Here's the second chapter, which took AGES of rewrites. I don't know why
this story was so difficult to write. Introduction of a new character, I
suppose. I updated this chapter very quickly because I leave for Hawaii on
Wednesday, and I won't be back in time to post for about two weeks. I made
the chapter a tiny tad bit longer to hold you over until I get back.
Anyway, enjoy.
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A banquet was held the following night for Legolas' arrival. He was seated on Elrond's left, as a guest of honor. Next to him was Elrohir, and across the table, of Elrond's right, was Elladan, the elf lord's oldest son. Next to him was Aragorn.
"Tell me, Legolas, how is your father? It has been a long time since he and I last spoke."
Legolas did not meet Elrond's eyes as he answered. The elf lord knew the reason for this, but did not say anything. "My father is doing fine. Mirkwood is thriving in days of late, even with the ever encroaching evil." He cast a warning glare at the human, daring him to crack a comment. Estel remained quiet.
"I am surprised he let you come here alone." Elladan said this through a bite of meat.
"Watch your manners, Dan," his father chided quietly. To Legolas, he said, "I for one am not surprised that you came here alone, though I am surprised that you have not sent a messenger back to Aldarion."
Legolas smiled. "I was going to ask if I could send one of your messengers."
"You've no need to ask, it has been done already."
"It's good to be here again. I had forgotten how much I missed everything here."
Elrond looked at his youngest son, who was far too interested in his meal rather than the conversation. Indeed, he had expected Legolas to avoid the man, but not the other way around. He wondered what reaction his statement would bring from both of them. "You have not mentioned Arwen in your time here."
Aragorn's eyes shot up as he looked to his father incredulously. Elrond noticed this, but said nothing. Legolas, for his part, was rather detached when he answered.
"I figured, in time, you would tell me where she was. And you all seem too happy for any wrong to have befallen her." In truth, he had wanted to ask where she was the second he realized she wasn't there. It was killing him inside to miss her this much, especially since he knew that deep down, he didn't, or shouldn't, love her.
"She lives now with Lady Galadriel."
Legolas nodded slowly. "I suppose I finally have an excuse to visit the Golden Wood." He paused thoughtfully, a light smile touching his graceful lips. "My father was none to happy when I told him. . ." he trailed off, not wishing for the human to hear the emotions in his words.
Elladan laughed. "I should imagine not!" He paused, then changed topics. "Father, Elrohir and I were wondering if you would let us go on a hunting trip tomorrow."
Elrond raised a thin eyebrow. "Hunting what, may I ask?"
"Deer, of course. What else would we hunt? Lizards?" Elrohir asked innocently.
"Lizards, of sorts, if I know you two half as well as I think I do."
Elladan sighed. "Honestly, after everything we've been through, you think we would go hunting orcs?"
The other eyebrow was now raised.
Elrohir stepped in. "We wouldn't, honesty, Father. We'll take Legolas and Estel with us. They'll keep us out of trouble."
Elrond had to bite back a laugh. Legolas was serious. Very serious. Except, of course, when he was around Elladan and Elrohir. There was no telling how much trouble the three of them could find, and Aragorn seemed to be a walking disaster. "That puts my worries to rest. Really, it does."
Aragorn entered the conversation suddenly. "If you are taking *him* hunting, I wish to stay home."
Legolas looked up quietly, eyeing the human. His distrust kept growing.
"Estel!" Elrohir was shocked, but Elrond chimed in before he could say anything more.
"Estel, you will go on the hunting trip tomorrow. It's been a long time since you've been on one anyway."
Legolas looked horrified. How could Elrond be doing this to him?
Elrond knew what an imp Legolas could be. For once, he was going to give Legolas a chance to be like that again. He had a feeling it had been quite a while since Legolas had had any fun, and who was he to further hinder that? "However, it is Legolas' decision whether or not he will go."
Legolas looked at Aragorn. The horror had passed to the human's eyes now. A long minute of silence passed.
"I will go."
The man narrowed his eyes. He had the urge to stick out his tongue, but he knew just how childish that would seem. He instead concentrated on his food again.
"The Midwinter Festival is coming soon, Legolas. Do you suppose you will stay for that?"
'Soon?' Aragorn shot daggers at his oldest brother with his eyes. 'Two months is hardly soon.'
"I may, if Father does not send for me before then."
Elrond smiled. "You will of course compete in the archery contest."
It was not a request. "Would I be allowed? I am not native to Rivendell."
"You are family, Legolas. That's all that we care about."
Elrohir added to his father's words. "You forget that we do things very differently from your own people."
Legolas smiled. "Very differently."
"Better," Aragorn mumbled, unable o contain his resentment.
"So you will compete then?" Elladan asked, purposefully interjecting before Legolas could respond to his brother, whom he was suddenly very ashamed of, as he had never been before..
"I do believe I will." The prince smiled in response.
"That means you will have to admit defeat when I am declared the winner."
"You think too highly of yourself, Elrohir. Noldor elves are notorious for their poor aim, and their wavering arm."
Elrohir smiled at the jest. "Yes, but we are also known to unseat certain Mirkwood princes when a river happens to be nearby."
Aragorn looked up, feeling completely left out, and yet satisfied that someone, however long ago, had managed to take the prince off of his own throne of arrogance.
Elladan laughed as Legolas narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps this competition will be my revenge."
"It would be about time."
Elrond stopped the friendly bantering, and steered the conversation down a previously taken road. "This hunting trip of yours, pray tell, will be when?"
"Tomorrow morning, of course. It's planned now, it might as well take place now."
"It has been planned for quite some time, hasn't it?" Any planned hunting trip of the twins' was a recipe for disaster.
Legolas had to bite back a laugh at the elf lord's retort. He had forgotten just how nice it was to relax- to laugh. He could never do that at home; his father would not have it. He would not have it. He was scared at home. He was frightened that if he let his guard down, some terrible evil would befall his household. He didn't have those worries here- the laughter of Elrond's family seemed to make them vanish.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas had his eyes closed. He was listening intently to a far off birdcall. It was irregular, and hinted at some danger.
"Remember, if we don't come home with at least two deer, Father will be very suspicious."
The human laughed. "I think he is already, Dan."
"Do you suppose we should go around the riverbed? Legolas hasn't been there before; not since we discovered that new cave." Elrohir was more thinking aloud than talking to anyone, but Elladan agreed with him anyway. Aragorn only shrugged in response. He wasn't going to agree to it if it meant any fun for the Mirkwood elf, whom he had taken to regarding as The Elf.
"I think he might enjoy that," Elladan smiled. That was final for Estel, he was not going to agree to it.
"Maybe we should go somewhere else."
"There is rumor of a band of orcs near there," Elrohir said, ignoring the meaning clear in his brother's words.
"It's just a rumor," Elladan too smiled, mischief dancing in his eyes.
They went on this way for some time, following the winding river. The twins were debating the itinerary, with occasional input from Aragorn. Legolas was intent on interpreting the bird's cry.
It posed no real threat. If there had been real danger in the woods, the birds would be silent. Perhaps this one was only telling of the Rivendell arrivals. There was definitely something odd in its mannerism, though.
"Legolas," Elrohir's voice pulled him from his concentration. "Kindly stop dominating the conversation."
"Forgive me," Legolas laughed. "But I think the birds know of our approach." He would not admit the possibility that there was something else in the woods. He knew these woods all too well, and they were coming dangerously close to Tarduain's territory. He shuddered involuntarily.
Only Elrohir noticed this movement. He moved his horse next to the prince. He spoke quietly. "Tarduain's gone, remember? He's locked away in your own dungeons. He's probably deceased of old age by now. His people have changed greatly from the last time you encountered them. Be at peace here."
Legolas nodded.
Aragorn noticed the look of distress on the prince's face. "Scared of a couple of orcs, are you?"
Legolas turned his head slowly to the human. Elladan and Elrohir fell silent, waiting to see what would take place. Legolas licked his lips thoughtfully. "Tell me, Estel, how old are you?"
"What business is that of yours?"
Elladan chuckled. "Answer him, young one."
Throwing daggers at Elladan with his eyes, he answered, "I am 20."
"Care to venture how old I am?"
Aragorn held the elf's gaze squarely. He wondered where this was going. "I don't know," he admitted carefully.
"I am 2,019. That is considerably older than you."
Aragorn nodded.
"I have seen more of the world than you, simply by default of my years. I have also been friends with your brothers since long before your birth. That in itself gives me much experience of the world," He gave a quick, friendly glance to the twins, "I have encountered orcs more times than I can remember. I have been taken captive by orcs more times than I can count on my fingers. I have been taken captive by the race of men, your race, and escaped. I have even been taken captive by my own race, twice. If you thought orcs were brutal and savage, you have never been a prisoner of an elf. Would you like to ask me now if I am scared of a band of orcs?"
Aragorn was silent. Legolas gave a curt nod, moving his horse next to Elladan, who was leading the small group.
Elladan smiled broadly, looking at the brooding human. "That was quite amusing. I don't think I've ever seen him put in his place so quickly before."
"People who don't know me learn soon enough that I am not to be trifled with."
Aragorn was about to mumble something to Elrohir, but Legolas hissed at him suddenly.
"Do you hear that?" he whispered after a second.
"Hear what?" He asked irritably.
"The birds have gone quiet. I do believe an enemy is near."
Elrohir turned to his elven brother. "How close are we to their camp?"
"Miles still, I'm sure. But they couldn't be out- it's still daylight."
"They're behind us," Legolas whispered in elvish. He spun his horse, and froze.
The others followed suit. There, now in front of them, was a group of hooded archers- men by their stature.
'Calm yourself, Legolas. Nothing is going to happen, lay calm,' the prince was trying vainly to soothe his nerves.
"You are in the borders of Rivendell! Lay down your weapons!"
"You are not in Rivendell, elves."
"They're right, Elrohir, we crossed the border, I've just realized." Instinctively, Elrohir and Elladan moved their horses in front of the prince and Aragorn.
"We mean no harm," Elladan offered.
"You are trespassing on the king's land! State your business!"
"We are Elrohir and Elladan- your king has granted us permission to be
here."
The man who seemed to be the leader of the group turned and quietly conversed with another archer. He then turned back to the small group from Rivendell.
"You know of the orcs that patrol these borders?"
Elrohir nodded. "We have heard of them, yes."
"I would advise you to be careful out here. These orcs move in daylight." He nodded his head to his men. "We are sorry we bothered you." With that, the men who gone as swift as they had come.
"I told you they were different, Legolas," Elrohir smiled.
Legolas shook his head slowly. "There's just something about that particular scene that seemed oddly familiar."
Elrohir smiled, and changed the subject. "Orcs that travel in sunlight?"
"He couldn't have meant Uruk- hai, could he?"
"Not so near to Rivendell, surely."
Legolas stopped the curious questioning. "I think we are about to find out."
The four became silent, listening with a dreadful apprehension to the approach of foul creatures. The first appeared within seconds.
Between the four of them, (including the prince,) all things elvish were cursed.
Elladan quickly readied his bow. "They did mean Uruk- hai!"
"But is doesn't make sense!" Elrohir protested, also readying his bow.
"I don't think that matters right now!"
The first arrow was released- the attack had begun.
They felled the foul beasts rapidly, but there seemed to be no end to them.
Elladan's voice could scarcely be heard above the noise of the battle. "Dismount! Send the horses home before harm befalls them!" The other three obeyed.
The battle lasted far longer than it should have. The elves were fairing well, save the fact that they were now recycling arrows from the dead bodies around them. Aragorn, however, was not so lucky. Being human, he was tiring quickly. His breathing was heavy, and his movements slowed considerably.
Legolas, abandoning his bow, pulled out his twin knives, moving closure to Aragorn.
Legolas was closest to the man. As much as he distrusted Aragorn, he would not see him killed by one of these creatures. He took it upon himself to do what he could to protect the man- to make him fight as little of possible. He watched as the energy drained from the young man.
His attention soon turned back to the battle as an Uruk-hai rammed into him. He caught his breath and spun his knives, decapitating the beast.
Another hour dragged by. Aragorn was breathing heavily and barely meeting the attacks with defense of his own. His arms were shaking with the strain, but still he fought,
Legolas hadn't noticed until now, when his own energy seemed to be deserting him, that he could no longer see Elrohir or Elladan. He called to them, but received no answer. He looked to Aragorn.
The human looked panicked. He shrugged in response to the prince's questioning glance. He had forgotten that he disliked the prince. At times like these, petty notions seemed to vanish. He and Legolas were fighting together now.
Legolas, on the other hand, had not forgotten, but he was not about to let it interfere with the battle.
"Estel!"
Aragorn spun around as the prince yelled- just in time to sink his sword into another attacking beast. When he turned around, Legolas was nowhere to be seen- until he looked down.
There, at his feet, was the prince with an arrow embedded deep in his chest.
"Oh, Melkor take it all," he cursed. Aragorn only had time to realize that Legolas had thrown himself in front of an arrow that had been meant for him. A second after the realization, metal was brought down against his skull, and blackness claimed him.
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To my reviewers:
Bec: I tried waiting to post the first chapter until you reviewed for the last story, but it didn't work. At any rate, here we are. Yes, Legolas is definitely cooler. But Estel's pretty awesome too! He's a difficult character to write for me. No, this series currently doesn't have a name. I'm looking for a good one, so if you've got any ideas fell free to send them my way! Ah, and to your second review: I really was trying to wait a little while to upload, but like I said, it would have been well into October before I could have. Yeah, Estel is a bit brash right now, huh? (He won't be a brat forever, I promise!) Haha, use it on your lil bro and see how long it takes him to understand what you said.
Tamara: Thanks! I'm trying to update as often as possible.
Laswen: Thanks!
Jamie: Thanks, I'm trying to update quickly, I promise.
Lizzie: Thank you so much! (You read Family Ties, didn't you? You reviewed for it at any rate. . . )
Bluie Twilight Star: As requested! Thank you for the review!
Calandra: Haha, uh huh, sure. . . lol. It's okay, I type 80 wpm with three fingers. (I know, I'll shut up.)
Wilwarin: Yeah, I thought October was too far away too. But hey, you got chapter two right away, didn't you? Sheesh. Lol. Estel won't stay a jerk, lol. I do like him, contrary to what my first few chapters suggest, lol. Yay! You "wow"ed me! Thanks!
Fire Eagle: Don't be sorry, it's all good. Things about his father will be explained later. Thanx for reviewing!
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A banquet was held the following night for Legolas' arrival. He was seated on Elrond's left, as a guest of honor. Next to him was Elrohir, and across the table, of Elrond's right, was Elladan, the elf lord's oldest son. Next to him was Aragorn.
"Tell me, Legolas, how is your father? It has been a long time since he and I last spoke."
Legolas did not meet Elrond's eyes as he answered. The elf lord knew the reason for this, but did not say anything. "My father is doing fine. Mirkwood is thriving in days of late, even with the ever encroaching evil." He cast a warning glare at the human, daring him to crack a comment. Estel remained quiet.
"I am surprised he let you come here alone." Elladan said this through a bite of meat.
"Watch your manners, Dan," his father chided quietly. To Legolas, he said, "I for one am not surprised that you came here alone, though I am surprised that you have not sent a messenger back to Aldarion."
Legolas smiled. "I was going to ask if I could send one of your messengers."
"You've no need to ask, it has been done already."
"It's good to be here again. I had forgotten how much I missed everything here."
Elrond looked at his youngest son, who was far too interested in his meal rather than the conversation. Indeed, he had expected Legolas to avoid the man, but not the other way around. He wondered what reaction his statement would bring from both of them. "You have not mentioned Arwen in your time here."
Aragorn's eyes shot up as he looked to his father incredulously. Elrond noticed this, but said nothing. Legolas, for his part, was rather detached when he answered.
"I figured, in time, you would tell me where she was. And you all seem too happy for any wrong to have befallen her." In truth, he had wanted to ask where she was the second he realized she wasn't there. It was killing him inside to miss her this much, especially since he knew that deep down, he didn't, or shouldn't, love her.
"She lives now with Lady Galadriel."
Legolas nodded slowly. "I suppose I finally have an excuse to visit the Golden Wood." He paused thoughtfully, a light smile touching his graceful lips. "My father was none to happy when I told him. . ." he trailed off, not wishing for the human to hear the emotions in his words.
Elladan laughed. "I should imagine not!" He paused, then changed topics. "Father, Elrohir and I were wondering if you would let us go on a hunting trip tomorrow."
Elrond raised a thin eyebrow. "Hunting what, may I ask?"
"Deer, of course. What else would we hunt? Lizards?" Elrohir asked innocently.
"Lizards, of sorts, if I know you two half as well as I think I do."
Elladan sighed. "Honestly, after everything we've been through, you think we would go hunting orcs?"
The other eyebrow was now raised.
Elrohir stepped in. "We wouldn't, honesty, Father. We'll take Legolas and Estel with us. They'll keep us out of trouble."
Elrond had to bite back a laugh. Legolas was serious. Very serious. Except, of course, when he was around Elladan and Elrohir. There was no telling how much trouble the three of them could find, and Aragorn seemed to be a walking disaster. "That puts my worries to rest. Really, it does."
Aragorn entered the conversation suddenly. "If you are taking *him* hunting, I wish to stay home."
Legolas looked up quietly, eyeing the human. His distrust kept growing.
"Estel!" Elrohir was shocked, but Elrond chimed in before he could say anything more.
"Estel, you will go on the hunting trip tomorrow. It's been a long time since you've been on one anyway."
Legolas looked horrified. How could Elrond be doing this to him?
Elrond knew what an imp Legolas could be. For once, he was going to give Legolas a chance to be like that again. He had a feeling it had been quite a while since Legolas had had any fun, and who was he to further hinder that? "However, it is Legolas' decision whether or not he will go."
Legolas looked at Aragorn. The horror had passed to the human's eyes now. A long minute of silence passed.
"I will go."
The man narrowed his eyes. He had the urge to stick out his tongue, but he knew just how childish that would seem. He instead concentrated on his food again.
"The Midwinter Festival is coming soon, Legolas. Do you suppose you will stay for that?"
'Soon?' Aragorn shot daggers at his oldest brother with his eyes. 'Two months is hardly soon.'
"I may, if Father does not send for me before then."
Elrond smiled. "You will of course compete in the archery contest."
It was not a request. "Would I be allowed? I am not native to Rivendell."
"You are family, Legolas. That's all that we care about."
Elrohir added to his father's words. "You forget that we do things very differently from your own people."
Legolas smiled. "Very differently."
"Better," Aragorn mumbled, unable o contain his resentment.
"So you will compete then?" Elladan asked, purposefully interjecting before Legolas could respond to his brother, whom he was suddenly very ashamed of, as he had never been before..
"I do believe I will." The prince smiled in response.
"That means you will have to admit defeat when I am declared the winner."
"You think too highly of yourself, Elrohir. Noldor elves are notorious for their poor aim, and their wavering arm."
Elrohir smiled at the jest. "Yes, but we are also known to unseat certain Mirkwood princes when a river happens to be nearby."
Aragorn looked up, feeling completely left out, and yet satisfied that someone, however long ago, had managed to take the prince off of his own throne of arrogance.
Elladan laughed as Legolas narrowed his eyes. "Perhaps this competition will be my revenge."
"It would be about time."
Elrond stopped the friendly bantering, and steered the conversation down a previously taken road. "This hunting trip of yours, pray tell, will be when?"
"Tomorrow morning, of course. It's planned now, it might as well take place now."
"It has been planned for quite some time, hasn't it?" Any planned hunting trip of the twins' was a recipe for disaster.
Legolas had to bite back a laugh at the elf lord's retort. He had forgotten just how nice it was to relax- to laugh. He could never do that at home; his father would not have it. He would not have it. He was scared at home. He was frightened that if he let his guard down, some terrible evil would befall his household. He didn't have those worries here- the laughter of Elrond's family seemed to make them vanish.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas had his eyes closed. He was listening intently to a far off birdcall. It was irregular, and hinted at some danger.
"Remember, if we don't come home with at least two deer, Father will be very suspicious."
The human laughed. "I think he is already, Dan."
"Do you suppose we should go around the riverbed? Legolas hasn't been there before; not since we discovered that new cave." Elrohir was more thinking aloud than talking to anyone, but Elladan agreed with him anyway. Aragorn only shrugged in response. He wasn't going to agree to it if it meant any fun for the Mirkwood elf, whom he had taken to regarding as The Elf.
"I think he might enjoy that," Elladan smiled. That was final for Estel, he was not going to agree to it.
"Maybe we should go somewhere else."
"There is rumor of a band of orcs near there," Elrohir said, ignoring the meaning clear in his brother's words.
"It's just a rumor," Elladan too smiled, mischief dancing in his eyes.
They went on this way for some time, following the winding river. The twins were debating the itinerary, with occasional input from Aragorn. Legolas was intent on interpreting the bird's cry.
It posed no real threat. If there had been real danger in the woods, the birds would be silent. Perhaps this one was only telling of the Rivendell arrivals. There was definitely something odd in its mannerism, though.
"Legolas," Elrohir's voice pulled him from his concentration. "Kindly stop dominating the conversation."
"Forgive me," Legolas laughed. "But I think the birds know of our approach." He would not admit the possibility that there was something else in the woods. He knew these woods all too well, and they were coming dangerously close to Tarduain's territory. He shuddered involuntarily.
Only Elrohir noticed this movement. He moved his horse next to the prince. He spoke quietly. "Tarduain's gone, remember? He's locked away in your own dungeons. He's probably deceased of old age by now. His people have changed greatly from the last time you encountered them. Be at peace here."
Legolas nodded.
Aragorn noticed the look of distress on the prince's face. "Scared of a couple of orcs, are you?"
Legolas turned his head slowly to the human. Elladan and Elrohir fell silent, waiting to see what would take place. Legolas licked his lips thoughtfully. "Tell me, Estel, how old are you?"
"What business is that of yours?"
Elladan chuckled. "Answer him, young one."
Throwing daggers at Elladan with his eyes, he answered, "I am 20."
"Care to venture how old I am?"
Aragorn held the elf's gaze squarely. He wondered where this was going. "I don't know," he admitted carefully.
"I am 2,019. That is considerably older than you."
Aragorn nodded.
"I have seen more of the world than you, simply by default of my years. I have also been friends with your brothers since long before your birth. That in itself gives me much experience of the world," He gave a quick, friendly glance to the twins, "I have encountered orcs more times than I can remember. I have been taken captive by orcs more times than I can count on my fingers. I have been taken captive by the race of men, your race, and escaped. I have even been taken captive by my own race, twice. If you thought orcs were brutal and savage, you have never been a prisoner of an elf. Would you like to ask me now if I am scared of a band of orcs?"
Aragorn was silent. Legolas gave a curt nod, moving his horse next to Elladan, who was leading the small group.
Elladan smiled broadly, looking at the brooding human. "That was quite amusing. I don't think I've ever seen him put in his place so quickly before."
"People who don't know me learn soon enough that I am not to be trifled with."
Aragorn was about to mumble something to Elrohir, but Legolas hissed at him suddenly.
"Do you hear that?" he whispered after a second.
"Hear what?" He asked irritably.
"The birds have gone quiet. I do believe an enemy is near."
Elrohir turned to his elven brother. "How close are we to their camp?"
"Miles still, I'm sure. But they couldn't be out- it's still daylight."
"They're behind us," Legolas whispered in elvish. He spun his horse, and froze.
The others followed suit. There, now in front of them, was a group of hooded archers- men by their stature.
'Calm yourself, Legolas. Nothing is going to happen, lay calm,' the prince was trying vainly to soothe his nerves.
"You are in the borders of Rivendell! Lay down your weapons!"
"You are not in Rivendell, elves."
"They're right, Elrohir, we crossed the border, I've just realized." Instinctively, Elrohir and Elladan moved their horses in front of the prince and Aragorn.
"We mean no harm," Elladan offered.
"You are trespassing on the king's land! State your business!"
"We are Elrohir and Elladan- your king has granted us permission to be
here."
The man who seemed to be the leader of the group turned and quietly conversed with another archer. He then turned back to the small group from Rivendell.
"You know of the orcs that patrol these borders?"
Elrohir nodded. "We have heard of them, yes."
"I would advise you to be careful out here. These orcs move in daylight." He nodded his head to his men. "We are sorry we bothered you." With that, the men who gone as swift as they had come.
"I told you they were different, Legolas," Elrohir smiled.
Legolas shook his head slowly. "There's just something about that particular scene that seemed oddly familiar."
Elrohir smiled, and changed the subject. "Orcs that travel in sunlight?"
"He couldn't have meant Uruk- hai, could he?"
"Not so near to Rivendell, surely."
Legolas stopped the curious questioning. "I think we are about to find out."
The four became silent, listening with a dreadful apprehension to the approach of foul creatures. The first appeared within seconds.
Between the four of them, (including the prince,) all things elvish were cursed.
Elladan quickly readied his bow. "They did mean Uruk- hai!"
"But is doesn't make sense!" Elrohir protested, also readying his bow.
"I don't think that matters right now!"
The first arrow was released- the attack had begun.
They felled the foul beasts rapidly, but there seemed to be no end to them.
Elladan's voice could scarcely be heard above the noise of the battle. "Dismount! Send the horses home before harm befalls them!" The other three obeyed.
The battle lasted far longer than it should have. The elves were fairing well, save the fact that they were now recycling arrows from the dead bodies around them. Aragorn, however, was not so lucky. Being human, he was tiring quickly. His breathing was heavy, and his movements slowed considerably.
Legolas, abandoning his bow, pulled out his twin knives, moving closure to Aragorn.
Legolas was closest to the man. As much as he distrusted Aragorn, he would not see him killed by one of these creatures. He took it upon himself to do what he could to protect the man- to make him fight as little of possible. He watched as the energy drained from the young man.
His attention soon turned back to the battle as an Uruk-hai rammed into him. He caught his breath and spun his knives, decapitating the beast.
Another hour dragged by. Aragorn was breathing heavily and barely meeting the attacks with defense of his own. His arms were shaking with the strain, but still he fought,
Legolas hadn't noticed until now, when his own energy seemed to be deserting him, that he could no longer see Elrohir or Elladan. He called to them, but received no answer. He looked to Aragorn.
The human looked panicked. He shrugged in response to the prince's questioning glance. He had forgotten that he disliked the prince. At times like these, petty notions seemed to vanish. He and Legolas were fighting together now.
Legolas, on the other hand, had not forgotten, but he was not about to let it interfere with the battle.
"Estel!"
Aragorn spun around as the prince yelled- just in time to sink his sword into another attacking beast. When he turned around, Legolas was nowhere to be seen- until he looked down.
There, at his feet, was the prince with an arrow embedded deep in his chest.
"Oh, Melkor take it all," he cursed. Aragorn only had time to realize that Legolas had thrown himself in front of an arrow that had been meant for him. A second after the realization, metal was brought down against his skull, and blackness claimed him.
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To my reviewers:
Bec: I tried waiting to post the first chapter until you reviewed for the last story, but it didn't work. At any rate, here we are. Yes, Legolas is definitely cooler. But Estel's pretty awesome too! He's a difficult character to write for me. No, this series currently doesn't have a name. I'm looking for a good one, so if you've got any ideas fell free to send them my way! Ah, and to your second review: I really was trying to wait a little while to upload, but like I said, it would have been well into October before I could have. Yeah, Estel is a bit brash right now, huh? (He won't be a brat forever, I promise!) Haha, use it on your lil bro and see how long it takes him to understand what you said.
Tamara: Thanks! I'm trying to update as often as possible.
Laswen: Thanks!
Jamie: Thanks, I'm trying to update quickly, I promise.
Lizzie: Thank you so much! (You read Family Ties, didn't you? You reviewed for it at any rate. . . )
Bluie Twilight Star: As requested! Thank you for the review!
Calandra: Haha, uh huh, sure. . . lol. It's okay, I type 80 wpm with three fingers. (I know, I'll shut up.)
Wilwarin: Yeah, I thought October was too far away too. But hey, you got chapter two right away, didn't you? Sheesh. Lol. Estel won't stay a jerk, lol. I do like him, contrary to what my first few chapters suggest, lol. Yay! You "wow"ed me! Thanks!
Fire Eagle: Don't be sorry, it's all good. Things about his father will be explained later. Thanx for reviewing!