Author's Note: Ah yes, another chapter, this time posted within a fair
amount of time. Finals have not killed me yet, so you may get the rest of
the story eventually. One important note, I have to apologize for my rant
in the last chapter, I never do think things clearly. When I said that 'I
hate Spanish' I was raving from the viewpoint that I am having difficulties
in my Spanish class and had just done poorly on my oral exam, so to anybody
that took that offensively I apologize immensely. (Esta bien Ana? Gracias
un otra vez por me escribiendo y espero que te guste este capitulo!) And
to anybody else who knows Spanish, I apologize if I created a horrific
error in that small excerpt, gah I'm retarded when it comes to that
language :) Okay, that's certainly long enough for an author's note, as
always I love you guys so much for your reviews and I am not even on the
same brilliance scale as Tolkien despite what my mother says, so I own
nothing.
Chapter 10
Legolas did not return to the Halls of Kings until the sun was starting to rise. He had spent the entire night out in the woods, leaping from tree to tree, running through the expanse of them, and loving every minute of it. It had been a while since he had felt thus, and all foreboding and self- incriminating thoughts had left him. He had not felt this way since having to report to Imladris that the prisoner Gollum had escaped, over four years ago. A time passage that would hardly make a dent in the elf's life, but four years spent feeling burdened made time drag out that much longer.
Legolas walked confidently, his head held high and his step light. Making his way towards the window of his room so that he would not have to be bothered by entering through the main doors, he noticed a figure waiting for him inside of the room. Legolas did not even slow his stride, he knew that it would only be one person, and a few feet closer confirmed his suspicions.
Gimli was sitting on the bed, waiting for the elf to return.
Without making any noise, Legolas came up to the window, which was still open from before, and vaulted through. He landed gently, and the dwarf started and twisted in his seat to turn to see the elf that had not been there a moment before.
Legolas grinned. "Had I been an orc you would have been slain by an arrow by now."
Gimli did not look impressed. "Had you been an orc I would have heard you coming from a mile off. Only the elves are discourteous enough to sneak up on people."
Legolas took a step further into the room. "On the contrary, it is only out of courtesy that we see to it that our friends' skills are ever honed and ready."
"As much as I would love to continue this argument until you see the error of your ways," Gimli replied, "I have come to warn you."
Legolas stopped and stood in front of the dwarf who had not yet risen from off the bed. He looked closer at his friend and realized that his demeanor was different, he did not hold the usual good-natured fire that he always reserved for the elf. He seemed tired, and almost listless.
"What is it?" Legolas asked quietly in alarm.
"I am sure that you can guess," Gimli replied in a tired voice.
"Another murder," Legolas answered. It was not a question, merely a statement.
"Aye," Gimli nodded, "only this time it does not bode well for you."
Legolas frowned. For once he was not alarmed by the news of the murder. He knew exactly all that he had done last night and all that he had been to. There had been no mysterious blackouts, no odd confrontations. He had run free and had not even encountered another person during the entire night. He held absolutely no suspicions for himself, and was vaguely surprised to hear that he was under suspicion once again.
Legolas continued to study his friend, waiting for him to continue. But the dwarf only sighed and dropped his gaze from the elf. He could not bring himself to tell him. Slowly, the dwarf's eyes drifted towards the small bureau standing next to the bed.
Suddenly, Legolas understood. He too looked over at the bureau, at the bottom drawer, and noticed that it was slightly ajar. He had never left it open.
"They found it," Legolas said in a flat voice.
Gimli looked up sharply. "You knew of it?"
"Yes," was the elf's simple reply. He knew that Gimli wanted him to explain something to him, to give an answer that would easily explain the bloodied dagger and sheets. But Legolas gave no such explanations.
"They came straight to your room after news of the murder reached the guard. It happened in the middle of the night and they tried to save the man, the murderer was interrupted in the midst of his kill and he ran off. The man was brought to Aragorn, but the loss of blood was too much, even Aragorn could do naught to save him." Gimli paused and looked Legolas straight in the eye. "There was a witness this time," he continued quietly, "and though he said he did not see a lot before the killer ran off due to lack of light, he claims that the person was tall with fair hair."
Legolas frowned again and looked like he was about to interject but Gimli kept on talking. "Then some of the guard came to your chambers. Aragorn and I did not know of it, we were busy trying to tend to the victim. They went through your room and found the dagger and came back to Aragorn with it." Gimli stopped again, "Everybody is looking for you."
"Then I will go straight to Aragorn," Legolas said immediately, "I have nothing to hide and will not act like a shamed criminal."
"But what of the knife?" Gimli asked desperately.
Legolas paused and looked at his friend again. He could tell that Gimli had been in here for a while, trying to come up with some kind of reason as to why the bloodied knife was in Legolas' possession. And he was anxiously wondering why Legolas was providing him with none of the explanations he had come up with.
Legolas took a breath. He knelt before Gimli so that they were on eye level with each other. Reaching out and gripping Gimli's shoulder, Legolas told him in a quiet voice, "I know not of it. I know not how it came to be here or what happened with it. But I do know that I was in the woods the whole of last night and that I did not even run across any persons the length of the night."
Gimli grimaced. "The murder took place in the woods again," he commented.
Legolas blinked. "Do you not believe me?" he asked softly.
Gimli grunted. "Of course I believe you. Your word next to Aragorn's is the only one worth any value to me. But I have yet to hear an explanation from you that I can believe."
"I know," Legolas said, "because truthfully I do not hold one myself." Making a sudden decision, Legolas released his hold of Gimli's shoulder and stood. "I will tell you all that I know tonight," he promised his friend, "all that you think that I have been keeping from you, I will tell you. But for now, I must go see Aragorn."
Legolas turned to leave but was stopped by Gimli leaping from the bed and grabbing his hand. "I cannot let you go by yourself."
Legolas looked back at Gimli. "Now why are you concerned that I cannot find my way to Aragorn?"
"Because," Gimli swallowed thickly, "if you are seen unescorted there are orders for you to be captured on sight."
Legolas blanched. He took his hand from Gimli. "That is ridiculous. And who issued such orders?"
"The head of the guard," Gimli replied. "Aragorn has yet to know of it. He has been in the Houses of Healing all night and the guard do not wait to ask for his permission because they know how he feels of you. I would have told him myself but decided that I would be of better use waiting for you."
"I will not be escorted like a killer," Legolas said through clenched teeth.
"I know," Gimli stepped forward until he was even with Legolas. "But you will not object to a friend walking with you."
Legolas was silent for a few moments, the information seemingly sinking into him. Gimli feared that his elvish pride would rear up and he would not allow Gimli to walk with him, he would not give into silly orders distributed by foolish men. But just when Gimli was sure that Legolas was about to either explode or storm out of the room, he let out a breath and his body relaxed slightly, his shoulders lowering and his muscles unlocking.
"I would never object to walking with a friend," he said softly.
Gimli let out a mental sigh of relief. It was an odd thing, Legolas was the prime suspect for a murder with the evidence weighing heavily against him this time, yet he felt as though he finally had his true friend back. Legolas was not acting as he had been for some time, and he was relieved to see that Legolas would rationalize the happenings that were occurring and not react defensively first as he had been doing. He had yet to receive a definite explanation from Legolas, but he knew he would soon, his friend had promised him.
Walking out of the elf's chambers, Gimli and Legolas walked side by side down the hall and out into the bright courtyard that they had to cross in order to reach the Houses of Healing. Both Legolas and Gimli stopped when they opened the doors and saw what awaited them.
Armed guards were positioned outside of the main doors and throughout the courtyard. Legolas quickly understood that they had surrounded the place waiting for his return. Silently, Legolas was glad that he had chosen to go to the back and through his own window, the guards had not thought that far ahead.
There was a moment of silence when the doors opened, revealing both the dwarf and elf. But that moment was quickly over and the two nearest guards snapped into action, reaching simultaneously for their weapons and the elf.
Legolas reacted instinctively by pulling away and going for his own long knife, but he and the men were stopped by a loud voice booming next to him.
"Leave him be," Gimli shouted, "I am taking him to see King Elessar."
The guards hesitated, looking unsure, but Gimli pushed forward, positioning himself protectively in front of the elf. "Stand down, I will see that he gets to where he is going."
By this time most of the rest of the guard in the courtyard had gathered close to the steps leading up to the entrance where Gimli and Legolas stood, but they moved no closer. Silently, Gimli started to make his way down the steps, roughly shouldering those aside who he felt were too close. Legolas could only follow in the path made by the stout dwarf, his pride suffering with every step. But Legolas held his tongue and his head high, refusing to meet any of the accusing gazed of the men gathered. He was above them and their petty problems, if they could not catch their own killer and preoccupied themselves with concentrating on the wrong person, that was no concern of his.
The dwarf and elf marched slowly through the unnaturally silent courtyard. Legolas vaguely noted that it was not just Gondorian soldiers at present but most of the townspeople, as there always was when news of a murder reached their ears.
Morbid, Legolas thought to himself, they do not care to see the killer caught more than to see what is going on.
Legolas took no more notice of them as he and Gimli reached the Houses of Healing and entered to speak with Aragorn.
Chapter 10
Legolas did not return to the Halls of Kings until the sun was starting to rise. He had spent the entire night out in the woods, leaping from tree to tree, running through the expanse of them, and loving every minute of it. It had been a while since he had felt thus, and all foreboding and self- incriminating thoughts had left him. He had not felt this way since having to report to Imladris that the prisoner Gollum had escaped, over four years ago. A time passage that would hardly make a dent in the elf's life, but four years spent feeling burdened made time drag out that much longer.
Legolas walked confidently, his head held high and his step light. Making his way towards the window of his room so that he would not have to be bothered by entering through the main doors, he noticed a figure waiting for him inside of the room. Legolas did not even slow his stride, he knew that it would only be one person, and a few feet closer confirmed his suspicions.
Gimli was sitting on the bed, waiting for the elf to return.
Without making any noise, Legolas came up to the window, which was still open from before, and vaulted through. He landed gently, and the dwarf started and twisted in his seat to turn to see the elf that had not been there a moment before.
Legolas grinned. "Had I been an orc you would have been slain by an arrow by now."
Gimli did not look impressed. "Had you been an orc I would have heard you coming from a mile off. Only the elves are discourteous enough to sneak up on people."
Legolas took a step further into the room. "On the contrary, it is only out of courtesy that we see to it that our friends' skills are ever honed and ready."
"As much as I would love to continue this argument until you see the error of your ways," Gimli replied, "I have come to warn you."
Legolas stopped and stood in front of the dwarf who had not yet risen from off the bed. He looked closer at his friend and realized that his demeanor was different, he did not hold the usual good-natured fire that he always reserved for the elf. He seemed tired, and almost listless.
"What is it?" Legolas asked quietly in alarm.
"I am sure that you can guess," Gimli replied in a tired voice.
"Another murder," Legolas answered. It was not a question, merely a statement.
"Aye," Gimli nodded, "only this time it does not bode well for you."
Legolas frowned. For once he was not alarmed by the news of the murder. He knew exactly all that he had done last night and all that he had been to. There had been no mysterious blackouts, no odd confrontations. He had run free and had not even encountered another person during the entire night. He held absolutely no suspicions for himself, and was vaguely surprised to hear that he was under suspicion once again.
Legolas continued to study his friend, waiting for him to continue. But the dwarf only sighed and dropped his gaze from the elf. He could not bring himself to tell him. Slowly, the dwarf's eyes drifted towards the small bureau standing next to the bed.
Suddenly, Legolas understood. He too looked over at the bureau, at the bottom drawer, and noticed that it was slightly ajar. He had never left it open.
"They found it," Legolas said in a flat voice.
Gimli looked up sharply. "You knew of it?"
"Yes," was the elf's simple reply. He knew that Gimli wanted him to explain something to him, to give an answer that would easily explain the bloodied dagger and sheets. But Legolas gave no such explanations.
"They came straight to your room after news of the murder reached the guard. It happened in the middle of the night and they tried to save the man, the murderer was interrupted in the midst of his kill and he ran off. The man was brought to Aragorn, but the loss of blood was too much, even Aragorn could do naught to save him." Gimli paused and looked Legolas straight in the eye. "There was a witness this time," he continued quietly, "and though he said he did not see a lot before the killer ran off due to lack of light, he claims that the person was tall with fair hair."
Legolas frowned again and looked like he was about to interject but Gimli kept on talking. "Then some of the guard came to your chambers. Aragorn and I did not know of it, we were busy trying to tend to the victim. They went through your room and found the dagger and came back to Aragorn with it." Gimli stopped again, "Everybody is looking for you."
"Then I will go straight to Aragorn," Legolas said immediately, "I have nothing to hide and will not act like a shamed criminal."
"But what of the knife?" Gimli asked desperately.
Legolas paused and looked at his friend again. He could tell that Gimli had been in here for a while, trying to come up with some kind of reason as to why the bloodied knife was in Legolas' possession. And he was anxiously wondering why Legolas was providing him with none of the explanations he had come up with.
Legolas took a breath. He knelt before Gimli so that they were on eye level with each other. Reaching out and gripping Gimli's shoulder, Legolas told him in a quiet voice, "I know not of it. I know not how it came to be here or what happened with it. But I do know that I was in the woods the whole of last night and that I did not even run across any persons the length of the night."
Gimli grimaced. "The murder took place in the woods again," he commented.
Legolas blinked. "Do you not believe me?" he asked softly.
Gimli grunted. "Of course I believe you. Your word next to Aragorn's is the only one worth any value to me. But I have yet to hear an explanation from you that I can believe."
"I know," Legolas said, "because truthfully I do not hold one myself." Making a sudden decision, Legolas released his hold of Gimli's shoulder and stood. "I will tell you all that I know tonight," he promised his friend, "all that you think that I have been keeping from you, I will tell you. But for now, I must go see Aragorn."
Legolas turned to leave but was stopped by Gimli leaping from the bed and grabbing his hand. "I cannot let you go by yourself."
Legolas looked back at Gimli. "Now why are you concerned that I cannot find my way to Aragorn?"
"Because," Gimli swallowed thickly, "if you are seen unescorted there are orders for you to be captured on sight."
Legolas blanched. He took his hand from Gimli. "That is ridiculous. And who issued such orders?"
"The head of the guard," Gimli replied. "Aragorn has yet to know of it. He has been in the Houses of Healing all night and the guard do not wait to ask for his permission because they know how he feels of you. I would have told him myself but decided that I would be of better use waiting for you."
"I will not be escorted like a killer," Legolas said through clenched teeth.
"I know," Gimli stepped forward until he was even with Legolas. "But you will not object to a friend walking with you."
Legolas was silent for a few moments, the information seemingly sinking into him. Gimli feared that his elvish pride would rear up and he would not allow Gimli to walk with him, he would not give into silly orders distributed by foolish men. But just when Gimli was sure that Legolas was about to either explode or storm out of the room, he let out a breath and his body relaxed slightly, his shoulders lowering and his muscles unlocking.
"I would never object to walking with a friend," he said softly.
Gimli let out a mental sigh of relief. It was an odd thing, Legolas was the prime suspect for a murder with the evidence weighing heavily against him this time, yet he felt as though he finally had his true friend back. Legolas was not acting as he had been for some time, and he was relieved to see that Legolas would rationalize the happenings that were occurring and not react defensively first as he had been doing. He had yet to receive a definite explanation from Legolas, but he knew he would soon, his friend had promised him.
Walking out of the elf's chambers, Gimli and Legolas walked side by side down the hall and out into the bright courtyard that they had to cross in order to reach the Houses of Healing. Both Legolas and Gimli stopped when they opened the doors and saw what awaited them.
Armed guards were positioned outside of the main doors and throughout the courtyard. Legolas quickly understood that they had surrounded the place waiting for his return. Silently, Legolas was glad that he had chosen to go to the back and through his own window, the guards had not thought that far ahead.
There was a moment of silence when the doors opened, revealing both the dwarf and elf. But that moment was quickly over and the two nearest guards snapped into action, reaching simultaneously for their weapons and the elf.
Legolas reacted instinctively by pulling away and going for his own long knife, but he and the men were stopped by a loud voice booming next to him.
"Leave him be," Gimli shouted, "I am taking him to see King Elessar."
The guards hesitated, looking unsure, but Gimli pushed forward, positioning himself protectively in front of the elf. "Stand down, I will see that he gets to where he is going."
By this time most of the rest of the guard in the courtyard had gathered close to the steps leading up to the entrance where Gimli and Legolas stood, but they moved no closer. Silently, Gimli started to make his way down the steps, roughly shouldering those aside who he felt were too close. Legolas could only follow in the path made by the stout dwarf, his pride suffering with every step. But Legolas held his tongue and his head high, refusing to meet any of the accusing gazed of the men gathered. He was above them and their petty problems, if they could not catch their own killer and preoccupied themselves with concentrating on the wrong person, that was no concern of his.
The dwarf and elf marched slowly through the unnaturally silent courtyard. Legolas vaguely noted that it was not just Gondorian soldiers at present but most of the townspeople, as there always was when news of a murder reached their ears.
Morbid, Legolas thought to himself, they do not care to see the killer caught more than to see what is going on.
Legolas took no more notice of them as he and Gimli reached the Houses of Healing and entered to speak with Aragorn.