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**
The merry laughter and singing cut through the woods. The trees soothed by the elves merriment swayed gently in the evening breeze and the night creatures came to life. The hunting party were from Ithilien and were on their way back to their homes after a very successful hunt.
They sat in a clearing around a blazing fire on which roasted a deer. There were six elves in all, dark haired and fair skinned.
"The feast will be a great one!" Loeneth exclaimed as he bit into a piece of the deer and passed around a plate of berries and edible roots.
"Aye" another elf replied. "For Lord Legolas's return."
"And the tournament" Loeneth said with a hint of excitement colouring his voice
"Ahh yes the tournament. Well Loeneth look forward to the feast as that will be the only part of it where you will not be defeated heavily." The elf that had spoken earlier joked causing laughter to erupt around the fire. Loeneth scowled good-naturedly and the lighthearted jesting continued into the night.
Slowly darkness crept towards the clearing and the trees sensing it voiced their fears. The elves in the clearing became aware of it and looked apprehensively around. They could see nothing but they knew something was approaching.
The attack was swift and deadly. The six never had a chance to see what hit them and died before they had drawn their weapons. The darkness continued on towards its destination and left the woods suddenly still, the trees mourning the death of the firstborn and the blood that was going to be spilled.
* Aure stumbled and fell to his knees leaving deep scratches in his golden skin. The horse cried out in pain but scrambled back to his feet and continued in his desperate flight. His master had fallen from him and he could not find him. Aure knew that his master was in trouble and desperately needed help so he headed back to Gondor.
Galloping through the open gates he avoided the guards attempts to catch him. His hooves clattered across the cobbles and people leapt out of his way. Reaching the main courtyard Aure looked for a familiar face but saw none. Letting out a scream of desperation the golden horse reared, his hooves making a heavy crash as they came back to earth. He could see people approaching him looking to catch him but Aure would not have it. Dancing away from the men the horse called out again. Then suddenly he saw a familiar short figure walking across the courtyard with another familiar man. Trotting towards them the horse skidded to halt in front of the pair and butted his head against the short figure.
Gimli growled at the golden horse and tried to push him away.
Eomer, Gimli's companion stepped forward. "This is Aure, Legolas's horse!" he exclaimed.
"I know that, now make him stop" Gimli snapped "annoying beast!"
"He is injured." Eomer said looking the horse over. "Something must have happened to Legolas."
"That damned elf has probably got himself into trouble again. Deserves it I say!"
"Gimli!" Eomer exclaimed horrified at the dwarf's comments. "He is your best friend"
"Best friend? Some best friend he has been!" Gimli continued.
Aure sensed something was not right with the short being and saw out of corner of his eye people approaching him with ropes. The horse screamed in fury as it sensed the darkness surrounding him. Rearing up he thrashed out his forelegs and struck the dwarf with his hooves knocking him to the ground. Startled cries echoed around the panicked horse that reared and plunged trying to get away. He could not help his master if he was caught. Rearing he charged into a gallop knocking several people down and sped down the road. He shot out of the gate and set off for home, Ithilien. The other elves would help him and his master.
* Eomer cried out as Aure's hooves hit Gimli and the dwarf fell hard to the ground. Bending over the still form of his friend he felt for a pulse and with a relived sigh he found one. The dwarf was bleeding from a head wound.
"I need a healer!" he called. A stretcher carried by two men hurried forward and Gimli was taken to the houses of healing followed closely by Eomer.
* Gimli groaned and slowly opened his eyes. His head felt like it was on fire.
"Welcome back Master Dwarf" a familiar voice said. He looked over and saw Eomer sat next to him.
"How do you feel?"
"Fine." Gimli stubbornly said.
Eomer laughed. "You and Legolas are so much a like"
"Where is he? He has not hurt himself has he? The useless pointed."
Eomer interrupted Gimli looking concerned. "What is the last thing you remember Gimli?"
The dwarf looked affronted at being asked that sort of question. "What kind of question is that?" he demanded and struggled to sit up. Eomer placed a hand on the dwarf's chest and pushed him back down.
"A serious one. Do you not remember what has happened to Legolas?"
Eomer watched a look of concern flash across the dwarf's features. "Legolas? What has happened to Legolas?"
"What is the last thing you remember?"
Gimli muttered angrily. "The Theran delegation had just arrived."
Eomer frowned. "Gimli they arrived five days ago. Do you not remember anything after then?"
"No. What has happened to Legolas?" Gimli demanded again trying to sit up.
"He has been banished." Eomer stated. Gimli's eyes widened in surprise.
"Banished? Why?" the dwarf stuttered stunned that Aragorn would ever banish his best friend.
"He attacked a member of the delegation in front of about thirty people."
"Surely he had a good reason? I mean it is Legolas." Gimli reasoned trying to understand what was going on. "I believe there is a long tale here that you need to tell me." The dwarf announced. Eomer nodded and launched into the tale.
By the time he had finished the tale Gimli had turned a bright red and looked ready to kill. He rose from the bed and shoved Eomer away.
"Where are you going?" Eomer demanded.
"To go and knock some sense into Aragorn and then find Legolas!"
Eomer grabbed the dwarf, "Nay Gimli. They think you are still under their control. If you do that then you will give us both away and Gondor will be left to fall."
Gimli stopped but an angry scowl remained on his face.
"I will go and find Legolas then!" the dwarf announced.
"No you cannot do that either. You supported the banishment. If you go after him then they will be alerted to the fact that you have begun to figure things out."
"So you are saying we should leave him out there? He will come back and try to save Gondor!" Gimli said thinking that at that moment Legolas was gathering together his elves but he could not have been further from the truth.
Eomer suddenly looked away. "He may not be able to." He whispered
Gimli growled. "What haven't you told me?" he demanded heatedly.
"Legolas has been injured and poisoned. He has sought no treatment because of the treats made to us and it is killing him."
Gimli looked like he was about to explode in anger.
"We must go now!"
"If we do. They will kill us and Legolas will die. Gandalf is on his way. With his help we should be able to defeat the Darak and then heal Legolas. Please Gimli if we do anything now we will not help Legolas!" Eomer pleaded with the dwarf.
The door to the room suddenly swung open and Aragorn and Faramir entered.
"Gimli are you well? I heard about the attack by the elf's horse!" Aragorn asked.
Eomer rose. "He has a head wound my lord and refused to remain in bed." The man said and his eyes met Gimli's. The room was silent for a moment and then Gimli folded his arms.
"It is a mere head wound no cause for concern. That dratted elf and his horse will need to do a lot more to stop me than that!" the dwarf announced.
Aragorn nodded. "Good, good. I fear I need to speak with you concerning the weapons you are to offer Emperor Thalos."
Gimli indicated the two men should lead the way and with a final look at Eomer the dwarf followed.
Eomer sighed and walked over to the window. Looking over the plains he caught sight of a rider and with a start he realised who it was. Gandalf. * Gandalf slowed Shadowfax to a walk as they approached Gondor. The city looked normal from the outward but he knew that was a façade. The gates were open and traffic moved in and out. He saw a rider gallop out of the gate and speed towards him. It was either Legolas or Eomer and they were in a hurry.
The figure materialised as Eomer.
"Thank the Valor you are here Gandalf." The man exclaimed.
"Where is Legolas?" Gandalf asked, as he wanted to consult both of them quickly.
"He was banished and has left the city. His horse returned an hour ago and it had been wounded. I fear something terrible has befallen him."
"That is grave news indeed but if what you have said is true it is not a surprise. Let us go inside and I shall see the extent of this danger. For the time being I fear our young elf friend will have to rely on himself and I hope that he is still well enough to be able to do that." Gandalf said as they entered the city unaware that at that very moment Legolas Greenleaf youngest son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood and Lord of Ithilien was drawing his last breath.
**
**
The merry laughter and singing cut through the woods. The trees soothed by the elves merriment swayed gently in the evening breeze and the night creatures came to life. The hunting party were from Ithilien and were on their way back to their homes after a very successful hunt.
They sat in a clearing around a blazing fire on which roasted a deer. There were six elves in all, dark haired and fair skinned.
"The feast will be a great one!" Loeneth exclaimed as he bit into a piece of the deer and passed around a plate of berries and edible roots.
"Aye" another elf replied. "For Lord Legolas's return."
"And the tournament" Loeneth said with a hint of excitement colouring his voice
"Ahh yes the tournament. Well Loeneth look forward to the feast as that will be the only part of it where you will not be defeated heavily." The elf that had spoken earlier joked causing laughter to erupt around the fire. Loeneth scowled good-naturedly and the lighthearted jesting continued into the night.
Slowly darkness crept towards the clearing and the trees sensing it voiced their fears. The elves in the clearing became aware of it and looked apprehensively around. They could see nothing but they knew something was approaching.
The attack was swift and deadly. The six never had a chance to see what hit them and died before they had drawn their weapons. The darkness continued on towards its destination and left the woods suddenly still, the trees mourning the death of the firstborn and the blood that was going to be spilled.
* Aure stumbled and fell to his knees leaving deep scratches in his golden skin. The horse cried out in pain but scrambled back to his feet and continued in his desperate flight. His master had fallen from him and he could not find him. Aure knew that his master was in trouble and desperately needed help so he headed back to Gondor.
Galloping through the open gates he avoided the guards attempts to catch him. His hooves clattered across the cobbles and people leapt out of his way. Reaching the main courtyard Aure looked for a familiar face but saw none. Letting out a scream of desperation the golden horse reared, his hooves making a heavy crash as they came back to earth. He could see people approaching him looking to catch him but Aure would not have it. Dancing away from the men the horse called out again. Then suddenly he saw a familiar short figure walking across the courtyard with another familiar man. Trotting towards them the horse skidded to halt in front of the pair and butted his head against the short figure.
Gimli growled at the golden horse and tried to push him away.
Eomer, Gimli's companion stepped forward. "This is Aure, Legolas's horse!" he exclaimed.
"I know that, now make him stop" Gimli snapped "annoying beast!"
"He is injured." Eomer said looking the horse over. "Something must have happened to Legolas."
"That damned elf has probably got himself into trouble again. Deserves it I say!"
"Gimli!" Eomer exclaimed horrified at the dwarf's comments. "He is your best friend"
"Best friend? Some best friend he has been!" Gimli continued.
Aure sensed something was not right with the short being and saw out of corner of his eye people approaching him with ropes. The horse screamed in fury as it sensed the darkness surrounding him. Rearing up he thrashed out his forelegs and struck the dwarf with his hooves knocking him to the ground. Startled cries echoed around the panicked horse that reared and plunged trying to get away. He could not help his master if he was caught. Rearing he charged into a gallop knocking several people down and sped down the road. He shot out of the gate and set off for home, Ithilien. The other elves would help him and his master.
* Eomer cried out as Aure's hooves hit Gimli and the dwarf fell hard to the ground. Bending over the still form of his friend he felt for a pulse and with a relived sigh he found one. The dwarf was bleeding from a head wound.
"I need a healer!" he called. A stretcher carried by two men hurried forward and Gimli was taken to the houses of healing followed closely by Eomer.
* Gimli groaned and slowly opened his eyes. His head felt like it was on fire.
"Welcome back Master Dwarf" a familiar voice said. He looked over and saw Eomer sat next to him.
"How do you feel?"
"Fine." Gimli stubbornly said.
Eomer laughed. "You and Legolas are so much a like"
"Where is he? He has not hurt himself has he? The useless pointed."
Eomer interrupted Gimli looking concerned. "What is the last thing you remember Gimli?"
The dwarf looked affronted at being asked that sort of question. "What kind of question is that?" he demanded and struggled to sit up. Eomer placed a hand on the dwarf's chest and pushed him back down.
"A serious one. Do you not remember what has happened to Legolas?"
Eomer watched a look of concern flash across the dwarf's features. "Legolas? What has happened to Legolas?"
"What is the last thing you remember?"
Gimli muttered angrily. "The Theran delegation had just arrived."
Eomer frowned. "Gimli they arrived five days ago. Do you not remember anything after then?"
"No. What has happened to Legolas?" Gimli demanded again trying to sit up.
"He has been banished." Eomer stated. Gimli's eyes widened in surprise.
"Banished? Why?" the dwarf stuttered stunned that Aragorn would ever banish his best friend.
"He attacked a member of the delegation in front of about thirty people."
"Surely he had a good reason? I mean it is Legolas." Gimli reasoned trying to understand what was going on. "I believe there is a long tale here that you need to tell me." The dwarf announced. Eomer nodded and launched into the tale.
By the time he had finished the tale Gimli had turned a bright red and looked ready to kill. He rose from the bed and shoved Eomer away.
"Where are you going?" Eomer demanded.
"To go and knock some sense into Aragorn and then find Legolas!"
Eomer grabbed the dwarf, "Nay Gimli. They think you are still under their control. If you do that then you will give us both away and Gondor will be left to fall."
Gimli stopped but an angry scowl remained on his face.
"I will go and find Legolas then!" the dwarf announced.
"No you cannot do that either. You supported the banishment. If you go after him then they will be alerted to the fact that you have begun to figure things out."
"So you are saying we should leave him out there? He will come back and try to save Gondor!" Gimli said thinking that at that moment Legolas was gathering together his elves but he could not have been further from the truth.
Eomer suddenly looked away. "He may not be able to." He whispered
Gimli growled. "What haven't you told me?" he demanded heatedly.
"Legolas has been injured and poisoned. He has sought no treatment because of the treats made to us and it is killing him."
Gimli looked like he was about to explode in anger.
"We must go now!"
"If we do. They will kill us and Legolas will die. Gandalf is on his way. With his help we should be able to defeat the Darak and then heal Legolas. Please Gimli if we do anything now we will not help Legolas!" Eomer pleaded with the dwarf.
The door to the room suddenly swung open and Aragorn and Faramir entered.
"Gimli are you well? I heard about the attack by the elf's horse!" Aragorn asked.
Eomer rose. "He has a head wound my lord and refused to remain in bed." The man said and his eyes met Gimli's. The room was silent for a moment and then Gimli folded his arms.
"It is a mere head wound no cause for concern. That dratted elf and his horse will need to do a lot more to stop me than that!" the dwarf announced.
Aragorn nodded. "Good, good. I fear I need to speak with you concerning the weapons you are to offer Emperor Thalos."
Gimli indicated the two men should lead the way and with a final look at Eomer the dwarf followed.
Eomer sighed and walked over to the window. Looking over the plains he caught sight of a rider and with a start he realised who it was. Gandalf. * Gandalf slowed Shadowfax to a walk as they approached Gondor. The city looked normal from the outward but he knew that was a façade. The gates were open and traffic moved in and out. He saw a rider gallop out of the gate and speed towards him. It was either Legolas or Eomer and they were in a hurry.
The figure materialised as Eomer.
"Thank the Valor you are here Gandalf." The man exclaimed.
"Where is Legolas?" Gandalf asked, as he wanted to consult both of them quickly.
"He was banished and has left the city. His horse returned an hour ago and it had been wounded. I fear something terrible has befallen him."
"That is grave news indeed but if what you have said is true it is not a surprise. Let us go inside and I shall see the extent of this danger. For the time being I fear our young elf friend will have to rely on himself and I hope that he is still well enough to be able to do that." Gandalf said as they entered the city unaware that at that very moment Legolas Greenleaf youngest son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood and Lord of Ithilien was drawing his last breath.
**