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Disclaimer: I do not own anything except for the plot.
A/N: Sorry for the late update. Well, I was expecting more reviews for the last chapter but that's ok. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.
Now, on to the story...
-Chapter Five-
The True Legend
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"Stay back!" Estel managed to choke, scrambling backward, still on the ground. "Stay back!" The red eyes stared at him, tantalizingly, drawing nearer. The soft growl began to echo in his ears and he was petrified with fear, soft whimpers flowing from his mouth.
Goodbye, Ada, Elladan, Elrohir, mother... He squeezed his eyes shut and waited.
* * *
"Stay back!" Legolas's ears perked and ran toward the sound of Estel's frightened voice. "Stay back!"
He raced blindly toward the sound and something red. Slowly, the glint of red turned into a pair of eyes, blood red, glaring down at the shadow of the whimpering Estel.
"GET BACK!" Legolas was shocked to find that it was his voice that yelled. He waved his hand in the air, the Silmaril glowing. The light seemed to have pained the creature and it disappeared into the darkness with a loud shriek, lifting the hairs on the back of his neck.
The Elven prince suddenly offered his hand to scared boy on the ground.
* * *
Estel stared blankly at Legolas's shadowed hand.
He's offering his hand to me? Should I accept? His pride held him back while his mind argued with it pointlessly.
No. Don't accept it. He's your enemy.
If he were your enemy, he wouldn't save you from an unknown creature, would he?
Pride is more important.
No, it isn't.
Estel leapt to his feet but winced and bent his knee almost immediately, ignoring Legolas's hand which was pulled back as suddenly as it came.
A scowl was on his face and in his fist, something glowed with a beautiful light.
"What is that?" Estel asked breathlessly, his fingers moving towards the object.
"A Silmaril," Legolas said opening his fist to reveal the stone. Estel touched it with his finger, cautiously.
"I think we should leave," Legolas declared. "That creature is dangerous..."
"So the legend is true," Estel said ignoring Legolas. "If the Silmaril is here, then that must mean the creature is also here. And it's that creature that tried to attack me!"
Legolas snorted. "Most unlikely," he said pompously.
"How do you explain the Silmaril?" Estel demanded. "It could only mean that that Elf had brought the Silmaril here in this forest and became that horrible creature!"
"That I saved you from, ungrateful snot," Legolas snapped impatiently.
"Because you have a stupid stone clutched in your pompous hands!" Estel shot back.
"That I found in a thorn bush!" Legolas snarled, holding his arm up, the light of the Silmaril revealing his pricks.
"If I hadn't even come here in the first place, you would've never found it!" Estel nearly yelled.
"AND IF I WASN'T HERE, YOU WOULDN'T BE ALIVE!" screamed Legolas. "YOU COULD AT LEAST THANK ME!"
"Thank you," spat Estel. "For nothing."
"True, your life is nothing," Legolas said narrowing his eyes.
"If my life is nothing, yours must be also," Estel said turning away from Legolas, his eyes searching for an opening.
"I want to leave," the Elf said quietly. Estel agreed silently and suddenly sat down on the ground, yawning quietly.
"We should have never come here," Legolas said. "We were bound to get lost..."
"I stole a loaf from the kitchen before I left," Estel said pulling out a flattened loaf of bread from the depths of his cloak. "It should last for the night...or morning." He looked uneasily up at the sky, which was blocked by the thick treetops.
"Oh," was all Legolas could utter at the moment. His voice was hoarse from yelling and his spirits were dampened by the darkness and he struggled against the exhaustion spreading over him.
"Here," Estel said placing a piece of bread into the Elf's hand. "Eat." He ate a piece himself, leaning against a tree trunk.
"Thank you," Legolas said automatically, stuffing it into his mouth. They remained silent as they chewed on their bread, lost in their own thoughts and worries.
What will Ada say when he sees us missing? Estel sighed inwardly and closed his eyes, thoughts flowing through his mind.
* * *
"Have you seen Legolas?" King Thranduil asked Elrond worriedly.
"No, have you seen Estel?" Elrond asked in return.
"I haven't seen the boy," the King answered.
"They must be together wherever they are," Elrond said, eyes searching the gardens. He suddenly found the beautiful, glowing flowers unpleasant as his eyes passed over them.
"I have looked almost everywhere," the King said wringing his hands. "Dear Eru, where is he?"
Elrond's eyes were filled with worry, its glitter dim. He remained silent and began to think.
"Glorfindel!" he called suddenly. The Elf lord, who was passing by, stopped at the sound of his name and whirled around.
"Yes, my Lord?" he asked graciously.
"Have you not seen Estel and Prince Legolas?" Elrond asked patiently but his voice sounded worried.
"No, my Lord," he said. "I have only seen Estel during his histor--" He stopped suddenly and his eyes widened.
"Oh, dear Eru!" he cried and fled toward the dark forest in the distance.
The King and Elrond exchanged looks and began to stride after the Elf lord.
* * *
Legolas stifled a yawn and sighed. "We must be on our guard," he whispered to Estel, who seemed to be drifting off to sleep.
"Yes," he murmured drowsily.
"And we must find a way out of this wretched forest soon," he added.
Estel became fully awake and nodded. "Let's go. We can't stay in here for long while the creature still is hunting for us."
Legolas sprang to his feet and Estel followed the suit.
"Let's go," Estel said walking quickly ahead, ignoring his surroundings. Legolas followed uncertainly but without question.
A/N: Ooh, interesting, huh? R&R!
