Author's Note: What's this? A fast update? And a long chapter? What in the
name of Eru is going on?! Yeah well, for some reason I couldn't stop until
this was all written, so I very much enjoyed writing this chapter. On a
personal note, my last final is today, yea!
Unfortunately, it is the dreaded calculus, boo! So if I survive, you will
be receiving even more updates because school is over!! (lots of applause
and cheers)
Additional Note: I can't remember if it was the last chapter or before that, but somebody asked if this story had anything to do with a previous one. For the record, this is not exactly a sequel, but it is the same style and such as "Bound in Blood". I suppose it could be considered part of a series, but I haven't decided if I dare try to create a series or not. (Bows humbly to the series goddesses, Cassia and Sio.)
Another Note: Last one, I swear. Just the usual I love you guys so much for your lovely reviews, they really keep me writing, and I am not affiliated in any way with the Tolkien enterprise (unless I can somehow manage to marry in, now there's a thought.) Okay, seriously enough with the rambling, on with the story, hope ya'll like it!
Chapter 11
They found Aragorn sitting quietly in the same room that had held the other two bodies, only now one lay within the stone room, the other two had since then been buried. The noble king of Gondor did not bother to look up when Legolas and Gimli entered and only remained in his seat where he was, his head held in his hands.
Legolas and Gimli stood quietly. They knew that Aragorn was aware of their presence, they would not be the first to break the silence. They would let him speak when he was good and ready.
Eventually, the old ranger heaved a great sigh and then raised his head to look at his friends. His eyes lighted directly upon Legolas. "You know what is going on?" he asked quietly.
Legolas nodded, his eyes locked upon his old friend's. He did not say anything yet.
"I thought we would have peace after the War of the Ring," Aragorn turned his head as he spoke, as if talking to himself, "I assumed the free peoples of Middle-earth would be tired of all the violence and welcome the rest and peace. Yet obviously that is not to be."
Looking older than either Legolas or Gimli had ever seen, Aragorn stood stiffly out of his chair and motioned slightly to something behind the elf and dwarf. Silently, two guards entered the room flanking a third person in between them. Legolas did not bother to turn his head to watch them enter, he knew that he and Gimli had been followed. Legolas instead kept his eyes trained on Aragorn, waiting to see what his friend had to say.
Aragorn sighed again when the three men stopped before him. Gimli made a small noise of surprise in his throat, but he too remained silent. Legolas glanced down at his dwarven friend at the sound and then back up to the men who had entered. For the first time he really looked at the man in the middle and recognized him as the old wounded friend of Gimli.
Bergel stared around widely at his surroundings, looking confused and terrified all at once. Legolas wondered if perhaps the man even knew why he was there, or if he thought that he was in some sort of trouble. He wondered further himself as to why the man was here and why Aragorn had called him in.
Aragorn looked again at Legolas, his face tightly under control from some sort of inner battle, Legolas could tell. A thread of unease entered the elf at the sight of his friend's expression. He knew that this encounter would not mean good fortune for himself.
"Bergel," Aragorn redirected his attention to the slightly cowering man, his voice louder so that he could easily hear, "would you be so kind as to tell me and those who stand here what you saw last night?"
Alarm rose within Legolas, and he looked down momentarily at Gimli, who returned the look with a blank stare of his own. Gimli did not know what was going on either, he had heard nothing about this.
The stooped man shifted his gaze over to Legolas and then immediately back to Aragorn. Aragorn gave him a small nod, as if in encouragement. "Just tell me what you already told the guard," he said softly.
Bergel took a deep breath that straightened his spine somewhat before letting it out and stooping again. His hands kneaded into each other nervously and he fidgeted.
"I's was walking in the trees at night," he began slowly, his eyes staring down at the ground. "And I did hear something that sound to me like a body in trouble." Bergel stopped and glanced quickly up at Aragorn who gave another small nod. The man took another breath, "So's I went to where the sound was and I saw one man standing over another man. I yelled out to them and the one standing over the other jumped, he was surprised I was there. He almost tried to come at me, but then a soldier came, 'cause he heard me yell, and then the man ran away."
"And what did the man look like?" Aragorn asked gently.
Bergel shifted his eyes once again to Legolas and then immediately back down to the ground. "He look like Mister Gimli's elf friend."
Gimli grunted and took a step forward but Aragorn held up his hand to stave him off. Gimli let out something akin to a growl and then stood still.
Aragorn then directed his attention to the man standing on Bergel's left. "And you were the one who came at his call?"
"Yes my lord," the soldier replied without hesitation, "I heard him yell and came straight from my post. I did not get as good a look at the perpetrator since he heard me coming and ran off, but I did see that the victim was still alive and I brought him here."
Aragorn nodded, he already knew that part well.
"And then I interrogated the witness," the other soldier spoke up, his voice rough and harsh. "And went straight to the elf's room when I heard of the description."
Aragorn nodded again. "Yes," he said softly while absently picking up a knife that had been laying idle upon the table next to the body. Legolas saw that it was stained and knew that it was the dagger from his room.
Slowly, Aragorn turned to face Legolas head on. "Legolas, do you hear and understand all that is being said?"
Legolas heard Gimli grunt again. Legolas nodded, never taking his eyes from Aragorn's.
Aragorn closed his eyes briefly before saying anything more. "Do you understand that you are the suspect of a murder based on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony?"
Legolas nodded again, his blue eyes still fixed on the ranger's darker ones.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Aragorn asked softly, the tone in his voice pleading that Legolas would have a plausible explanation.
"I did not kill this man," Legolas finally said, gesturing to the sheet-covered body. "But I know not where the dagger came from." He knew he had so much more to say to Aragorn, but felt that this was definitely not the best place to say any of it. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that knew exactly where Aragorn was going with this questioning, it was the same type of questioning he used when placing a criminal under arrest.
"Legolas Thranduilion," Aragorn said quietly and softly, "I am afraid that you are to be placed under arrest for suspicion of murder."
Gimli exploded at the words.
"Here now Aragorn," he stated stepping forward, "you know as well as I that Legolas had nothing to do with this."
"I have to treat this the same as I would with any other offense," Aragorn said woodenly, not daring to look down at the enraged dwarf. His eyes were still locked with the elf standing silently across the room, his old friend that he had just condemned.
For his part, Legolas said or did nothing. He tried valiantly to keep all looks of betrayal and pain out of his eyes. He knew that Aragorn was right, that he had to treat Legolas just as he would with any other person in order to satisfy the fears of the public and avoid a chaotic mutiny. But his own deep feelings of friendship refused to give in to logic.
Dimly, Legolas was aware of more men entering the room behind him. He felt a hand place itself on his shoulder.
Legolas automatically pulled away and turned slightly to meet the young soldier coming to escort the elf to the small building used as a prison. There were more guards waiting in the door, their weapons drawn. Obviously, they expected the elf to put up a resistance.
"No," Aragorn called out as the guards advanced on his friend, "he does not need to be escorted."
"We have orders that he is not to be let about without an escort," one of the men called out.
"Overruled," Aragorn stated immediately, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "He is to be treated with the utmost care."
"Does a murderer deserve such care?" Legolas asked quietly, the first words he had uttered in a long while. Aragorn started when he heard the low voice, his eyes widening slightly when he looked back at Legolas and saw the unbridled betrayal that the proud elf was trying so valiantly to hide.
"No," Aragorn answered his question, "a murderer does not."
"I will be his escort if these fools feel he needs one," Gimli spoke up, his hand restless upon the handle of his axe as he seemingly sized up the competition. The nearest guard backed away.
"I will allow Gimli to walk with me," Legolas said, still speaking in a very low voice. "I would never object to a friend accompanying me."
Aragorn could not be sure, but he felt that the elf slightly emphasized the word 'friend'. Aragorn sighed, he could not blame Legolas for any feelings he was experiencing right now, he could not imagine either him or Gimli, or any of the Fellowship for that matter, betraying him as he was doing to Legolas now.
"I will see that he is locked away," the same burly guard that had accompanied Bergel and searched through Legolas' room spoke up.
"No," Aragorn said again, "I will see to all of his needs."
Legolas said nothing.
Gimli breathed out heavily, his annoyance at the whole situation clearly evident. He could perhaps understand the fear and misunderstanding felt by the common townspeople, but Aragorn ought to know better.
Turning on his heel, Gimli started to walk out of the cold stone room, roughly shouldering several guards aside, not wanting them to be close enough to even brush his friend on the way out.
Legolas heard Gimli turn and begin to make his way out, but he lingered a few moments longer, still holding Aragorn's eye, trying to understand exactly what was happening. Finally, he dropped his gaze and turned slowly to follow the dwarf. He could hear the heavy steps of the king following him.
Legolas kept his head held rigid and his eyes trained on the broad back of his friend in front of him. He dared not to look around at the gathering crowd that surged forward when they saw their king and guards come forward after the suspected criminal. There was much stir within the crowd, as if they wished to get their own licks in on the elf but dared not in the presence of the king.
As for Legolas, he could easily feel the air of animosity directed towards him, along with the sorrow that followed him from Aragorn. Legolas felt an insane urge to cry, but of course that would never happen.
So he stayed silent, and looked ever ahead, and kept his features tightly under control, an unmoving mask in place. He would be damned before he let any mortal see him in any sort of emotional breakdown.
Gimli walked with his shoulders squared, his hand always on the smooth handle of his broad axe. He looked meanly out at the crowd, fairly daring them to try to do anything to his friend. He thought the whole thing to be ridiculous and felt the pain of the betrayal and suffering he knew his friend had to be going through. But since Gimli could not save him from that, for he would never go against Aragorn's wishes no matter how foolish he thought them to be, he would do his best to protect Legolas from any further shame. Perhaps he should have been surprised at the fierce level of protectiveness and futile rage on behalf of his friend he was feeling, but he could not even be bothered to question those emotions. He had seen the haunted look in Legolas' eyes return after the confrontation with Aragorn, and Gimli had almost hated Aragorn then and there for making Legolas look like that again. His friend had finally seemed to be past that.
Gimli made his stout frame as large as possible, taking wide steps. He wanted to shove aside any who got too close, but unfortunately none did. He too could feel the general air of hostility held for his friend, and he wanted to kill those standing by for that alone. He could not believe how stupid they could be, Legolas would never hurt any of them, he had risked his life along with the rest of the Fellowship to ensure safety for all!
Gimli snorted inwardly, fine examples of gratitude, he thought darkly to himself.
The small procession finally reached their destination, a small stone prison. It had hardly been used before, outside of a few individuals being gathered to stay confined after a bit too much to drink, and Gimli's heart almost broke when he realized that Legolas would be having to stay in there. He hated stone.
Gimli stopped before the door and Legolas automatically stopped behind him. Both of them would go no further on their own. Aragorn slowly made his way past them and stepped up to the door. He hesitated for a brief moment before pushing it open.
Legolas did not move. He glanced surreptitiously down at Gimli, but Gimli caught the look and understood. Legolas did not want to go in alone.
Gimli took a few steps forward into the stone structure and Legolas followed. Aragorn followed after them and motioned for a single guard to come in as well, then he shut the door on the rest of the people outside, he knew Legolas did not like having an audience.
The four individuals stood awkwardly in the main room of the prison. There was only this room, a somewhat cramped room with a single chair off to the side, and then the small cell used for prisoners. The cell was in the far left corner of the room, positioned furthest from the single window in the whole structure, surrounded by thick metal bars with a heavy lock on the door. There was only room in the cell for a small bed, though it was more like a cot, stuffed sparsely with hay with a single blanket and nothing else. The prisoner could sit or lay on the bed or stand in what little space was left, that was all.
Aragorn stiffly went to a hook that was screwed into the wall next to the chair and removed an iron ring of keys. He then walked to the cell and unlocked the door. Stepping aside as he pulled the door open with a squeal from the ill-used hinges, he looked over at Legolas.
Without a word exchanged between the two, Legolas took the few steps it required to reach the cell. He was about to enter when Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder.
Legolas stopped at the slight touch.
"Your knife please," Aragorn said in a choked voice.
Legolas turned his head and stared at Aragorn. He almost could not believe the request. Aragorn met his gaze, but only briefly. He dropped his eyes as if he was ashamed just for asking, but he kept his other palm outstretched, waiting for the knife.
Legolas slowly reached around to the sheath that held his long elvish knife and pulled it out. Deftly flipping it so that he held the blade, Legolas then laid the hilt in Aragorn's hand. He was mildly glad that he did not have his bow with him, a great gift from Galadriel, for he never did like having other people handle it.
Aragorn closed his fingers around the hilt and pulled it away from Legolas' loose grip. Then he stepped back and looked down as Legolas walked past him and into the small cell. Automatically, Aragorn softly closed the door behind him and locked it shut. He kept his eyes down the whole time, he could not bring himself to look at Legolas as he locked his own friend in. For his part, Legolas still had yet to say or do anything, but his eyes told Aragorn enough.
Somewhere deep inside of himself, Aragorn knew that Legolas would actually forgive him someday, but it would prove to be difficult for him to forgive himself.
Aragorn turned away from the cell and started to walk away. He gave a brief instruction to the single guard standing inside to remain to watch over Legolas and that he give him anything he asked for immediately.
"Come Gimli," Aragorn said quietly as he reached the front door.
"I will be staying here if you do not mind," Gimli said acidly. Aragorn almost allowed a look of surprise to pass over his face at the tone of Gimli's voice, but then checked it. He of course understood the dwarf's anger. Gimli would never do something like this to Legolas and probably could not fathom why Aragorn would do so.
Aragorn made a quick decision.
"Of course," he said, then to the guard, "I will not be needing your service after all. Master Gimli can see to Legolas."
The guard nodded and looked relieved to not have to endure such a post. He glanced over at Legolas, slightly awed at the sight of the wounded yet strangely dignified elf.
"I will come to you as soon as I can to let you know what is going on," Aragorn said aloud to no one in particular. He quickly discovered that he could not bring himself to look at Gimli either, for the dwarf was giving him a look that promised scarier intentions than any axe he had wielded.
With another sigh and a heavy step, Aragorn exited the prison, followed by the nervous guard. Then the elf and the dwarf were alone, separated by metal and stone.
Additional Note: I can't remember if it was the last chapter or before that, but somebody asked if this story had anything to do with a previous one. For the record, this is not exactly a sequel, but it is the same style and such as "Bound in Blood". I suppose it could be considered part of a series, but I haven't decided if I dare try to create a series or not. (Bows humbly to the series goddesses, Cassia and Sio.)
Another Note: Last one, I swear. Just the usual I love you guys so much for your lovely reviews, they really keep me writing, and I am not affiliated in any way with the Tolkien enterprise (unless I can somehow manage to marry in, now there's a thought.) Okay, seriously enough with the rambling, on with the story, hope ya'll like it!
Chapter 11
They found Aragorn sitting quietly in the same room that had held the other two bodies, only now one lay within the stone room, the other two had since then been buried. The noble king of Gondor did not bother to look up when Legolas and Gimli entered and only remained in his seat where he was, his head held in his hands.
Legolas and Gimli stood quietly. They knew that Aragorn was aware of their presence, they would not be the first to break the silence. They would let him speak when he was good and ready.
Eventually, the old ranger heaved a great sigh and then raised his head to look at his friends. His eyes lighted directly upon Legolas. "You know what is going on?" he asked quietly.
Legolas nodded, his eyes locked upon his old friend's. He did not say anything yet.
"I thought we would have peace after the War of the Ring," Aragorn turned his head as he spoke, as if talking to himself, "I assumed the free peoples of Middle-earth would be tired of all the violence and welcome the rest and peace. Yet obviously that is not to be."
Looking older than either Legolas or Gimli had ever seen, Aragorn stood stiffly out of his chair and motioned slightly to something behind the elf and dwarf. Silently, two guards entered the room flanking a third person in between them. Legolas did not bother to turn his head to watch them enter, he knew that he and Gimli had been followed. Legolas instead kept his eyes trained on Aragorn, waiting to see what his friend had to say.
Aragorn sighed again when the three men stopped before him. Gimli made a small noise of surprise in his throat, but he too remained silent. Legolas glanced down at his dwarven friend at the sound and then back up to the men who had entered. For the first time he really looked at the man in the middle and recognized him as the old wounded friend of Gimli.
Bergel stared around widely at his surroundings, looking confused and terrified all at once. Legolas wondered if perhaps the man even knew why he was there, or if he thought that he was in some sort of trouble. He wondered further himself as to why the man was here and why Aragorn had called him in.
Aragorn looked again at Legolas, his face tightly under control from some sort of inner battle, Legolas could tell. A thread of unease entered the elf at the sight of his friend's expression. He knew that this encounter would not mean good fortune for himself.
"Bergel," Aragorn redirected his attention to the slightly cowering man, his voice louder so that he could easily hear, "would you be so kind as to tell me and those who stand here what you saw last night?"
Alarm rose within Legolas, and he looked down momentarily at Gimli, who returned the look with a blank stare of his own. Gimli did not know what was going on either, he had heard nothing about this.
The stooped man shifted his gaze over to Legolas and then immediately back to Aragorn. Aragorn gave him a small nod, as if in encouragement. "Just tell me what you already told the guard," he said softly.
Bergel took a deep breath that straightened his spine somewhat before letting it out and stooping again. His hands kneaded into each other nervously and he fidgeted.
"I's was walking in the trees at night," he began slowly, his eyes staring down at the ground. "And I did hear something that sound to me like a body in trouble." Bergel stopped and glanced quickly up at Aragorn who gave another small nod. The man took another breath, "So's I went to where the sound was and I saw one man standing over another man. I yelled out to them and the one standing over the other jumped, he was surprised I was there. He almost tried to come at me, but then a soldier came, 'cause he heard me yell, and then the man ran away."
"And what did the man look like?" Aragorn asked gently.
Bergel shifted his eyes once again to Legolas and then immediately back down to the ground. "He look like Mister Gimli's elf friend."
Gimli grunted and took a step forward but Aragorn held up his hand to stave him off. Gimli let out something akin to a growl and then stood still.
Aragorn then directed his attention to the man standing on Bergel's left. "And you were the one who came at his call?"
"Yes my lord," the soldier replied without hesitation, "I heard him yell and came straight from my post. I did not get as good a look at the perpetrator since he heard me coming and ran off, but I did see that the victim was still alive and I brought him here."
Aragorn nodded, he already knew that part well.
"And then I interrogated the witness," the other soldier spoke up, his voice rough and harsh. "And went straight to the elf's room when I heard of the description."
Aragorn nodded again. "Yes," he said softly while absently picking up a knife that had been laying idle upon the table next to the body. Legolas saw that it was stained and knew that it was the dagger from his room.
Slowly, Aragorn turned to face Legolas head on. "Legolas, do you hear and understand all that is being said?"
Legolas heard Gimli grunt again. Legolas nodded, never taking his eyes from Aragorn's.
Aragorn closed his eyes briefly before saying anything more. "Do you understand that you are the suspect of a murder based on circumstantial evidence and witness testimony?"
Legolas nodded again, his blue eyes still fixed on the ranger's darker ones.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense?" Aragorn asked softly, the tone in his voice pleading that Legolas would have a plausible explanation.
"I did not kill this man," Legolas finally said, gesturing to the sheet-covered body. "But I know not where the dagger came from." He knew he had so much more to say to Aragorn, but felt that this was definitely not the best place to say any of it. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach that knew exactly where Aragorn was going with this questioning, it was the same type of questioning he used when placing a criminal under arrest.
"Legolas Thranduilion," Aragorn said quietly and softly, "I am afraid that you are to be placed under arrest for suspicion of murder."
Gimli exploded at the words.
"Here now Aragorn," he stated stepping forward, "you know as well as I that Legolas had nothing to do with this."
"I have to treat this the same as I would with any other offense," Aragorn said woodenly, not daring to look down at the enraged dwarf. His eyes were still locked with the elf standing silently across the room, his old friend that he had just condemned.
For his part, Legolas said or did nothing. He tried valiantly to keep all looks of betrayal and pain out of his eyes. He knew that Aragorn was right, that he had to treat Legolas just as he would with any other person in order to satisfy the fears of the public and avoid a chaotic mutiny. But his own deep feelings of friendship refused to give in to logic.
Dimly, Legolas was aware of more men entering the room behind him. He felt a hand place itself on his shoulder.
Legolas automatically pulled away and turned slightly to meet the young soldier coming to escort the elf to the small building used as a prison. There were more guards waiting in the door, their weapons drawn. Obviously, they expected the elf to put up a resistance.
"No," Aragorn called out as the guards advanced on his friend, "he does not need to be escorted."
"We have orders that he is not to be let about without an escort," one of the men called out.
"Overruled," Aragorn stated immediately, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "He is to be treated with the utmost care."
"Does a murderer deserve such care?" Legolas asked quietly, the first words he had uttered in a long while. Aragorn started when he heard the low voice, his eyes widening slightly when he looked back at Legolas and saw the unbridled betrayal that the proud elf was trying so valiantly to hide.
"No," Aragorn answered his question, "a murderer does not."
"I will be his escort if these fools feel he needs one," Gimli spoke up, his hand restless upon the handle of his axe as he seemingly sized up the competition. The nearest guard backed away.
"I will allow Gimli to walk with me," Legolas said, still speaking in a very low voice. "I would never object to a friend accompanying me."
Aragorn could not be sure, but he felt that the elf slightly emphasized the word 'friend'. Aragorn sighed, he could not blame Legolas for any feelings he was experiencing right now, he could not imagine either him or Gimli, or any of the Fellowship for that matter, betraying him as he was doing to Legolas now.
"I will see that he is locked away," the same burly guard that had accompanied Bergel and searched through Legolas' room spoke up.
"No," Aragorn said again, "I will see to all of his needs."
Legolas said nothing.
Gimli breathed out heavily, his annoyance at the whole situation clearly evident. He could perhaps understand the fear and misunderstanding felt by the common townspeople, but Aragorn ought to know better.
Turning on his heel, Gimli started to walk out of the cold stone room, roughly shouldering several guards aside, not wanting them to be close enough to even brush his friend on the way out.
Legolas heard Gimli turn and begin to make his way out, but he lingered a few moments longer, still holding Aragorn's eye, trying to understand exactly what was happening. Finally, he dropped his gaze and turned slowly to follow the dwarf. He could hear the heavy steps of the king following him.
Legolas kept his head held rigid and his eyes trained on the broad back of his friend in front of him. He dared not to look around at the gathering crowd that surged forward when they saw their king and guards come forward after the suspected criminal. There was much stir within the crowd, as if they wished to get their own licks in on the elf but dared not in the presence of the king.
As for Legolas, he could easily feel the air of animosity directed towards him, along with the sorrow that followed him from Aragorn. Legolas felt an insane urge to cry, but of course that would never happen.
So he stayed silent, and looked ever ahead, and kept his features tightly under control, an unmoving mask in place. He would be damned before he let any mortal see him in any sort of emotional breakdown.
Gimli walked with his shoulders squared, his hand always on the smooth handle of his broad axe. He looked meanly out at the crowd, fairly daring them to try to do anything to his friend. He thought the whole thing to be ridiculous and felt the pain of the betrayal and suffering he knew his friend had to be going through. But since Gimli could not save him from that, for he would never go against Aragorn's wishes no matter how foolish he thought them to be, he would do his best to protect Legolas from any further shame. Perhaps he should have been surprised at the fierce level of protectiveness and futile rage on behalf of his friend he was feeling, but he could not even be bothered to question those emotions. He had seen the haunted look in Legolas' eyes return after the confrontation with Aragorn, and Gimli had almost hated Aragorn then and there for making Legolas look like that again. His friend had finally seemed to be past that.
Gimli made his stout frame as large as possible, taking wide steps. He wanted to shove aside any who got too close, but unfortunately none did. He too could feel the general air of hostility held for his friend, and he wanted to kill those standing by for that alone. He could not believe how stupid they could be, Legolas would never hurt any of them, he had risked his life along with the rest of the Fellowship to ensure safety for all!
Gimli snorted inwardly, fine examples of gratitude, he thought darkly to himself.
The small procession finally reached their destination, a small stone prison. It had hardly been used before, outside of a few individuals being gathered to stay confined after a bit too much to drink, and Gimli's heart almost broke when he realized that Legolas would be having to stay in there. He hated stone.
Gimli stopped before the door and Legolas automatically stopped behind him. Both of them would go no further on their own. Aragorn slowly made his way past them and stepped up to the door. He hesitated for a brief moment before pushing it open.
Legolas did not move. He glanced surreptitiously down at Gimli, but Gimli caught the look and understood. Legolas did not want to go in alone.
Gimli took a few steps forward into the stone structure and Legolas followed. Aragorn followed after them and motioned for a single guard to come in as well, then he shut the door on the rest of the people outside, he knew Legolas did not like having an audience.
The four individuals stood awkwardly in the main room of the prison. There was only this room, a somewhat cramped room with a single chair off to the side, and then the small cell used for prisoners. The cell was in the far left corner of the room, positioned furthest from the single window in the whole structure, surrounded by thick metal bars with a heavy lock on the door. There was only room in the cell for a small bed, though it was more like a cot, stuffed sparsely with hay with a single blanket and nothing else. The prisoner could sit or lay on the bed or stand in what little space was left, that was all.
Aragorn stiffly went to a hook that was screwed into the wall next to the chair and removed an iron ring of keys. He then walked to the cell and unlocked the door. Stepping aside as he pulled the door open with a squeal from the ill-used hinges, he looked over at Legolas.
Without a word exchanged between the two, Legolas took the few steps it required to reach the cell. He was about to enter when Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder.
Legolas stopped at the slight touch.
"Your knife please," Aragorn said in a choked voice.
Legolas turned his head and stared at Aragorn. He almost could not believe the request. Aragorn met his gaze, but only briefly. He dropped his eyes as if he was ashamed just for asking, but he kept his other palm outstretched, waiting for the knife.
Legolas slowly reached around to the sheath that held his long elvish knife and pulled it out. Deftly flipping it so that he held the blade, Legolas then laid the hilt in Aragorn's hand. He was mildly glad that he did not have his bow with him, a great gift from Galadriel, for he never did like having other people handle it.
Aragorn closed his fingers around the hilt and pulled it away from Legolas' loose grip. Then he stepped back and looked down as Legolas walked past him and into the small cell. Automatically, Aragorn softly closed the door behind him and locked it shut. He kept his eyes down the whole time, he could not bring himself to look at Legolas as he locked his own friend in. For his part, Legolas still had yet to say or do anything, but his eyes told Aragorn enough.
Somewhere deep inside of himself, Aragorn knew that Legolas would actually forgive him someday, but it would prove to be difficult for him to forgive himself.
Aragorn turned away from the cell and started to walk away. He gave a brief instruction to the single guard standing inside to remain to watch over Legolas and that he give him anything he asked for immediately.
"Come Gimli," Aragorn said quietly as he reached the front door.
"I will be staying here if you do not mind," Gimli said acidly. Aragorn almost allowed a look of surprise to pass over his face at the tone of Gimli's voice, but then checked it. He of course understood the dwarf's anger. Gimli would never do something like this to Legolas and probably could not fathom why Aragorn would do so.
Aragorn made a quick decision.
"Of course," he said, then to the guard, "I will not be needing your service after all. Master Gimli can see to Legolas."
The guard nodded and looked relieved to not have to endure such a post. He glanced over at Legolas, slightly awed at the sight of the wounded yet strangely dignified elf.
"I will come to you as soon as I can to let you know what is going on," Aragorn said aloud to no one in particular. He quickly discovered that he could not bring himself to look at Gimli either, for the dwarf was giving him a look that promised scarier intentions than any axe he had wielded.
With another sigh and a heavy step, Aragorn exited the prison, followed by the nervous guard. Then the elf and the dwarf were alone, separated by metal and stone.