Disclaimer: For full disclaimer, please see chapter 1.
A/N:
Well, I'm sorry for not posting this on Friday, but it wasn't MY fault! *accusing look at FF.net* I _couldn't _ upload the chapter, and I did try! Really! Sometimes, I really, really hate FF.net, and I think it returns my feelings whole-heartedly... It ate my last 30+ reviews, for cryin' out loud!!! All the reviews between Aralodwen's and Salara's have been deleted. I got the review alerts and could read them, but they don't show on the review board. *takes out sword to dismember FF.net* We hatessss it, we doessss, preciousssss....
Ah well, as I said, sorry. I did what I could.
Mhahahaha! It is SO much fun to know things you don't! And let me tell you, your guesses are all so far off! *giggles a bit more* Okay... *wipes eyes* Sorry, I'm a bit hyper today. Must be the sun, I'm like a solar cell, the more sunlight the more energy... *g*
Well, I'll stop this inane babbling now ... Shire!! Baggins! *hits head against desktop* Again, a Gollum moment; I think I'm turning into some kind of slimy, treacherous, ring-loving, schizophrenic, jewellery-petting, sun-hating creature myself. I know: What's the difference to now, then? *g*
Okay, here's chapter 7, in which they actually get to Lake-town! Yay them! There's not too much actions though (it's all in chapter 8 and 9), but we have lots of angst for everybody, and this time I can't even blame the music for it. Blast. Must be my evil nature, then... *evil grin*
So, have fun and review, please!
Chapter 7
Celylith looked around their little camp, surveying the snow-covered scenery for any signs of hostiles or predators looking for an easy meal. He seriously doubted that any spiders were living in this area, but one could never be too careful.
While he would very much welcome the opportunity to learn more about the beasts' social habits, he doubted that his friends would share this feeling. Besides, even his enthusiasm had suffered somewhat from their last encounter with the arachnids, even though he still hadn't forgiven Legolas for forcing him to let Wilwarin go.
The silver haired elf cocked his head to the side when he heard a small shuffling noise, and he turned his eyes from the small fire the human boy had kindled to the right, just in time to see Aragorn emerge from the shrubbery, carrying an armful of long, slender dead branches for their campfire and wearing a rather smug grin that Celylith couldn't really understand.
He had just opened his mouth to ask the young ranger that was noisily coming closer what was so very funny when he realised that both the human and Legolas had left to look for firewood. Cursing inwardly, he tried to turn to the left, but this move proved to be seconds too late as he felt the cold steel of a blade against his neck.
"Careless, my friend, very careless," his elven friend's soft voice sounded right next to his head. "If even Estel can distract you so that you don't hear my approach, I shudder to think of what might happen if you encountered a pair of orcs intelligent enough to split up."
Celylith growled and turned his head to the left, forcing Legolas to pull back his knife if he didn't want to hurt his friend. He glared at the grinning elven prince in front of him, ignoring Aragorn's soft chuckle somewhere to his right.
"The day I meet an intelligent orc will be the day I meet a Ringwraith that likes to dress in red," he snapped, trying to stop the blood from rushing to his face in embarrassment. "Besides, you are a little bit stealthier than an orc. Not much," he added with an evil glint in his eyes, "but a little."
Legolas ignored that last remark and returned his knife to its sheath while he sat down on a log next to Celylith, rummaging through his pack and pulling out numerous small packets containing lembas and fruit.
"Just admit that I am stealthier than you, my friend," he said, silver-blue eyes dancing merrily. "We have been playing this game for more than two thousand years, and you haven't won for more than five centuries, if my memory serves me right."
Aragorn laughed at that, adding more wood to the fire and watching how the fire consumed the fuel greedily, melting the snow that surrounded the small pit they'd dug. He smiled at Seobryn who just returned from the horses with the last of their sleeping mats, still looking rather nervous in light of the two elves that sat across the camp fire.
"Really?" he asked, spearing the mountain hare Legolas had shot earlier today on a spit and securing it on two forked sticks he had burrowed in the ground on either side of the fire. "That is a rather long time, Master Elf."
Celylith glared at the ranger.
"I will have you know, Master Human, that I have won my dear prince's childish game at least once."
"Oh? And when would that have been?" Legolas asked and raised a questioning eyebrow.
"During the Fell Winter forty years ago," Celylith stated, looking at his friend in satisfaction.
The fair haired elf's brow wrinkled slightly while his hands played with the string of his new bow.
"The Fell Winter?" he asked. "What, there we were attacked by the wolves!"
"But I heard you approach," Celylith pointed out, smirking at the prince.
"Of course you did! I was being trailed by a pack of them! No-one could have overheard us!"
"Do not try to reason yourself out of it, mellonamin," the silver haired elf said, ignoring the human that was roaring with laughter by now and giving both him and the smiling Seobryn an evil look. "I heard you. That's a fact."
Legolas threw up his hands, mock despair in his eyes.
"I give up! Why ada has insisted on you coming along I will never understand."
Celylith grabbed some of the elvish waybread and passed it on to the two young humans who sat close to the fire to ward off the cold that was beginning to even intensify now that darkness was beginning to fall.
"The answer to that question is very simple, my lord. I am here to make sure that neither you nor that ranger gets yourself killed on an ordinary journey to an allied town, something that you are entirely capable of."
Legolas and Aragorn traded a hurt look.
"I don't know of what you speak, Celylith," Legolas retorted and opened a small packet containing dried berries. "We are perfectly able to look after ourselves."
Celylith just stared at them before he began chuckling loudly. After a few second, he began to giggle, and after that it quickly reached the scale of a full-fledged hysteric fit.
Seobryn watched in wonder as the elven prince and the ranger merely looked at each other and returned their attention to their food. The other elf seemed to be unperturbed by his companions' silence, for it took him at least ten minutes to regain control of himself.
"You?" Celylith finally gasped, fighting off a renewed wave of giggles. "You two? Able to look after yourselves? Elbereth, that is a good jest if I ever heard one…"
Aragorn merely raised a dark eyebrow and ignored his elven friend.
"Seobryn," he said, turning to the boy who was nibbling at his piece of lembas suspiciously, "Tell us about your new employer."
The young man looked up with wide eyes, obviously more than uncomfortable at being the centre of the general attention.
"Well, he … he is a trader," he said, shooting Legolas and Celylith furtive glances.
The elven prince smiled at that.
"Yes, that is something we had already gathered. What is his name?"
Seobryn looked at him, looking slightly surprised that the elf had talked to him like a normal person. Perhaps Str… Estel had been right after all and elves were not that bad…
"His name is Owaeran," he said, beginning to smile as well. "He is the guild master in Lake-town and trades with the southern lands, Mirkwood and even lands to the west, like Rohan."
The boy's voice sounded awed at the mere thought. To him the land of the Horse-lords sounded an impossibly long distance away.
"So he is successful?" Aragorn inquired, smiling at the other man's enthusiasm.
"I think so," Seobryn replied carefully, obviously determined not to believe anything until he had seen proof. Legolas shook his head slightly. Sometimes he found it most tragic indeed how quickly humans had to grow up. This boy was even younger than Aragorn and already suspicious and wary.
"I'm sure you will be just fine," Aragorn smiled at the younger human. "King Thranduil would only have invited an established and successful trader. Everything will be alright."
"Yes," Celylith chimed in, grinning slightly. He pointed at the piece of lembas Seobryn had barely touched. "But you need to eat. Besides, refusing the king's food is considered a severe affront."
"Celylith…" Legolas muttered warningly.
The silver haired elf ignored him and continued, his grin broadening when he looked at the wide-eyed human.
"Lembas is our…" he paused for a second, frowning in thought, "…our sacred food. If you don't eat it, you show an unforgivable disrespect. And since Legolas here is the prince, he would have to defend the honour of his father and king and would have to kill you." Celylith grin grew even more wicked. "But it would have to be a slow and painful death; he would start with…"
Aragorn turned from where he had been stoking the fire and glared at the elven warrior, motioning at the petrified boy across the fire.
"Celylith! Stop it!" he hissed in Elvish. "He believes you, can't you see that? He is scared enough as it is!"
"Strider is right," Legolas agreed. "The boy will die of fright if you don't stop it now. Apologise to him!"
The silver haired elf began to chuckle and turned to Seobryn who shot Legolas fearful glances and looked very much as if he were contemplating how to escape from here as quickly as possible.
"I am sorry, Master Human," he said and inclined his head. "I spoke only in jest. No-one here will harm you. Here," he offered the boy some fruit, "if the food is not to your liking, have some of these. I meant no offence."
Seobryn looked hard at the elf and stretched out his hand to reach for the fruit.
"None taken, Master Elf," he said, determined to show the other that he wasn't afraid of him, which he wasn't. Not really, anyway.
Aragorn stood up, intent on breaking the rather uncomfortable silence.
"Well, I will start setting up the tents. It will be dark soon."
The two elves looked at each other.
"Tents?"
The young ranger rolled his eyes.
"Yes, tents. In case you hadn't noticed, there is a ten-inch-snow cover on the ground."
Legolas looked at him, a playful sparkle in his eyes.
"And your point is?"
Aragorn shook his head in exasperation.
"And they say elves are the superior species…" he muttered under his breath, knowing full well that his elven companions would be able to hear him. "How I shall survive another day in your company Ilúvatar alone knows."
He stepped closer to Celylith and dragged the surprised elf to his feet.
"And my dear friend Celylith will help me," he declared and smiled friendly at the elven warrior. "We will have a nice little chat about playing tricks on those who are younger and less experienced than oneself."
Celylith shot Legolas a pleading glance which the elven prince ignored, shrugging lightly. In a matter of seconds the two of them had disappeared into the directions of the horses, Aragorn's slightly smaller figure still having a firm grip on the elf's arm who was walking lightly on top of the snow.
Seobryn shot Legolas a questioning look.
"Is it always like this?"
Legolas pondered this for a moment before he looked at the human.
"No. Usually it's even worse."
"I thought so," Seobryn answered seriously, returning his attention to the hare over the fire and listening to the snatches of conversation that filtered through the trees, both in Elvish and in Common.
Legolas smiled, staring into the dancing flames of the fire. This trip had been a good idea indeed, and hopefully it would help take his human friend's thoughts off his nightmares as well.
Besides, they had travelled the whole day without encountering anything even remotely hostile, and since they should arrive in Esgaroth tomorrow evening, they had already covered more than half of the distance.
It was indeed looking as if they would manage to return home without a scratch, if they managed to avoid all dangers on their way back as well. His father would be very pleased, Legolas thought wryly, and probably more than a little bit surprised.
And to surprise his father was quite hard indeed, so it was more than worth a try.
The darkness was slowly lessening, and Celylith slowly tapped against the wood of his bow that lay across his lap. He loved watching the sunrise, loved the way the sunlight began to make its way through the trees until the forest shone in all its glory. For outsiders it may be a dim, dark glory, the young captain mused, but Mirkwood was his home, and he couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
Although, he thought sadly, the Sea was even more beautiful. Once, when he had been younger, he had journeyed to the West to watch his mother and sister board one of the ships that left the Grey Havens for Valinor.
He sighed sadly when a band of grief seemed to tighten around his chest, constricting around his heart until he felt as if he had to gasp for air. He missed them, he missed them horribly, especially at this time of night. He and his little sister had always liked to watch the sunrise, but since Calowiël had set sail, he just couldn't enjoy it like he had before.
'Fool,' he cursed himself angrily, trying in vain to shake off the dark memories, 'You should know better than to think of her at sunrise.'
But try as he might, he just couldn't escape the images of his sister's dull, lifeless eyes or the cries of sheer, overwhelming, heart-wrenching despair she had uttered when the battered hunting party had returned, bringing home her dead fiancée.
Celylith closed his eyes and shook his head, remembering how Calowiël had wept for days, refusing to believe that her beloved was truly dead. After that dreadful day more than five hundred years ago she had never been like before, and so she and their mother had taken the ships in the hope that her wounded heart might find peace and healing in the Undying Lands, and, possibly, one day a new love.
He wished for that with all his heart; he had never wanted anything else than to see his younger sister happy. And she had to be happier there than she had been during her last days on Arda, he reasoned, trying to cheer himself up. It was rather seldom that a wood-elf felt the urge to journey to the Havens, even though it happened more and more frequently of late. The Silvan elves were more attached to Arda than those of Noldorin descent, for they had never travelled West and set foot on the shores of Aman, and so he or she had to hear the call of the Sea very strongly or had to be close indeed to falling into despair.
No, he thought, straightening himself, he missed her, but that was better than having to watch her die of a broken heart. One day he and his father would join them in the Blessed Realm, and when he saw the once again sparkling blue eyes of his sister, it would be the reward that justified the long separation.
Forcing his thoughts away from this topic, he turned his attention to the two rather unsteady looking tents whose dark canvas contrasted sharply against the gleaming white snow. Humans, he thought with an internal chuckle, a truly fascinating race. Not on the same level as spiders, of course, but still… It was puzzling how many weaknesses they seemed to have, but then again they possessed just as many strengths. Fascinating indeed.
He smiled thinly when he imagined what Aragorn would say once the human realised that he hadn't been woken for his watch. After the two humans had gone to sleep, Legolas had stated that he wouldn't wake his friend, and neither would Celylith. The silver haired elf had taken one look at his friend's steely eyes and nodded quietly, knowing that Legolas' mind was set on this.
He didn't know whether Legolas wanted to grant Strider a few more hours of sleep and didn't see the necessity of waking the human when there were two persons who didn't even need to sleep or whether he just wanted to annoy the ranger, but he knew better than to question his prince. Legolas wouldn't explain and he certainly wouldn't change his mind, and so the two of them had stayed awake and kept watch.
Now it was his turn to watch over the camp, and Legolas had gone off a few hours ago to scout the terrain and practice a bit with his new bow. And what a bow it was, Celylith thought enviously. Perhaps he should somehow trick Estel in breaking his so that the human would have to give him a new one as well…
Grinning slightly, he allowed himself to come up with various plans to achieve that goal, and even though he had to admit that one sounded more unlikely than the next, it was a most entertaining pastime.
Just when he had thought of the thirteenth way to make Estel break his bow, his keen elven hearing detected a small sound that drew his attention. He stood and tried to locate the source of the noise, his right hand straying close to his quiver.
No, he thought, frowning in confusion, it wasn't a sound outside of their camp, and he could neither see nor sense a hostile presence, or any foreign presence at all. He quickly ruled out the possibility that Legolas was sneaking up on him again, not even Legolas would do that when he was the only one guarding the camp. A single guard was always more alert and nervous than several, and Legolas knew perfectly well that he might end up with an arrow in his heart if he tried something like that.
Another, slightly louder noise sounded, and Celylith whirled around, only to find the space behind him empty except for the tents the two humans slept in.
He cocked his head slightly to the side when he heard small shuffling sounds, as if someone was rolling from side to side, and suddenly the pieces fell into place. One of the men was having a nightmare.
Feeling slightly embarrassed at not having been able to realise this sooner, he quickly walked over to the tents, listening closely to the sounds that emanated from the left one. It was Estel who was suffering the dream, he learned seconds later, for he truly didn't think that Seobryn had learned to speak Elvish without the slightest accent.
Soundlessly he pulled back the front flap and peered inside of the tiny dark space.
Strider was tossing and turning in his sleep, muttering under his breath both in Westron and Elvish. Just when Celylith stretched out his hand to touch the restless human, Aragorn sat bolt upright, grey eyes wild and unseeing. The silver haired elf quickly withdrew his hand, eyeing his friend for any signs of lucidity.
After a little while of watching the panting human trying to calm his breathing, he asked,
"Estel? Are you awake? Are you alright?"
The young ranger blinked a few times, for the first time noticing that he wasn't alone in the tent.
"Yes," he finally mumbled, trying to identify the person that stood in the entrance shadowed in twilight. "Celylith?"
"Aye, Strider, it's me," the elf reassured the human, surveying him closely. The ranger would probably not thank him if he stayed here, he thought, he didn't know him as well as Legolas did and he doubted that Aragorn wanted anyone to see him in such a confused state.
He quickly removed his waterskin from his belt and placed it next to the still shaken human.
"I will be outside," he said simply, ducking his head when he stepped back out.
Celylith had enough time to stoke the fire and look around for some lembas before Aragorn emerged from his tent, now looking more awake and composed, but still definitely uncomfortable.
"Thank you," he said quietly, handing back the waterskin.
"There's no need for that, Estel," Celylith replied, motioning the young human to take a seat at the fire and studying him closely.
Fully aware of the elf's scrutiny, Aragorn still didn't say anything before he raised his head a few minutes later and looked the other in the eye.
"Where is Legolas?" he asked, a guarded expression on his face.
"Oh, somewhere close by," Celylith waved his hand dismissively. "He went to scout the terrain and have a shot with his new bow."
"I see," Aragorn mumbled, averting his eyes.
The elf studied him for a few seconds before he picked up a bit of lembas and pushed it into the human's hands.
"Here," he said, giving him a tentative smile. "Eating always helped me deal with the nightmares. I haven't had one for centuries now, but I still remember what they made me feel like."
Celylith shuddered slightly, remembering the vivid dreams he had had, the ones about him watching his beloved little sister die of a broken heart. And before that tragedy, the ones he'd had when Legolas and he had been captured by a pack of orcs close to the Misty Mountains about eight hundred years ago.
Glónduil and a dozen other warriors had found them before the orcs had grown tired of their "playthings" and killed them, but it hadn't been soon enough to prevent him from suffering through more nightmares about that time than he ever wished to remember.
The ranger smiled thinly at him and took the offered food, taking a small bite. Another long silence descended until Aragorn once again spoke.
"Don't tell him," he simply pleaded, looking at the silver haired elf imploringly.
"Strider…" Celylith began, but was interrupted by Aragorn's determined voice.
"Celylith," he turned steely silver eyes on the elf, eyes that right now looked more elvish than a human's eyes rightly should, "Do not tell him. He will only worry, yet there is nothing he can do. Please, do not burden him with this."
The elven warrior looked at him with troubled midnight blue eye, trying to decide what to do. He wanted to go along with Aragorn's wishes since he obviously was so determined about this, but if Legolas ever found out that he had known about the young human's nightmares and hadn't informed him about them, he would be … well, beyond furious.
'The best thing I can hope for in that case is a century of guard duty in the dungeons,' he thought dryly. 'The most likely outcome is a violent death though.'
He sighed as he looked into the dead-serious eyes of the young man.
"Alright," he said reluctantly, his serious face almost breaking into a smile when he saw the relief in the silver depths. "I promise you I will not tell Legolas. But only if you promise me something as well."
"What?" Aragorn asked suspiciously, putting the last bit of lembas into his mouth. It never ceased to amaze him how differently the waybread tasted in Mirkwood in comparison to the one the elves of Rivendell made.
"That you will tell him about them. I do not say now, human," he added mockingly when the ranger wanted to protest, "And I do not say tomorrow, but promise me you will let him help you, soon. Besides, you won't be able to avoid him forever."
"I know," Aragorn retorted and sighed deeply. After a heartbeat's pause he raised his head and said grumpily, "Fine. I will tell him. Later. You have my word."
"That is all I want, dúnadan" the silver haired elf smiled and briefly put a hand on the human's shoulder.
They sat at the fire in companionable silence until they heard the faint sounds of an approaching elf who was obviously carrying something rather heavy.
Aragorn looked at the other with narrowed eyes, causing the elf to smile against his will.
"I keep my promises, Estel," he said softly, rising to his feet. "Don't worry. Do you want to wake the boy or do you want me to do it? I will gladly…"
"No," Aragorn said quickly and stood up. "You go and see what Legolas has shot for breakfast. By the sound of it he could use some help, it's apparently quite heavy. I will wake Seobryn. Your face in the morning would probably be enough to send him to an early grave."
Celylith just grinned and disappeared between the trees, his soft footfall not leaving a trace on the pristine mantle of snow that covered the ground.
Aragorn looked after him for a second before he turned back to the tents, shaking his head to get rid of the last shreds of the dream that still clung to his mind. He was really getting tired of them, quite literally actually. He knew he couldn't go on like this for much longer, but he just didn't know what to do.
'Do what you have promised Celylith – tell Legolas,' a small voice inside his head advised.
The young human snorted softly. How could he? He just couldn't tell Legolas, out of the same reason why he hadn't been able to tell his father. These dreams paraded his very worst fears in front of his eyes, and the last persons he would be able to tell about them were his father and best friend.
No, he thought, about to pull back Seobryn's tent flap, he couldn't tell him. Not now anyway. He would tell him when he was ready, he decided stubbornly, gazing down at the sleeping human in front of him whose longish light brown hair was spread out on the bundled up cloak that served him as a pillow, and not a second earlier.
As he bent down to shake the other man awake, he tried to ignore the voice that roared with laughter at that, telling him that he wouldn't be ready, that he would never be ready and that he would drown in these images if he didn't talk about them soon.
Legolas eyed the innocent faces of his friends suspiciously. They never looked this innocent, and if they by some chance did, it was never a good sign.
He shook his head and turned his eyes back on the snow covered path, pushing back his annoyance. Usually he didn't mind if his friends played a little joke on him, but this was something different. He had the distinct feeling that there was something he should know, but judging by the angelic expressions both the human and the elf wore, he wouldn't find out any time soon.
He gave a low growl of annoyance. It was truly exceptional how easily Aragorn managed to irritate him, and Celylith's presence didn't help in the slightest, either.
Tonight he would force one of them to tell him what this was all about, he decided grimly, and they'd better tell him what he wanted to know. If he had to, he could be just as stubborn and persistent as his human friend. While he wasn't sure about Aragorn, he was convinced that Celylith wouldn't stand a chance against him if he set his mind on learning what was going on.
Meanwhile, Aragorn had watched his friend warily while at the same time trying to behave as normally as possibly. He sighed lightly, casting down his eyes. He didn't need his father's wisdom to know that he was behaving irrationally, but there was nothing he could do.
He knew that Legolas knew that there was something wrong with him, something that wouldn't even escape the most unobservant of people. He also knew that Legolas knew that he knew that and expected him to explain – as a sensible person should, the voice in his head remarked smugly once again. But he could not; it would help no-one if he burdened his elven friend with his weaknesses.
Refusing to think about this topic any longer, he turned to Legolas and asked the first thing that came to his mind.
"When will we be arriving?" he questioned, trying very much not to sound like an impatient child.
Seobryn shot him a thankful glance. That was exactly what he had been longing to ask for a long time now, since they had been travelling most of the day and he was beginning to feel a little bit tired. Just a tiny little bit, of course, and he would be damned if he admitted that in front of the elves.
Legolas cocked his head to the side, an amused sparkle in his eyes.
"Why, Strider? Do you require rest?"
"Of course not!" Aragorn replied, glaring darkly at the broadly grinning Celylith. "I was just wondering because darkness will be falling soon."
"I see," the fair haired elf replied, lifting an eyebrow slightly. "Not much longer I think. It's been quite a long while since I have travelled to Esgaroth, and since the death of Smaug the dragon the entire forest here has changed."
"When was the last time you came here?" Seobryn asked curiously.
"Oh, that would have been … about 130 years ago," Legolas answered, smilingly noting the young man's obvious fascination.
"So you didn't fight the goblins at the Lonely Mountain twelve years ago?" the young man dared another question.
Aragorn winced at that. That hadn't been the best thing to ask his friend.
"No, I did not," Legolas replied curtly, his eyes darkening. "I remained in Mirkwood to protect our home."
But that had only been after he had had the loudest argument with his father the palace had ever heard. They were both too much alike to get along easily, with a quick temper and quite a lot of pride, and so the King and the Prince of Mirkwood had a fight once in a while, and everybody knew that. But that fight, Legolas recounted ruefully, had been the worst since more than half a millennium.
Legolas hadn't been able to, no, he hadn't wanted to understand what could possibly be so important that his father risked the lives of his warriors to pursue thirteen dwarves that had escaped their prisons – how they had done so remained a mystery up to this day, although Legolas had his suspicions.
Here Thranduil's love for the treasure he hoped to acquire from the gonnhirrim – if they had even survived their encounter with the dragon that was jealously guarding the hoard – had gone too far, and that was exactly what he had told his father, loud enough for the entire forest to hear.
Legolas winced at the memory. The encounter had gone progressively worse from that point on, and had ended with them not speaking to each other for about a year and an order to remain in Mirkwood and guard their home while his father had left with an army to demand a share of the treasure.
In the end, it had been fortunate that the elven army had been at the foot of the Lonely Mountain, for without the warriors' help the goblins and wargs would surely have destroyed the assembled armies of the dwarves and humans, even with the help of the eagles and Beorn himself.
But still, many of his kin had remained on the battlefield, having given their lives to protect the eastern lands from the Enemy, and really, the goblins had been decimated to the point when running across them in the Misty Mountains, like he seemed to do continuously, was a rare occurrence indeed.
Sensing his friend's dark mood, Aragorn commented,
"Well, I was but ten years old when that happened, and, if I remember correctly, had just discovered the many uses for dog rose juice. Valar, was Elrohir angry when I put it on his bed sheets one evening! That was after he had stopped itching, of course…"
His companions laughed, but Aragorn paid them no heed, because he was sure that he had seen it this time: The slight twitching of Legolas' horse's tail and the wicked look that stole over its eyes. He frowned and looked a little bit more closely, manoeuvring his horse closer to his friend's gleaming white one.
"Yes," he added, "Elrohir was furious indeed."
He studied the horse intensely, and really, there it was: The horse flicked its tail in obvious annoyance and looked around, apparently trying to locate the younger twin once it heard his name.
"Legolas?" he asked, slowly averting his averting from the animal to look at his friend who had watched him, shooting him a mildly curious look.
"Yes, my friend?" the elf retorted, gracing the human with a questioning look.
"Does your horse know that Elrohir is my brother?"
Legolas blinked perplexedly. That was a question he certainly hadn't expected. He was about to ask the ranger what he meant by that, when he noted his horse's strange behaviour at the mentioning of the dark haired elf.
"No, Strider," he said slyly, eyeing the nervous human. "No, I haven't. But, to be honest, I was just about to…"
"Remember, dear friend," Aragorn interrupted him, "I am but a lowly human and not as resilient as an elf. If that demon-hor…, Rashwe, of course, forgive me, if Rashwe kills me, you and Celylith will have to inform my father."
"He won't tell," Celylith assured the ranger quickly, nothing but panic in his eyes at that prospect. "Right, Legolas?"
Legolas just grinned and shrugged, causing his human friend to laugh as well.
They continued their journey in amiable silence, only now and then breaking the stillness to answer one of Seobryn's questions. Now that the boy had got used to them a little more, and now that they had left the rather oppressive forest behind, he couldn't stop the questions that seemed to flow continuously from his lips, asking them about Lake-town, the dragon, Mirkwood and about a thousand other things in between.
Slowly darkness was descending, but they pressed on, since both Celylith and Legolas were sure that it couldn't be very much farther now. Just when Aragorn was convinced that they had lost their way and wanted to voice this opinion, Legolas who had ridden in front of their little group reined in his horse before stopping completely.
He turned back to his companions.
"See, Strider?" he asked, having guessed the young human's thoughts. "We are not lost. I told you it wasn't far."
"Yes, about fifteen times in the past two hours," Seobryn mumbled under his breath, just to turn scarlet when he realised that the elf had of course been able to understand him.
The elven prince gave the boy a stern look before glaring darkly at his snickering human friend. If he wasn't careful, Aragorn was going to corrupt that young man with that sarcastic humour of his.
The others joined him on the little hill that was overlooking a vast valley, and Legolas could see the two humans stiffen in surprise.
Before them lay the Long Lake, and now as always Legolas longed for nothing more than to watch the waves break on the shore of the vast waters, and to keep watching until the ends of time. He had always imagined that the Sea would look like this, huge and beautiful, water as far as the eye could see.
But this definitely was not the Sea, for his elven eyes could spy the northern end of the lake. They were standing just next to the spot where the Forest River met the Long Lake. It was shaped like a large oval, with the River Running meeting it in the north, coming down from Erebor, the Lonely Mountain where it had its source, and the Forest River in the West. On the southern end the lake was drained by the River Running or the Celduin in the grey tongue that tumbled over high waterfalls to flow all the way down to the vast Sea of Rhûn.
And on the surface of the lake, shining invitingly in the growing twilight, there was Lake-town. It didn't look much different from what the elven prince remembered from his last visit, only perhaps that it looked fairer and more beautiful than those 130 years ago. Twelve years ago Smaug had destroyed the town when he had fallen into the lake, his evil heart pierced by an arrow fired by Bard, a descendant of the last Lord of Dale who had lost his life when the dragon had descended on his realm more than 150 years ago, therefore ridding this part of Wilderland from that terror and avenging his ancestors.
The elven army led by King Thranduil himself was on its way to the Lonely Mountain when they heard of the Lake-men's plight, and had changed course to lend their assistance. The town had been rebuilt with the help of the wood-elves, and it had risen from the ashes more beautiful than ever. Now the houses were not only located on the shimmering surface of the Long Lake but also on the shores, and there were several wooden bridges that led across the water to the buildings that stood on stilts high above the water levels instead of the single big one, but the original concept had not been abandoned now that the threat of the dragon was gone.
The Lake-men were obviously loath to part with this tradition that had served its purpose for so many years, and Legolas could very well understand them. The fact that their town had been built on the lake and not next to it had saved many lives twelve years ago.
Legolas smiled slightly, allowing himself to lose himself in the picture that spread out in front of his eyes. Close to the shore there was already a layer of ice covering the water, but in the middle of the lake the water still remained uncovered, shimmering dark and beautiful in the dying sunlight.
To the elf it almost seemed as if the waters were calling to him, beckoning him to come closer and listen to them until they lulled him to sleep with their gentle rippling…
Legolas started out of his daydreams when a gentle hand closed around his forearm, drawing him back to the present. Surprised, he looked away from the lake into the sadly smiling face of his human friend. He blinked slowly, realising that Seobryn and Celylith were already steering their horses into the direction of the town, leaving Aragorn and him alone on the small hill.
He looked the young man in the eye, frowning slightly when he saw the understanding and sadness in the silver orbs.
Aragorn just kept looking at him, tightening his grip on him slightly.
"Not yet, my friend," he finally said softly, eyes huge and pleading in the twilight. "It is not yet your time. Not yet, please."
Legolas returned the smile, realising with a heavy heart that this was one of Aragorn's childhood fears: To be left behind by his elven family and friends. To wake up one day and find them gone, find that they had left him in the night to pass into the West where he could never follow. To be left in a hostile world without the comfort of family or friends, a world that would grow dark and cheerless without the firstborn, something that every persons who had ever met an elf knew.
He grasped his friend's arm tightly, trying to reassure him with his touch.
"Do not worry, my friend," he said, smiling at the anxious face in front of him. "It will be a long time before I hear the call of the Sea. I will not leave you, not yet, my friend. Not for a very long time indeed. Not for a long time."
'If ever,' he added silently to himself. He had no intentions of leaving Arda as long as Aragorn was still alive, a fact that he hadn't even told his father. But somehow, his father probably knew, just like he always knew these things.
Aragorn smiled back at him, furiously blinking back the tears that had gathered in the corners of his eyes.
"Not for a long time," he echoed. "I will hold you to that promise, mellonamin."
"Always, Estel," Legolas replied, stealing a last look at the lake before he began to manoeuvre his horse down the hill. "When have I ever broken a promise to you?"
The human looked seriously at him, following his friend down the small ridge.
"Never."
The fair haired elf only inclined his head, and together they made their way down into the valley, leaving behind the growing darkness and striving for the twinkling lights of the town.
Seobryn stifled a yawn and tried to concentrate on his surroundings. After what seemed like an eternity the guards that were posted at the foot of the main bridge had been convinced that they were harmless enough and had granted them access to the town.
He shot the ranger who was riding next to him an admiring look. Estel had quickly settled into the role of a spokesman, assuring his elven companions that this was the best for all of them. While the Lake-men were friends and allies of the elves of Mirkwood, after the Battle of Five Armies more than ever, it was better if he dealt with the guards than an easily irritated, proud elf.
And the guards had been quite suspicious indeed, and somehow Seobryn had the feeling that they hadn't even got past them if he hadn't had his letter of recommendation his future employer had given him on his departure from the woodking's halls. The document and the presence of the elves seemed to have convinced the men that they were no threat and came indeed from Mirkwood as they claimed. They had in fact got quite friendly and had even pointed them into the direction in that Master Owaeran's house was located, somewhere on the artificial island that lay farthest to the east.
There was the problem though that none of them knew the newly built city and that – since most of the city was made of wood – no torches or lamps illuminated the wooden footbridges, and so they had quickly got lost in the dark town.
Behind him, he could hear Estel snort softly.
"Ha! Elven sense of direction, very funny!"
One of the elves, probably the prince, Seobryn decided, growled threateningly.
"Be quiet, reckless human. You are no better! Aren't rangers supposed to find their way nearly everywhere?"
"In the wild, yes," the man replied lightly. "Not in a town."
"A human town," the elf stressed. "No elf could possibly build something as confusing and mazy."
The ranger gave a short laugh at that.
"No? Well, I got lost in that cave system of yours you like to call a 'palace' more than once…"
The elf's voice sounded as icy as the cold air all around them now.
"My – home – is – not – a – cave, human."
"Of course it isn't," Estel teased. "Whatever gave me that idea?"
"Could you be quiet for a second, please?" the other elf demanded. "Why didn't you tell the edain who you are, Legolas? They would surely have given us an escort had they known they accommodated the Prince of Mirkwood."
"I don't want people to fuss over me, that is why," Legolas replied tensely. "And I think we are here."
Seobryn looked up. On the right they neared a big wooden house that looked definitely wealthier than the others, there was even a small stable next to it. That was the reason why the guards had allowed them to take their horses with them as long as they promised not to mount them, because usually it was not permitted to bring animals of that size onto the wooden islands.
The young man looked at the building, brushing a strand of light brown hair out of his eyes. That was it then, his future home. Suddenly he felt very young and insecure and more than a little bit tempted to simply turn and run away.
"Everything will be fine," a soft voice behind him spoke, and he turned to look into the face of his new friend, Estel.
Seobryn smiled bravely.
"I know. I'm just a little nervous, that's all."
"Understandable," Legolas nodded his head, smiling as well. "They know you are arriving today?"
The young man nodded.
"Yes. Although I do not know whether it's not a little too late already."
Aragorn frowned and sent an assessing glance at the dark sky.
"No, it shouldn't be. It's late, but not uncourtly so. If you are expected it should be fine." He turned back to the others. "Why don't you unload the horses and I will see if anyone is still awake? With a house this big one would think that there are at least some servants that will hear us."
The elves nodded and turned back to their horses, followed after a second by Seobryn who was still clutching his letter to his chest.
Aragorn smiled slightly after the nervous young man, turned back to the ornately carved door and knocked. While he was still studying the carvings that were arranged on the smooth surface of the door, forming the name and occupation of the house's current owner and at the same time expressing his wealth, he found himself surprised by the swiftly opening door.
He blinked a little bit startled since he had at least expected someone to inquire about his name, and raised his eyes to greet the person who had opened the door.
Instead of another face however, he looked directly at a crossbow that was held by an unwavering hand, a crossbow that was aimed exactly at the middle of his forehead.
TBC...
mellonamin - my friend
dúnadan - 'Man of the West', ranger
gonnhirrim - 'Masters of Stone', dwarves
edain - humans, men (pl.)
CLIFFY!!!! Yay Nili! Oh, I kind of forgot to mention that in the A/N, didn't I? *sighs contentedly* Now I feel a lot better... Okay, so: What will happen? Will Aragorn be forced to spend the rest of his days on Arda with a crossbow bolt sticking out of his forehead? How much more trouble will they manage to get into the next chapter? If you want to know, review and I will try to post the next bit on Wednesday. Please? Pretty Please??
Additional A/N:
Coreinha - Okay, now you say it, I of course do realiye the evilness of squirrels... *g* Okay, so squirrels are evil, but ... banana pudding? That doesn't sound evil, it sounds disgusting!! Banana pudding, honestly, that sounds like one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard, and I did spend 9 months in England! *runs off to escape the wrath of her English readers*
HaloGatomon - Well, it'g great you like the slang term, but the problem is that I don't know these things! I didn't know that 'reckon' was American slang, and that makes it bad. I just used it because I read it somewhere and then... *takes deep breath* But now I know and it won't happen again. *gives FF.net evil glare of death* I would have liked to post sooner, but I couldn't! Really, I tried! Sorry...
Lina - *giggles* I _really_ like 'scuttle like the wind'... LOL, Lina, the Mistress of all Spiderdom? That's a good one... Well, I'm very sorry for the union thing, but really, they are free men and not your slaves, they can so what they want! NO, they are _not_ your slaves, don't look at me like that! *g* *sighs tiredly as Lina kicks Adruran once more* Really, Lina, this way he will be dead before he even had the chance to DO something to them! I mean, come on, they haven't done anyhting bad yet, have they? 'Boycott the Spiders'? Yay, where can I join? I HATE spiders! And, Lina: After reading this review I have once again noticed that you're insane. As Halo and I decided yesterday or something: You are insaner than anyone else we know! *g* You should be proud...
Firniswin - Well, I'm sorry, but it appears that you even had to wait longer than that! It wasn't _my_ fault though...not even my alter ego's. Great you lke the last chapter; Legolas and Aragorn can be terribly sweet sometimes, can't they? *sniffles too* Thanks for reviewing!
TrinityTheSheDevil - And just what reason could there possibly be for describing a bathing scene? I mean, it's winter! They can't even go for a swim! *thinks of chapter 9* Not really, anyway... *runs away cackling evilly* A Uruk-Hoppity? Dare I ask what that is? So, I hope I and FF.net didn't strain your patience too much! The next bit's here, finally!
CrazyLOTRfan - *blushes* Nili Day? That sounds like fun! You would all have to wear T-shirts with my image on them, learn parts of my fics by heart and recite them, uhm ... and the main attraction would be a torture session on the market square! So, what do you think? Think the Prime Minister would approve of that? *shrugs* Probably not, he's a politician after all - they don't know what fun is... Thanks so much for all the nice things you said! And I'll have to write to your PM abou that Holiday... *g*
Tapetum Lucidum - Dammit, do you think that was why my last three flatmates ran screaming after three days in my company? *g* That would explain a lot, though... About Aragorn opening up: That just might take some time yet. I haven't even planned that far, so it could take some time... The smae goes for Adruran's plans. You will have to be patient, my friend... *cackles evilly* Oh, I'm so mean!
Aratfeniel - *nods vigorously* Yep, Aragorn can be very sweet. The rest of the time he's as annoying as hell and stubborn, but sometimes he's indeed sweet. Great you liked the chapter, I hope you'll like the rest as well! Thanks for reviewing!
E - *nods somlemnly* Oh yes. He does. Today I had to talk about what I wrote in my paper, for twenty minutes, in front of the whole class, and do you think he would just let me talk? NO! He kept interrupting and asking questions and laughing secretly (oh, I hate his laugh! *grrr*) and so the bell sounded before I was finished and I have to go through the same hell again next week! Is that fair? No, it isn't!!!! *calms down* Okay, I'm calm now... Why wouldn't you hate him if the were 42? I don't see the difference...
Aralondwen - *looks at charred review box* Uhm, sure, yes ... thank you ... too kind ... *puts hand over ears* Will you stop that infernal chanting already?! I can't change it if FF.net goes bonkers and lets nobody post and eats your reviews and stuff... *sniffs* Wesss hatesss it, we doesss... So Energizer Bunnies are your mnions, huh? That's scary - real scary... If I don't update nuclear war will commence? That is ... interesting... *returns secret handhake* We're all mad here...
Arwen-Evenstar - *g* Yes, now that Legolas has his bow the fun can start... Well, Aragorn pain - I don't think it will have as much as AEFAE, but there the favourite pastime was 'Torture-the-ranger', so... But don't worry, we will get enough Aragorn angst. Thanks a lot for the review!
Xsilicax - *sniffs* I know! That was too nice! But hey, Adruran and his friends killed a man! That is something! *grins insanely* Besides, this chapter has a lot of angst...I promise! And don't worry, there will be Estel owies, even though I think we'll have Legolas owies first... *shudders at thought of spiders* I know! They are horrible! I just hate them, and I hate the way they feel the ground with their ugly hairy legs before they move... *blushes* I do that? That's great! It's so wonderful to know that people like what you write... And the cliffy isn't that bad, is it? *evil grin* No, it can get worse...
Gwyn - Indeed, what is the world coming to? But: This one is a cliff! As is chapter 8 and 10 and... Oopps, did I say that out loud? Meep! *runs away to escape readers' wrath* Thanks for all the reviews!
Alexa - *pats her back* Don't worry, now your elfling has a new bow, and they only glued his _spare_ knives to his sheaths, I think had it been his real ones he'd already be on his way over his Misty Mountains to kill the twins. *g* I know Ayn Rand! My friend thinks she's the single best author ever, even though I don't actually agree with that asessment. I kind of like her, but I think she embraces capitalism a little bit too much. Ah well, that's only my opinion. I like Cicero better. *g* Well, and I received two reviews from you! I know, it's very weird, I actually get the review alerts, but they don't show in the Stats or on the review page. I don't get it either. Thanks for the TWO wonderful reviews!
Jenny - ROTFL! Gollumette! *giggles some more* Okay, that is the funniest expression I have heard in a very long time! Thank you for that mental image!!
Mouse - *big fat annoying grin* Nope ... no ... not really ... definitely not ... too easy ... *grin widens* You're wrong! *sing-song voice* Sorry! Nope, that's not what happens, not at all - and I hate to say it, but Seobryn is really not important. I even considered killing him off, but I think I wouldn't survive that after Nólad... But thanks for telling me what you thought! It's good to know that I haven't become too predictable... *hugs her* Thanks!
Imbefaniel - Imbefaniel! *huggles her* You! Nive to see you! I thought you had forgotten all about me! Thanks a lot for reviewing again! Congratulations to the new bow! *g* Don't insult the Valar, again, you hear me?
Cestari - Yes, Seobryn is getting used to elves, finally. A bit, anyway, and Celylith isn't making it any easier... *whistles innocently* What? They almost die? Whatever gave you that idea? No...*crosses fingers behind her back*...nothing will happen to them. I promise.
Fliewatuet - Well, well, well, good question actually. Quite a few roads are leading to Lake-town, I think. Hey, but you have forgotten to remember that, yes indeed, this is Nili's story. And Nili is weird and silly and weird and WEIRD and a lot of other things, but she tries not to be too predictable. So you'll have to read on to see what happens! Besides, they left Mirkwood three days after Aduran and friends left Esgaroth. But when they finally meet, it won't be pleasant, I give you that. *g* And don't worry, I got your first review. It just doesn't show on the review page, and please don't ask me why, I'm already angry enough as it is! But thanks a lot for reviewing twice!! *huggles her*
One15 - Na, wenn das nicht One15 ist?! Das ist doch mal was schoenes! *knuddelt sie* Schoen zu hoeren, dass der Computer wieder geht, von seinem geliebten Internet getrennt zu sein ist wahrlich ein traumatisches Erlebnis... Wow, 6 Seiten in 5 Minuten? Das ist gar nicht mal so schlecht! Schoen, dass es dir wieder gefaellt und vielen Dank fuer die Review! Hat mich wirklich sehr gefreut!
Nat - *g* Yes, I agree, Legolas and Aragorn really ARE sweet sometimes. Great you liked the chapter! Thanks a lot for the review!
Miss Understood - *evil grin* Yes indeed, Nazgûl. They protect me from overzealous reviewers! *pats Nazgûls' heads* They are quite sweet actually! Well, to be honest, I have never before glued knives to sheaths, but I once poured a bottle of glue over my brother's head. I was six or something, and the only thing I remember is running away very fast and thinking that he deserved it. *shrugs* Brothers. Yes, and Seobryn's back. *shakes head* You're obsessed, you know that?
ThE iNsAnE oNe - You let your wargs play with my baby ranger?? *booming voice* How dare you!!! I need him alive and in one piece for chapter 9, who else will save Legolas from... Uh, I didn't say anything! *evil grin* Don't tell me, I'm evil... Oh, speaking of insanities: WHERE ARE YOUR UPDATES? Huh? Where? You'd better update soon or I will do something terrible... *twitches* Good that your ankle's better though. Such things always hurt like hell. *shakes head* Nólad is a silly elf. You can only die once - except if you're Beren, Glorfindel or James Bond. Well, this chapter doesn't have that much action, but ch 8 and 9 do! Promise!
Angel of Death - *grumbles* And I still thinks it a bloody morbid name! Well, what shall I say: Yes, the ED (Evil Dude, I always call my villains ED before I start giving them names and such, so Cornallar was known as ED quite some time! *g*) is ... uhm, evil? But you'll have to wait a bit to find out what he's up to, I'm afraid... *watches dialogue with Cornallar* So he's taking lessons now? That's ... uhm, interesting, yes...
Nikara - *g* Yes, I think Legolas will be able to use his bow quite a lot, you might be right there. Thanks for reviewing!
Firnsarnien - Wow, I open your review and there are four beaming yellow siley faces looking at me! That's great - and yellow...*g* And, sadly, I have to agree: They acnnot avoid trouble for much longer. Poor, poor Legolas... *sighs*
Tesekian - Ack! I knew it looked - funny, somehow! I have that quite often actually, that I look at a word and know that it just doen't fit there, but I don't know why. *sighs and writes down 'disorganised' a hundred times* Okay, thanks a lot. Glad I could surprise you with the bow! Thanks a lot for the helpful review!
Helen T - Hmmm, perhaps I put it into the next story as a memory or a flashback or something ... I could do it when ... Okay, I think I have an idea now! We'll see how it works out... *g* Oh yes, someone else than Legolas will definitely notice that Aragorn isn't really well. Just read on!
Ciria - Well, it's almost as good as a review, so I won't complain. And we celebrate that too, it's called "Konfirmation" - only if you're a protestant, of course. I haven't since I don't believe in the God the church is preaching of and didn't want to do it for the money like so many of my friends. Besides, if I had to chose a church, it'd be Catholic anyway. So I understand perfectly well! I hope you have lots of fun!
Marbienl - *looking anxiously at Marbienl* Well, I hate to say it, but we will first have some Legolas owies - don't hurt me! *runs away, very fast* Sorry! I think we will have some Estel owies in ch 9 and 10, but no sooner! Sorry! I'm confusing you? *puts hands together, Mr. Burns style* Excellent! *nods solemnly* You're close with Smaug. A lot closer than the rest of the people here, cut still no cigar! *g* Ahm, Gollum moments! They're great and very relaxing! *g* Well, I think AOL is short for American OnLine. I think. I despise it, so don't ask me. *shrugs*
Alisha - ALISHA!!! *huggles her* Alisha!! *shouts at everybody else* Alisha is back and has reviewed my story! Yess, preciousss, she hasss! *takes deep breath* Sorry, I'm okay ... but very happy! Thanks so lot for reviewing! I really, really missed you and was beginning to fear that this story was stupid or something and you were only too polite to review and tell me... But a month without internet is horrible! Poor you! *blinks* You actually did that? You drew his family tree? Gosh, that takes a ... long time. *mutters* And I thought I was insane... *huggles Alisha* SO glad you're back! Thanks!
Mimi - Thanks! *beams* Great you like them! Thanks a lot for sending a review!
HugeTolkienFan - Well, thanks, but the Elvish isn't the real Sindarin, I'm afraid. I started with that dictionary, the Grey Company's, and later found out that they were role-player and therefore invented a lot of the words. This way you can almost say anything because you have the vocabulary, but it's not Sindarin. I'm in the process of getting a better one though, and I already can write and read Tengwar! Don't tell me, I'm mad... So, I hope you enjoy noth of the stories, thank a lot for reviewing!
Salara - *g* Tja, manch einer ist schnell, der andere laesst seine Fans fuer TAGE warten! Mancher sogar fuer 7 oder 8!! Kann man sich das vorstelllen... *g* Du machst Rollenspiele? Da hatt' ich nie genug Geduld, Zeit und Phantasie fuer, fuerchte ich, obwohl ich gerne sehen wuerde, wie du mit einem Papierschwert einem graessliches Monster den Gar ausmachst... Also Legolas ist Nummer zwei bei dir? Oh, dann ... geh' ich mal besser ... bevor du Kap. 8 liest ... ciao! *rast weg*
LOTRFaith - *g* Congratulations! It's quite hard to find anything on FF.net - especially if it goes bonkers again... *grrr* Thank you so much for all your kind words, and I'm very glad you like it so far. Thanks!!
Sr - Yeah well, I could see the reviews, they registered - kind of, since they aren't registered in the Stats when I log on - but you still couldn't see them on the review board. *shrugs* Let's just kill FF.net, shall we? *g* What? Get into trouble - them? Whatever gave you that idea? *innocent look* No, never... *evil grin*
LOTRMatrixStarwarsFan - *hides face in hands* I know! I know! No cliffy until now - I'm sick! I need a doctor, I'm dying, I just know it... Well, to be perfectly honest with you, I hate spiders. Wirth a passion. I hated writing that bit, really... *g* Sure! If I can help you in any way (that doesn't take too much time, that is! *g*), I will! Just send me and email and we'll see what I can do to help you. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Nilbrethiliel - Tja, als ich heute im Wald spazieren gehen war, haben sie mich auch in Scharen attackiert. Ich bin schreiend gefluechtet, natuerlich, die einzig wirksame Methode um mit diesen Biestern fertig zu werden... Und die Chaterfahrung war traumatisierend, fuerchte ich. Ich brauche wahrscheinlich ein bisschen, um mich wieder davon zu erholen... *g* Heh! *grabscht sich Celylith zurueckt, der erleichtert aufseufzt* Nix da! Ich habe NIE gesagt, du koenntest meinen Fast-Lieblingselben einfach so klauen! Ciria, Miki und alle anderen mussten 22 Kapitel auf ihre Nólad-Klone warten, also ehrlich, diese Ungeduld...
*glares at FF.net* What a terribly stupid, annoying, horrible thing! Ah well, as long as I got many lovely reviews ... thank you! *huggles reviewers* Thanks!
A/N:
Well, I'm sorry for not posting this on Friday, but it wasn't MY fault! *accusing look at FF.net* I _couldn't _ upload the chapter, and I did try! Really! Sometimes, I really, really hate FF.net, and I think it returns my feelings whole-heartedly... It ate my last 30+ reviews, for cryin' out loud!!! All the reviews between Aralodwen's and Salara's have been deleted. I got the review alerts and could read them, but they don't show on the review board. *takes out sword to dismember FF.net* We hatessss it, we doessss, preciousssss....
Ah well, as I said, sorry. I did what I could.
Mhahahaha! It is SO much fun to know things you don't! And let me tell you, your guesses are all so far off! *giggles a bit more* Okay... *wipes eyes* Sorry, I'm a bit hyper today. Must be the sun, I'm like a solar cell, the more sunlight the more energy... *g*
Well, I'll stop this inane babbling now ... Shire!! Baggins! *hits head against desktop* Again, a Gollum moment; I think I'm turning into some kind of slimy, treacherous, ring-loving, schizophrenic, jewellery-petting, sun-hating creature myself. I know: What's the difference to now, then? *g*
Okay, here's chapter 7, in which they actually get to Lake-town! Yay them! There's not too much actions though (it's all in chapter 8 and 9), but we have lots of angst for everybody, and this time I can't even blame the music for it. Blast. Must be my evil nature, then... *evil grin*
So, have fun and review, please!
Chapter 7
Celylith looked around their little camp, surveying the snow-covered scenery for any signs of hostiles or predators looking for an easy meal. He seriously doubted that any spiders were living in this area, but one could never be too careful.
While he would very much welcome the opportunity to learn more about the beasts' social habits, he doubted that his friends would share this feeling. Besides, even his enthusiasm had suffered somewhat from their last encounter with the arachnids, even though he still hadn't forgiven Legolas for forcing him to let Wilwarin go.
The silver haired elf cocked his head to the side when he heard a small shuffling noise, and he turned his eyes from the small fire the human boy had kindled to the right, just in time to see Aragorn emerge from the shrubbery, carrying an armful of long, slender dead branches for their campfire and wearing a rather smug grin that Celylith couldn't really understand.
He had just opened his mouth to ask the young ranger that was noisily coming closer what was so very funny when he realised that both the human and Legolas had left to look for firewood. Cursing inwardly, he tried to turn to the left, but this move proved to be seconds too late as he felt the cold steel of a blade against his neck.
"Careless, my friend, very careless," his elven friend's soft voice sounded right next to his head. "If even Estel can distract you so that you don't hear my approach, I shudder to think of what might happen if you encountered a pair of orcs intelligent enough to split up."
Celylith growled and turned his head to the left, forcing Legolas to pull back his knife if he didn't want to hurt his friend. He glared at the grinning elven prince in front of him, ignoring Aragorn's soft chuckle somewhere to his right.
"The day I meet an intelligent orc will be the day I meet a Ringwraith that likes to dress in red," he snapped, trying to stop the blood from rushing to his face in embarrassment. "Besides, you are a little bit stealthier than an orc. Not much," he added with an evil glint in his eyes, "but a little."
Legolas ignored that last remark and returned his knife to its sheath while he sat down on a log next to Celylith, rummaging through his pack and pulling out numerous small packets containing lembas and fruit.
"Just admit that I am stealthier than you, my friend," he said, silver-blue eyes dancing merrily. "We have been playing this game for more than two thousand years, and you haven't won for more than five centuries, if my memory serves me right."
Aragorn laughed at that, adding more wood to the fire and watching how the fire consumed the fuel greedily, melting the snow that surrounded the small pit they'd dug. He smiled at Seobryn who just returned from the horses with the last of their sleeping mats, still looking rather nervous in light of the two elves that sat across the camp fire.
"Really?" he asked, spearing the mountain hare Legolas had shot earlier today on a spit and securing it on two forked sticks he had burrowed in the ground on either side of the fire. "That is a rather long time, Master Elf."
Celylith glared at the ranger.
"I will have you know, Master Human, that I have won my dear prince's childish game at least once."
"Oh? And when would that have been?" Legolas asked and raised a questioning eyebrow.
"During the Fell Winter forty years ago," Celylith stated, looking at his friend in satisfaction.
The fair haired elf's brow wrinkled slightly while his hands played with the string of his new bow.
"The Fell Winter?" he asked. "What, there we were attacked by the wolves!"
"But I heard you approach," Celylith pointed out, smirking at the prince.
"Of course you did! I was being trailed by a pack of them! No-one could have overheard us!"
"Do not try to reason yourself out of it, mellonamin," the silver haired elf said, ignoring the human that was roaring with laughter by now and giving both him and the smiling Seobryn an evil look. "I heard you. That's a fact."
Legolas threw up his hands, mock despair in his eyes.
"I give up! Why ada has insisted on you coming along I will never understand."
Celylith grabbed some of the elvish waybread and passed it on to the two young humans who sat close to the fire to ward off the cold that was beginning to even intensify now that darkness was beginning to fall.
"The answer to that question is very simple, my lord. I am here to make sure that neither you nor that ranger gets yourself killed on an ordinary journey to an allied town, something that you are entirely capable of."
Legolas and Aragorn traded a hurt look.
"I don't know of what you speak, Celylith," Legolas retorted and opened a small packet containing dried berries. "We are perfectly able to look after ourselves."
Celylith just stared at them before he began chuckling loudly. After a few second, he began to giggle, and after that it quickly reached the scale of a full-fledged hysteric fit.
Seobryn watched in wonder as the elven prince and the ranger merely looked at each other and returned their attention to their food. The other elf seemed to be unperturbed by his companions' silence, for it took him at least ten minutes to regain control of himself.
"You?" Celylith finally gasped, fighting off a renewed wave of giggles. "You two? Able to look after yourselves? Elbereth, that is a good jest if I ever heard one…"
Aragorn merely raised a dark eyebrow and ignored his elven friend.
"Seobryn," he said, turning to the boy who was nibbling at his piece of lembas suspiciously, "Tell us about your new employer."
The young man looked up with wide eyes, obviously more than uncomfortable at being the centre of the general attention.
"Well, he … he is a trader," he said, shooting Legolas and Celylith furtive glances.
The elven prince smiled at that.
"Yes, that is something we had already gathered. What is his name?"
Seobryn looked at him, looking slightly surprised that the elf had talked to him like a normal person. Perhaps Str… Estel had been right after all and elves were not that bad…
"His name is Owaeran," he said, beginning to smile as well. "He is the guild master in Lake-town and trades with the southern lands, Mirkwood and even lands to the west, like Rohan."
The boy's voice sounded awed at the mere thought. To him the land of the Horse-lords sounded an impossibly long distance away.
"So he is successful?" Aragorn inquired, smiling at the other man's enthusiasm.
"I think so," Seobryn replied carefully, obviously determined not to believe anything until he had seen proof. Legolas shook his head slightly. Sometimes he found it most tragic indeed how quickly humans had to grow up. This boy was even younger than Aragorn and already suspicious and wary.
"I'm sure you will be just fine," Aragorn smiled at the younger human. "King Thranduil would only have invited an established and successful trader. Everything will be alright."
"Yes," Celylith chimed in, grinning slightly. He pointed at the piece of lembas Seobryn had barely touched. "But you need to eat. Besides, refusing the king's food is considered a severe affront."
"Celylith…" Legolas muttered warningly.
The silver haired elf ignored him and continued, his grin broadening when he looked at the wide-eyed human.
"Lembas is our…" he paused for a second, frowning in thought, "…our sacred food. If you don't eat it, you show an unforgivable disrespect. And since Legolas here is the prince, he would have to defend the honour of his father and king and would have to kill you." Celylith grin grew even more wicked. "But it would have to be a slow and painful death; he would start with…"
Aragorn turned from where he had been stoking the fire and glared at the elven warrior, motioning at the petrified boy across the fire.
"Celylith! Stop it!" he hissed in Elvish. "He believes you, can't you see that? He is scared enough as it is!"
"Strider is right," Legolas agreed. "The boy will die of fright if you don't stop it now. Apologise to him!"
The silver haired elf began to chuckle and turned to Seobryn who shot Legolas fearful glances and looked very much as if he were contemplating how to escape from here as quickly as possible.
"I am sorry, Master Human," he said and inclined his head. "I spoke only in jest. No-one here will harm you. Here," he offered the boy some fruit, "if the food is not to your liking, have some of these. I meant no offence."
Seobryn looked hard at the elf and stretched out his hand to reach for the fruit.
"None taken, Master Elf," he said, determined to show the other that he wasn't afraid of him, which he wasn't. Not really, anyway.
Aragorn stood up, intent on breaking the rather uncomfortable silence.
"Well, I will start setting up the tents. It will be dark soon."
The two elves looked at each other.
"Tents?"
The young ranger rolled his eyes.
"Yes, tents. In case you hadn't noticed, there is a ten-inch-snow cover on the ground."
Legolas looked at him, a playful sparkle in his eyes.
"And your point is?"
Aragorn shook his head in exasperation.
"And they say elves are the superior species…" he muttered under his breath, knowing full well that his elven companions would be able to hear him. "How I shall survive another day in your company Ilúvatar alone knows."
He stepped closer to Celylith and dragged the surprised elf to his feet.
"And my dear friend Celylith will help me," he declared and smiled friendly at the elven warrior. "We will have a nice little chat about playing tricks on those who are younger and less experienced than oneself."
Celylith shot Legolas a pleading glance which the elven prince ignored, shrugging lightly. In a matter of seconds the two of them had disappeared into the directions of the horses, Aragorn's slightly smaller figure still having a firm grip on the elf's arm who was walking lightly on top of the snow.
Seobryn shot Legolas a questioning look.
"Is it always like this?"
Legolas pondered this for a moment before he looked at the human.
"No. Usually it's even worse."
"I thought so," Seobryn answered seriously, returning his attention to the hare over the fire and listening to the snatches of conversation that filtered through the trees, both in Elvish and in Common.
Legolas smiled, staring into the dancing flames of the fire. This trip had been a good idea indeed, and hopefully it would help take his human friend's thoughts off his nightmares as well.
Besides, they had travelled the whole day without encountering anything even remotely hostile, and since they should arrive in Esgaroth tomorrow evening, they had already covered more than half of the distance.
It was indeed looking as if they would manage to return home without a scratch, if they managed to avoid all dangers on their way back as well. His father would be very pleased, Legolas thought wryly, and probably more than a little bit surprised.
And to surprise his father was quite hard indeed, so it was more than worth a try.
The darkness was slowly lessening, and Celylith slowly tapped against the wood of his bow that lay across his lap. He loved watching the sunrise, loved the way the sunlight began to make its way through the trees until the forest shone in all its glory. For outsiders it may be a dim, dark glory, the young captain mused, but Mirkwood was his home, and he couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
Although, he thought sadly, the Sea was even more beautiful. Once, when he had been younger, he had journeyed to the West to watch his mother and sister board one of the ships that left the Grey Havens for Valinor.
He sighed sadly when a band of grief seemed to tighten around his chest, constricting around his heart until he felt as if he had to gasp for air. He missed them, he missed them horribly, especially at this time of night. He and his little sister had always liked to watch the sunrise, but since Calowiël had set sail, he just couldn't enjoy it like he had before.
'Fool,' he cursed himself angrily, trying in vain to shake off the dark memories, 'You should know better than to think of her at sunrise.'
But try as he might, he just couldn't escape the images of his sister's dull, lifeless eyes or the cries of sheer, overwhelming, heart-wrenching despair she had uttered when the battered hunting party had returned, bringing home her dead fiancée.
Celylith closed his eyes and shook his head, remembering how Calowiël had wept for days, refusing to believe that her beloved was truly dead. After that dreadful day more than five hundred years ago she had never been like before, and so she and their mother had taken the ships in the hope that her wounded heart might find peace and healing in the Undying Lands, and, possibly, one day a new love.
He wished for that with all his heart; he had never wanted anything else than to see his younger sister happy. And she had to be happier there than she had been during her last days on Arda, he reasoned, trying to cheer himself up. It was rather seldom that a wood-elf felt the urge to journey to the Havens, even though it happened more and more frequently of late. The Silvan elves were more attached to Arda than those of Noldorin descent, for they had never travelled West and set foot on the shores of Aman, and so he or she had to hear the call of the Sea very strongly or had to be close indeed to falling into despair.
No, he thought, straightening himself, he missed her, but that was better than having to watch her die of a broken heart. One day he and his father would join them in the Blessed Realm, and when he saw the once again sparkling blue eyes of his sister, it would be the reward that justified the long separation.
Forcing his thoughts away from this topic, he turned his attention to the two rather unsteady looking tents whose dark canvas contrasted sharply against the gleaming white snow. Humans, he thought with an internal chuckle, a truly fascinating race. Not on the same level as spiders, of course, but still… It was puzzling how many weaknesses they seemed to have, but then again they possessed just as many strengths. Fascinating indeed.
He smiled thinly when he imagined what Aragorn would say once the human realised that he hadn't been woken for his watch. After the two humans had gone to sleep, Legolas had stated that he wouldn't wake his friend, and neither would Celylith. The silver haired elf had taken one look at his friend's steely eyes and nodded quietly, knowing that Legolas' mind was set on this.
He didn't know whether Legolas wanted to grant Strider a few more hours of sleep and didn't see the necessity of waking the human when there were two persons who didn't even need to sleep or whether he just wanted to annoy the ranger, but he knew better than to question his prince. Legolas wouldn't explain and he certainly wouldn't change his mind, and so the two of them had stayed awake and kept watch.
Now it was his turn to watch over the camp, and Legolas had gone off a few hours ago to scout the terrain and practice a bit with his new bow. And what a bow it was, Celylith thought enviously. Perhaps he should somehow trick Estel in breaking his so that the human would have to give him a new one as well…
Grinning slightly, he allowed himself to come up with various plans to achieve that goal, and even though he had to admit that one sounded more unlikely than the next, it was a most entertaining pastime.
Just when he had thought of the thirteenth way to make Estel break his bow, his keen elven hearing detected a small sound that drew his attention. He stood and tried to locate the source of the noise, his right hand straying close to his quiver.
No, he thought, frowning in confusion, it wasn't a sound outside of their camp, and he could neither see nor sense a hostile presence, or any foreign presence at all. He quickly ruled out the possibility that Legolas was sneaking up on him again, not even Legolas would do that when he was the only one guarding the camp. A single guard was always more alert and nervous than several, and Legolas knew perfectly well that he might end up with an arrow in his heart if he tried something like that.
Another, slightly louder noise sounded, and Celylith whirled around, only to find the space behind him empty except for the tents the two humans slept in.
He cocked his head slightly to the side when he heard small shuffling sounds, as if someone was rolling from side to side, and suddenly the pieces fell into place. One of the men was having a nightmare.
Feeling slightly embarrassed at not having been able to realise this sooner, he quickly walked over to the tents, listening closely to the sounds that emanated from the left one. It was Estel who was suffering the dream, he learned seconds later, for he truly didn't think that Seobryn had learned to speak Elvish without the slightest accent.
Soundlessly he pulled back the front flap and peered inside of the tiny dark space.
Strider was tossing and turning in his sleep, muttering under his breath both in Westron and Elvish. Just when Celylith stretched out his hand to touch the restless human, Aragorn sat bolt upright, grey eyes wild and unseeing. The silver haired elf quickly withdrew his hand, eyeing his friend for any signs of lucidity.
After a little while of watching the panting human trying to calm his breathing, he asked,
"Estel? Are you awake? Are you alright?"
The young ranger blinked a few times, for the first time noticing that he wasn't alone in the tent.
"Yes," he finally mumbled, trying to identify the person that stood in the entrance shadowed in twilight. "Celylith?"
"Aye, Strider, it's me," the elf reassured the human, surveying him closely. The ranger would probably not thank him if he stayed here, he thought, he didn't know him as well as Legolas did and he doubted that Aragorn wanted anyone to see him in such a confused state.
He quickly removed his waterskin from his belt and placed it next to the still shaken human.
"I will be outside," he said simply, ducking his head when he stepped back out.
Celylith had enough time to stoke the fire and look around for some lembas before Aragorn emerged from his tent, now looking more awake and composed, but still definitely uncomfortable.
"Thank you," he said quietly, handing back the waterskin.
"There's no need for that, Estel," Celylith replied, motioning the young human to take a seat at the fire and studying him closely.
Fully aware of the elf's scrutiny, Aragorn still didn't say anything before he raised his head a few minutes later and looked the other in the eye.
"Where is Legolas?" he asked, a guarded expression on his face.
"Oh, somewhere close by," Celylith waved his hand dismissively. "He went to scout the terrain and have a shot with his new bow."
"I see," Aragorn mumbled, averting his eyes.
The elf studied him for a few seconds before he picked up a bit of lembas and pushed it into the human's hands.
"Here," he said, giving him a tentative smile. "Eating always helped me deal with the nightmares. I haven't had one for centuries now, but I still remember what they made me feel like."
Celylith shuddered slightly, remembering the vivid dreams he had had, the ones about him watching his beloved little sister die of a broken heart. And before that tragedy, the ones he'd had when Legolas and he had been captured by a pack of orcs close to the Misty Mountains about eight hundred years ago.
Glónduil and a dozen other warriors had found them before the orcs had grown tired of their "playthings" and killed them, but it hadn't been soon enough to prevent him from suffering through more nightmares about that time than he ever wished to remember.
The ranger smiled thinly at him and took the offered food, taking a small bite. Another long silence descended until Aragorn once again spoke.
"Don't tell him," he simply pleaded, looking at the silver haired elf imploringly.
"Strider…" Celylith began, but was interrupted by Aragorn's determined voice.
"Celylith," he turned steely silver eyes on the elf, eyes that right now looked more elvish than a human's eyes rightly should, "Do not tell him. He will only worry, yet there is nothing he can do. Please, do not burden him with this."
The elven warrior looked at him with troubled midnight blue eye, trying to decide what to do. He wanted to go along with Aragorn's wishes since he obviously was so determined about this, but if Legolas ever found out that he had known about the young human's nightmares and hadn't informed him about them, he would be … well, beyond furious.
'The best thing I can hope for in that case is a century of guard duty in the dungeons,' he thought dryly. 'The most likely outcome is a violent death though.'
He sighed as he looked into the dead-serious eyes of the young man.
"Alright," he said reluctantly, his serious face almost breaking into a smile when he saw the relief in the silver depths. "I promise you I will not tell Legolas. But only if you promise me something as well."
"What?" Aragorn asked suspiciously, putting the last bit of lembas into his mouth. It never ceased to amaze him how differently the waybread tasted in Mirkwood in comparison to the one the elves of Rivendell made.
"That you will tell him about them. I do not say now, human," he added mockingly when the ranger wanted to protest, "And I do not say tomorrow, but promise me you will let him help you, soon. Besides, you won't be able to avoid him forever."
"I know," Aragorn retorted and sighed deeply. After a heartbeat's pause he raised his head and said grumpily, "Fine. I will tell him. Later. You have my word."
"That is all I want, dúnadan" the silver haired elf smiled and briefly put a hand on the human's shoulder.
They sat at the fire in companionable silence until they heard the faint sounds of an approaching elf who was obviously carrying something rather heavy.
Aragorn looked at the other with narrowed eyes, causing the elf to smile against his will.
"I keep my promises, Estel," he said softly, rising to his feet. "Don't worry. Do you want to wake the boy or do you want me to do it? I will gladly…"
"No," Aragorn said quickly and stood up. "You go and see what Legolas has shot for breakfast. By the sound of it he could use some help, it's apparently quite heavy. I will wake Seobryn. Your face in the morning would probably be enough to send him to an early grave."
Celylith just grinned and disappeared between the trees, his soft footfall not leaving a trace on the pristine mantle of snow that covered the ground.
Aragorn looked after him for a second before he turned back to the tents, shaking his head to get rid of the last shreds of the dream that still clung to his mind. He was really getting tired of them, quite literally actually. He knew he couldn't go on like this for much longer, but he just didn't know what to do.
'Do what you have promised Celylith – tell Legolas,' a small voice inside his head advised.
The young human snorted softly. How could he? He just couldn't tell Legolas, out of the same reason why he hadn't been able to tell his father. These dreams paraded his very worst fears in front of his eyes, and the last persons he would be able to tell about them were his father and best friend.
No, he thought, about to pull back Seobryn's tent flap, he couldn't tell him. Not now anyway. He would tell him when he was ready, he decided stubbornly, gazing down at the sleeping human in front of him whose longish light brown hair was spread out on the bundled up cloak that served him as a pillow, and not a second earlier.
As he bent down to shake the other man awake, he tried to ignore the voice that roared with laughter at that, telling him that he wouldn't be ready, that he would never be ready and that he would drown in these images if he didn't talk about them soon.
Legolas eyed the innocent faces of his friends suspiciously. They never looked this innocent, and if they by some chance did, it was never a good sign.
He shook his head and turned his eyes back on the snow covered path, pushing back his annoyance. Usually he didn't mind if his friends played a little joke on him, but this was something different. He had the distinct feeling that there was something he should know, but judging by the angelic expressions both the human and the elf wore, he wouldn't find out any time soon.
He gave a low growl of annoyance. It was truly exceptional how easily Aragorn managed to irritate him, and Celylith's presence didn't help in the slightest, either.
Tonight he would force one of them to tell him what this was all about, he decided grimly, and they'd better tell him what he wanted to know. If he had to, he could be just as stubborn and persistent as his human friend. While he wasn't sure about Aragorn, he was convinced that Celylith wouldn't stand a chance against him if he set his mind on learning what was going on.
Meanwhile, Aragorn had watched his friend warily while at the same time trying to behave as normally as possibly. He sighed lightly, casting down his eyes. He didn't need his father's wisdom to know that he was behaving irrationally, but there was nothing he could do.
He knew that Legolas knew that there was something wrong with him, something that wouldn't even escape the most unobservant of people. He also knew that Legolas knew that he knew that and expected him to explain – as a sensible person should, the voice in his head remarked smugly once again. But he could not; it would help no-one if he burdened his elven friend with his weaknesses.
Refusing to think about this topic any longer, he turned to Legolas and asked the first thing that came to his mind.
"When will we be arriving?" he questioned, trying very much not to sound like an impatient child.
Seobryn shot him a thankful glance. That was exactly what he had been longing to ask for a long time now, since they had been travelling most of the day and he was beginning to feel a little bit tired. Just a tiny little bit, of course, and he would be damned if he admitted that in front of the elves.
Legolas cocked his head to the side, an amused sparkle in his eyes.
"Why, Strider? Do you require rest?"
"Of course not!" Aragorn replied, glaring darkly at the broadly grinning Celylith. "I was just wondering because darkness will be falling soon."
"I see," the fair haired elf replied, lifting an eyebrow slightly. "Not much longer I think. It's been quite a long while since I have travelled to Esgaroth, and since the death of Smaug the dragon the entire forest here has changed."
"When was the last time you came here?" Seobryn asked curiously.
"Oh, that would have been … about 130 years ago," Legolas answered, smilingly noting the young man's obvious fascination.
"So you didn't fight the goblins at the Lonely Mountain twelve years ago?" the young man dared another question.
Aragorn winced at that. That hadn't been the best thing to ask his friend.
"No, I did not," Legolas replied curtly, his eyes darkening. "I remained in Mirkwood to protect our home."
But that had only been after he had had the loudest argument with his father the palace had ever heard. They were both too much alike to get along easily, with a quick temper and quite a lot of pride, and so the King and the Prince of Mirkwood had a fight once in a while, and everybody knew that. But that fight, Legolas recounted ruefully, had been the worst since more than half a millennium.
Legolas hadn't been able to, no, he hadn't wanted to understand what could possibly be so important that his father risked the lives of his warriors to pursue thirteen dwarves that had escaped their prisons – how they had done so remained a mystery up to this day, although Legolas had his suspicions.
Here Thranduil's love for the treasure he hoped to acquire from the gonnhirrim – if they had even survived their encounter with the dragon that was jealously guarding the hoard – had gone too far, and that was exactly what he had told his father, loud enough for the entire forest to hear.
Legolas winced at the memory. The encounter had gone progressively worse from that point on, and had ended with them not speaking to each other for about a year and an order to remain in Mirkwood and guard their home while his father had left with an army to demand a share of the treasure.
In the end, it had been fortunate that the elven army had been at the foot of the Lonely Mountain, for without the warriors' help the goblins and wargs would surely have destroyed the assembled armies of the dwarves and humans, even with the help of the eagles and Beorn himself.
But still, many of his kin had remained on the battlefield, having given their lives to protect the eastern lands from the Enemy, and really, the goblins had been decimated to the point when running across them in the Misty Mountains, like he seemed to do continuously, was a rare occurrence indeed.
Sensing his friend's dark mood, Aragorn commented,
"Well, I was but ten years old when that happened, and, if I remember correctly, had just discovered the many uses for dog rose juice. Valar, was Elrohir angry when I put it on his bed sheets one evening! That was after he had stopped itching, of course…"
His companions laughed, but Aragorn paid them no heed, because he was sure that he had seen it this time: The slight twitching of Legolas' horse's tail and the wicked look that stole over its eyes. He frowned and looked a little bit more closely, manoeuvring his horse closer to his friend's gleaming white one.
"Yes," he added, "Elrohir was furious indeed."
He studied the horse intensely, and really, there it was: The horse flicked its tail in obvious annoyance and looked around, apparently trying to locate the younger twin once it heard his name.
"Legolas?" he asked, slowly averting his averting from the animal to look at his friend who had watched him, shooting him a mildly curious look.
"Yes, my friend?" the elf retorted, gracing the human with a questioning look.
"Does your horse know that Elrohir is my brother?"
Legolas blinked perplexedly. That was a question he certainly hadn't expected. He was about to ask the ranger what he meant by that, when he noted his horse's strange behaviour at the mentioning of the dark haired elf.
"No, Strider," he said slyly, eyeing the nervous human. "No, I haven't. But, to be honest, I was just about to…"
"Remember, dear friend," Aragorn interrupted him, "I am but a lowly human and not as resilient as an elf. If that demon-hor…, Rashwe, of course, forgive me, if Rashwe kills me, you and Celylith will have to inform my father."
"He won't tell," Celylith assured the ranger quickly, nothing but panic in his eyes at that prospect. "Right, Legolas?"
Legolas just grinned and shrugged, causing his human friend to laugh as well.
They continued their journey in amiable silence, only now and then breaking the stillness to answer one of Seobryn's questions. Now that the boy had got used to them a little more, and now that they had left the rather oppressive forest behind, he couldn't stop the questions that seemed to flow continuously from his lips, asking them about Lake-town, the dragon, Mirkwood and about a thousand other things in between.
Slowly darkness was descending, but they pressed on, since both Celylith and Legolas were sure that it couldn't be very much farther now. Just when Aragorn was convinced that they had lost their way and wanted to voice this opinion, Legolas who had ridden in front of their little group reined in his horse before stopping completely.
He turned back to his companions.
"See, Strider?" he asked, having guessed the young human's thoughts. "We are not lost. I told you it wasn't far."
"Yes, about fifteen times in the past two hours," Seobryn mumbled under his breath, just to turn scarlet when he realised that the elf had of course been able to understand him.
The elven prince gave the boy a stern look before glaring darkly at his snickering human friend. If he wasn't careful, Aragorn was going to corrupt that young man with that sarcastic humour of his.
The others joined him on the little hill that was overlooking a vast valley, and Legolas could see the two humans stiffen in surprise.
Before them lay the Long Lake, and now as always Legolas longed for nothing more than to watch the waves break on the shore of the vast waters, and to keep watching until the ends of time. He had always imagined that the Sea would look like this, huge and beautiful, water as far as the eye could see.
But this definitely was not the Sea, for his elven eyes could spy the northern end of the lake. They were standing just next to the spot where the Forest River met the Long Lake. It was shaped like a large oval, with the River Running meeting it in the north, coming down from Erebor, the Lonely Mountain where it had its source, and the Forest River in the West. On the southern end the lake was drained by the River Running or the Celduin in the grey tongue that tumbled over high waterfalls to flow all the way down to the vast Sea of Rhûn.
And on the surface of the lake, shining invitingly in the growing twilight, there was Lake-town. It didn't look much different from what the elven prince remembered from his last visit, only perhaps that it looked fairer and more beautiful than those 130 years ago. Twelve years ago Smaug had destroyed the town when he had fallen into the lake, his evil heart pierced by an arrow fired by Bard, a descendant of the last Lord of Dale who had lost his life when the dragon had descended on his realm more than 150 years ago, therefore ridding this part of Wilderland from that terror and avenging his ancestors.
The elven army led by King Thranduil himself was on its way to the Lonely Mountain when they heard of the Lake-men's plight, and had changed course to lend their assistance. The town had been rebuilt with the help of the wood-elves, and it had risen from the ashes more beautiful than ever. Now the houses were not only located on the shimmering surface of the Long Lake but also on the shores, and there were several wooden bridges that led across the water to the buildings that stood on stilts high above the water levels instead of the single big one, but the original concept had not been abandoned now that the threat of the dragon was gone.
The Lake-men were obviously loath to part with this tradition that had served its purpose for so many years, and Legolas could very well understand them. The fact that their town had been built on the lake and not next to it had saved many lives twelve years ago.
Legolas smiled slightly, allowing himself to lose himself in the picture that spread out in front of his eyes. Close to the shore there was already a layer of ice covering the water, but in the middle of the lake the water still remained uncovered, shimmering dark and beautiful in the dying sunlight.
To the elf it almost seemed as if the waters were calling to him, beckoning him to come closer and listen to them until they lulled him to sleep with their gentle rippling…
Legolas started out of his daydreams when a gentle hand closed around his forearm, drawing him back to the present. Surprised, he looked away from the lake into the sadly smiling face of his human friend. He blinked slowly, realising that Seobryn and Celylith were already steering their horses into the direction of the town, leaving Aragorn and him alone on the small hill.
He looked the young man in the eye, frowning slightly when he saw the understanding and sadness in the silver orbs.
Aragorn just kept looking at him, tightening his grip on him slightly.
"Not yet, my friend," he finally said softly, eyes huge and pleading in the twilight. "It is not yet your time. Not yet, please."
Legolas returned the smile, realising with a heavy heart that this was one of Aragorn's childhood fears: To be left behind by his elven family and friends. To wake up one day and find them gone, find that they had left him in the night to pass into the West where he could never follow. To be left in a hostile world without the comfort of family or friends, a world that would grow dark and cheerless without the firstborn, something that every persons who had ever met an elf knew.
He grasped his friend's arm tightly, trying to reassure him with his touch.
"Do not worry, my friend," he said, smiling at the anxious face in front of him. "It will be a long time before I hear the call of the Sea. I will not leave you, not yet, my friend. Not for a very long time indeed. Not for a long time."
'If ever,' he added silently to himself. He had no intentions of leaving Arda as long as Aragorn was still alive, a fact that he hadn't even told his father. But somehow, his father probably knew, just like he always knew these things.
Aragorn smiled back at him, furiously blinking back the tears that had gathered in the corners of his eyes.
"Not for a long time," he echoed. "I will hold you to that promise, mellonamin."
"Always, Estel," Legolas replied, stealing a last look at the lake before he began to manoeuvre his horse down the hill. "When have I ever broken a promise to you?"
The human looked seriously at him, following his friend down the small ridge.
"Never."
The fair haired elf only inclined his head, and together they made their way down into the valley, leaving behind the growing darkness and striving for the twinkling lights of the town.
Seobryn stifled a yawn and tried to concentrate on his surroundings. After what seemed like an eternity the guards that were posted at the foot of the main bridge had been convinced that they were harmless enough and had granted them access to the town.
He shot the ranger who was riding next to him an admiring look. Estel had quickly settled into the role of a spokesman, assuring his elven companions that this was the best for all of them. While the Lake-men were friends and allies of the elves of Mirkwood, after the Battle of Five Armies more than ever, it was better if he dealt with the guards than an easily irritated, proud elf.
And the guards had been quite suspicious indeed, and somehow Seobryn had the feeling that they hadn't even got past them if he hadn't had his letter of recommendation his future employer had given him on his departure from the woodking's halls. The document and the presence of the elves seemed to have convinced the men that they were no threat and came indeed from Mirkwood as they claimed. They had in fact got quite friendly and had even pointed them into the direction in that Master Owaeran's house was located, somewhere on the artificial island that lay farthest to the east.
There was the problem though that none of them knew the newly built city and that – since most of the city was made of wood – no torches or lamps illuminated the wooden footbridges, and so they had quickly got lost in the dark town.
Behind him, he could hear Estel snort softly.
"Ha! Elven sense of direction, very funny!"
One of the elves, probably the prince, Seobryn decided, growled threateningly.
"Be quiet, reckless human. You are no better! Aren't rangers supposed to find their way nearly everywhere?"
"In the wild, yes," the man replied lightly. "Not in a town."
"A human town," the elf stressed. "No elf could possibly build something as confusing and mazy."
The ranger gave a short laugh at that.
"No? Well, I got lost in that cave system of yours you like to call a 'palace' more than once…"
The elf's voice sounded as icy as the cold air all around them now.
"My – home – is – not – a – cave, human."
"Of course it isn't," Estel teased. "Whatever gave me that idea?"
"Could you be quiet for a second, please?" the other elf demanded. "Why didn't you tell the edain who you are, Legolas? They would surely have given us an escort had they known they accommodated the Prince of Mirkwood."
"I don't want people to fuss over me, that is why," Legolas replied tensely. "And I think we are here."
Seobryn looked up. On the right they neared a big wooden house that looked definitely wealthier than the others, there was even a small stable next to it. That was the reason why the guards had allowed them to take their horses with them as long as they promised not to mount them, because usually it was not permitted to bring animals of that size onto the wooden islands.
The young man looked at the building, brushing a strand of light brown hair out of his eyes. That was it then, his future home. Suddenly he felt very young and insecure and more than a little bit tempted to simply turn and run away.
"Everything will be fine," a soft voice behind him spoke, and he turned to look into the face of his new friend, Estel.
Seobryn smiled bravely.
"I know. I'm just a little nervous, that's all."
"Understandable," Legolas nodded his head, smiling as well. "They know you are arriving today?"
The young man nodded.
"Yes. Although I do not know whether it's not a little too late already."
Aragorn frowned and sent an assessing glance at the dark sky.
"No, it shouldn't be. It's late, but not uncourtly so. If you are expected it should be fine." He turned back to the others. "Why don't you unload the horses and I will see if anyone is still awake? With a house this big one would think that there are at least some servants that will hear us."
The elves nodded and turned back to their horses, followed after a second by Seobryn who was still clutching his letter to his chest.
Aragorn smiled slightly after the nervous young man, turned back to the ornately carved door and knocked. While he was still studying the carvings that were arranged on the smooth surface of the door, forming the name and occupation of the house's current owner and at the same time expressing his wealth, he found himself surprised by the swiftly opening door.
He blinked a little bit startled since he had at least expected someone to inquire about his name, and raised his eyes to greet the person who had opened the door.
Instead of another face however, he looked directly at a crossbow that was held by an unwavering hand, a crossbow that was aimed exactly at the middle of his forehead.
TBC...
mellonamin - my friend
dúnadan - 'Man of the West', ranger
gonnhirrim - 'Masters of Stone', dwarves
edain - humans, men (pl.)
CLIFFY!!!! Yay Nili! Oh, I kind of forgot to mention that in the A/N, didn't I? *sighs contentedly* Now I feel a lot better... Okay, so: What will happen? Will Aragorn be forced to spend the rest of his days on Arda with a crossbow bolt sticking out of his forehead? How much more trouble will they manage to get into the next chapter? If you want to know, review and I will try to post the next bit on Wednesday. Please? Pretty Please??
Additional A/N:
Coreinha - Okay, now you say it, I of course do realiye the evilness of squirrels... *g* Okay, so squirrels are evil, but ... banana pudding? That doesn't sound evil, it sounds disgusting!! Banana pudding, honestly, that sounds like one of the most disgusting things I've ever heard, and I did spend 9 months in England! *runs off to escape the wrath of her English readers*
HaloGatomon - Well, it'g great you like the slang term, but the problem is that I don't know these things! I didn't know that 'reckon' was American slang, and that makes it bad. I just used it because I read it somewhere and then... *takes deep breath* But now I know and it won't happen again. *gives FF.net evil glare of death* I would have liked to post sooner, but I couldn't! Really, I tried! Sorry...
Lina - *giggles* I _really_ like 'scuttle like the wind'... LOL, Lina, the Mistress of all Spiderdom? That's a good one... Well, I'm very sorry for the union thing, but really, they are free men and not your slaves, they can so what they want! NO, they are _not_ your slaves, don't look at me like that! *g* *sighs tiredly as Lina kicks Adruran once more* Really, Lina, this way he will be dead before he even had the chance to DO something to them! I mean, come on, they haven't done anyhting bad yet, have they? 'Boycott the Spiders'? Yay, where can I join? I HATE spiders! And, Lina: After reading this review I have once again noticed that you're insane. As Halo and I decided yesterday or something: You are insaner than anyone else we know! *g* You should be proud...
Firniswin - Well, I'm sorry, but it appears that you even had to wait longer than that! It wasn't _my_ fault though...not even my alter ego's. Great you lke the last chapter; Legolas and Aragorn can be terribly sweet sometimes, can't they? *sniffles too* Thanks for reviewing!
TrinityTheSheDevil - And just what reason could there possibly be for describing a bathing scene? I mean, it's winter! They can't even go for a swim! *thinks of chapter 9* Not really, anyway... *runs away cackling evilly* A Uruk-Hoppity? Dare I ask what that is? So, I hope I and FF.net didn't strain your patience too much! The next bit's here, finally!
CrazyLOTRfan - *blushes* Nili Day? That sounds like fun! You would all have to wear T-shirts with my image on them, learn parts of my fics by heart and recite them, uhm ... and the main attraction would be a torture session on the market square! So, what do you think? Think the Prime Minister would approve of that? *shrugs* Probably not, he's a politician after all - they don't know what fun is... Thanks so much for all the nice things you said! And I'll have to write to your PM abou that Holiday... *g*
Tapetum Lucidum - Dammit, do you think that was why my last three flatmates ran screaming after three days in my company? *g* That would explain a lot, though... About Aragorn opening up: That just might take some time yet. I haven't even planned that far, so it could take some time... The smae goes for Adruran's plans. You will have to be patient, my friend... *cackles evilly* Oh, I'm so mean!
Aratfeniel - *nods vigorously* Yep, Aragorn can be very sweet. The rest of the time he's as annoying as hell and stubborn, but sometimes he's indeed sweet. Great you liked the chapter, I hope you'll like the rest as well! Thanks for reviewing!
E - *nods somlemnly* Oh yes. He does. Today I had to talk about what I wrote in my paper, for twenty minutes, in front of the whole class, and do you think he would just let me talk? NO! He kept interrupting and asking questions and laughing secretly (oh, I hate his laugh! *grrr*) and so the bell sounded before I was finished and I have to go through the same hell again next week! Is that fair? No, it isn't!!!! *calms down* Okay, I'm calm now... Why wouldn't you hate him if the were 42? I don't see the difference...
Aralondwen - *looks at charred review box* Uhm, sure, yes ... thank you ... too kind ... *puts hand over ears* Will you stop that infernal chanting already?! I can't change it if FF.net goes bonkers and lets nobody post and eats your reviews and stuff... *sniffs* Wesss hatesss it, we doesss... So Energizer Bunnies are your mnions, huh? That's scary - real scary... If I don't update nuclear war will commence? That is ... interesting... *returns secret handhake* We're all mad here...
Arwen-Evenstar - *g* Yes, now that Legolas has his bow the fun can start... Well, Aragorn pain - I don't think it will have as much as AEFAE, but there the favourite pastime was 'Torture-the-ranger', so... But don't worry, we will get enough Aragorn angst. Thanks a lot for the review!
Xsilicax - *sniffs* I know! That was too nice! But hey, Adruran and his friends killed a man! That is something! *grins insanely* Besides, this chapter has a lot of angst...I promise! And don't worry, there will be Estel owies, even though I think we'll have Legolas owies first... *shudders at thought of spiders* I know! They are horrible! I just hate them, and I hate the way they feel the ground with their ugly hairy legs before they move... *blushes* I do that? That's great! It's so wonderful to know that people like what you write... And the cliffy isn't that bad, is it? *evil grin* No, it can get worse...
Gwyn - Indeed, what is the world coming to? But: This one is a cliff! As is chapter 8 and 10 and... Oopps, did I say that out loud? Meep! *runs away to escape readers' wrath* Thanks for all the reviews!
Alexa - *pats her back* Don't worry, now your elfling has a new bow, and they only glued his _spare_ knives to his sheaths, I think had it been his real ones he'd already be on his way over his Misty Mountains to kill the twins. *g* I know Ayn Rand! My friend thinks she's the single best author ever, even though I don't actually agree with that asessment. I kind of like her, but I think she embraces capitalism a little bit too much. Ah well, that's only my opinion. I like Cicero better. *g* Well, and I received two reviews from you! I know, it's very weird, I actually get the review alerts, but they don't show in the Stats or on the review page. I don't get it either. Thanks for the TWO wonderful reviews!
Jenny - ROTFL! Gollumette! *giggles some more* Okay, that is the funniest expression I have heard in a very long time! Thank you for that mental image!!
Mouse - *big fat annoying grin* Nope ... no ... not really ... definitely not ... too easy ... *grin widens* You're wrong! *sing-song voice* Sorry! Nope, that's not what happens, not at all - and I hate to say it, but Seobryn is really not important. I even considered killing him off, but I think I wouldn't survive that after Nólad... But thanks for telling me what you thought! It's good to know that I haven't become too predictable... *hugs her* Thanks!
Imbefaniel - Imbefaniel! *huggles her* You! Nive to see you! I thought you had forgotten all about me! Thanks a lot for reviewing again! Congratulations to the new bow! *g* Don't insult the Valar, again, you hear me?
Cestari - Yes, Seobryn is getting used to elves, finally. A bit, anyway, and Celylith isn't making it any easier... *whistles innocently* What? They almost die? Whatever gave you that idea? No...*crosses fingers behind her back*...nothing will happen to them. I promise.
Fliewatuet - Well, well, well, good question actually. Quite a few roads are leading to Lake-town, I think. Hey, but you have forgotten to remember that, yes indeed, this is Nili's story. And Nili is weird and silly and weird and WEIRD and a lot of other things, but she tries not to be too predictable. So you'll have to read on to see what happens! Besides, they left Mirkwood three days after Aduran and friends left Esgaroth. But when they finally meet, it won't be pleasant, I give you that. *g* And don't worry, I got your first review. It just doesn't show on the review page, and please don't ask me why, I'm already angry enough as it is! But thanks a lot for reviewing twice!! *huggles her*
One15 - Na, wenn das nicht One15 ist?! Das ist doch mal was schoenes! *knuddelt sie* Schoen zu hoeren, dass der Computer wieder geht, von seinem geliebten Internet getrennt zu sein ist wahrlich ein traumatisches Erlebnis... Wow, 6 Seiten in 5 Minuten? Das ist gar nicht mal so schlecht! Schoen, dass es dir wieder gefaellt und vielen Dank fuer die Review! Hat mich wirklich sehr gefreut!
Nat - *g* Yes, I agree, Legolas and Aragorn really ARE sweet sometimes. Great you liked the chapter! Thanks a lot for the review!
Miss Understood - *evil grin* Yes indeed, Nazgûl. They protect me from overzealous reviewers! *pats Nazgûls' heads* They are quite sweet actually! Well, to be honest, I have never before glued knives to sheaths, but I once poured a bottle of glue over my brother's head. I was six or something, and the only thing I remember is running away very fast and thinking that he deserved it. *shrugs* Brothers. Yes, and Seobryn's back. *shakes head* You're obsessed, you know that?
ThE iNsAnE oNe - You let your wargs play with my baby ranger?? *booming voice* How dare you!!! I need him alive and in one piece for chapter 9, who else will save Legolas from... Uh, I didn't say anything! *evil grin* Don't tell me, I'm evil... Oh, speaking of insanities: WHERE ARE YOUR UPDATES? Huh? Where? You'd better update soon or I will do something terrible... *twitches* Good that your ankle's better though. Such things always hurt like hell. *shakes head* Nólad is a silly elf. You can only die once - except if you're Beren, Glorfindel or James Bond. Well, this chapter doesn't have that much action, but ch 8 and 9 do! Promise!
Angel of Death - *grumbles* And I still thinks it a bloody morbid name! Well, what shall I say: Yes, the ED (Evil Dude, I always call my villains ED before I start giving them names and such, so Cornallar was known as ED quite some time! *g*) is ... uhm, evil? But you'll have to wait a bit to find out what he's up to, I'm afraid... *watches dialogue with Cornallar* So he's taking lessons now? That's ... uhm, interesting, yes...
Nikara - *g* Yes, I think Legolas will be able to use his bow quite a lot, you might be right there. Thanks for reviewing!
Firnsarnien - Wow, I open your review and there are four beaming yellow siley faces looking at me! That's great - and yellow...*g* And, sadly, I have to agree: They acnnot avoid trouble for much longer. Poor, poor Legolas... *sighs*
Tesekian - Ack! I knew it looked - funny, somehow! I have that quite often actually, that I look at a word and know that it just doen't fit there, but I don't know why. *sighs and writes down 'disorganised' a hundred times* Okay, thanks a lot. Glad I could surprise you with the bow! Thanks a lot for the helpful review!
Helen T - Hmmm, perhaps I put it into the next story as a memory or a flashback or something ... I could do it when ... Okay, I think I have an idea now! We'll see how it works out... *g* Oh yes, someone else than Legolas will definitely notice that Aragorn isn't really well. Just read on!
Ciria - Well, it's almost as good as a review, so I won't complain. And we celebrate that too, it's called "Konfirmation" - only if you're a protestant, of course. I haven't since I don't believe in the God the church is preaching of and didn't want to do it for the money like so many of my friends. Besides, if I had to chose a church, it'd be Catholic anyway. So I understand perfectly well! I hope you have lots of fun!
Marbienl - *looking anxiously at Marbienl* Well, I hate to say it, but we will first have some Legolas owies - don't hurt me! *runs away, very fast* Sorry! I think we will have some Estel owies in ch 9 and 10, but no sooner! Sorry! I'm confusing you? *puts hands together, Mr. Burns style* Excellent! *nods solemnly* You're close with Smaug. A lot closer than the rest of the people here, cut still no cigar! *g* Ahm, Gollum moments! They're great and very relaxing! *g* Well, I think AOL is short for American OnLine. I think. I despise it, so don't ask me. *shrugs*
Alisha - ALISHA!!! *huggles her* Alisha!! *shouts at everybody else* Alisha is back and has reviewed my story! Yess, preciousss, she hasss! *takes deep breath* Sorry, I'm okay ... but very happy! Thanks so lot for reviewing! I really, really missed you and was beginning to fear that this story was stupid or something and you were only too polite to review and tell me... But a month without internet is horrible! Poor you! *blinks* You actually did that? You drew his family tree? Gosh, that takes a ... long time. *mutters* And I thought I was insane... *huggles Alisha* SO glad you're back! Thanks!
Mimi - Thanks! *beams* Great you like them! Thanks a lot for sending a review!
HugeTolkienFan - Well, thanks, but the Elvish isn't the real Sindarin, I'm afraid. I started with that dictionary, the Grey Company's, and later found out that they were role-player and therefore invented a lot of the words. This way you can almost say anything because you have the vocabulary, but it's not Sindarin. I'm in the process of getting a better one though, and I already can write and read Tengwar! Don't tell me, I'm mad... So, I hope you enjoy noth of the stories, thank a lot for reviewing!
Salara - *g* Tja, manch einer ist schnell, der andere laesst seine Fans fuer TAGE warten! Mancher sogar fuer 7 oder 8!! Kann man sich das vorstelllen... *g* Du machst Rollenspiele? Da hatt' ich nie genug Geduld, Zeit und Phantasie fuer, fuerchte ich, obwohl ich gerne sehen wuerde, wie du mit einem Papierschwert einem graessliches Monster den Gar ausmachst... Also Legolas ist Nummer zwei bei dir? Oh, dann ... geh' ich mal besser ... bevor du Kap. 8 liest ... ciao! *rast weg*
LOTRFaith - *g* Congratulations! It's quite hard to find anything on FF.net - especially if it goes bonkers again... *grrr* Thank you so much for all your kind words, and I'm very glad you like it so far. Thanks!!
Sr - Yeah well, I could see the reviews, they registered - kind of, since they aren't registered in the Stats when I log on - but you still couldn't see them on the review board. *shrugs* Let's just kill FF.net, shall we? *g* What? Get into trouble - them? Whatever gave you that idea? *innocent look* No, never... *evil grin*
LOTRMatrixStarwarsFan - *hides face in hands* I know! I know! No cliffy until now - I'm sick! I need a doctor, I'm dying, I just know it... Well, to be perfectly honest with you, I hate spiders. Wirth a passion. I hated writing that bit, really... *g* Sure! If I can help you in any way (that doesn't take too much time, that is! *g*), I will! Just send me and email and we'll see what I can do to help you. Thanks so much for reviewing!
Nilbrethiliel - Tja, als ich heute im Wald spazieren gehen war, haben sie mich auch in Scharen attackiert. Ich bin schreiend gefluechtet, natuerlich, die einzig wirksame Methode um mit diesen Biestern fertig zu werden... Und die Chaterfahrung war traumatisierend, fuerchte ich. Ich brauche wahrscheinlich ein bisschen, um mich wieder davon zu erholen... *g* Heh! *grabscht sich Celylith zurueckt, der erleichtert aufseufzt* Nix da! Ich habe NIE gesagt, du koenntest meinen Fast-Lieblingselben einfach so klauen! Ciria, Miki und alle anderen mussten 22 Kapitel auf ihre Nólad-Klone warten, also ehrlich, diese Ungeduld...
*glares at FF.net* What a terribly stupid, annoying, horrible thing! Ah well, as long as I got many lovely reviews ... thank you! *huggles reviewers* Thanks!