Author's Note: Wow, so sorry for the horrendously long update, writer's
block hit me full force and for some reason it took me forever to write
this chapter. Hopefully I have overcome the evil writer's block and the
next update won't be so bad. But on to better things, as always thanks so
much for the lovely reviews, it warms my heart. (big cheesy grin) And as
always I am not Tolkien, do not own the recognizable characters, do not own
the title, but as a reviewer pointed out, I do own the plot, so there!
Hopefully it will prove to be a good plot, that would be disappointing if
the only thing I owned was no good. Ah well, such are the dangers of
writing. Enjoy!
Chapter 13
The dwarf and the elf spent the rest of the day within the small prison. Gimli refused to leave his friend even at meal times and ordered for both his food and Legolas' food to be brought to them. Little more time was spent talking and both of the friends were content to merely sit in silence, quietly feeding off of each other's presence.
When night fell and the hour grew late Gimli spread out a small blanket he had found in a cupboard meant to serve as a closet and spread it out on the floor next to the cell.
"You do not have to do that," Legolas commented softly when he saw his friend readying a spot on the hard floor.
"I will not be one to leave you alone in a small stone space in the dark. I know how much you dislike that," Gimli replied immediately in a tone that suggested he was telling Legolas something he should have had sense enough to know without asking.
Legolas smiled faintly in the dark, knowing that Gimli would not be able to see it. He felt his heart tear at the words of the stout being, but it was not a bad tear. He was slightly warmed to know that he had such a faithful friend and had to wonder vaguely at what he had done to deserve such.
"Besides," Gimli continued, "what kind of warden would I be if I could not even keep the night watch?"
It was meant to be a joke, and Legolas knew this, but he could not bring himself to reply to it.
Gimli noted the silence and quickly decided not to mention anything like that again. There was a time and place for making fun of Legolas, often most of the time and in many places, but this was not one of them. There was hardly a situation in which Legolas felt either sensitive or uncomfortable, but Gimli knew him well enough to be able to read when that would happen.
Making a little bit more conversation to make sure that Legolas was as well with his present state as he could be, Gimli slowly drifted off to sleep.
Legolas knew immediately when his friend was asleep. His breathing patterns changed and his body seemed to relax. Legolas remained where he was, seated on the bed, his back leaning against the rough stone wall. He looked beyond the iron bars to the small window and focused his gaze on the few stars that shone through. He was vaguely reminded of the free run he had enjoyed last night, and the old feelings of confidence and power he had almost forgotten about.
Legolas sighed.
Softly, so as not to disturb his sleeping friend, Legolas sang old songs of myth and valour to himself.
Gimli was roused by the harsh grating of the bottom of the door scraping against the floor as the front door was thrown open. Gimli blinked, his eyes immediately falling on Legolas as he had awoken facing the cell. He took momentary notice of the steady gaze of the elf as he looked at whoever had come in and the fact that Legolas was sitting up in the same position Gimli had last seen him in. But then the next moment Gimli was hastily trying to free himself of the blanket that had become entangled around his body while simultaneously turning to greet the guest himself. If it was another one of those guards come to bother Legolas, he would first have to get through Gimli.
Gimli finally stood and turned and first saw that it was indeed another guard standing in the doorway. But before Gimli could interrogate him as to what he thought his business was to be here, the guard stepped aside, revealing Aragorn behind him. Aragorn stepped inside and then gestured for the guard to close the door.
"I bring good news," Aragorn said after a brief hesitation. Gimli eyed him suspiciously, he had become wary of any news Aragorn had when it came to concerning his friend. But he had said it was good, so Gimli was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Aragorn stepped over to the wall and removed the heavy key ring from the nail it perched on. He then walked to the cell, speaking as he went.
"I am no longer confining you in here, but after much debate I have had to agree that Gimli is to be at your side at all times. He is to act as an informal warden so that you may do as you please." Aragorn worked as he spoke, turning the key in the lock that held the bars together.
Legolas watched Aragorn silently as he moved. He could not help but notice that Aragorn had not quite brought himself to look up at him since he had entered.
Aragorn finished turning the lock and pulled open the door. "You do not have to stay in here any longer," he finished, his eyes still not fully meeting the elf's.
Legolas slowly stood up from his position on the bed and stepped outside of the cell. He lingered next to Aragorn as Aragorn turned to shut the door and twist the key in the lock again. Then Aragorn moved to replace to key ring to the wall, still without looking at Legolas.
"Well this is certainly more like it," Gimli declared. "I was beginning to believe that all good sense had forsaken this place. Come now, I will remain at Legolas' side if that is what it takes for these foolish humans to see the right. In the meantime we can work to clear his good name once and for all."
The dwarf's cheerful words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Legolas made no sign of equaling Gimli's confidence and though Aragorn smiled, it was clearly forced.
"Yes," Aragorn agreed, "this place will soon be back to peace and normality, whatever the cost may prove to be."
Legolas almost frowned at Aragorn's words, it seemed to him that his old friend had not told them everything. But not wishing to reveal any emotion at the moment, Legolas kept his face in a stern mask. He would ponder the odd wording of Aragorn's seemingly prophetic phrase later if he so wished.
Gimli moved forward to follow Aragorn out of the prison as the king turned to exit. Legolas forced himself to follow as well, though doing so felt as though he was accepting a kind favor from Aragorn out of obligation.
The trio walked to the Halls of the Kings and Legolas had to marvel at the fact that not another soul was seen outside. He had grown accustomed to a crowd gathering wherever he chose to go, as if he was a novelty they scarcely had the grace to see. But this time there was no such gathering, and Legolas found himself immensely grateful on the inside at the small fact. Though he had grown to expect it, that did not mean that he appreciated it.
They entered the Halls of the Kings and just as Legolas was about to break off to go towards his own chambers Aragorn spoke again to them.
"If I may have a minute of your time again my friends in my personal chambers," Aragorn asked quietly.
Gimli nodded immediately and Legolas only turned to face Aragorn. Aragorn gave a small nod as well and then turned towards the section of hallway that would lead to his chambers.
When the three reached the room Gimli and Legolas walked in first with Aragorn holding the door open and then closing it as soon as they were all in. The dwarf and elf settled down at the long table and waited to hear what more Aragorn had to say to them.
"Though I no longer wish for Legolas to be confined," he began, "I have a small favor to ask of the two of you." Aragorn paused to be sure that he had the full attention of the two. Gimli was frowning as he watched Aragorn, he already did not like the turn of the conversation. Legolas was sitting still, his face impossible to read. Aragorn continued.
"Word has been sent out to Faramir of the strange happenings here and the concerns that it could have a tie to Ithilien."
Legolas still did not show anything, but he began seething on the inside at the words. He could only imagine what the tie to Ithilien was, everybody was still convinced that it was an elf who was committing the murders.
"My messenger finally arrived yesterday evening and reported to me that Faramir was coming to Gondor himself to see if he could assist in any of the matters. As for myself, I will be riding out to meet him halfway with a small contingent of some of my guards. I do not want to risk anything happening to any representatives of Ithilien or to Faramir as they travel through the forest." Aragorn paused slightly again. "Additionally, I do not believe Faramir knows of the suspicions that have been placed on Legolas. So I wish to be there myself so as to deter any soldiers from informing him when they do not even know of what they speak. I will tell Faramir everything as soon as he arrives here in a private meeting."
Aragorn stopped again, but this time he looked directly at Legolas. It was the first time he had come to fully regard Legolas this morning and Legolas met his gaze head on. "I know of what you are going through," Aragorn said quietly, "and I know how you are feeling unjustly persecuted. But you also must know that the people of Gondor are highly suspicious of you and vigilantes are not an uncommon rise. This is why I must ask you to please remain in your own chambers with Gimli while I am gone. I do not want to risk any more incidents that can further incriminate you."
Legolas still said nothing, still showed nothing.
But Gimli of course would not stand for it.
"Here now Aragorn," he spoke up, "I have been telling you time and again that you know it is not Legolas committing these crimes. He would never do such a thing. All of these precautions are ridiculous."
Aragorn's jaw clenched slightly.
"Yes master dwarf, I do know this. Legolas would be the last person I would ever suspect of anything such as this. But it is not my own judgments that I fear. I cannot help the will of the people, and there comes a time when even the most rational person will refuse to listen to reason. I ask you of this out of concern for Legolas' own safety. Until we can catch and prove the identity of the killer beyond all doubt Legolas is in danger here."
Aragorn took a breath after his small tirade. His voice had become more forceful as he spoke and for the first time Gimli and Legolas could sense the true frustration that lay beneath the king.
Gimli looked abashed. He glanced over at Legolas and saw that the elf's gaze had softened somewhat. He was studying Aragorn, and it seemed as though the elf had finally come to a conclusion about his friend.
Before Gimli could say anything more, Legolas finally spoke up. "All is well, I understand your concern. I shall stay inside with Gimli for the remainder of the day and put my faith in you and Faramir. I trust you shall do all that you can."
Aragorn blinked. He straightened from where he had been leaning over the table. He gave Legolas a nod. "Thank you," was all he said.
Legolas caught small signs of relief within Aragorn.
"I will be leaving shortly to ride out," Aragorn said after a few moments of silence. "I am truly sorry to be leaving the two of you in your time of need, but I will return before tomorrow morning. Then we will truly work on straightening all of this mess out."
Taking this as their cue to leave, both Gimli and Legolas stood from their seats and made their way out of the room. Without a word between the two of them they made their way down the hall to Legolas' own chambers. Once they reached the room they settled themselves in and silently resolved themselves to staying inside there until Aragorn once again came for them. It was in truth another prison, but at least one with light and without stone.
Chapter 13
The dwarf and the elf spent the rest of the day within the small prison. Gimli refused to leave his friend even at meal times and ordered for both his food and Legolas' food to be brought to them. Little more time was spent talking and both of the friends were content to merely sit in silence, quietly feeding off of each other's presence.
When night fell and the hour grew late Gimli spread out a small blanket he had found in a cupboard meant to serve as a closet and spread it out on the floor next to the cell.
"You do not have to do that," Legolas commented softly when he saw his friend readying a spot on the hard floor.
"I will not be one to leave you alone in a small stone space in the dark. I know how much you dislike that," Gimli replied immediately in a tone that suggested he was telling Legolas something he should have had sense enough to know without asking.
Legolas smiled faintly in the dark, knowing that Gimli would not be able to see it. He felt his heart tear at the words of the stout being, but it was not a bad tear. He was slightly warmed to know that he had such a faithful friend and had to wonder vaguely at what he had done to deserve such.
"Besides," Gimli continued, "what kind of warden would I be if I could not even keep the night watch?"
It was meant to be a joke, and Legolas knew this, but he could not bring himself to reply to it.
Gimli noted the silence and quickly decided not to mention anything like that again. There was a time and place for making fun of Legolas, often most of the time and in many places, but this was not one of them. There was hardly a situation in which Legolas felt either sensitive or uncomfortable, but Gimli knew him well enough to be able to read when that would happen.
Making a little bit more conversation to make sure that Legolas was as well with his present state as he could be, Gimli slowly drifted off to sleep.
Legolas knew immediately when his friend was asleep. His breathing patterns changed and his body seemed to relax. Legolas remained where he was, seated on the bed, his back leaning against the rough stone wall. He looked beyond the iron bars to the small window and focused his gaze on the few stars that shone through. He was vaguely reminded of the free run he had enjoyed last night, and the old feelings of confidence and power he had almost forgotten about.
Legolas sighed.
Softly, so as not to disturb his sleeping friend, Legolas sang old songs of myth and valour to himself.
Gimli was roused by the harsh grating of the bottom of the door scraping against the floor as the front door was thrown open. Gimli blinked, his eyes immediately falling on Legolas as he had awoken facing the cell. He took momentary notice of the steady gaze of the elf as he looked at whoever had come in and the fact that Legolas was sitting up in the same position Gimli had last seen him in. But then the next moment Gimli was hastily trying to free himself of the blanket that had become entangled around his body while simultaneously turning to greet the guest himself. If it was another one of those guards come to bother Legolas, he would first have to get through Gimli.
Gimli finally stood and turned and first saw that it was indeed another guard standing in the doorway. But before Gimli could interrogate him as to what he thought his business was to be here, the guard stepped aside, revealing Aragorn behind him. Aragorn stepped inside and then gestured for the guard to close the door.
"I bring good news," Aragorn said after a brief hesitation. Gimli eyed him suspiciously, he had become wary of any news Aragorn had when it came to concerning his friend. But he had said it was good, so Gimli was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Aragorn stepped over to the wall and removed the heavy key ring from the nail it perched on. He then walked to the cell, speaking as he went.
"I am no longer confining you in here, but after much debate I have had to agree that Gimli is to be at your side at all times. He is to act as an informal warden so that you may do as you please." Aragorn worked as he spoke, turning the key in the lock that held the bars together.
Legolas watched Aragorn silently as he moved. He could not help but notice that Aragorn had not quite brought himself to look up at him since he had entered.
Aragorn finished turning the lock and pulled open the door. "You do not have to stay in here any longer," he finished, his eyes still not fully meeting the elf's.
Legolas slowly stood up from his position on the bed and stepped outside of the cell. He lingered next to Aragorn as Aragorn turned to shut the door and twist the key in the lock again. Then Aragorn moved to replace to key ring to the wall, still without looking at Legolas.
"Well this is certainly more like it," Gimli declared. "I was beginning to believe that all good sense had forsaken this place. Come now, I will remain at Legolas' side if that is what it takes for these foolish humans to see the right. In the meantime we can work to clear his good name once and for all."
The dwarf's cheerful words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Legolas made no sign of equaling Gimli's confidence and though Aragorn smiled, it was clearly forced.
"Yes," Aragorn agreed, "this place will soon be back to peace and normality, whatever the cost may prove to be."
Legolas almost frowned at Aragorn's words, it seemed to him that his old friend had not told them everything. But not wishing to reveal any emotion at the moment, Legolas kept his face in a stern mask. He would ponder the odd wording of Aragorn's seemingly prophetic phrase later if he so wished.
Gimli moved forward to follow Aragorn out of the prison as the king turned to exit. Legolas forced himself to follow as well, though doing so felt as though he was accepting a kind favor from Aragorn out of obligation.
The trio walked to the Halls of the Kings and Legolas had to marvel at the fact that not another soul was seen outside. He had grown accustomed to a crowd gathering wherever he chose to go, as if he was a novelty they scarcely had the grace to see. But this time there was no such gathering, and Legolas found himself immensely grateful on the inside at the small fact. Though he had grown to expect it, that did not mean that he appreciated it.
They entered the Halls of the Kings and just as Legolas was about to break off to go towards his own chambers Aragorn spoke again to them.
"If I may have a minute of your time again my friends in my personal chambers," Aragorn asked quietly.
Gimli nodded immediately and Legolas only turned to face Aragorn. Aragorn gave a small nod as well and then turned towards the section of hallway that would lead to his chambers.
When the three reached the room Gimli and Legolas walked in first with Aragorn holding the door open and then closing it as soon as they were all in. The dwarf and elf settled down at the long table and waited to hear what more Aragorn had to say to them.
"Though I no longer wish for Legolas to be confined," he began, "I have a small favor to ask of the two of you." Aragorn paused to be sure that he had the full attention of the two. Gimli was frowning as he watched Aragorn, he already did not like the turn of the conversation. Legolas was sitting still, his face impossible to read. Aragorn continued.
"Word has been sent out to Faramir of the strange happenings here and the concerns that it could have a tie to Ithilien."
Legolas still did not show anything, but he began seething on the inside at the words. He could only imagine what the tie to Ithilien was, everybody was still convinced that it was an elf who was committing the murders.
"My messenger finally arrived yesterday evening and reported to me that Faramir was coming to Gondor himself to see if he could assist in any of the matters. As for myself, I will be riding out to meet him halfway with a small contingent of some of my guards. I do not want to risk anything happening to any representatives of Ithilien or to Faramir as they travel through the forest." Aragorn paused slightly again. "Additionally, I do not believe Faramir knows of the suspicions that have been placed on Legolas. So I wish to be there myself so as to deter any soldiers from informing him when they do not even know of what they speak. I will tell Faramir everything as soon as he arrives here in a private meeting."
Aragorn stopped again, but this time he looked directly at Legolas. It was the first time he had come to fully regard Legolas this morning and Legolas met his gaze head on. "I know of what you are going through," Aragorn said quietly, "and I know how you are feeling unjustly persecuted. But you also must know that the people of Gondor are highly suspicious of you and vigilantes are not an uncommon rise. This is why I must ask you to please remain in your own chambers with Gimli while I am gone. I do not want to risk any more incidents that can further incriminate you."
Legolas still said nothing, still showed nothing.
But Gimli of course would not stand for it.
"Here now Aragorn," he spoke up, "I have been telling you time and again that you know it is not Legolas committing these crimes. He would never do such a thing. All of these precautions are ridiculous."
Aragorn's jaw clenched slightly.
"Yes master dwarf, I do know this. Legolas would be the last person I would ever suspect of anything such as this. But it is not my own judgments that I fear. I cannot help the will of the people, and there comes a time when even the most rational person will refuse to listen to reason. I ask you of this out of concern for Legolas' own safety. Until we can catch and prove the identity of the killer beyond all doubt Legolas is in danger here."
Aragorn took a breath after his small tirade. His voice had become more forceful as he spoke and for the first time Gimli and Legolas could sense the true frustration that lay beneath the king.
Gimli looked abashed. He glanced over at Legolas and saw that the elf's gaze had softened somewhat. He was studying Aragorn, and it seemed as though the elf had finally come to a conclusion about his friend.
Before Gimli could say anything more, Legolas finally spoke up. "All is well, I understand your concern. I shall stay inside with Gimli for the remainder of the day and put my faith in you and Faramir. I trust you shall do all that you can."
Aragorn blinked. He straightened from where he had been leaning over the table. He gave Legolas a nod. "Thank you," was all he said.
Legolas caught small signs of relief within Aragorn.
"I will be leaving shortly to ride out," Aragorn said after a few moments of silence. "I am truly sorry to be leaving the two of you in your time of need, but I will return before tomorrow morning. Then we will truly work on straightening all of this mess out."
Taking this as their cue to leave, both Gimli and Legolas stood from their seats and made their way out of the room. Without a word between the two of them they made their way down the hall to Legolas' own chambers. Once they reached the room they settled themselves in and silently resolved themselves to staying inside there until Aragorn once again came for them. It was in truth another prison, but at least one with light and without stone.