@rath : We love to torture the readers because it's our job. LOL! Okay, I won't kill him, I promise.
@namarie2legolas : Legolas' kids will look much better, definitely!
@nightshade : Yeah. Can't get the picture of Faramir in drag out of my mind too!
@Lucy : A bar party? Wow! That must be something!
@Jamie : Sorry for that evil place for the cliffie. How about another one? Ha! Ha!
@Tweeked-Out-Girl : Thank you. I might not kill Leggy, but can I at least kill Faramir? (smiling that evil smile)
@MysticalWoodElf : He! He! He! I watched ROTK last night and couldn't help but see Faramir in Arwen's place with that cloak! God, I shouldn't have started this!
@miekje : Eating salad is torture enough. Celebrating the New Year with it? Thank god you found your escape there!
@Fire Breathing Ferret : Careful. Too many sweets will cause you to see stars in broad daylight!
@Deana : I don't know if it's true Malaysian style but my family practically celebrates everything by eating tons of food!
@so13 : You work in the ER? Cool!
@Kayo : Swashbuckling Leggy aka Will Turner coming up!
@szhismine : Yes. Stupid, idiot, never-go-to-school Asfahn! And I just can't resist Jack Sparrow! He's absurdly adorable!
@Gwyn : You truly don't want him unscathed? Are you sure?
@feanen : Of course, there will be another cliffie! I just love to give you more and more!
@twinlakesghrl : Ballet? Oh I love ballet! Tutus all around! The last things I saw that resembled ballet were the films 'Save The Last Dance' and 'Center Stage'.
@MusicstarLover : Your family is here in Malaysia? Where? I stay in Kuala Lumpur.
@Baby Blaize : Only two more chapters left. It's about to end.
@purplesmackers : Yeah. It's kinda weird for Leggy to hold Anduril. Hmmm. By the way, that sounds like great fun you were having there in O'Connors!
@Irish QT : No, I don't have the book. Where can I get it? It will certainly be very useful for my next fics!
@Hp-Azn : You are forgiven, o my loyal subject. Now rise. Give me another review. :)
@layla146 : Your friends from Mexico sure have fun and tasty tradition!
@Young Storyteller : Remember the old Malay film 'Selendang Delima' that I've told you about? It will be on aired on TV3 this coming January 11th at 3.00 p.m. ^_^
It's so nice to find out that all of you come from different parts of the world! And we all meet here in one site! COOL! Anyway, I love the way you all celebrate your New Year. I spent it with my family watching films marathon on tv. And then at midnight, we all went out into our backyard to stare at the top of the Petronas Twin Towers and kaboom! There were lots of fireworks around! It took about more than fifteen minutes, I believe. AWESOME! There goes over 500,000.00 Ringgit up in smoke! He! He!
Okay. Now I'm beginning to babble. So, on to the story, guys!
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As soon as they heard the fierce battle cry of the closely approaching Haradrim, Legolas nodded at Faramir. "That's our cue."
They instantly stepped out of the carriage to face the enemy, swords held high at ready. Elladan and Elrohir still sat tall on their mounts, shooting back in rapid successions at the Haradrim. Then came the imminent clash, but the group from Minas Tirith was more than ready for it.
It was ferocious and bloodcurdling. The horrific sound of the battle was enough to cause a normal man to flee. The scent of blood mingled with sweat already permeated the air, reeking with its heavy stench. The darkness of the night was enough to make it more confusing. Still, with their sharp eyes and wits, Legolas and his comrades could easily discern friend from foe, and many of the Haradrims were found littered on the ground not long after the battle had just started.
Lors himself came swinging with his sword heading directly for Legolas, actually thinking that the heavily cloaked figure was the king of Gondor who was trying to protect his queen. But the 'queen' was doing just fine for the moment, fists flying and all.
Faramir pivoted as a Haradrim aimed high for his chest with a blade. He grabbed the man's head and viciously twisted it between his hands until he heard the sound of bones snapping, and then he moved on to face his next opponent. Two Haradrim were coming for him now, smirking with delight.
"Ooh, my lady. This is no place for someone so delicate as you," one of them crooned with pure devilry.
"You will look so much better in our bed!" the other one enthused with a crooked grin.
Faramir shook his head in disgust before yanking off his hood. "Really? Will I look good in your bed now? "
The two Haradrim blanched when they finally found out that the 'lady' was no lady at all. Before they could even blink, Faramir had already swung his blade to cut through their throats. Their eyes still wide open, the Haradrim's heads instantly detached off their necks and rolled onto the ground.
"That will teach you to respect the women!" Faramir spat. He then turned and saw that more Haradrim were still coming. "And I believe this is the best time for some reinforcements!" he yelled.
As if to answer his call, a horn blew from somewhere in the darkness. It was immediately replied by another familiar sounding horn. "The horn of Dol Amroth," Faramir said with a grin, recognizing the later sound. He saw Legolas also smiled when the old horn of Mirkwood blew again.
Not long after, hundreds of warriors from Eryn Lasgalen came riding from the other side of the glen, while the knights of Dol Amroth rode from the direction of Minas Tirith. The Haradrim started to panic. Knowing that they had walked themselves into a trap, they tried to take flight only to find that they were already surrounded.
Then the real battle began.
Legolas had just slain his twentieth opponent for that night when he realized that he had been counting. "I bet Gimli will hate that!" he thought, almost laughing. Then he saw Lors coming ever closer towards him.
"So, King Elessar of Gondor, you are eager to meet your death!" Lors sneered and glared at the hooded figure.
Legolas smiled behind his disguise. "I'm afraid you have made some mistake because, firstly, I'm not King Elessar." The prince pulled down his hood, letting his golden tresses tumble out and settle about his shoulders. "Remember me?"
Lors' face changed rapidly from surprise to bafflement and then to full-fledged fury. "You tricked us!"
"And secondly, you are the one who will meet your death," Legolas continued as if he hadn't heard Lors's words.
With a cry of outrage, Lors lifted his sword and charged. But before his sword could hit Legolas, another blade came swinging and blocked it. Lors stared in astonishment at the tall golden-haired elven warrior who was glaring back at him.
Glorfindel suddenly raised his foot and kicked Lors on his face. The man's head snapped to the side and he stumbled to the ground. Placing the tip of his sword against the man's neck, Glorfindel growled, "You touch him again and I'll kill you!"
Legolas raised his eyebrows, a little surprised that Glorfindel had easily figured out who had ordered the torture on him that horrific day. Lors bared his teeth in a hiss and swiped Glorfindel's sword away. He quickly got to his feet and leaped upon the elven lord, his blade flashing.
"On second thought, I will kill you!" Glorfindel snarled, raising his sword once more. It only took him only one strike to send Lors to his maker. Glowering at the dead Haradrim leader at their feet, Glorfindel inquired through gritted teeth, "Was he the one?"
Legolas understood what Glorfindel had meant, but he asked instead, "What would you do if I said he wasn't?"
"Then I'll go kill the rest of them until I get the right one," Glorfindel retorted.
Legolas grinned. "Thank you, my lord."
"I didn't do this for you. I did this for myself," the elder elf responded. "I have not had so much fun in centuries!"
Legolas chuckled and looked around them. The fierce battle was about to end. Bodies lay scattered all over the ground, some were twitching in agony, while most of them were not moving at all. The remaining Haradrim tried to take flight but were cornered by Imrahil's knights and the warriors of Eryn Lasgalen. In the end, the Haradrim had suffered the biggest lost.
"Legolas! Is this yours?" suddenly came Imrahil's voice. He approached from the other part of the glen towards the elven prince, holding a long bow in his hand.
Legolas' face lit up. "The Lady Galadriel's bow!" He eagerly reached for it and lovingly stroked the strong yet delicately crafted wood. "It's not even damaged. Where did you find it?"
"My men found it tied to the saddle of a mount. I believe the horse belonged to Lors," said Imrahil, glad to see the delight back on Legolas' fair features. "I guess he had been keeping it as souvenir like you had thought."
"So, Legolas," Elladan started as he and Elrohir gathered closer. "I believe you still do not have your daggers. How about getting them back?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes, indeed. Let's pay Asfahn a visit, shall we?"
"Blast it!" Faramir suddenly cried out in dismay.
They all turned to him, puzzled. "What's wrong, Faramir?"
The Ithilien prince looked up and showed them the tears and stains on the cloak that he was wearing. "Lady Arwen will kill me! Look at this cloak! It is ruined! Great! She is definitely not going to like this at all!"
That was too much for Legolas. He doubled over in his uncontrollable mirth. So did the rest of the company.
******************************
To say that Asfahn was surprised to see them was an understatement. His face clearly showed his shock and alarm. But he quickly recovered and smiled a little uncertainly.
"Faramir, Legolas. What a surprise to see you both here. I am just about to leave for Minas Tirith. Anything I can do for you?" the man asked, glancing nervously at Lord Glorfindel and the Rivendell twins who stood flanking the elven prince.
"Yes, you can, Asfahn," Faramir replied, crossing his arms over his chest. He glanced at Legolas. "Ask him, my friend."
"Ask me what?" Asfhan looked between them back and forth, baffled and disconcerted.
Legolas took a step forward. "Where are my blades?" he asked directly.
Asfahn blinked, looking like a startled doe caught in a glare of a torch. "Your what?" the man responded, his voice only came in a whisper.
Faramir shook his head impatiently. "Never mind! I'll go get it myself!" he snapped and whirled towards the direction of Asfahn's study.
"Wait! You can't go in there!" Asfahn shouted, rushing after Faramir. "What the blazes is this anyway? Why do you all come barge in here?"
"You let us in," Glorfindel interjected as he and the twins followed the two men. "And why do you look so troubled, by the way? Do you have something to hide?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Asfahn fumed, rounding on the elven lord. "And I demand to know what brings you elves here into my keep!"
"Why? You want to know why?" Glorfindel towered over the man by a foot and he stood glowering down at him. Pointing at Legolas, Glorfindel yelled, "That's why! You messed with him, you messed with me! With us!"
Asfahn was actually quaking in his boots. "I…I still do not know what you are talking about!" he stammered.
"Really? Then can you explain this?" Faramir had already reached Asfahn's table to open the drawer. He held up a dagger for them to see. "And this?" the Ithilien prince added, pulling out another dagger, identical to the first one.
Asfahn's face drained of all color. "Th…those are mine. M...my smith made them for me," he tried to explain.
"That's interesting." Faramir frowned at the ivory-based handle on one of the blades. "There are some elven scripts written here."
"Let me see it," Elrohir spoke. Faramir gave him the blade.
"It says here, 'Keldarion Thranduilion'," Elrohir read out loud.
A long tense silence reigned in the room for a long moment. Glorfindel raised his eyebrows inquiringly at Asfahn. "Since when do you start engraving your belongings with the name of Legolas' brother?"
Asfahn looked as if he was about to expire on the spot. "I…I…err…Look. There must have been some mistake…"
"It's a mistake, all right. Yours," Legolas voiced out. "Is this how the Haradrim paid you for your cooperation? You have been selling out Gondor to them, haven't you? What did they pay you for the king's life, I wonder? The throne?"
Asfahn's eyes darted left and right, searching for escape. But Elladan's intimidating form was barring the doorway, the only exit out of the room.
Faramir advanced forward, staring hard into Asfahn's eyes, which were filled with fear and panic. "Asfahn, by the order of King Elessar of the House of Telcontar, you are under arrest for treason, and for being an accomplice to kidnapping and attempted murder."
**************************
It was already dawn when they finally reached the great gate of Minas Tirith.
Imrahil and his knights were riding at the front while the elves from Eryn Lasgalen took the rear. Their Haradrim prisoners walked in shackles in the middle of the procession, Asfahn included.
Riding between Glorfindel and Faramir, Legolas couldn't stop grinning at the man.
"What is so amusing, pray tell!" Faramir finally snapped, glaring at the elven prince.
"Uh…nothing," Legolas responded, barely able to control his laughter. He reached over to touch Arwen's cloak, which Faramir was still wearing. "I just want to say that…you look splendid in purple!"
"Why you…!" Faramir reached up to take a swipe at Legolas' head but the elf had quickly nudged his mount away, laughing.
At that same time, a flock of seagulls suddenly arrived from the sea to hover above their heads, flying in circles as they cried out incessantly. Legolas instantly went still, tensing in his seat.
"Oh no," Glorfindel whispered, gazing worriedly at Legolas. "Not the affliction again."
TBC…