Behind Blue Eyes
Chapter 7: Bree, the human settlement
(Aragorn)
Halting my horse in front of the gate I look back at my companion who was drawing his hood over his features in an attempt of hiding his heritage. Elves are not really welcomed among the human race because of their alleged betrayal to them, so in an attempt to keep the peace long enough to get Gandalf and get out he keeps his features hidden.
" Ready?" I ask as he pulls his gray to a stop beside me.
" As I'll ever be." He states flatly and I know how he hates to hide but it is necessary. Leaning foreword I pound on the gate and wait for the Gate Master to open. Soon the elderly face of a gray-haired man pokes his head out of the window and glares at up both.
" What be your business within Bree?" He asks, bringing his eyes to rest upon Legolas. Clearing my throat I draw his beady eyes on me.
" We come to meet a friend in the Inn." He looks once again and then closes the window flap. The sound of a lock being undone can be heard and a moment later the gate opens enough to allow the horses through. My horse steps easily through but Kagonesti tosses his head and refuses to move. Legolas growls and hops down, gathering the reins and yanking his horse along into the town, straining his arms as the horse pulls back on him. I laugh slightly as we tie the colts to the hitching post outside the inn and laugh harder at the insults coming from his mouth, directed at the horse.
" Legolas he's an Elven horse, hates to be caged." I smile and clap a hand to my friends' shoulder making the elf glare at me. Together we walk into the Inn and gaze around for Gandalf. Yet as we gaze about the smoke filled room, the occupants do the same, eyeing us with curious looks. Glancing quickly at my hooded comrade I nod my head and we walk over to where the tender stands, cleaning an already nasty looking glass.
" What can I get ya?" He asks, dropping his rag onto the counter top and leaning over it.
" We're looking for Gandalf the Grey." I inform the man and his eyes light up.
" Gandalf. Yes he is over there in the corner." He says and points to a darker section of the bar where I finally make out the pointed hat resting on the table. Tapping Legolas in the shoulder I move over to the table and quickly sit across from the old man, the shadows hiding his face.
" Ah, so Elrond sent the youngest of his children." The remark comes out dull and bored sounding but a hint of amusement none the less.
" It's only customary for the young to lead the old is it not?" I smile and duck the swipe that comes at my head. Laughter comes from the older man and he leans foreword so that his face isn't so shadowed. Gandalf's gray beard has gotten a few more shades lighter but none the less he is still his basic self. Bright, knowing blue eyes watch me with amusement and knowledge.
" It's good to see you Estel." He says, clasping a hand to my shoulder. I smile and take the gesture and return it.
" My, could this be young Legolas?" He asks and Legolas's head jerks back from where he was watching the people. A smile can be made out from under the hood and I know he is wearily keeping his senses open.
" Gandalf." He says and nods his head before returning it back to watching the many people, who are watching him. I've been around Legolas to know when he is uneasy but this is an extreme tenseness he has as he slowly runs his gaze over the crowd.
" Come, we can sleep tonight on the road." I tell Gandalf and the wizard gets up and puts on his pointed hat. Gathering his staff he nods to the tender and I follow him from the Inn. Once more out in the daylight I breath a sigh of relief. Next to me Legolas does the same and catches his horses bridle.
" Where is your horse Gandalf?" I ask looking around for the horse I remember him ridding before. The wizard seems to think for a moment before smiling sheepishly.
" I don't rightfully know." I sigh and am about to offer my horse when Legolas hands Kagonesti's reins to him.
" Take him, maybe he'll listen to you." Legolas mutters and shoulders his bow and quiver. I smile and mount Romansion and then wait for Gandalf to haul himself up onto the gray, once astride him we begin at a slower walk back to the gate. The Gate Master eyes us once more and opens the gate to allow us passage. Once outside the settlement boarders and up the road a few leagues I turn to my companions. Gandalf rides lightly upon Kagonesti whose head is tossing and prancing about. The wizard's pipe still in his mouth and eyes watching the road ahead, a slight smile on his old features. Glancing at Legolas who was at the back on the group I notice his hood is down, hair gently blowing in the breeze. His eyes seem to be focused on the trees surrounding them, and then glancing behind him he freezes. I rein my horse in and Gandalf does to, twisting to look at the Elf. Legolas's bow is in his hand, an arrow notched, eyes and body still in waiting.
" What is it?" I call back softly and for an instant his eyes flicker to me and he mouths
'Followers' before going to the side and watching from behind a tree. I pull my horse and Gandalf;s off the road, concealing myself and the Wizard in the brush, watching and waiting. A few moments pass when the sound of hooves can be heard coming up the road, more than once horse and the barking of dogs. Looking at Gandalf I draw my own sword and wait, while the wizard readies himself. Glancing at Legolas, who is blending very well with the trees I see the look of apprehension on his face, knowing his dislike for dogs. He begins to mouth a count down
One I grip the sword tighter, Gandalf preparing himself to rise
Two Legolas flexes his hand nervously on the bow
Three! We quickly jump from the brush, my sword held his and Gandalf's staff raised slightly in the air, words on his lips. Legolas is pointing his deadly arrow at the head of the man in the lead. He stops and smiles, his teeth crooked and yellow. I cringe, even out on the range I take the time to make sure my teeth are clean.
" Why are you following us?" Gandalf asks, that of one of authority and seriousness now replaces his usually happy demeanor. The men laugh amongst themselves and I see Legolas tighten his hand on the bow until his knuckles are pure white.
" A man, a wizard and an elf. What a strange combination." The leader smiles and shifts his position on his mount, eyeing us all. I stare at the man, not sure what his business with us is yet, and unsure if I really want to know. Gandalf stands tall and authority glimmers from him like an unearthly light. Most men would have cowered down when Gandalf did this, but these men only laughed.
" Come now Old Wizard. You lost your authority over us when you helped the elves betray us." The leader snarls and I hear a light growl from Legolas as he gazes upon the men is disgust.
" This whelp," he indicates Legolas, " is our business with you. No elf should be allowed to roam freely over these lands. No one." He says, looking only at Legolas.
(Legolas)
I bite back an angry retort, showing my pride now would only endanger my companions and I am not about to risk their lives over a stupid insult. Throwing an icy glare at the man still seated on the horse, I growl slightly. He looks down at me with hatred and loathing, a slight shiver runs up my spine as a memory, long buried resurfaces. I blink and gasp when the same face as the attackers all those years ago suddenly comes into focus, comparing the two, they are one in the same. Glancing quickly over my shoulder I shout at Estel in Elvish
' Estel! They are the same men from that day on the river! The one's with the lock-jaws!" That is all I have time to shout for the instant I turned a piercing pains laces through my hand. Wincing in pain I take in the long, steel projectile sticking from my hand, now covered in my own blood. My eyes widen as I jerk the weapon out, wincing as small barbs catch on my skin. Whirling back around I have enough time to drop my bow and grab my blonde elvish knives, their silver blades flashing in the sun. My hand in basically useless now, and aches to hold the hilt, but gritting my teeth like I was taught I ignored the intense pain and fought to defend my friends. Bringing one knife up I make a leaping jump at the man on the horse holding the projectiles that got me. In a vicious arch I bring my blade down on his forearm, making it sink into the bone. The man screams and his horse starts at the sound, jumping foreword. Lucky for me I have a better sense of balance, but the man obviously doesn't for he tumbles head over heels of the horse, to land on the ground. Behind me I hear Estel give an angry shout and turning slightly I watch as the human ranger impales one of the dogs before it's jaws could make contact with Gandalf's leg. The old man smiles slightly before batting away another dog, which goes flying and lands with a sharp yelp.
" Legolas! Look out!" I turn just in time to narrowly miss being cleaved in the face by a bludgeon. Turning around I jump off the horse and confront my attacker, who turns out to be the leader of this band. His yellow teeth flashing in a triumphant smile as he advances on me. Looking around I notice with horror that I am cornered and begin to lash out in anger. Making well-aimed slashes with my knife the man easily avoids. He backs me into a tree and raises his hand holding the weapon. Suddenly my vision is clouded with memories, memories of my father.
A large metal-glove enclosed hand comes down across my head, making my vision swim and bright dots dance…
Hands hold tightly onto my collar as a fisted hand pounds into my face, making me bleed and cry….
Boots lash out and catch me sharply in the ribs, making every breath wheeze and be taken with effort.
Blackness over powering my vision, but the face of my father is still seen, full of hatred and resentment. So much hatred….
With an angry yell I launch myself at the man, attacking him with renewed force, force born from years of pent up anger, hatred and fear. I hate this man, I hate him for everything he did to me, I want to kill him. I throw away my blades and begin the assault with my own fists, my hands meeting soft flesh as the man under me squirms to get away.
"Mercy!" he begs but a savage feeling over takes my mind, why should I give him mercy when I was never given any when I begged! What makes him plead now for mercy! I keep my onslaught of punches and clawing up until I feel hands dragging me away from the man. I struggle against these hands, screaming when they pin me against the tree. In anger I lash out, catching one of my assailants in the stomach, for the pressure weakens. Taking the laps in pressure I shove the person out of the way and jump high into the tree, where I watch below with pure hatred.
" Legolas!" I jerk at my name being called and back further into the tree.
" Come young one, you're not that high in the tree." An older voice calls and I peer down at the two humans watching me. Their faces are familiar, the man with graying beard and hat, as well as the younger one with dark hair.
Aragorn… Gandalf…. The tree whispers as I press my hand against the trunk, allowing the whispers. Closing my eyes I listen to the silent whispers
Friends… I snap my eyes open, and look down upon my friends in a new light. My mind isn't clouded with hatred or pain but now everything is clear and back to normal. My eyes travel over the concerned looks on my friend's faces, then to the ground where a bloody body lays on the ground. I widen my eyes in pure shock as I take in the mass of bleeding cuts and gashes.
" Legolas?" I jump and tear my gaze away from the body, to look at Estel.
" Come one, we have to get moving before someone comes along this way." He says and I nod, jumping lightly from the tree to land beside Estel and Gandalf. The Ranger hesitates when handing me back my two knives, but does after searching my eyes. Re-sheathing my blades I gently pick up my discarded bow. Looking once more at the man on the ground I back away when his eyes dart at me
" monster… demon…" he whispers and I back away, unsure. His eyes are wide and filled with pure fear as he gasps for breath that isn't coming to him. His last breath comes with a long stream of blood coming from his mouth as his empty eyes gaze ahead.
" Let's get out of here." I hear Estel say but don't turn around, my eyes attached to the body on the ground. A hand comes and rests on my shoulder, making me jump around to look into the sad blue eyes of Gandalf. I nod and get onto Kagonesti's back. With Estel in the lead we take off down the road and quickly turn off into the hidden wooden path.
Monster. Demon. I close my eyes and allow a tear to slip down my cheek. I truly am a monster…. Just like father always said… I should never have been born.
Immortal Sadness: Okay 1, 2, 3! POOR LEGGY! LoL. Well ya know the torture must keep going! You will have to review to find out what this leads to! Oh and I am happy to tell you all that I am a LICENSE DRIVER NOW! I took my test today and that has to be the scariest test I have ever taken!
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I.. wrote down all the people who reviewed in order to respond and thank but my notebook has mysteriously disappeared… ::looks around and eyes land on dog:: hmm.. This could be a problem.. Well anyway thank you to you all who have reviewed!
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