Chapter 8

Decisions of a King

 There was nothing he could have done, with his horse in mid air in a jump it whined realizing where he would land – upon a bed of spears the men quickly shifted.  Gathering Frodo quickly Aragorn jumped from his horse as it fell, screaming and fighting in its last moments.

 Distinctly Aragorn rolled pulling Frodo to his chest to protect him from the fall. Uncurling himself Aragorn rose and briefly took in the situation before the men clad in black were upon him. Swords flashed, blood was spilt and cries exchanged and Aragorn pushed them back, gritting his teeth. They stared at him as if he were a wild creature, unpredictable and uncontrollable.

 Someone laughed; it was cold and cruel laughter.

"Fight as much as you wish, Sire but I have my prize" Aragorn shifted his eye line. Kunai was laughing at him, one arm firmly on Frodo's shoulder.

 The grip on his sword hilt tightened, he shifted his weight quietly winding himself up to attack. Raising his blade he shouted, shouted cries of elvish and the tongues of men and charged into his enemy. They responded quickly and pared his attacks, disordering him by turning and tapping him they confused him and began to overpower him.

 But his cries became louder, stronger and the ground shook. Kunai looked up from watching Aragorn fall – horses everywhere, blades swinging, reinforcements came to the Kings aid. Kunai didn't hesitate, he ran.

 With the noise around him Aragorn heard him: "Strider!" Frodo's frightened tone scared him.

Elrohir offered him his hand and pulled him upon his horse and they rode in purist. Ahead Kunai turned to look over his shoulder and pulled Frodo off the track. Elrohir turned his horse in hot purist, watching Kunai jump and ran harder dodging stray trees as the surrounding changed from woodland to stone.  Elrohir' eyes widened and Aragorn shouted from behind, but they were going too fast.

His horse reared and bolted. Leaving a scattering of broken weaponry and barbs behind.

 Kunai turned again pulling Frodo behind. But Elrohir had no control of his horse and in its panic state it missed the turning in which Kunai had taken. Swearing Aragorn braced him and let himself fall from the horse and give chase.

 Kunai had disappeared from his sight, but he continued to run fearing what he might find round the next boulder. Aragorn turned his head he could hear horse hoofs over the rocky ground; he drew his sword not expecting to see what he did.

 Arod neighed seeing the familiar face and stood by the mans side. Aragorn looked up to the horse face and then to his back and decided quickly. He had trusted Arod this far…

 He took several steps backwards and broke into a run, dashing towards the horses' side and jumped, swinging his right leg over and adjusting his position they leapt away. Slightly unstable Aragorn found a hold in the mane but found himself soon at ease of his friends' horse. Arod had accepted him and his fear of riding with no bridle or saddle, but had not eased his pace. Turning his head to the sound of scrapping stones Aragorn' hand flew to his bow and pulled the string taut, an arrow notched. Kunai slipped in his haste to escape he was frightened his plan had failed, his men defeated and he had failed to acquire all the pieces he needed. His only card he had left was two hobbits and an elf. Legolas would pay for his fathers' judgment and the elven world would grieve for his lose, and by killing the hobbits he would have filled their race with fear.

His thoughts were cut short as an arrow whistled next his ear. He turned and cursed as Aragorn reloaded his bow and pushed Frodo onwards. The hobbit slipped and fell; Kunai weighed up his chances quickly and ran, leaving Frodo behind, arrows nipping at he heels.

  Another rider appeared at Frodo' side and brief smile passed between Aragorn and Éomer they quickly collected themselves and continued onwards.

 In the rocky terrain at the base of the mountains of Henneth Annûn Aragorn could not read the ground, any tracks Kunai may have left he could not see and to make tracking harder Kunai is an elf he reminded himself. Not being able to read the roads he had to fully rely on Arod, Legolas' trusted horse. But the grey horse didn't put a foot wrong, he ran onwards taking his strides strongly and confidently as if hearing the call of his master in distress somewhere.

 Aragorn frowned he could hear something, a sound that drummed continuously in his ears, roaring and dramatic, then he remembered it was the waterfall mountain above 'the window of the sunset' some called it. Arod pushed onwards up the incline and into the mountains.

 Arod finally stopped, the ringing and roaring of the waterfall raged in their ears. Aragorn dismounted and looked around himself and above the roaring of the water he could hear something, someone. Someone was laughing watching look around blindly. Aragorn froze and the laughter continued to swell, then he found him.

 Standing above him laughing loudly in between Sam and Legolas suspended via ropes and pulleys over the waterfall, over the drop, over the deep pool that no one had ever emerged from. With their arms and ankles bound even if they survived the fall they would not be able to swim. Aragorn looked in between them his eyes filled with horror.

Kunai smiled down at him, the grin evil and full of content.

"I have much wanted to meet you Aragorn, Strider, Elfstone, Estel, King Elessar, many names you have but it neither matters. All that matters now is your decision" he smiled down fingering the ropes that he held that connected to Legolas and Sam.

"What is it you want?" Aragorn asked watching with fear as Kunai played with the ropes that would decide the life or death of his friends.

"Your decision will decide who will die and who will live"

 Aragorn's stomach turned he had feared this.

"This decision is yours only"

   Aragorn watched Kunai's eyes shift and he spun. Elladan, Elrohir and Gimli had emerged. Aragorn threw out his arm to stop them coming any further.

"Periannath" //Halfling// Legolas whispered. Kunai twitched the rope in his right hand and Legolas dropped several inches and jerked to a halt.

"Any more and I'll drop him" he threatened. Gimli half stepped forward and Sam dropped several inches. They froze, not knowing what to do next.

"Why Kunai?" Elrohir asked.

"Two thousand years ago Thranduil banished me from all Elven Realms for purifying the elven race, under pain of death. I have sworn revenge ever since."  

"By turning black and following the commands Sauron and Saruman, you thought your revenge would be fulfilled? By turning into the hands of the enemy, against your kin you thought you would receive payment above any given to any other folk? You believed that Sauron would reward you for capturing those who bought about his downfall? You are a fool to believe them." Elladan cried.

"In you opinion I may have been a fool, but you were always good children, you never risked anything or took risks. But none of you can play a part it this, if you try I will drop them both. Hurry now, your majesty time is running out"

Aragorn looked about himself, Sam and Legolas suspended above him, Elladan, Elrohir and Gimli slightly behind but were not allowed to help. There was no way he could save them both.

"Deicide, King!"

"Time's up"

Kunai smiled and opened his hands.

The result was instant, both form of Sam and Legolas plummeted downwards. Instantly everyone reacted. Both Elladan and Elrohir un-slung their bows and fired, finally catching Sam's splaying ropes as he fell pinning him onto the rock face on the other side of the waterfall. Aragorn did not reach for his bow he caught his breath and dived into the water after Legolas who continued to fall after the sons of Elrond had failed to catch him. Gimli began to climb in pursuit of Kunai his small legs pumping hard as he climbed.

"Tira ten' rashwe Estel" //be careful//. Elladan called watching his brother disappear under the water.

Aragorn's world changed. The water that roared down in the waterfall churned his underwater world. He could not even see his hand in front of his face, let alone his friend fighting to live somewhere underwater. He swam deeper clearing the murky world kicked up by the falling water above. The water began to clear and Aragorn could see more, though his lungs began to ache. But he still hadn't found Legolas and with his arms and legs bound he wouldn't be able to swim. He had to find him. He swam deeper and suddenly saw something, something blonde and moving. His heart pumped fiercely and he kicked harder, stretching his hands trying desperately to reach his friend. He felt he was fighting a losing battle; a sudden current pulled him away.

His lungs were burning and he had to reach him, he would never forgive himself if Legolas died.

Fighting desperately hard he kicked hard and gained more ground, only to be pulled away once more by the current. His head began to feel light, his surrounding began to darken but he wished to try one more time. He was knocking on deaths doorstep and he would not go through it alone. On the third attempt Aragorn swam hard and was rewarded by the cool touch of Legolas' shoulder. His grip tightened on his tunic and he swam strongly towards the surface. The pain in his lungs was unbearable, he fought hard to keep himself conscious but he felt himself failing…fading drowning. This would be his end…

Then suddenly his head broke the waters surface and he breathed in deeply the fresh air and cooled his lungs. Fearing the worst he pulled Legolas' head above the waterline and began to call his name. He gasped suddenly when Legolas shook his head and opened his eyes taking deep breaths of air also.

"Estel!" he cried rejoiced in seeing his life long friend again. "You took your time" he joked.

Aragorn smiled whilst his hands searched his sword belt for his knife to cut Legolas bonds, but as his fingers touched the blade hilt things turned ill. A sudden strong current pulled them under the surface once more and no amount of kicking could prevent them from being pulled deeper. Aragorn starred opened eyed at the underwater floor that closed on them dramatically; he had no way of slowing himself and steering and beside them Legolas stared at it painfully. This was going to hurt…

 Aragorn twisted his body just in time, his shoulder taking most of the hit but Legolas was not so lucky. He too had tired to manoeuvre himself but his lighter form had been tossed in the current and Aragorn watching in horror as his friend's head collided with the rocky floor hard. The current turned them away and Aragorn was able to reach Legolas before he was pulled away and together they were pushed and dragged at the waters mercy. But Aragorn protested kicking for the surface. It surprised him how little distance it was to the surface. Quickly he pulled the limp form of Legolas to the surface and drank in cool air once more. He turned Legolas' face towards him, his heart beating fast. Pulling Legolas close he could feel his gentle breath against his face.

He was still alive.

 But Aragorn's joy soon faded, the water lapped playfully at his face. They were travelling fast – away from the others and into he unknown. The bright sunlight that bathed him vanished suddenly as they were towed into a tunnel. Aragorn shivered clutching his friend close to him as the ceiling lowered and in the darkness the water claimed them.

It tested all his elven skill to reach Sam still hanging by his ropes over the water. The water Sam been watching closely for Aragorn and Legolas to emerge from. Only once had he seen them rise from the waters surface and he was glad to see the both of them alive but now he was worried. He had not seen them surface for a while. Elladan crept closer towards him, he too had only seen Aragorn and Legolas surface once if he was concerned he didn't show it as he careful placed his feet in the stone wall.

 Twice he had slipped on the mossy stones but Elrohir held firm onto the rope he had insisted tied round his brother's waist. Elladan had protested to this, but now he was glad his brother had won as he eyed up the path to Sam again. Groping for a handhold he stretched out to reach Sam but his hand fell short. Cursing he shifted closer balancing himself carefully on lose stones and thin footholds.

'No' he thought. 'I need to be closer' he toed nearer and his delicate ears heard the groaning of wood. His eyes shot towards Sam dangling over the water by his own arrow which was starting to show signs of fatigue. The arrow was going to break and Sam would fall if he could not reach him in time. Reaching higher up he found a secure hand hold, pulling himself upwards his feet searched hurriedly for a perch as the wood groaned louder.

 But there was nothing but flat stone.

Replacing his feet, he had only one choice to stretch putting himself and Sam's life at risk. He glanced at Elrohir on the other side who nodded seeming to understand and wrapped the rope tightly over his hands. Elladan stretched… he still couldn't reach! He could see the wooden arrow start to spilt…

 He shifted his weight onto his left leg, the closet to Sam and leant further but could only reach the hobbit's fraying cloak. He stretched as far as he dared but could still only reach Sam's elven cloak. The wooden arrow groaned louder and louder until-

Snap!

Sam shouted and instantly Elladan tightened his grip Sam's cloak. But the weight of Sam pulled him from his perch and the pair slipped downwards. Elladan gasped as they fell, the rock face speeding past them and he pulled Sam into his chest. His eyes widened they were heading straight for an outcrop of rocks and falling at this speed would kill them both…

Elrohir planted his feet squarely as his brother stretched for the halfling and held the rope taught hoping he would not need to bear the weight of the two of them.

 He swore when the arrow snapped and he took their combined weight. Their weight pulled him off his feet and dragged him nearer the edge.  Elladan and Sam plummeted out of sight quickly, Elrohir battled hard to stop himself from sliding but he could not stop himself. With sicken realisation he knew that if he could not right himself Elladan, Sam and himself would be killed.

 He shouted with annoyance as the edge neared – he would fail them.

Éomer ran hard. He had heard Elrohir shout, though he did not know what to expect he ran, hard and alone.

 He didn't even hesitate when he saw the elf slide across his view battling hard to hold rope its other end somewhere below. He launched himself onto the rope before Elrohir disappeared and pulled.

Elladan shut his eyes. They were not slowing…

"I'm sorry Sam" he whispered.

 He expected nothing but death and darkness, not sharp pain round his waist.  The sudden jerk pulled Sam from his chest but he maintained the grip on his cloak helm. He eyes snapped open and he fixed them on Sam searching his cloak for possible weak points. Sam began to choke, the leaf brooch pressed against his throat.

"Asca Elrohir!" Elladan shouted //hurry//

 Something in his hand moved. Sam's cloak helm was fraying…

"Asca Elrohir!"

"Hurry!" Elrohir cried to Éomer pulling hard and faster. The man increased his speed, his arms stretching their full length to keep up.

Their eyes were fixed on the rope, it didn't seem to end!

 Suddenly they saw the knot and Elladan's body crept over the edge and he hurriedly climbed his hands down Sam's cloak pulling him quickly to safety.

Dropping the rope Elrohir hurried to his brothers' side and picked up Sam.

Sam coughed his throat red and bruised but he was thankfully very much alive.

"Where is Aragorn, Legolas, and Kunai?" Éomer asked after Sam had been freed.

"Kunai dropped Legolas and Aragorn dived in after him. Kunai escaped." Elrohir answered uniting the knot around his brother waist.

"Escaped? Which way did he go? Did no one follow him?" Éomer asked, angry that he had lost the enemy leader.

"We didn't have a chance to!" Elladan said coolly "We were busy saving lives!"

"Gimli followed him. They went that way. Though I doubt he's caught him" Elrohir pointed ignoring his brother hot headed ness.

"That's the problem with you elves you don't have any respect of us dwarves" a gruff voice spoke from somewhere.

"Gimli?" Éomer asked.

Something hit the floor behind them. They turned.

"It's Kunai!" Sam cried leaping up. But Sam had failed to notice that Kunai lay still and unmoving.

"No, he's not dead, the lucky git. I was tempted though" Gimli spoke easing himself down the rocks. "He hid from me, not realising my skills with rocks I found him easily. There's nothing left of him really. The coward couldn't even put up a fight. I didn't even touch him. He did that to himself" the dwarf nodded to Kunai's bloodied head. "He turned tail to run and fell. Not really very gracefully either" he chuckled.

 He sighed eyeing up the water below consonantly being turned by the waterfall. "Has anyone seen them?" he asked.

"Once but that was some while ago" the twins followed his gaze.

Silence fell over them, watching the water, but nothing broke its glittering surface.

 Éomer bowed his head. "Have peace, heir of Isildur"

"Aa' lasser en lle coia orn n' omenta gurtha utinu en' Thranduil" // May the leaves of your life tree never turn brown son of Thranduil// Elladan whispered.

"Goodbye, my friends" Sam said, looking sadly into the water.

Reviewer responses:

Deana: Glad you like the story so far, Deana more will arrive soon.

Yellowrose: *Blushes* Thank you – yep I like this fic too! You like the suffering, you say? Well I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you L! The next chapter is the final one!

Elfmage: Enough of the 'You're to modest'!  Like Yellowrose and others I don't think there will be anymore evilness as the story comes to an end in the next chapter, so its rather unlikely I will get more reviewers, sadly. Never mind, always next time.

Lindiniel: I know it does sound rather evil and nasty doesn't it? More soon though, and yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Mellaithwen-ElvenMaiden: Love the name! Anyway the end is nigh! Hope the decision Aragorn has made suites you.

Elessar*Lover: Thank you! Hope you keep an interest in my work there are handfuls of work nearing compilation, though probably won't emerged to after Christmas (it give me something to do over Christmas when my family switch off after dinner and all nap, yes that's right all of them expect me of course!)

So13: Thank you for noticing my error! I am aware that horses not whine like dogs, but I personally hate the word 'whinny'. Sound rather daft doesn't it? (I think it has to do with a pet name someone I know calls one of the horses I work with. The cob Shire x called Winston is called Winnie by one person I really detest.) And also I am aware they don't drink wine, I do work with horses in a private driving yard in England. A horse liking coke? Hmmm unusually I know at work if the horse won't accept his wormer we inject into a donut and then he'll woof it down! Another horse I work with will do anything for bananas and their skins! 

ElvenRanger13: Thank you for your review! Hope you have enjoyed the story so far and liked this chapter too!