at a fair distance, he could see that all was not well. A few towers on the topmost part of the walls had crumbled and broken off, the rubble lying uncared for on the ground. The banners that looked so beautiful from a distance were actually tattered and dirty.
~Strange - why wouldn't King Hayden fix his own walls? And why does he keep ripped banners flying?~
Exchanging odd looks, Aragorn and Legolas approached the gates more slowly. When Aragorn and Legolas were fifty feet away from the gates, they were surprised to see them swing open slowly, groaning with the weight of their movements.
"Well, looks like Hayden has been watching for our coming," said Legolas with a grin.
Aragorn laughed, his wariness abandoned. "Indeed! My, don't we feel special?"
The crumbling towers and tattered banners momentarily forgotten, they passed through the gates of Carnuin, their light laughter in the air.
"I hope there's a feast prepared," grinned Aragorn. "A hungry traveler is a horrible thing."
It was Legolas' turn to laugh. "You're always hungry. You're even worse than Elr -" he stopped in mid-sentence.
What should have been a bustling city full of elves was completely deserted.
Aragorn and Legolas stood there and stared, their senses filled with warning, but the eeriness of it drew them. Without speaking, they dismounted and tied their horses to nearby columns.
"Legolas - I don't understand. What's going on here? Where is everyone?" asked Aragorn, his voice seemed so small in comparison to the giant walls and towers that loomed over them.
"I don't know, Estel. Something is definitely very wrong here," replied Legolas with a frown, his brows furrowed.
The elf and the human walked forward slowly, their eyes scanning for any signs of movement. All they saw were the brown leaves on the cobbled streets whirling in circles, tossed by the wind. There was no sound; not even the bird songs of the nearby forest reached this place. In every wall, unattended cracks appeared and thorned ivy crawled menacingly up the stone. The air was stale, despite the constant breezes that flew by them. Aragorn shivered. The haunting appearance of Carnuin was very unnerving.
"Legolas?" murmered Aragorn, not wishing to raise his voice, even though there was no one in sight.
The blonde archer continued to scan the city. "What?"
"This is strange."
Legolas turned his head to look at his friend and rolled his eyes. "I'm glad you noticed.
Deciding to shut his mouth, Aragorn moved forward a little. He stooped down and brushed his fingers against the cobbled pathway. Looking up at Legolas, he frowned.
"Dust. No one's walked these streets for a long time."
Legolas narrowed his eyes. Even though the city seemed empty, there was something about it that set off the sensors in his head. It seemed.. Evil. He rubbed his arms where sudden goose bumps had appeared.
"I don't see what could possibly make a entire city's populace disappear," he said quietly.
Aragorn stood, wiping the dust from his fingers on his cloak absentmindedly. "This desertion must be recent because we only received the letters from King Hayden two and a half months ago."
The blonde elf shook his head. "If that is so, then how do you explain how bad of shape the city is in? Look at the walls, Aragorn - no one has been here for decades at least."
Aragorn frowned. What Legolas said was true, so then how was it that they were invited to a supposedly grand city that was actually in decay by an Elven King that was not even there?
The wind's chilling fingers twisted around them, making their cloaks dance. The warning in Legolas' heart was growing. Even Fira and Sillow shifted in the corner uneasily.
"Come, Estel, our time here is finished," said Legolas, pulling on his friend's arm gently. "Something here has obviously gone awry, and I don't wish to be here and find out what. I sense danger -" he paused and tilted his head, as if listening. "We should go. Now."
Aragorn nodded, needing no persuasion. "Right. Come on."
However, as they were observing the city, the gates had started to close slowly and silently behind them. Now, as the two friends turned to leave, the gigantic stone gates thudded shut.
"What in the name of--!"
Legolas ran forward and placed his hands on the gates. Aragorn was by his side in a second, his eyes radiating alarm. However hard they tried, though, none of their pushing made the gates budge even an inch.
"Hurry, Legolas, check along the walls near the gates! Maybe there's a lever or something!"
Desperately, they searched, their hands working frantically over the cold and dusty stone. After minutes of futile searching, Legolas gave a sigh of hopelessness and turned to look at Aragorn, who also had given up on finding some sort of device to open the gates. Legolas shook his head. The young ranger gritted his teeth and slammed his hang against the stone. Fire danced in his eyes and he tightened his fist.
"This cannot be happening," he exclaimed, disbelief and irritation spelled out in his words. "We can't possibly be locked in this place!"
Legolas sighed again. "Well, we are. I don't know how the gates just closed - or opened for that matter - by themselves."
"By themselves!?!? They DID NOT move by themselves, Legolas!" grated Aragorn. "I'm thinking this "King Hayden" character is having a little too much fun at our expense!"
Before Legolas could silence him, Aragorn turned towards the center of the city.
"WE DON'T FIND THIS VERY AMUSING, 'MY LORD'", I SUGGEST YOU STOP PLAYING YOUR LITTLE GAME NOW!"
"Estel!" Legolas hissed, pulling Aragorn back by the shoulders. "Don't be an irrational fool; we don't know what's going on here, so let's not jump to conclusions, alright!?"
Aragorn rolled his eyes, annoyed, but lowered his voice, seeing the reason behind Legolas' words.. "Fine, I won't yell anymore, but it's obvious Hayden is fooling around with us. We should go search him out. He has to be in here somewhere."
Legolas furrowed his brows. "I'm not so sure we should. This place is eerie and I don't like it one bit. We should search for another exit. There's got to be one - what city would have only one entrance anyway?"
Aragorn nodded. "Let's go to the right - it seems brighter."
"What about Fira and Sillow?" asked Legolas, glancing at the two geldings who were nuzzling each other fondly.
"It's alright, we'll leave them here for now. We don't know what we might run into. Besides, we shouldn't be gone long anyway," replied Aragorn.
With that, they struck off to the right. Unconsciously, Aragorn kept his right hand on the hilt of his sword. They continued along the wall until, after about ten minutes, they noticed a second wall had gradually grown on their other side until they were enclosed on both their left and right sides with only a narrow space in between. Not suspecting much of it, they continued on. Suddenly, Legolas stopped so abruptly that Aragorn almost ran into him from behind.
Aragorn frowned, giving Legolas a gentle nudge. "What is it? Why have you stopped?"
Legolas stepped aside as much as the small space would allow him. Aragorn's eyebrows rose. Dead-end. The only way to keep going was to either turn back or take a sharp turn to the left.
"That's odd," murmered Legolas softly. "Maybe we should go back."
Aragorn shook his head. "Then this half an hour of walking will have been in vain. Come on, Legolas, even if we take this left, we'll most likely be able to maneuver our way to the outer wall again."
The Prince of Mirkwood hesitated slightly before nodding. "Alright - let's just hope it won't take too long."
He took the lead again and turned left with Aragorn close behind. Soon, they encountered a split in the path.
"See, I told you," reminded Aragorn. "We'll simply take the right and we'll be heading back towards the wall."
Despite the man's confident words, however, Legolas's uneasiness intensified with every passing moment. He felt - strange - like there were eyes on them all the time. To make it worse, he felt suspicion and wariness growing in his mind as he noticed the walls on either side of them gradually grow taller and taller until they couldn't see beyond them. By now, they had taken four right turns and two left. Still, they did not see the outer wall. Legolas hated to admit to it, considering their stupidity was the main cause of it, but he had to.
"Estel, we're lost."
Aragorn sighed and leaned his head against the stone. "I know."
"You know what's even stranger?" asked Legolas, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the walls and the various turns and twists. "This place - we cannot even see over the top of the walls, and there are so many turns that only lead to more turns. Estel.. It's almost like."
Aragorn's head snapped up. His eyes grew wide in realization. "It's just like.. .."
"-a maze." They finished each others' sentence in unison.
The two friends stared at each other for seemingly hours. Finally, Legolas broke the stunned silence.
"What insanity is this?"
Aragorn could only shake his head in wonderment and alarm. He was desperately trying to withhold the panic that was so threateningly waiting for him in his mind.
The elf squatted and bit his lower lip. "We should turn back and try to find our way out. I don't know how long it will take to get out of here if we keep going forward."
Aragorn nodded. "We should have turned back a long time ago. Well, we cannot change that now. We might as well make the best of it."
Legolas stopped drawing pictures in the gray dirt and stood. "Let's get going then. With hope, we'll find Fira and Sillow again by nightfall."
As they turned back, a soft sound caught Legolas' attention. It was the barest of noises; even he, an elf, would not have heard it had it not been especially silent right then. He couldn't tell where the noise came from, nor what made it. He wasn't even sure he had heard anything at all. The ominous shadow looming in his mind grew stronger.
~*~*~*~
"Legolas, we've wandered for at least two hours!" Aragorn threw up his hands in frustration.
"I know, I know! Alright, it doesn't look like we'll be finding our way out anytime soon. We should rest for awhile," replied Legolas, a bit calmer than his human friend.
Aragorn sat down and leaned his back against the wall, trying to find as comfortable position as he could with the bow and arrows on his back. Legolas did the same, though he unsheathed his twin blades and held them, for precaution purposes. The blonde elf glanced over at Aragorn, whose eyes were already drifting shut. Just as the elven dreams drew near, Legolas heard it again. That sound. His eyes shot open. He strained his ears as light faded.
A slight sound. The softest rustle. A brush, a dip, a click, a slight scurry.
A footstep.
Legolas' eyes grew wide as realization collided into him. With grace only his kind was granted, he stood in one smooth motion. He gently nudged Aragorn. As soon as the human's eyes opened, Legolas put a hand to his lips, silencing any questions. Aragorn stood silently as his friend bid, confusion written clearly on his face.
Legolas pulled Aragorn close, his eyes turned towards the long shadowy path behind them. His voice was the softest of whispers, but there was an urgency in it. Aragorn met Legolas' eyes with alarm and found the elf looking straight back at him in grim reality.
"We're not alone."
The walls around them suddenly seemed so close - so tight. The wind was bone-chilling as it swept around them, carrying the noises closer and closer.
"We're being hunted."
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So what'd ya think!?!? I'm hoping this one will turn out ok! Well, check for updates! I'll be spitting out new chapters pretty fast, I should think, unless school happens to eat me alive during the next two or three weeks =D
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Aragorn and Legolas (not slash!)
Summary: In response to a friendly request, Aragorn and Legolas travel to distant Carnuin. Unknown to them, they were invited for a reason - to be players in a madman's twisted "game". Now they must rely on their wits - and each other - to survive. **pre-quest**
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
DISCLAIMER: Okkkk, I don't own the LotR characters, only those I have made up myself. (Why do we have to bother with disclaimers anyway. not like anyone on FFN is bored enough to sue - I hope =Þ )
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Author's Notes:
Ok, here I am again with a second story! My first one, The Bonds That Keep Us, didn't turn out QUITE as I wanted it to, so here's my second attempt! Hehehe, I hope you guys like it!
Also, this is pre-quest and Aragorn will seem a little immature at times. Please keep in mind that he's only 25 in this story! Also, I know Aragorn doesn't receive his coolio sword Anduril until a lot later, but I might or might not use it in this fic. If I do, I'm just changing the story a bit to fit it in to my fic; the right of a fanfiction author, right?? Haha I hope so. Anyways, I'm thinking this will be a few chapters longer than my first fic, so let's pray we all make it out alive eh?? Read on!
*** * *** * *** * *** * *** * ***
Chapter 1: Gilded
Soft sunlight filtered in through breaks in the forest canopy. The ancient wood still thrived with old and new life, offering solace it its quiet tranquility. Below the protective branches of the Great Trees, a hackneyed dirt pathway wound its way through the green wilderness like a brown serpent. Lush ferns, shrubs, and various other green things sprung up beside it, spilling over the edges. No one had traveled that old road for countless generations. It was no wonder why the ancient trees and woodland creatures living there whispered bewilderment at the two lone travelers on it.
The two brown geldings plodding along casually on the pathway were remarkably similar, yet their riders were not. One was of slender build, deceptive in his lithe form. His hair was spun gold and hung past his shoulders, held back from his fair face with three thin braids. He carried himself in way that suggested he was of royalty, coinciding with the aura of noble grace he radiated. A bow and a quiver of arrows were strapped to his back alongside twin Elven blades. Always alert, Prince Legolas Greenleaf's blue eyes glinted brightly in the afternoon sunlight as he admired his woodland surroundings while maintaining sparse conversation with his companion. .
Aragorn son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur, was young to bear the burden of such a title. Despite his youth, he was built well for his twenty-five years. His dark hair and storm-gray eyes contrasted sharply with the light colors of his Elven friend. Darker than Legolas, he also appeared more rugged and wild, though not in a derogatory way. He too bore an air of high heritage and grace as he rode straight-backed and balanced on Sillow. The very air around him sang of danger and risk, which made the bow on his back and the sword at his hip all the more imposing. Despite his dark and solitary appearance, the light and casual conversation he kept with Legolas showed he was not so antisocial.
"How long do your father and mine expect us to stay in Carnuin?" inquired Aragorn, snapping Legolas from his sweet daydreams of the woods in his homeland of Mirkwood..
"Not sure - probably a week or two. This "King Hayden" will most likely want to catch up on all the years he hasn't heard from Rivendell and Mirkwood," replied Legolas, his tone unconcerned. Time meant very little to him.
Aragorn shifted his weight a little. "I still think our fathers should have come themselves instead of sending us. Hayden obviously would rather see his old friends than his old friends' sons."
Legolas turned his head to look at his companion. "You know they can't just pick up and leave their kingdoms whenever they want to. They have business to attend to in Rivendell and Mirkwood." He turned his eyes back to the road as a small smile touched his lips. "Besides, you and I need a trip - we've been trapped in Rivendell for months."
"True, but I didn't even know the city of Carnuin existed before my father told us of this trip. I wonder why he never told me there was an Elven city so far off," mused Aragorn.
Suddenly curious, Legolas reached into the bag that hung off his saddle and pulled out a scroll tied with a velvet ribbon. Letting go of the reins completely, the elf unrolled the parchment and read it aloud
~King Thranduil,
I pray this letter has reached you in timely speed and with no great hassle. My messenger is oftentimes aloof and travels slowly at his own leisurely pace. So how do you fare in Mirkwood? I am aware that it had been many years since I have last spoken with you or Lord Elrond, and that this letter must be very unsuspectied. I was reading transcripts from the old wars and remembered fondly upon the alliance that ran strong between Rivendell, Mirkwood, and my own Carnuin.
I feel that the three of us have let an old friendship fade, and I do not want it to disintegrate any further. It has been long years since we have set eyes upon each other and spoken of the old days. Therefore, I invite you and Elrond to visit Carnuin once the snows are past. It will be a long way for the two of you should you choose to come, but I think it will be most rewarding for all three of us. I pray you consider my invitation, my friend. When spring comes, I will begin my patient waiting. Good day and may the days treat you with favor.
~Your friend, King Hayden of Carnuin
Aragorn's father had received a very similar message. In a few days time, the two Elven rulers had discussed the trip and decided to send their sons in their place. Both Aragorn and Legolas were eager to get away from home, anyway.
After Legolas read the message out loud, Aragorn responded thoughtfully.
"It's odd though, don't you think?"
"What's odd?"
"Why would this Hayden send for Thranduil and Elrond for a visit, and now of all times?"
Legolas shrugged. "Remember what your father said. Carnuin was an ally of both Mirkwood and Rivendell in the past - perhaps Hayden just wants to renew old ties."
"Yes, but after four thousand years?"
"Good point.."
Their curiosity was left hanging in midair when Legolas drew Fira to a halt and pointed. "Look, Estel, there's it is!"
Tall gray towers could be seen above the treetops, banners flying in the refreshing breeze.
Aragorn smiled with relief. Finally - two months of riding was wearing on his nerves. Smiling the young human gazed at the city walls as they drew nearer and nearer. The architecture, even from a distance, was astonishing, very obviously of Elven make. The banners flying high in the wind were intricate and colorful, they symbols on them representing power and peace. He glanced at Legolas. Even the elf with his dislike of stone things, gazed in awe at the magnificent arches and spirals that rose above the trees . Slowly though, Aragorn saw Legolas' smile of awe changed into a frown of slight confusion.
"Is something wrong, Legolas?" Asked Aragorn, concerned.
"I'm not sure.. . something doesn't seem right." replied Legolas, his eyes focused.
Aragorn turned to look again at the city walls. Now that they were closer and his human eyes had more effect, he understood what Legolas meant. Something seemed wrong. Even at a fair distance, he could see that all was not well. A few towers on the topmost part of the walls had crumbled and broken off, the rubble lying uncared for on the ground. The banners that looked so beautiful from a distance were actually tattered and dirty.
~Strange - why wouldn't King Hayden fix his own walls? And why does he keep ripped banners flying?~
Exchanging odd looks, Aragorn and Legolas approached the gates more slowly. When Aragorn and Legolas were fifty feet away from the gates, they were surprised to see them swing open slowly, groaning with the weight of their movements.
"Well, looks like Hayden has been watching for our coming," said Legolas with a grin.
Aragorn laughed, his wariness abandoned. "Indeed! My, don't we feel special?"
The crumbling towers and tattered banners momentarily forgotten, they passed through the gates of Carnuin, their light laughter in the air.
"I hope there's a feast prepared," grinned Aragorn. "A hungry traveler is a horrible thing."
It was Legolas' turn to laugh. "You're always hungry. You're even worse than Elr -" he stopped in mid-sentence.
What should have been a bustling city full of elves was completely deserted.
Aragorn and Legolas stood there and stared, their senses filled with warning, but the eeriness of it drew them. Without speaking, they dismounted and tied their horses to nearby columns.
"Legolas - I don't understand. What's going on here? Where is everyone?" asked Aragorn, his voice seemed so small in comparison to the giant walls and towers that loomed over them.
"I don't know, Estel. Something is definitely very wrong here," replied Legolas with a frown, his brows furrowed.
The elf and the human walked forward slowly, their eyes scanning for any signs of movement. All they saw were the brown leaves on the cobbled streets whirling in circles, tossed by the wind. There was no sound; not even the bird songs of the nearby forest reached this place. In every wall, unattended cracks appeared and thorned ivy crawled menacingly up the stone. The air was stale, despite the constant breezes that flew by them. Aragorn shivered. The haunting appearance of Carnuin was very unnerving.
"Legolas?" murmered Aragorn, not wishing to raise his voice, even though there was no one in sight.
The blonde archer continued to scan the city. "What?"
"This is strange."
Legolas turned his head to look at his friend and rolled his eyes. "I'm glad you noticed.
Deciding to shut his mouth, Aragorn moved forward a little. He stooped down and brushed his fingers against the cobbled pathway. Looking up at Legolas, he frowned.
"Dust. No one's walked these streets for a long time."
Legolas narrowed his eyes. Even though the city seemed empty, there was something about it that set off the sensors in his head. It seemed.. Evil. He rubbed his arms where sudden goose bumps had appeared.
"I don't see what could possibly make a entire city's populace disappear," he said quietly.
Aragorn stood, wiping the dust from his fingers on his cloak absentmindedly. "This desertion must be recent because we only received the letters from King Hayden two and a half months ago."
The blonde elf shook his head. "If that is so, then how do you explain how bad of shape the city is in? Look at the walls, Aragorn - no one has been here for decades at least."
Aragorn frowned. What Legolas said was true, so then how was it that they were invited to a supposedly grand city that was actually in decay by an Elven King that was not even there?
The wind's chilling fingers twisted around them, making their cloaks dance. The warning in Legolas' heart was growing. Even Fira and Sillow shifted in the corner uneasily.
"Come, Estel, our time here is finished," said Legolas, pulling on his friend's arm gently. "Something here has obviously gone awry, and I don't wish to be here and find out what. I sense danger -" he paused and tilted his head, as if listening. "We should go. Now."
Aragorn nodded, needing no persuasion. "Right. Come on."
However, as they were observing the city, the gates had started to close slowly and silently behind them. Now, as the two friends turned to leave, the gigantic stone gates thudded shut.
"What in the name of--!"
Legolas ran forward and placed his hands on the gates. Aragorn was by his side in a second, his eyes radiating alarm. However hard they tried, though, none of their pushing made the gates budge even an inch.
"Hurry, Legolas, check along the walls near the gates! Maybe there's a lever or something!"
Desperately, they searched, their hands working frantically over the cold and dusty stone. After minutes of futile searching, Legolas gave a sigh of hopelessness and turned to look at Aragorn, who also had given up on finding some sort of device to open the gates. Legolas shook his head. The young ranger gritted his teeth and slammed his hang against the stone. Fire danced in his eyes and he tightened his fist.
"This cannot be happening," he exclaimed, disbelief and irritation spelled out in his words. "We can't possibly be locked in this place!"
Legolas sighed again. "Well, we are. I don't know how the gates just closed - or opened for that matter - by themselves."
"By themselves!?!? They DID NOT move by themselves, Legolas!" grated Aragorn. "I'm thinking this "King Hayden" character is having a little too much fun at our expense!"
Before Legolas could silence him, Aragorn turned towards the center of the city.
"WE DON'T FIND THIS VERY AMUSING, 'MY LORD'", I SUGGEST YOU STOP PLAYING YOUR LITTLE GAME NOW!"
"Estel!" Legolas hissed, pulling Aragorn back by the shoulders. "Don't be an irrational fool; we don't know what's going on here, so let's not jump to conclusions, alright!?"
Aragorn rolled his eyes, annoyed, but lowered his voice, seeing the reason behind Legolas' words.. "Fine, I won't yell anymore, but it's obvious Hayden is fooling around with us. We should go search him out. He has to be in here somewhere."
Legolas furrowed his brows. "I'm not so sure we should. This place is eerie and I don't like it one bit. We should search for another exit. There's got to be one - what city would have only one entrance anyway?"
Aragorn nodded. "Let's go to the right - it seems brighter."
"What about Fira and Sillow?" asked Legolas, glancing at the two geldings who were nuzzling each other fondly.
"It's alright, we'll leave them here for now. We don't know what we might run into. Besides, we shouldn't be gone long anyway," replied Aragorn.
With that, they struck off to the right. Unconsciously, Aragorn kept his right hand on the hilt of his sword. They continued along the wall until, after about ten minutes, they noticed a second wall had gradually grown on their other side until they were enclosed on both their left and right sides with only a narrow space in between. Not suspecting much of it, they continued on. Suddenly, Legolas stopped so abruptly that Aragorn almost ran into him from behind.
Aragorn frowned, giving Legolas a gentle nudge. "What is it? Why have you stopped?"
Legolas stepped aside as much as the small space would allow him. Aragorn's eyebrows rose. Dead-end. The only way to keep going was to either turn back or take a sharp turn to the left.
"That's odd," murmered Legolas softly. "Maybe we should go back."
Aragorn shook his head. "Then this half an hour of walking will have been in vain. Come on, Legolas, even if we take this left, we'll most likely be able to maneuver our way to the outer wall again."
The Prince of Mirkwood hesitated slightly before nodding. "Alright - let's just hope it won't take too long."
He took the lead again and turned left with Aragorn close behind. Soon, they encountered a split in the path.
"See, I told you," reminded Aragorn. "We'll simply take the right and we'll be heading back towards the wall."
Despite the man's confident words, however, Legolas's uneasiness intensified with every passing moment. He felt - strange - like there were eyes on them all the time. To make it worse, he felt suspicion and wariness growing in his mind as he noticed the walls on either side of them gradually grow taller and taller until they couldn't see beyond them. By now, they had taken four right turns and two left. Still, they did not see the outer wall. Legolas hated to admit to it, considering their stupidity was the main cause of it, but he had to.
"Estel, we're lost."
Aragorn sighed and leaned his head against the stone. "I know."
"You know what's even stranger?" asked Legolas, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the walls and the various turns and twists. "This place - we cannot even see over the top of the walls, and there are so many turns that only lead to more turns. Estel.. It's almost like."
Aragorn's head snapped up. His eyes grew wide in realization. "It's just like.. .."
"-a maze." They finished each others' sentence in unison.
The two friends stared at each other for seemingly hours. Finally, Legolas broke the stunned silence.
"What insanity is this?"
Aragorn could only shake his head in wonderment and alarm. He was desperately trying to withhold the panic that was so threateningly waiting for him in his mind.
The elf squatted and bit his lower lip. "We should turn back and try to find our way out. I don't know how long it will take to get out of here if we keep going forward."
Aragorn nodded. "We should have turned back a long time ago. Well, we cannot change that now. We might as well make the best of it."
Legolas stopped drawing pictures in the gray dirt and stood. "Let's get going then. With hope, we'll find Fira and Sillow again by nightfall."
As they turned back, a soft sound caught Legolas' attention. It was the barest of noises; even he, an elf, would not have heard it had it not been especially silent right then. He couldn't tell where the noise came from, nor what made it. He wasn't even sure he had heard anything at all. The ominous shadow looming in his mind grew stronger.
~*~*~*~
"Legolas, we've wandered for at least two hours!" Aragorn threw up his hands in frustration.
"I know, I know! Alright, it doesn't look like we'll be finding our way out anytime soon. We should rest for awhile," replied Legolas, a bit calmer than his human friend.
Aragorn sat down and leaned his back against the wall, trying to find as comfortable position as he could with the bow and arrows on his back. Legolas did the same, though he unsheathed his twin blades and held them, for precaution purposes. The blonde elf glanced over at Aragorn, whose eyes were already drifting shut. Just as the elven dreams drew near, Legolas heard it again. That sound. His eyes shot open. He strained his ears as light faded.
A slight sound. The softest rustle. A brush, a dip, a click, a slight scurry.
A footstep.
Legolas' eyes grew wide as realization collided into him. With grace only his kind was granted, he stood in one smooth motion. He gently nudged Aragorn. As soon as the human's eyes opened, Legolas put a hand to his lips, silencing any questions. Aragorn stood silently as his friend bid, confusion written clearly on his face.
Legolas pulled Aragorn close, his eyes turned towards the long shadowy path behind them. His voice was the softest of whispers, but there was an urgency in it. Aragorn met Legolas' eyes with alarm and found the elf looking straight back at him in grim reality.
"We're not alone."
The walls around them suddenly seemed so close - so tight. The wind was bone-chilling as it swept around them, carrying the noises closer and closer.
"We're being hunted."
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So what'd ya think!?!? I'm hoping this one will turn out ok! Well, check for updates! I'll be spitting out new chapters pretty fast, I should think, unless school happens to eat me alive during the next two or three weeks =D
