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Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the plot.

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! Sorry for the late update. For one thing, I couldn't get on fanfiction a few days ago and I was stuck on this chapter so it may not be the best but I hope you enjoy it anyways.

Warning: No slash. I've already explained about that in the last chapter. And I'm warning you, I will not get all LOTR facts correct because I'm not Tolkien.

R&R!

-Chapter Two-

Suspicions

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"What brings you to Mirkwood, my friend?" Legolas asked as Estel drank deeply from his water goblet. His face darkened as he lowered his cup.

"I am a Ranger now," he said quietly. "I heard news of a murderer near Mirkwood and as I made my way through the woods--" He grimaced at the thought of darkness and shadow. "And something attacked me. I wounded it..."

"What did it look like?" Legolas asked studying Estel with his Elven eyes as though reading his mind.

"A person," Estel said slowly.

"A person," repeated Legolas. "Could it be the murderer--?" Estel didn't answer and turned his head to the window.

Legolas watched Estel who was now glancing down at the bed he lay on. "I wish to walk but you won't allow me to," he said glaring at the prince who grinned.

"You've been wounded, you cannot walk," he said reasonably. "I wish to have a bit of fresh air, mellon nîn," he added with another grin and walked out of the room, Estel glaring furiously at his back.

* * *

Legolas walked on the dewy grass that tickled his feet gently. A gentle breeze blew on his golden tresses and there was no sound.

He felt peaceful and calm and the sight of trees lit his eyes.

And he was startled when he heard a loud rustle and the heavy footfalls of a human. He stared into the distant woods, eyeing the bushes and the shadows of the trees but there was no sign of a person.

But Legolas was sure he had heard the footfalls of a human for they were too heavy for an Elf. "Estel?" he called but no one answered.

"Estel?"

No one answered. His heart was pounding and his feet quickly led him to Estel's room to see if he was there. And indeed he was, drinking deeply from his water goblet once again.

"Hello," he said with a slight grin on his face. "How was your walk?"

Legolas quickly explained and Estel's smile was wiped off his face. "Heavy? But what would a Man be doing in Mirkwood? Unless he's the murderer or a Ranger..."

"Indeed," Legolas said deep in thought.

* * *

"Nine deaths?"

Legolas stared at King Thranduil, shaking his head.

"Nine," the King answered.

"Ada, I think it is a Man," he said hurriedly. "I heard heavy footfalls yesterday..." The King's face darkened.

"It is probably Estel," he said darkly. "You are not to trust Men. Elrond was wrong about that child."

"But he was there when I came back!"

"He could have easily run inside before you," the King snapped. "And you weren't with him the whole night, were you?"

"No," Legolas murmured. "But I don't believe it is him."

"You are blinded," the King said before drinking his wine.

A/N: I thought this was a good place to stop. Please tell me if I got anything wrong in this chapter and tell me if it's good or not.

And I won't be updating in a while because I will be on vacation from the 24th-31st. And unless by a miracle I have a laptop, then I will update. But I doubt that's going to happen.

R&R and tell me what you think!