"I am sorry Mister Sir. Your rooms are the next two on the right," Lina said and pointed down the hallway from Elrohir's arms.
Soon, the three were in the room with Lina standing by the table while staring at the twins. They shrugged out of their cloaks and tossed the piece of clothing onto the bed.
"Will your father mind you being up here with us?" Elrohir asked, not wanting to deal with an irate father.
He knew what his own father was capable of when one of his children was threatened or in harms way. The lord of Imladris also possessed a great amount of self-control which must have come from living for so long. And dealing with two elvish sons that practically hunted for trouble had strengthened the elf lord's self-control. Then when Estel had come along the twins had placed it on themselves to teach Estel the finer points of pranks. This served to further increase the elf lord's self-control. The human father probably did not possess the amount of elf-control that Elrond did so the twins had to be careful.
"He should not but I really must not stay for too long. What is your name?"
Elladan knelt in front of the young girl as he tucked a piece of hair behind his pointed ear.
"I am Elladan and this is my brother Elrohir. That is Gandalf," Elladan said as each of the named smiled to the little girl.
Lani reached up and tugged on Elrohir's hand to bring him down to her level. When he was kneeling next to his brother, Lani looked between the two and took note that they were identical.
"You both look the same."
"Aye, we are twins," Elrohir confirmed.
"You are pretty."
Later Elladan would have sworn that Legolas waited till that exact moment to walk in. the barely contained smile nearly threatened to break his jaw as he stepped into the room. Hs eyes glinted with silent mirth as he pulled off his own cloak.
"I see you have found a new friend Elladan," he said and smiled to Lina.
"Lina, this is out good friend Legolas. He is traveling with us," Elladan said and Lina giggled when Legolas bowed to her.
"I must go back now. My parents might be worried about me. Will you walk me back Elladan? I do not want that bad man to scare me again," Lina pleaded and gazed up at Elladan with adoration.
"Of course little one but I need to put my cloak back on," he replied and stood to reach for his cloak.
"Why do you need your cloak in our inn?"
"Because I am an elf, little one. Some men do not like elves; they think we are bad, evil, and mean. Some men would like to hurt elves for no reason other than because we are different from them," Elladan explained as he pulled on his cloak.
"Why? Being different is a good thing, not bad. No one wants to be the same as everyone else," Lina said logically as Elladan smiled sadly.
"Well Lina, not everyone thinks as you do. People are scared of what they do not know or understand and elves are different."
"How?"
"Little one, that question has many answers. Answers which we do not have time to talk about. Your parents will be worried about you," he said and pulled the hood up to cover his ears.
Holding out his hand to the young girl, he led her out of the room leaving the other three. Elrohir shrugged his shoulders to Legolas' questioning look. Gandalf sat by the window smoking some pipe weed as he smiled at the two elves. The sons of Elrond and the prince of Mirkwood were so close that they could communicate with mere glances. All of them were very adept to reading body language and interpreting hidden signs that were nearly unreadable. When Gandalf turned his thoughts to Aragorn, he immediately sobered up. When he set his thoughts on the Ranger he sensed something unsettling. He felt a disturbing difference that was not the normal Ranger which everyone was accustomed to. He had changed and the wizard didn't think it was for the better.
The door opened to allow Elladan entrance and he pushed off the hood from his head.
"Do not speak a word about Lina," he warned to the grinning Legolas.
"It seems that you have a small admirer Elladan," he said and smiled broadly when the dark-haired elf blushed slightly.
"Did you learn anything Legolas?" Elrohir questioned as he glanced out the crude window.
"The men are talking about the disappearances in and around Tharbad. None seem to know where the people have gone to and travelers do not go through Tharbad," he said and sat at the table.
"Heard of anyone resembling Estel?" Elladan asked and leaned against the wall.
"No, the men talked about King Jasper and his personal advisor Valimer. From what I heard, most travelers fear Valimer more than the king. Apparently he has a bad reputation around this area and around the town. Everyone fears him," Legolas said and glanced to the door at the knock.
"Estel will probably be captain of the guard or patrols. He would have access to everywhere in the town," Elrohir suggested as a servant girl came in with dinner.
The girl glanced at the elves and dipped her head to hide her blush and smile behind her dark hair. Lina had apparently told all of her little friends about the beautiful elves that saved her from the drunken farmer.
"You must be one of Lina's friends," Legolas said and the young girl nodded shyly.
"I am Sali, Master Elf Sir, Lina is my best friend. I had to see for myself when she told me about you. I have never seen an elf up close and I could not resist the chance to be in a room with three elves. I am sorry if I have offended you, Master Elf Sir," she said and curtsied to the shocked guests.
"You have not offended them my dear girl. It takes much more than a few words to offend elves, at least in respect to these three elves," Gandalf said with a smile.
"If you will excuse me Mister Sirs, I will be needed in the kitchens," she said and departed quietly.
"Such charming young girls in this town," Gandalf said and took some food from Elladan.
"It will take about another day and a half to reach Tharbad. We should camp a few miles out of the town limits and hope to be hidden. How can we hide Sauros?" Elladan said and glanced out the window, expecting to see the dragon.
"Sauros can conceal himself when he so desires; you have no need to worry about him," Gandalf assured calmly.
"We should get some rest. We will need all of our wits to go into Tharbad," Legolas said and the others nodded.
Elladan and Elrohir went to the other room and laid on one of the cots. Turning his head slightly, Elladan looked out the window at the dark sky and bright stars. Lina's simple comments had made a deep impact on the dark-haired elf. Her views and thoughts were refreshing amid a world of humans that feared or hated elves. She was unspoiled by the society that surrounded her and was building her own opinions. It was disheartening to know that she was one in a hundred but he felt ecstatic that it was one. She could change the minds of other people. He only hoped that she had the strength to stand up to those that opposed her.
Aragorn looked out across the town from the citadel and lifted his head to the slight breeze. His dark eyes scanned the sky before glancing down to the streets below him. True to his word, he had started to ask around and question soldiers and guards. A lot of the men had suspicions but none were even close to the truth. Rumors were also spreading about who could be the mole ranging from someone's mother to a ghost of a previous king. Shaking his head in absurdness, he moved down the steps and into one of the training yards. Jasper was almost fanatical about having enough soldiers to protect his castle so he recruited as many as he could. He took boys and young men from their families and trained them as soldiers. Trained them to kill without remorse or thought and not question why. Aragorn shook his head sadly as he slipped into the shadows to watch the training. Several of the new soldiers had the potential to be great captains or advisors if they were guided and instructed by the best. Aragorn would have enjoyed having them by his side in battle but knew it would never happen. They were seen as disposable, just a body with a rank and a job. None had the unity that successful armies thrived on. Each fought their own war and for themselves and never banded together to form a formidable force. And most fought with a cockiness of someone half their age.
His attention turned to a single soldier that just won another sparing match. Aragorn knew that the soldier could be a marvelous captain, if he could get his haughty ass in line. Someone needed to knock him down a few steps ad introduce the concept of being humble. Aragorn decided that he may be the one to do so.
"I can't be beaten," the soldier cried with a cocky laugh.
"Oh, I highly doubt that," Aragorn said and stepped out of the shadows.
The soldiers spun towards him in shock. None of them heard the captain approach and the stealth with which he moved was slightly unnerving. His gray eyes steely watched the soldiers and caused a few of the men to look away.
"Those that think they are untouchable are commonly the first ones to fall. A wise man once said that the meek shall inherit the world," Aragorn said and slowly moved around the still soldiers.
"But the meek will need soldiers to defend his world and the meek will have the best soldier," he stated haughtily.
"The best, yes, but the best is not you. I can name at least eight close friends of mine that could defeat you in five minutes or under," Aragorn said and walked around the single soldier.
"And would any of them care to challenge me to a mock battle?"
"I would be delighted."
The small crowd of soldiers started murmuring amongst themselves as Aragorn pulled off his outer coat and tossed it aside. He pulled out his sword and ran his thumb along the edge to test the sharpness. He knew he didn't need to check the blade; he checked it every night and sharpened it if it needed it. The motion was almost comforting somehow. He turned his attention to his opponent and carefully eyed the young man. His well trained eye was already noting the man's faults and was thinking to ways to exploit them.
The soldier lunged towards Aragorn hoping to surprise the Ranger and create an opening. Aragorn simply stepped aside and smacked the flat part of the blade against the man's rear end as he passed.
"Do not take me as a foolish beginner. Simple rushes do not startle me. I have been close enough to an orc rush to smell their foul breath. And I must add that your breath is not much better," Aragorn taunted purposely.
The soldier spun and swung the sword towards Aragorn's abdomen. Their swords clashed sharply as Aragorn blocked the blow and brought his sword up to nick his opponent's upper arm. With an angry snarl, the young man attacked and pressed Aragorn to go on the defensive. Aragorn sighed to himself as the fool of a soldier bustled around him in vain attempts to strike him. Snapping his head to the side to pop his neck, Aragorn spun towards his opponent and aimed towards his throat even thought it was a fake attack. When the opponent's sword came up to block, Aragorn locked swords with him and hooked his foot behind the other man's ankle and stepped across. The man fell with a yelp and a second later Aragorn's sword tip was resting against the man's jugular.
"And never attack out of anger. You become more careless than usual and blinded by your anger and hatred for me. And the disappointing part is, that I do not give an orc's ass what you think of me," Aragorn said quietly so that only the man on the ground could hear him. "You are of no concern to me."
With one fluid movement he turned and walked away as he slipped his sword into his scabbard. He seriously needed to finish this mission and get out into the real world again. He wasn't going to get out of here unchanged; he could already tell he has changed. He was losing his touch with his humanity, and that terrified him.
"Are you going to say farewell to Lina?" Legolas questioned Elladan as he strapped on his quiver.
"Of course, I would not depart before doing so," Elladan said as he pulled on his cloak. "I shall meet you downstairs."
He pulled open the door and stepped into the empty hallway. While moving down the steps he pulled the hood up and carefully covered his ears. Searching the ground floor he finally found Lina sitting behind the front counter with a book. Slipping quietly behind the young girl, he placed his hands over her eyes and felt her eyelashes flutter against his palms.
"Guess who," he said with a smile as her hands grasped at his hands.
"I surmise that it is my favorite guest, Mister Elladan Sir. No one else's hands are so soft," she giggled and pulled away his hands as she looked up at the elf.
"Young Lina, you have been a radiant light in my short stay here but it is my time to depart," he said as he leaned against the counter next to her.
"Is this a goodbye?" she asked as her chin quivered slightly.
"No, little one, this is far from it. A goodbye means that we shall never see each other again. I am saying farewell for not. We shall see each other again someday. I will make special trips to visit you and if your parents allow it, you may visit me at my home."
"I believe Lina would enjoy that immensely."
Elladan looked up in shock at the voice near the kitchen doorway. A middle-=aged man leaned against the frame with his arms crossed across his chest. His bear was gray with streaks of the previous color of black from his earlier years. His hair was mostly black but had a dusting of gray hair revealing his relative age.
"I apologize sir, I did not hear you approach," Elladan said respectively and bowed slightly.
"Daddy this is Elladan, he is a you-know-what," Lina said in an exaggerated whisper.
The man nodded with a smile as he moved up next to his daughter and rested his hand on her shoulder.
"My daughter told me what you did yesterday and I would like to thank you. I know an inn is not the place for a young girl to grow up but I worry about her even more when she is somewhere else."
"You are a good father to worry and Lina is a very intelligent girl. Once she grows older she will become a well versed woman in the world," Elladan complimented as he smiled at Lina.
"Seeing Lina's teary eyes I assume that to mean that you are leaving us to continue your journey."
"I regret to say that I am. But I am happy to say that I shall return as quickly as I am able."
Elladan saw Gandalf and the others come down the stairs as he turned back to Lina. He had the sudden realization that he would make a terrible father. Lina's deep brown eyes almost made him break down and stay. He would have to talk to his father about that if perhaps it was that way with all men or just him.
"Do you really have to go?" she asked meekly.
"Yes, little one, I do. Do you trust me?" he asked softly as he gently tipped her head up to look at him.
"Most in…indu…indubitably. I learned that word last night from my studies," she said proudly, making the elf smile.
"Then trust that I shall do everything in my power to expedite my return to you, my princess," he said as Lina giggled. "But I must leave now."
"Farewell Danny," she said and quickly hugged him.
Elladan flinched inwardly at his fellow elf's choked laughter. He doubted that he would hear the end of it. I might have been best to have instructed them to wait outside for him.
"Take care, little one."
He hugged the young girl and bowed to the father before leaving the inn. Legolas and Elrohir talked quietly between themselves behind Elladan as he walked beside Gandalf. Elladan refused to look at the two behind him as the group left the town without incident. Despite the relaxed pace, Elladan slowly tenses as his senses started to warn him of something. His eyes scanned the land before him and to the sides and concluded that the danger must be behind them. Possibly a group that followed them out of the town. Almost nonchalantly, he slung his bow off his shoulder and tested the tautness.
"Do you sense something?" Gandalf asked without looking over at Elladan.
"Yes, something behind us. I assume they followed us from the town.
"Then we should wait for him," Gandalf said and stopped as he turned to face the approaching figure.
Elladan knew better than to question the wizard. Elrohir and Legolas stopped abruptly and looked between the wizard and older twin.
"Why are we stopping Danny?" Legolas questioned and Elrohir jabbed him in the ribs.
Elladan growled in annoyance and vowed to talk to his brother and friend later. "We are waiting for our follower."
Elrohir and Legolas were intelligent enough to look ashamed. They were too preoccupied to notice their shadow. Glancing at each other, they turned and waited for the single follower.
His features became clearer as he neared and eventually stopped several feet from the small group. Black hair was slicked back and away from his youthful face which was darkly tanned. His clothes were either a dark brown or black with a black cape drifting behind his lean but powerfully built body. A sword hung at his waist and the top of a bow peeked over his head.
"I wonder how long it would take you," Gandalf said and stepped forwards to grasp the man's forearms.
"It took me long to readjust Gandalf. It has been several hundred years since I have been in this form," the man replied in a deep, clear voice.
"Mithrandir?" Elrohir questioned in confusion.
"Come everyone, we are nearing Tharbad," Gandalf said with a smile and turned to start walking.
"Who is this Mithrandir?" Legolas asked, beyond confused now.
"I decided to change into a form more appealing and appropriate for our travels. A dragon is easily seen and slightly shocking so I became a man."
"Sauros?"
"But of course Lord Elladan, who did you expect?" he replied and started off after Gandalf.
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YAY! It is the new chapter; and now lets dance! *glances around meekly at empty room* thankfully, this time I took my time with typing it and I remembered to take breaks. Bravo me! That and this chapter might have been out quicker but the scene between Elladan and Lina just continued to write itself and eh gads I thought it would never end. It just would not stop not matter how hard I tried! I was also thinking that this story could be a marvelous beginning for a sequel after this and I already have an idea of how I am going to write it. So please tell me if everyone out there in reader land would enjoy reading a sequel to this story.
And I was thinking of something a few days ago; I am reading Anne Rice's new book Blackwood Farm and I realized that Orlando Bloom would be a very nice looking Lestat (big-time vampire). It was just a fleeting thought and because of it I had some very nice dreams that night. Yummy! Anyway! A very big thank you to all those who reviewed for chapter 6. I eagerly sat at my computer and read them as they came in. And please, please review for this chapter.
Elizabeth goode-Thank you, thank you. The reviews are starting to come in and I am thrilled beyond belief.
Star-Stallion-Yes, have pity for my poor fingers. I originally meant Lina to be a small character but she is slowly evolving into a major part of the story. I know that I am having her appear again in about a chapter or two later. She will also be a huge part in the sequel if I write one.
Lina Skye-*stands back shocked* I just pulled that name right out of the air with no thought beyond it. I was just thinking that oh that is a nice name; I think I will use that one and it was in the story. I am pleased that you enjoyed your little cameo no matter how unintentional it was. I am glad that you enjoy the story and please review for me.
Grumpy-I know, I do not know why Legolas would not like sleeping under a dragon. I like being nice and toasty in bed *stops and thinks some more*. Oh, some other thoughts just came to me and it is not the kind I should put onto the web.
Yoshi-fan2003-I swear reviews should be put on the FDA's drug list. They are so addictive. I took my breaks so I am very happy as is my plot bunny. He is on an exercise plan and I have locked away the stash of review treats and he only gets two a day…hey…wait, no! Poppy put down the screwdriver!...Poppy: what is the combination?...Spades: Poppy, put down the screwdriver and I will give you all the reviews you want…Poppy: you lie, we wantssss our presssscccccioussssss…Spades runs away screaming.
Astievia-*glances around for Poppy the plot bunny* Okay, I think I am safe now. Hopefully you enjoyed the little Aragorn scene in this chapter; I know it was small and had no meaning but hey it was good. *sound around the corner and Spades jumps and starts running* MY PLOT BUNNY IS GOING TO KILL ME!!!!!!
Please pardon this interruption, we are experiencing technical difficulties.