Classes are really starting to bother me. My professors have all gone mad.
Anyway, Here's another chapter, fairly long as compared to normal. Enjoy.
(Who knows when Life will let me upload again, eh?)
I'd just like to say that I am so sorry this took me so long. I like to do at least one update a week, but things have been going on lately and all. . . and I just don't have the time. I am going to try to get another chapter uploaded today. Try being the operative word, so no promises. Thank you all for your patience. ::Big hugs all the way around::
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Aragorn tightened his grip on his friend's shoulders as the elf's body tensed.
"Hold him still." Not a second later, Legolas began fighting and thrashing.
"What's happening?"
"He's trying to escape from the pain. It's like a horse rolling when it has colic. . . to get away from the pain."
"How long is this going to last?"
Mar shrugged sympathetically. "It's hard to say. Hours. Maybe days." If he lived that long.
Aragorn watched his friend suffer helplessly. Doubt and suspicion began to form in his own mind. Why had he so willingly believed that Legolas' fever was from the poison? It could have been. could have been. any number of things. So what if he couldn't think of one off the top of his head, but he knew it could have been something other than the poison.
Then he had to blindly trust Mar, when he barely knew the young man. What if they were all trying to deceive them? What if they wanted Legolas dead?
"Estel!"
The ranger was pulled from his thoughts as Legolas cried out. He began whispering in elvish. "Lasto beth nin, Legolas. I am here. Listen to my voice, lasto beth nin." It had no effect on the elf, but Aragorn continued anyway.
Legolas was fighting the torture that his grandfather was forcing on him. It caused such terrible pain, but he was being held down, forced to take it all. He wanted to take it like a warrior, but oh Valar it hurt so much.
Aragorn reacted quickly as Legolas began curling in on himself. He tried to keep the elf's body open, but Legolas was fighting with everything he had. He knew, deep down, that part of it was the he knew he was being held by a man, but it was worse than normal. It caused Aragorn's heart to break. "What did they do to you yesterday? I am sorry that I am adding to this, Legolas. But you need to pull out of this. I need you."
He started whispering in elvish again, words that he had heard his father use before. It calmed the elf down very little, but it was something.
"He should wake up soon, if that is any comfort to you."
"And what state will he be in when he awakes?"
Mar would not meet his eyes. "Much the way he is now, only he will understand what's happening."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Legolas stayed hidden in the shadows, listening to his father and brother talk.
"I do not want to have to take this to the court, Mithfalas."
"No, indeed. What would be the point? You have ultimate ruling there as well."
"Don't be like this. You could fight your case."
"Again, I ask you, what would the point be? You want me gone, and no court hearing is going to change that!" He tried to keep his voice low, for he had a feeling his little brother would be listening.
"Mithfalas!"
"Father, no. I'll go. Explain to Legolas for me, will you?"
"I will not explain this to him."
The younger elf sighed. "And how do you propose to tell the kingdom, if you will not tell your own son?"
"You committed treason. I had to let you go. Legolas will be the crown prince. He is old enough, should anything happen."
Legolas held back a gasp. It couldn't be. . . his brother was being exiled?
"Will you allow me to explain it to him, before I leave?"
Thranduil paused, but finally nodded, realizing that if he didn't allow his son to go, he would have to explain it.
Mithfalas left his father's study for the last time, and did not look back.
"Legolas."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Strider!"
Aragorn wanted to cry, seeing the pain Legolas was enduring. "I'm here, I'm here."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas was awake. His eyes landed on Mar, and he tried to push away from the man.
"He's hallucinating."
"Is there nothing you can do past this?"
The slave shook his head. "He's fighting."
"He's losing," Aragorn growled, mostly to himself. "Legolas, I will not have you die on me. You are not going to die on my watch."
"Go away. . ." it was barely audible.
"He doesn't know it's us. He may be remembering someone from his past that he would want to have go away."
"Look, I appreciate your help, but can you just leave us? Please?"
Mar nodded, rising to his feet and quickly disappearing from sight.
"Legolas."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Legolas, I have to leave for a while."
"Don't, Fal. I know what happened. Don't play games."
The elder ran a hand over his face. "Father doesn't know what he's doing. Losing Mother was the worst thing that could have happened to him."
"And what of us? Losing Mother wasn't exactly easy for me."
Mithfalas took his brother by the shoulders. "Stop it, what's done is done. Now you must stay and be strong for Ada. I'm sorry I can't be here. Listen to me, Legolas. You've a lot of responsibilities being laid on your shoulders, and a lot of people who will expect you to pull through for them."
Legolas looked away, but Mithfalas gently shook his shoulders to regain his attention. "Listen to me. I know you feel like it's too much. Nothing ever prepared you for this. But you want to know something? I'm one of those people expecting you to pull through for them. You're not being given anything you can't handle. Stay strong for me."
There was a pause. Both brothers looked into each other's eyes, evaluating the other.
"Take me with you, Fal."
Mithfalas shook his head. "Please don't do this. I can't take you with me. Just promise me that you'll stick through this, and I'll be on my way."
"I promise."
"Thank you."
"Where will you go?"
"The Golden Wood. Or. . . there is a town of men a few days journey from here. Perhaps I will go there and become a ranger. And if Ada should have crossed the sea by that time, you will invite me to your wedding, with whomever you choose by then?"
Legolas was frustratedly fighting tears. He could only nod. "So this is goodbye, then?"
"No, let's not say goodbye. Besides, goodbyes denote endings, and this is certainly not the end."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Aragorn creased his brow as Legolas began mumbling. He was speaking have elvish, half common tongue. He was also speaking in broken sentences, and so Aragorn could not make sense of it.
"Exile. . . lasto. . . Fal!"
Although Aragorn could not understand what the elf was saying, his heart beat rose to match the rhythm of the frantic voice.
"Legolas, I am Strider. Estel. You are in Evandael. We are slaves. Fal is not here."
Whispers started around the ranger. He took note of them, but then paid them no heed.
The prince groaned. "I don't want to remember this."
"Talk to me, Legolas. What are you remembering?"
He received no answer. Legolas had fallen back into a sleep, but it was not a peaceful one. Memories surfaced, causing him to flinch away from Aragorn's grasp, though he did not realize it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas was finally forced to remember what had really happened with his brother. Mithfalas was gone, lost forever to his people, and Thranduil had caused it. Had he been younger, it would have been traumatizing to him. The age difference between the brothers was a matter of decades. . . so minimal by elvish standards. They were so much like friends rather than brothers, and yet they had been brothers when one of them needed it.
And just a century later, he and Arwen had been captured. He had needed a brother or a friend then, but there was no one. Over that century, Thranduil had managed to tell a lie to Legolas, to make his youngest son believe that it had been Mithfalas' fault.
What Legolas couldn't understand was that Thranduil never meant to tell a lie to Legolas. He loved his youngest with his whole heart and soul, and would never do wrong to him. Thranduil had really been telling the lie to himself. He needed to believe that he had done the right thing by exiling Mithfalas.
"Mithfalas!" Aragorn was not surprised by the cry, but the sudden silence of the room did surprise him. He looked quizzically at Berin.
"It is nothing, Strider."
"Please tell me. You have reacted every time he mentions Fal. Why?"
"We know the elf of whom he speaks."
"What? How? Where is he?"
Berin sighed, squatting next to the young man. "He used to live here. There were tales of it, centuries ago. He left when the town worsened, or so they say. He visited us once, not too long ago. He just barely escaped the clutches of Jerilan's men. Jeralin's been searching for him ever since. How does he know Mithfalas?"
Aragorn opened his mouth to answer, but said nothing. If the person in charge here so wanted Mithfalas, to the extent that he was searching for him, what would happen if he knew he had the elf's brother? Still a part of him did not trust the other slaves. "There are legends of him in elvish cities that say he rescues those in need."
Berin laughed. "Indeed he does. He rescued fifteen of us last time he was here."
"Do you think we can get him back here? Legolas needs to get out of here. He needs fresh air."
"It won't happen. There are guards everywhere waiting for him to return." He nodded at Legolas. "He'll just have to fight this one out."
"Berin, listen to me, please. Legolas will not make it like this. He doesn't like caves, he doesn't like cells, and his race by nature needs open air to survive."
Berin stood up so that Aragorn had to tilt his head to look into his eyes. "Then prepare yourself for the inevitable. The elf will die."
Aragorn cried out in frustration. He too stood, and slammed his fist into the stone wall, ignoring the pain it caused.
"Strider, there is nothing you can do! Just be here for him in his last minutes, and-"
The cell door swung open. "There he is."
Aragorn looked towards the newcomers. Merithol was there, with four other men that he had never seen before. One of the unrecognizables was pointing at Legolas.
Panic shot through the young man. They were coming for them! Merithol had told them! He moved if front of his still friend.
The five men were advancing towards him.
"Move," one of them growled. Aragorn knew he should move, he knew by staying put he would only make things worse, but he could not abandon his friend. Not now.
He feebly shook his head.
"Jerilan?"
Jerilan, the one who had spoken to Aragorn looked back to his men. "I don't have time for this. Take him too. Anyone else want to oppose us?"
No one moved. No one, except for Mar.
"I mean no disrespect sir, and I do not mean to oppose you. Indeed, sir, that is not my intention. I was only wondering if you would allow me to accompany the elf. He is in a real bad way, and he made need someone to hold him still."
Jerilan looked to Merithol.
"Dragonseed, sir. He was giving us a hard time on the way here."
Realization struck the young man with lightning force. They knew; they knew Legolas was Mithfalas' brother. That was the reason they took him: not to use him against Thranduil, but to use him against Mithfalas.
"Dragonseed would not have put him in a 'real bad way'. Besides, I saw him yesterday. He was fine."
Mar stepped forward. "Well, sir, it was wearing off really fast. We gave him the lethal form. We had no other choice, sir."
Aragorn's head snapped around to face the other man. He would not meet the ranger's eyes. Legolas hadn't been dying! It was only the effect of the drug wearing off. . .
He couldn't stop himself. He lunged at Mar, knocking him to the ground. "I trusted you! Damn it! You lied to me!"
Two of the men he did not recognize pulled him off the young slave, though he was fighting them valiantly.
"Get him ready." Jeralin said, motioning to Aragorn. As he was being pulled from the room, he heard the slave owner's next words. "Can you wake the elf up?"
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Reviewers: (11 Poor Leggy's!)
LeggyLover03: Uhm, I missed the update soon part, didn't I? Escape is looking kind of impossible right now, too. Hm, where is Thranduil?
F h c: I love the plates, like, I saw one on a corvette that said "corvette." I was think, really? I wondered what that car was. Lol. I'm not going to tell you WHAT the foreshadowing was. That will give away part of my plot. Although you were the only one that asked. Also, HAPPY way belated BIRTHDAT! ! !
Angel with No Wings: You were my first poor leggy of the chapter. Uhm, well, I can't say if it will be substantial or not, but it will come into play again. ::wink::
SPEoD: Ah, ::blushes:: thanks for the complement. I'm so mad though, one of my stories, (the next one, actually,) has been written for a couple of moths now, and I was so proud of it, then Traitor was uploaded, and one of the events was like, the exact same as in my story. I was like, AH! I wrote it first. But hey, they updated it first, so I'm just gonna have to put a huge disclaimer at the beginning of that chapter. Was that confusing? Lol, you'll see next story. Hey, how did your show go? How'd you do? All firsts, right? The show I was at had the most impossible jumper course. Nearly everyone was whistled out. Only one person made it through clean. Uh, Aragorn might find out about it. . . he won't this story, at least. Leggy's got too much pride to let anyone know about it. And, that's what I meant by "it's about to get worse." ::cheeky grin::
Lizzie: Lol, you're the only who caught that it can't be undone. Kudos. Mithfalas is Leggy's brother, Oropher is Leggy's grandfather, and Tarduian was the evil king that Leggy was taken captive by in story one. Does that help?
LegolasLover2003: Aragorn's going to need more emotional than physical strength, especially in the next chapter, hehe. Aragorn isn't holding out too much hope, is he? Yeah, where is Thranduil? Hm. . . lol!
Solange: Lol, I will hurry with the NEXT chapter, okay? I didn't hurry too well with this one! Legolas does have to make it to the Fellowship, so I don't think he's gonna die. You never know though. I could totally break canon. ::Evil grin::
Nenya: Yay, a really big review! No, it's okay. You're allowed to say that I don't update enough. I know I don't. I'm horrible about it. I keep trying, and then my professors go and pile work on us. Sheesh, shame on them. Hey, I get a kick out of proofreading people's work, and you think you're a nerd? Lol. No, you should write a fic. I always say that an author who writes for the public will never succeed. You have to write what you know, what you love, and then you'll be successful. Thanks for the compliments. Hm, and a ranger compares to a prince-warrior, how? Legolas is a warrior, a great archer, skilled with blades, he can see and hear better than Aragorn, he can make it through snow quicker, he can walk soundless and without leaving a trace, which means even with his ranger skills, Aragorn could not track him. Legolas is so much cooler, lol! Legolas was raised by elves too, and he is also royalty. He is also well rounded with many friends. I'd say the two are just about equal, and if not, Legolas is so much better! (Haha, just for you, I'll try to add more Aragorn owies, but this story is pretty much Legolas', you'll see why in the next few chapters.) Thanks for the long review!
Sara: Yay! I missed you! Where've you been? (Of course, I really have no room to talk.) And does this chapter tell you what I meant by "it's about to get bad?" Yes, I know he has to make it to the Fellowship, but that doesn't mean he won't have a few close calls along the way. What did you do to hurt your wrist?
Nikki: Okay, he was poisoned when they first kidnapped him. When he was woken up in the middle of the night and Merithol took him out of the castle and he was being all defiant, like he usually is. Yes, cheesecake is the cure all. Lol. Well, here we go with another chapter after AGES.
Sky 14: Thanks.
Gwyn: We've got all that, and they're not even out yet! Lol. Thanks for the review.
Coolio02: I'm working on that posting soon thing, lol.
Galadriel Evenstar: I hate when I get a new reviewer and then I don't update for ages. Lol, I really try and update more quickly than this. Thanks for the great review!
Bec: We've got six weeks left of our semester. Which I am so thrilled about. Really. Can't you just see my excitement? You and Sara are so much alike, lol, it cracks me up. Ooh, Legolas gets way more owies. I think this is the most damaging story I've written him into yet. There will probably be worse ones later, but lol. The next update will be soon, lol. I hope. I'm really trying.
Elainor: Lol, that's exactly how I had them pegged. Legolas as the defiant, never give in type, and Strider as the calm, yet always hopeful one. I am seriously trying to make my updates more frequent, please bear with me!
TsugumiWolf: Lol, I'm trying to update soon, really I am! Don't cry!
Fire Eagle: Ah, you are so so so kind! Sheesh, I miss sixth grade, lol.
Lulu Bell: You win. That review was 6k in my inbox, the largest one yet. Let's see who can beat that, hm? Das Blume, you up for the challenge? Haha, do you really want to know what other torture I have planned for him? Believe me, there's more. Oh yeah, I know what that feels like. I've been pulling all nighters this whole week. I had five tests on Friday, Five! How unfair is that? I can't handle that much studying! HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY! I love birthdays. Was it fun? Yeah, my parents had that rule for me. Then they realized it was never going to happen, so they let up. Now it doesn't really matter since I don't live with them anymore, lol. My roommates don't care when I go to bed as long as my music isn't too loud. Most of them are up pulling all nighters with me. I'm playing softball in the spring, hopefully. I'm really actually not sure yet. Now I'm just devoting my time to my studies and my horse. And sleeping. I've actually gotten a couple nights of sleep. It was really nice. Did you ever get your project finished?
Force of Hobbit: Third person to ask what that meant. Did this chapter answer it for you? Aw, I am so honoured that you would go to all of that trouble just to read a chapter of mine! They like me, they really like me! (Sorry, it's been a LONG week.) I love novels, thanks! Also, thanks for adding me to your favourite stories list!
Das Blume: Jeez, I have two really long reviews from you to answer. I could be here forever. Anyone notice that my author's notes are getting as long as the chapter? I know you didn't mean it, but I'm counting that as a "poor Legolas." Lol. Yeah, I figured out that it needed two more w's. FF.net has a weird thing about letters like that. Oh my, I started cracking up when I saw the picture. I love how all of the riders are looking at each other, and how Aragorn and Gimli don't even notice, like they are used to it. I swear, I was laughing so much, I was crying. I emailed it to my mom, with the story behind it, and she was cracking up too! I absolutely love it, lol. Yeah, I know. He poll hasn't been updated in a while. I guess they all pretty much covered the possible outcomes. Jalapa. . . hahah. Oh, stop laughing, I need to breath now. Thanks for that review. Now on to the next! 2. I didn't see Revolutions. I liked the first one, but I just never made it to see the following two. ::BIG HUGGLES:: There, feel better? Oh yes, I agree that was a very serious review. ::snort:: Just for you I will go change my bio. Check it out later, okies? Uhm, they have nothing in common with each other, really, but at least I have two options for which way to take my career, right? Let em think about the authors, but I recommend Tolstoy, definitely. He's Russian. Incredible writer, A bit more difficult to follow than Tolkien, but totally worth it.
Dimostiel: I like your sarcasm too. No, I thought I killed Bob in my bathtub. . . maybe Bob has siblings! 600 of them! Ew, I hate spiders.
Hellmarie: Hey, I never said I wasn't evil, lol. Well, he doesn't know that he might die. He just knows his body hurts.
Note in general: Somebody asked me if they could ask where I live. . . I feel horrible, but I can't find that review anywhere! If that was you, I am so sorry, please write me again. It's not even in the reviews on FF.net.
I'd just like to say that I am so sorry this took me so long. I like to do at least one update a week, but things have been going on lately and all. . . and I just don't have the time. I am going to try to get another chapter uploaded today. Try being the operative word, so no promises. Thank you all for your patience. ::Big hugs all the way around::
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Aragorn tightened his grip on his friend's shoulders as the elf's body tensed.
"Hold him still." Not a second later, Legolas began fighting and thrashing.
"What's happening?"
"He's trying to escape from the pain. It's like a horse rolling when it has colic. . . to get away from the pain."
"How long is this going to last?"
Mar shrugged sympathetically. "It's hard to say. Hours. Maybe days." If he lived that long.
Aragorn watched his friend suffer helplessly. Doubt and suspicion began to form in his own mind. Why had he so willingly believed that Legolas' fever was from the poison? It could have been. could have been. any number of things. So what if he couldn't think of one off the top of his head, but he knew it could have been something other than the poison.
Then he had to blindly trust Mar, when he barely knew the young man. What if they were all trying to deceive them? What if they wanted Legolas dead?
"Estel!"
The ranger was pulled from his thoughts as Legolas cried out. He began whispering in elvish. "Lasto beth nin, Legolas. I am here. Listen to my voice, lasto beth nin." It had no effect on the elf, but Aragorn continued anyway.
Legolas was fighting the torture that his grandfather was forcing on him. It caused such terrible pain, but he was being held down, forced to take it all. He wanted to take it like a warrior, but oh Valar it hurt so much.
Aragorn reacted quickly as Legolas began curling in on himself. He tried to keep the elf's body open, but Legolas was fighting with everything he had. He knew, deep down, that part of it was the he knew he was being held by a man, but it was worse than normal. It caused Aragorn's heart to break. "What did they do to you yesterday? I am sorry that I am adding to this, Legolas. But you need to pull out of this. I need you."
He started whispering in elvish again, words that he had heard his father use before. It calmed the elf down very little, but it was something.
"He should wake up soon, if that is any comfort to you."
"And what state will he be in when he awakes?"
Mar would not meet his eyes. "Much the way he is now, only he will understand what's happening."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Legolas stayed hidden in the shadows, listening to his father and brother talk.
"I do not want to have to take this to the court, Mithfalas."
"No, indeed. What would be the point? You have ultimate ruling there as well."
"Don't be like this. You could fight your case."
"Again, I ask you, what would the point be? You want me gone, and no court hearing is going to change that!" He tried to keep his voice low, for he had a feeling his little brother would be listening.
"Mithfalas!"
"Father, no. I'll go. Explain to Legolas for me, will you?"
"I will not explain this to him."
The younger elf sighed. "And how do you propose to tell the kingdom, if you will not tell your own son?"
"You committed treason. I had to let you go. Legolas will be the crown prince. He is old enough, should anything happen."
Legolas held back a gasp. It couldn't be. . . his brother was being exiled?
"Will you allow me to explain it to him, before I leave?"
Thranduil paused, but finally nodded, realizing that if he didn't allow his son to go, he would have to explain it.
Mithfalas left his father's study for the last time, and did not look back.
"Legolas."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Strider!"
Aragorn wanted to cry, seeing the pain Legolas was enduring. "I'm here, I'm here."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas was awake. His eyes landed on Mar, and he tried to push away from the man.
"He's hallucinating."
"Is there nothing you can do past this?"
The slave shook his head. "He's fighting."
"He's losing," Aragorn growled, mostly to himself. "Legolas, I will not have you die on me. You are not going to die on my watch."
"Go away. . ." it was barely audible.
"He doesn't know it's us. He may be remembering someone from his past that he would want to have go away."
"Look, I appreciate your help, but can you just leave us? Please?"
Mar nodded, rising to his feet and quickly disappearing from sight.
"Legolas."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Legolas, I have to leave for a while."
"Don't, Fal. I know what happened. Don't play games."
The elder ran a hand over his face. "Father doesn't know what he's doing. Losing Mother was the worst thing that could have happened to him."
"And what of us? Losing Mother wasn't exactly easy for me."
Mithfalas took his brother by the shoulders. "Stop it, what's done is done. Now you must stay and be strong for Ada. I'm sorry I can't be here. Listen to me, Legolas. You've a lot of responsibilities being laid on your shoulders, and a lot of people who will expect you to pull through for them."
Legolas looked away, but Mithfalas gently shook his shoulders to regain his attention. "Listen to me. I know you feel like it's too much. Nothing ever prepared you for this. But you want to know something? I'm one of those people expecting you to pull through for them. You're not being given anything you can't handle. Stay strong for me."
There was a pause. Both brothers looked into each other's eyes, evaluating the other.
"Take me with you, Fal."
Mithfalas shook his head. "Please don't do this. I can't take you with me. Just promise me that you'll stick through this, and I'll be on my way."
"I promise."
"Thank you."
"Where will you go?"
"The Golden Wood. Or. . . there is a town of men a few days journey from here. Perhaps I will go there and become a ranger. And if Ada should have crossed the sea by that time, you will invite me to your wedding, with whomever you choose by then?"
Legolas was frustratedly fighting tears. He could only nod. "So this is goodbye, then?"
"No, let's not say goodbye. Besides, goodbyes denote endings, and this is certainly not the end."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Aragorn creased his brow as Legolas began mumbling. He was speaking have elvish, half common tongue. He was also speaking in broken sentences, and so Aragorn could not make sense of it.
"Exile. . . lasto. . . Fal!"
Although Aragorn could not understand what the elf was saying, his heart beat rose to match the rhythm of the frantic voice.
"Legolas, I am Strider. Estel. You are in Evandael. We are slaves. Fal is not here."
Whispers started around the ranger. He took note of them, but then paid them no heed.
The prince groaned. "I don't want to remember this."
"Talk to me, Legolas. What are you remembering?"
He received no answer. Legolas had fallen back into a sleep, but it was not a peaceful one. Memories surfaced, causing him to flinch away from Aragorn's grasp, though he did not realize it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas was finally forced to remember what had really happened with his brother. Mithfalas was gone, lost forever to his people, and Thranduil had caused it. Had he been younger, it would have been traumatizing to him. The age difference between the brothers was a matter of decades. . . so minimal by elvish standards. They were so much like friends rather than brothers, and yet they had been brothers when one of them needed it.
And just a century later, he and Arwen had been captured. He had needed a brother or a friend then, but there was no one. Over that century, Thranduil had managed to tell a lie to Legolas, to make his youngest son believe that it had been Mithfalas' fault.
What Legolas couldn't understand was that Thranduil never meant to tell a lie to Legolas. He loved his youngest with his whole heart and soul, and would never do wrong to him. Thranduil had really been telling the lie to himself. He needed to believe that he had done the right thing by exiling Mithfalas.
"Mithfalas!" Aragorn was not surprised by the cry, but the sudden silence of the room did surprise him. He looked quizzically at Berin.
"It is nothing, Strider."
"Please tell me. You have reacted every time he mentions Fal. Why?"
"We know the elf of whom he speaks."
"What? How? Where is he?"
Berin sighed, squatting next to the young man. "He used to live here. There were tales of it, centuries ago. He left when the town worsened, or so they say. He visited us once, not too long ago. He just barely escaped the clutches of Jerilan's men. Jeralin's been searching for him ever since. How does he know Mithfalas?"
Aragorn opened his mouth to answer, but said nothing. If the person in charge here so wanted Mithfalas, to the extent that he was searching for him, what would happen if he knew he had the elf's brother? Still a part of him did not trust the other slaves. "There are legends of him in elvish cities that say he rescues those in need."
Berin laughed. "Indeed he does. He rescued fifteen of us last time he was here."
"Do you think we can get him back here? Legolas needs to get out of here. He needs fresh air."
"It won't happen. There are guards everywhere waiting for him to return." He nodded at Legolas. "He'll just have to fight this one out."
"Berin, listen to me, please. Legolas will not make it like this. He doesn't like caves, he doesn't like cells, and his race by nature needs open air to survive."
Berin stood up so that Aragorn had to tilt his head to look into his eyes. "Then prepare yourself for the inevitable. The elf will die."
Aragorn cried out in frustration. He too stood, and slammed his fist into the stone wall, ignoring the pain it caused.
"Strider, there is nothing you can do! Just be here for him in his last minutes, and-"
The cell door swung open. "There he is."
Aragorn looked towards the newcomers. Merithol was there, with four other men that he had never seen before. One of the unrecognizables was pointing at Legolas.
Panic shot through the young man. They were coming for them! Merithol had told them! He moved if front of his still friend.
The five men were advancing towards him.
"Move," one of them growled. Aragorn knew he should move, he knew by staying put he would only make things worse, but he could not abandon his friend. Not now.
He feebly shook his head.
"Jerilan?"
Jerilan, the one who had spoken to Aragorn looked back to his men. "I don't have time for this. Take him too. Anyone else want to oppose us?"
No one moved. No one, except for Mar.
"I mean no disrespect sir, and I do not mean to oppose you. Indeed, sir, that is not my intention. I was only wondering if you would allow me to accompany the elf. He is in a real bad way, and he made need someone to hold him still."
Jerilan looked to Merithol.
"Dragonseed, sir. He was giving us a hard time on the way here."
Realization struck the young man with lightning force. They knew; they knew Legolas was Mithfalas' brother. That was the reason they took him: not to use him against Thranduil, but to use him against Mithfalas.
"Dragonseed would not have put him in a 'real bad way'. Besides, I saw him yesterday. He was fine."
Mar stepped forward. "Well, sir, it was wearing off really fast. We gave him the lethal form. We had no other choice, sir."
Aragorn's head snapped around to face the other man. He would not meet the ranger's eyes. Legolas hadn't been dying! It was only the effect of the drug wearing off. . .
He couldn't stop himself. He lunged at Mar, knocking him to the ground. "I trusted you! Damn it! You lied to me!"
Two of the men he did not recognize pulled him off the young slave, though he was fighting them valiantly.
"Get him ready." Jeralin said, motioning to Aragorn. As he was being pulled from the room, he heard the slave owner's next words. "Can you wake the elf up?"
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Reviewers: (11 Poor Leggy's!)
LeggyLover03: Uhm, I missed the update soon part, didn't I? Escape is looking kind of impossible right now, too. Hm, where is Thranduil?
F h c: I love the plates, like, I saw one on a corvette that said "corvette." I was think, really? I wondered what that car was. Lol. I'm not going to tell you WHAT the foreshadowing was. That will give away part of my plot. Although you were the only one that asked. Also, HAPPY way belated BIRTHDAT! ! !
Angel with No Wings: You were my first poor leggy of the chapter. Uhm, well, I can't say if it will be substantial or not, but it will come into play again. ::wink::
SPEoD: Ah, ::blushes:: thanks for the complement. I'm so mad though, one of my stories, (the next one, actually,) has been written for a couple of moths now, and I was so proud of it, then Traitor was uploaded, and one of the events was like, the exact same as in my story. I was like, AH! I wrote it first. But hey, they updated it first, so I'm just gonna have to put a huge disclaimer at the beginning of that chapter. Was that confusing? Lol, you'll see next story. Hey, how did your show go? How'd you do? All firsts, right? The show I was at had the most impossible jumper course. Nearly everyone was whistled out. Only one person made it through clean. Uh, Aragorn might find out about it. . . he won't this story, at least. Leggy's got too much pride to let anyone know about it. And, that's what I meant by "it's about to get worse." ::cheeky grin::
Lizzie: Lol, you're the only who caught that it can't be undone. Kudos. Mithfalas is Leggy's brother, Oropher is Leggy's grandfather, and Tarduian was the evil king that Leggy was taken captive by in story one. Does that help?
LegolasLover2003: Aragorn's going to need more emotional than physical strength, especially in the next chapter, hehe. Aragorn isn't holding out too much hope, is he? Yeah, where is Thranduil? Hm. . . lol!
Solange: Lol, I will hurry with the NEXT chapter, okay? I didn't hurry too well with this one! Legolas does have to make it to the Fellowship, so I don't think he's gonna die. You never know though. I could totally break canon. ::Evil grin::
Nenya: Yay, a really big review! No, it's okay. You're allowed to say that I don't update enough. I know I don't. I'm horrible about it. I keep trying, and then my professors go and pile work on us. Sheesh, shame on them. Hey, I get a kick out of proofreading people's work, and you think you're a nerd? Lol. No, you should write a fic. I always say that an author who writes for the public will never succeed. You have to write what you know, what you love, and then you'll be successful. Thanks for the compliments. Hm, and a ranger compares to a prince-warrior, how? Legolas is a warrior, a great archer, skilled with blades, he can see and hear better than Aragorn, he can make it through snow quicker, he can walk soundless and without leaving a trace, which means even with his ranger skills, Aragorn could not track him. Legolas is so much cooler, lol! Legolas was raised by elves too, and he is also royalty. He is also well rounded with many friends. I'd say the two are just about equal, and if not, Legolas is so much better! (Haha, just for you, I'll try to add more Aragorn owies, but this story is pretty much Legolas', you'll see why in the next few chapters.) Thanks for the long review!
Sara: Yay! I missed you! Where've you been? (Of course, I really have no room to talk.) And does this chapter tell you what I meant by "it's about to get bad?" Yes, I know he has to make it to the Fellowship, but that doesn't mean he won't have a few close calls along the way. What did you do to hurt your wrist?
Nikki: Okay, he was poisoned when they first kidnapped him. When he was woken up in the middle of the night and Merithol took him out of the castle and he was being all defiant, like he usually is. Yes, cheesecake is the cure all. Lol. Well, here we go with another chapter after AGES.
Sky 14: Thanks.
Gwyn: We've got all that, and they're not even out yet! Lol. Thanks for the review.
Coolio02: I'm working on that posting soon thing, lol.
Galadriel Evenstar: I hate when I get a new reviewer and then I don't update for ages. Lol, I really try and update more quickly than this. Thanks for the great review!
Bec: We've got six weeks left of our semester. Which I am so thrilled about. Really. Can't you just see my excitement? You and Sara are so much alike, lol, it cracks me up. Ooh, Legolas gets way more owies. I think this is the most damaging story I've written him into yet. There will probably be worse ones later, but lol. The next update will be soon, lol. I hope. I'm really trying.
Elainor: Lol, that's exactly how I had them pegged. Legolas as the defiant, never give in type, and Strider as the calm, yet always hopeful one. I am seriously trying to make my updates more frequent, please bear with me!
TsugumiWolf: Lol, I'm trying to update soon, really I am! Don't cry!
Fire Eagle: Ah, you are so so so kind! Sheesh, I miss sixth grade, lol.
Lulu Bell: You win. That review was 6k in my inbox, the largest one yet. Let's see who can beat that, hm? Das Blume, you up for the challenge? Haha, do you really want to know what other torture I have planned for him? Believe me, there's more. Oh yeah, I know what that feels like. I've been pulling all nighters this whole week. I had five tests on Friday, Five! How unfair is that? I can't handle that much studying! HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY! I love birthdays. Was it fun? Yeah, my parents had that rule for me. Then they realized it was never going to happen, so they let up. Now it doesn't really matter since I don't live with them anymore, lol. My roommates don't care when I go to bed as long as my music isn't too loud. Most of them are up pulling all nighters with me. I'm playing softball in the spring, hopefully. I'm really actually not sure yet. Now I'm just devoting my time to my studies and my horse. And sleeping. I've actually gotten a couple nights of sleep. It was really nice. Did you ever get your project finished?
Force of Hobbit: Third person to ask what that meant. Did this chapter answer it for you? Aw, I am so honoured that you would go to all of that trouble just to read a chapter of mine! They like me, they really like me! (Sorry, it's been a LONG week.) I love novels, thanks! Also, thanks for adding me to your favourite stories list!
Das Blume: Jeez, I have two really long reviews from you to answer. I could be here forever. Anyone notice that my author's notes are getting as long as the chapter? I know you didn't mean it, but I'm counting that as a "poor Legolas." Lol. Yeah, I figured out that it needed two more w's. FF.net has a weird thing about letters like that. Oh my, I started cracking up when I saw the picture. I love how all of the riders are looking at each other, and how Aragorn and Gimli don't even notice, like they are used to it. I swear, I was laughing so much, I was crying. I emailed it to my mom, with the story behind it, and she was cracking up too! I absolutely love it, lol. Yeah, I know. He poll hasn't been updated in a while. I guess they all pretty much covered the possible outcomes. Jalapa. . . hahah. Oh, stop laughing, I need to breath now. Thanks for that review. Now on to the next! 2. I didn't see Revolutions. I liked the first one, but I just never made it to see the following two. ::BIG HUGGLES:: There, feel better? Oh yes, I agree that was a very serious review. ::snort:: Just for you I will go change my bio. Check it out later, okies? Uhm, they have nothing in common with each other, really, but at least I have two options for which way to take my career, right? Let em think about the authors, but I recommend Tolstoy, definitely. He's Russian. Incredible writer, A bit more difficult to follow than Tolkien, but totally worth it.
Dimostiel: I like your sarcasm too. No, I thought I killed Bob in my bathtub. . . maybe Bob has siblings! 600 of them! Ew, I hate spiders.
Hellmarie: Hey, I never said I wasn't evil, lol. Well, he doesn't know that he might die. He just knows his body hurts.
Note in general: Somebody asked me if they could ask where I live. . . I feel horrible, but I can't find that review anywhere! If that was you, I am so sorry, please write me again. It's not even in the reviews on FF.net.