Disclaimer: See chapter one

A.N. Okay, new chapter. Sorry for taking so long - it's a long story, involving me losing the first 1,000 words of the chapter then managing to get them back again and so on. Anyway, this is a long chapter which has been written fairly quickly, so I hope I haven't left anything out.

A few notes to my lovely reviewers at the end of the chapter.

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Chapter Five - Riots
Faroth circled lower as they neared Minas Tirith. Rhachsell sensed his apprehension and frowned.

/"Faroth? What's wrong?/

/"I.. I have never been seen outside of the security of your father's realm"/ the dragon replied slowly. /"I am uncertain how these new people will react to my presence."/

Rhachsell nodded thoughtfully. "Why not ask Legolas if we should land? Aragorn recommended you stay outside the city until the people are used to us."

Faroth craned his head down to look at the elf king riding below them. /"Legolas?"/

/"Yes Faroth?"/ Legolas replied, surprised to be directly addressed by his daughter's dragon.

/Am I to stay outside the city when you first enter? Should I land now?"/

/"I think that may be wise,"/ Legolas agreed after a moment's consideration.

Faroth tilted his wings and went into a smooth glide, aiming for the open road in front of the riders. Rhachsell leaned back against the descent, the wind streaming through her hair, stinging her eyes and cheeks. She ignored it, enjoying Faroth's flying too much.

On the ground, Aragorn glanced over at Legolas. "Was Faroth talking to you?"

"How did you know?' Legolas looked at his friend with raised eyebrows.

"You had the same look Rhachsell has when she talks to him. I thought Faroth didn't talk to you?"

Legolas' expression turned wistful. "He is Rhachsell's dragon, linked to her and only her. He speaks to me occasionally, and I can speak to him, but it would be very rude to talk to him like my daughter does. He is not my dragon." From under the elf's blonde hair, Anira chirped comfortingly and nibbled his earlobe. Legolas flinched, but grinned as he reached up to gently detach the fire lizard's beak from his ear.

"But Willerth wasn't..." Aragorn caught the slip as soon as the words left his mouth. Legolas' face went blank and he turned away from his friend to stare at the ground. "I'm sorry Legolas. I didn't mean.. I know you miss Willerth."

"It's fine. Willerth was never my dragon either." Legolas' voice was flat but Aragorn sensed it was only the elf's ironclad control of himself that stopped it trembling. Mentally swearing at himself for bringing up the subject, Aragorn reached across to rest a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "He thinks of you my friend, I'm sure of it."

Legolas glanced over at him and tried to smile. "I hope so."

Rhachsell and Faroth touched down on the road, raising a cloud of dust. Gimli rode up from the back of the line where he had been conversing with Arwen.

"Why have they landed?' the dwarf asked with a frown. "Is there a problem?"

"No, there isn't a problem. We just think Faroth should stay out of sight for a while," Legolas replied. Gimli growled.

"Nothing wrong with Faroth."

"But the people of Gondor don't know that," Arwen commented as she rode up them. "None of the dragons in history have been benevolent. Indeed, they all have worked for evil. There is no reason for them anything different of this one, especially so soon after the Witch-King and his monster."

Legolas cast a sharp glance at Arwen. "Faroth looks very different to anything the Nazgul ever rode."

"Not to frightened and panicking Men," Arwen answered, her Elvish pride showing through. Legolas hesitated.

Gimli muttered something under his breath about Elves and their pride inferring with common sense then dismounted with great difficulty. He grabbed the reins of his horse before it wandered off and turned to greet Rhachsell who was walking towards them.

"Looks like I won't be getting that dragon ride just yet eh?' he greeted her with a smile. "Does Faroth mind staying behind?'

"Not really. He isn't sure how people will react to him in the city." Rhachsell glanced back at her dragon who was regarding her solemnly with rainbow coloured eyes. "He would like to see the city though."

"He will," Legolas assured her. "Once we've warned the people in the city what to expect he will be welcome."

Rhachsell nodded, suddenly reluctant to abandon her dragon. Sensing her conflict, Legolas dismounted smoothly, earning an envious look from Gimli for the manoeuvre. The elf king rested a hand on his daughter's shoulder.

"I'll leave Anira here with him," he suggested and abruptly Rhachsell felt better. If Legolas was willing to leave his precious fire lizard behind then he must know how she felt. She nodded slowly.

"Okay."

Raising his hand to his neck, Legolas lifted the fire lizard down so he could look at her. She chirped curiously, sitting up to stare at him with blue-green eyes.

"Anira, stay with Faroth do you understand? Don't come until I call for you." The bronze-dappled fire lizard chirped again and took off, gliding over to the black dragon. She landed on his neck ridge, clinging with tiny talons. Faroth shifted his weight.

/"She tickles."/

"Right." Legolas left his hand on Rhachsell's shoulder as he turned towards his horse. "Rhachsell do you mind riding with me?"

There was a contemptuous snort from Faroth that made all the horses jump and Anira scold him with a high pitched whistle. Rhachsell grinned.

"I'm sure your horse will be fine."

/"I'll eat him one day"/ Faroth muttered as Aragorn helped Rhachsell up behind her father. Legolas' stallion stamped a hoof as if he had heard the black dragon's comment.

The group reformed into a line once everyone was mounted, then there was a long pause. Faroth looked at them in confusion.

/"Shouldn't you be going somewhere?"/

/"We'd love to dear one,"/ Rhachsell said pointedly. /"But you're in our way."/ The black dragon's bulk was blocking the road in front of them.

/"Oh yes."/ Faroth shuffled away into the trees, manoeuvring between them with difficulty. /"I'll see you soon. Have fun."/

/"I will. Take care."/ Rhachsell watched the dark shadow of her dragon fade into the forest as Legolas' horse broke into a trot. Swallowing hard, she tore her eyes away and looked forward over Legolas' shoulder, towards Minas Tirith.

*

They were recognised immediately by the outer sentries and waved on through the gates in the outer wall, the Rammas Echor as it was called by the people of Gondor. They passed through rich farmlands where people worked in the fields, pausing to watch the newcomers and to bow their heads respectively when they recognised their king. Legolas sensed Aragorn's guards relaxing slightly in the peaceful setting, happy to be home. His own guards remained watchful, but smiled at the children who pointed at them in excitement and whispered about the beautiful elves who travelled with King Elessar.

As they drew closer to the city, Rhachsell watched in wonder as the sun gleamed off the walls, making them glow white. The Tower of Ecthelion shone like a beacon from its place high in the topmost wall, as beautiful as anything she had ever seen among the elves. Aragorn dropped back slightly so he was riding alongside her.

"What do you think of my city Rhachsell?" he asked smiling proudly. Rhachsell shook her head, lost for words.

"It is.. unbelievably beautiful."

Aragorn's expression of pride at her response faded as trumpets rang out from the fast approaching city. He sighed deeply.

"Ah well. Time to be the king again." He let his horse speed up until he was riding at the head of the column. Arwen came up to ride beside him as the guards automatically fell into formation. Legolas, Rhachsell and Gimli were riding just behind Aragorn, flanked by guards. Rhachsell shifted uncomfortably; suddenly the ceremony was making her nervous. She would have much preferred to ride in quietly, unnoticed by anyone, although she now realised that was impossible while they rode with the king.

They approached the main gates that swung back for them, guards lining the long winding road in welcome. Alerted by the trumpets that were still sounding, the people of Gondor were gathering along the road behind the guards in their silver and black uniform, talking and shouting excitedly that King Elessar had returned, that he had come home. Rhachsell tightened her grip on her father and ducked her head, swallowing nervously.

/"Don't worry"/ Faroth told her comfortingly from the forest. /"You will come to no harm with your father and Aragorn there."/ Rhachsell knew her dragon was right, but somehow she hadn't expected so *many* people to be watching them arrive.

As they passed through the great archway, Aragorn's standard, the White Tree of Gondor and the Seven Stars and crown of Elendil above it, was raised from the tower where it rippled proudly in the breeze. Rhachsell watched the gems woven into the cloth glint and shine like stars for a moment, then the crowd pressing in around them caught her attention and she kept her head down.

In the crowd, a man waited patiently for the line of riders to pass before turning to walk after them. He slipped unnoticed through the throng of people, one hand holding something concealed under his billowing cloak. No one saw him turn away from the road and break into a jog, disappearing into one of the city's alleyways, heading for a shortcut.

Gimli grumbled under his breath as the guards stood to attention and saluted Aragorn. "Bloody ceremonies. A simple 'welcome back, did you have a nice trip' would suffice, but no, they have to have the fanfare and 'official' welcome. We won't get any proper food and a place to sit down off these accursed horses for hours now."

Legolas cast a grin at the dwarf. "Why Gimli, anyone would think you didn't like horses."

His only reply was a disdainful growl.

Aragorn was scanning the crowd, keeping a smile fixed on his face as he silently approved of the efficiency of his guards in controlling the excited people. Their party passed through the first three circles with no incident, the cheering, waving people ecstatic to see their king home again. Arwen rode next to him, regally inclining her head to the guards and smiling at the children who ran beside them all the way up the long winding road. There were many people who whispered to each other at the tall, ethereal elves accompanying their king although it was not uncommon for elves to visit the city. More whispers were aimed at Rhachsell's strange appearance and scarred skin. Even a few looks of distaste were directed at her. She didn't notice, keeping her eyes firmly down, away from the watchful crowd.

It happened just as they passed through the fourth gate, where the road narrowed slightly. The guards had to part to allow the king's party through and as they did, a child slipped past them. She ran towards Aragorn, in her excitement not noticing the guards reaching to stop her or her friends left behind. Then abruptly, the realisation she was alone and surrounded by strangers on tall horses hit her and she skidded to a halt, right into the legs of Gimli's horse. The animal reared in surprise and the girl screamed as she saw hooves waving inches from her face. Her mother screamed from the crowd and tried to push through the guards to reach her daughter, her friends trying to hold her back. In the space of a few seconds everything degenerated into utter chaos.

The man who had left the road back in the first circle of the city arrived at his destination, out of breath as he climbed the stairs inside the house. Outside he could hear the screams of the girl and the frightened crowd and he blessed the gods who had sent him such luck. Jogging down the dark hallways, he turned into a room and went immediately to the window, kneeling beside it. From under his cloak he brought out his crossbow and loaded it with quick, methodical movements. Raising it, he sighted down it's length and took careful aim.

Down on the road, Gimli was clinging to his horse like a limpet to a rock, face pale as he desperately tried to swing his mount away from the girl who was still screaming. Legolas controlled his own plunging horse and reached down to drag the girl away from the lethal, kicking hooves, Rhachsell almost losing her balance behind him. Aragorn swung round to see if he could help then one of the guards shouted a warning. He had spotted the figure at the window.

With a curse, the stranger loosed the bolt. It whistled towards Aragorn un-armoured, undefended, vulnerable. The king saw it in the split second before it hit him and his eyes went wide - then a blur of green and bronze flashed in front of him.

Anira shrieked her triumph as she snatched the crossbow bolt from mid- air, its momentum knocking her sideways, into Aragorn, but deflecting the bolt enough for it to thud harmlessly into Aragorn's saddle. The guards were already after the assassin and struggling to control the crowd at the same time. Rhachsell clung to Legolas, eyes wide, fighting to stay calm. Gimli's horse crashed down, hooves striking sparks from the stone, eyes wide and nostrils flared. Legolas picked the girl up and set her in front of him, silently thankful that she was small enough to fit. He turned his horse to hand her back to her mother - just in time to see the first punch thrown in the crowd.

The people had already been restless, excited by their king's return, alarmed by the danger to the little girl. The assassination attempt was the last straw - tempers frayed to breaking point and snapped as the guards forced their way through the people to the house. There was no one person who began the riot, a man shouted, another shook his fist and a woman cried out as a third man punched someone with a sharp crack of flesh on flesh. Aragorn swore under his breath and pushed his horse in front of Arwen's to protect her as their guards pressed around them, swords drawn. Legolas wrapped one arm around the little girl's waist and reached out to steady Gimli with his free hand as the dwarf fought to keep his balance on the skittish horse.

Rhachsell could feel Faroth's alarm. /"What's happening? Do you need me?! I can be there-"/

/"No Faroth!"/ Rhachsell answered urgently. There was no telling what the appearance of a the dragon would do to the wild crowd. /"Stay where you are!"/

/"Anira didn't,"/ Faroth answered, almost sulkily. Rhachsell couldn't reply because the crowd spilled through the guards and crashed into the side of Legolas' horse.

Aragorn tried to restore some order. "STOP!" He roared at the top of his voice and the people nearest him froze, but by now the crowd was making too much noise to hear. Rhachsell could feel herself starting to panic - the crowd had boxed them in against the wall and there was no chance that they could escape through the gate into the fifth circle of the city. Legolas was tense, one hand resting on the hilt of his knife. The girl he held was silent now, eyes wide in fear. Rhachsell managed to convince her fingers to loosen their death grip on Legolas long enough to pat the girl comfortingly on the shoulder.

The assassin was well away by now, safely lost in the riot which the guards were already suspecting him of starting. Anira swooped over the crowd, even her piercing shrieks being lost in the cacophony of noise. Rhachsell glanced up and a thrown knife whistled past her eyes, bare millimetres away. She felt Faroth's fury surge.

/"NO FAROTH DON'T!"/

Too late. Faroth went /between/ to the place he could see through Rhachsell's eyes. Instantly a blast of freezing air swamped the crowd and a roar split the air. In a moment everything had frozen as if paused, the entire crowd turning to stare in horror at the seemingly massive black dragon looming over them.

Aragorn knew he had a fraction of a second in which to act before the crowd stampeded away, probably trampling countless people in the rush. Faroth had landed on the wall above them, using his wings to stay balanced and inadvertently making himself look even bigger as he extended them. Aragorn was right beneath the dragon's elegant head, with gleaming teeth and glowing red eyes that were whirling too fast to make out individual colours. Kicking his feet free of his stirrups in the abrupt silence, Aragorn climbed up onto his horse's saddle and reached out to Faroth who noticed and glanced down.

"HE ISN'T DANGEROUS!" This time Aragorn's voice echoed out across the city, catching everyone's attention as he put every effort into making himself heard. Still the crowd was poised, ready for flight. "HE BELONGS TO THE DAUGHTER OF KING LEGOLAS." Aragorn's throat was hurting from shouting, so instead he reached up and scratched Faroth's eye ridge and automatically the black dragon bent his head to the touch, apparently submitting to Aragorn. A sigh of wonder rose up from those closest as Faroth brought his wings down, settling himself firmly on the wall. The guards were as amazed as everyone else, but they were already moving through the crowd, separating people who bore obvious marks of fights, calming the crowd further. The tension eased, then Anira flew over their heads to land on Legolas' shoulder with a chirp. People watched in disbelief as the elf handed the little girl back to her mother and reached up to stroke the fire lizard's head. Anira bent her head to the caress, just like Faroth. At the sight a sigh rose up and all the crowd relaxed. Aragorn, still balanced on his horse's saddle and being held steady by Arwen and Gimli knew they had averted disaster just in time.

Rhachsell glanced up at her dragon. /"That was very risky Faroth."/

/"I know"/ the dragon replied smugly. /"But it worked."/

/"Only just"/ Rhachsell cautioned and leaned against her father, the adrenalin wearing off and leaving her exhausted. Legolas turned to look at her anxiously.

"Are you hurt? Is that why Faroth came, as thankful as I am that he did?"

"No, I'm fine," Rhachsell answered shakily. "I think it was really Anira who saved the day."

Legolas glanced over at the cross bow bolt his fire lizard had deflected into Aragorn's saddle. "It could have been much worse, I agree."

"I'll second that," Aragorn murmured.
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A.N. Comments to reviewers:

~ Andtauriel Longwood Baggins: You're right about the scales - Faroth was built more on the 'traditional' idea of the dragon and that involved having scales. It was a good way to differentiate him from the Pernese dragons too. Well spotted! I did debate putting quotation marks at the beginning and end of the story, but I wanted it to stand out from the rest of the text as if it was from a book or scroll. Maybe you're right, I should have put quotation marks in. Thanks! And the Ilúvatar - yeah, my spell check keeps telling me I've spelled all these words wrong when I know they're right, so I don't check them as carefully as I should. I'll try in future. Thanks for commenting and telling me what you think - I love hearing from everyone, especially if they have a good knowledge of Tolkien like you. ^-^

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San the Insane: The reason for Arwen telling the tale a bit briefly was that she didn't have all the details of it. Keeping in mind the events she talked about took place thousands of years ago, before even Galadriel and Elrond were born, she told it to the best of her knowledge. Thanks though for pointing it out, I know elves do tend to embellish their stories so maybe I should have made the reason for it being short clearer. Thanks for commenting!

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Thanks to all my other reviewers, Songbreeze the Omnipresent, Evil-Mollusc and Anita - I hope you like the latest chapter and hopefully the next one will be here soon. Hugs and cookies to you all!