Hehe!!!! I saw RotK, twice!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally!!!!!!
Yeehaw!!!!!!!
Best movie ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I t was so great!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sad, but good!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Newmoon!!! I saw it on Sat too!!!! And thanks, glad you like my fic!!!!
[backs away slowly holding up hands to indicate peace] It's ok Ymmas Sirron…. Just calm yourself. And he just knows too much about Mirkwood. That is how he figured out. He is an odd sort. He is obviously elf/dwarf/man and I might even make him a bit of hobbit. Hehe. But he lived in Mirkwood for a time and had seen Legolas before, though Legolas would not really know him. He was no one of importance. But so that is how he knew. And thanks, I am glad you like this story!!!!!
Hehe- It's alright Star-Stallion. It made me sad, but I am glad you got to see RotK. Great movie!!!!! Oh! And yes. [smirks] 'Tis a shame that Donolea got stabbed. Glad you liked that. And this chapter tells who helped Aragorn. Hope you like it.
Hello once again Roccovende. It was nice to get another review from you, again. WOW! Thanks! [blushes red] I am so touched. On our way home from seeing the movie I told me mom about your review and she thought it was a very nice one also. And well, I can not tell you if they are eve reunited. But it should not be that hard to figure. Considering this is before FotR and is not AU. Hehe! Thanks again!!!!!
Well Linwen and Aragorn… [grins devilishly] I think Aragorn has the idea there Linwen. [maniacal laugh that scares everyone] Enjoy!
Thanks Leggylover03!!!!!!!!!!
I agree whole-heartedly Mellaithwen-ElvenMaiden!!!!!! Too much bloody Arwen is right!!!! Haha! So funny, I kept looking for possible twins during the entire movie. Hehe. I am sick minded. And then, when I gave up on that, I looked for possible Glorfie and Beregond. Haha! And I found them both. At least I call them that. Just not the twin's……[sigh]. Thanks for your wonderful review!!!!!! Oh and glad you liked the history. We should be getting a bit more soon.
Nope Deanna, I did not get to see it. But I did get to on Thursday and Saturday. How cool is that!!!! Yes!!!!! And haha is right. And Donny is pretty old!!! Hehe. I am glad you liked this. Here is chappie 8!!!!!!!!
Ok, I think that is all of you. Hope so!!! Enjoy this chapter!!!!
Chapter 8
Legolas yanked at the painful chains that connected him to the dry outcropping on the edge of the desolate cliff.
His cries echoed throughout the valley, and his grunts were heard for miles as he tried to escape the odd prison that he found himself in.
Days ago, he had been chucked out here with no food, and a small not even full pail of water that he was somehow supposed to be able to reach from his position.
"This is worse than disobeying Ada." he moaned and was surprised at how hoarse his voice sounded.
He brought out his good leg and stretched for the water bucket, trying to clamp his toes around the edge.
He mused at how unprincly it probably looked, but at this moment, thirst was gnawing at his throat and stomach and he knew that it did not matter.
His silver blue eyes widend as the bucket swiveled lightly around, almost tipping.
Legolas's quick elven senses saw this and he placed his pratically bare foot against the edge of the pail to keep it from tipping over.
His smile faded as the small pail clanked it's side against the rocky floor, spilling over the dry ground and the ledge.
In his anger, Legolas snarled and kicked the bucket over the edge.
Far below he could hear it rattle and clank as it hit against the dry ground.
"Perfect."he grumbled, pulling his legs back beneath him.
The sun began to climb higher into the sky, blue and gold entwining in the soft daylight.
The rock outcropping that sat above his head helped with the heat, though the hot wind blew in his face and dirt sprayed in his eyes.
He hastily wiped it away with the back of his hands.
His thoughts went instantly to Aragorn, he hoped his friend was alright.
Worry began to eat at his heart and mind and he began to speak to himself to fend off the fear and loneliness.
His voice alone carried on the harsh wind that carried on past him and fluttered acrossed the plains towards the desolate little colony, where the mortal slaves worked in the stark sun.
~_~
Darkness consumed the light and all around was unknown and slightly frightening.
Working his way towards the light that seemed, with an odd reality, to be swimming, he tried to open his weary and sleep laden eyes.
"I think he might be waking up?" someone said from a far away distance, but even from wherever it was coming from, the voice rang horribly in his ears and made him whimper slightly.
"Yes he is." gentle hands took hold of his head and brought him into a sitting position, though it felt as if he was in two worlds at once. One, he was on the brink of unconsciouness and all around him was dark, but at the same time he felt himself sitting up in a warm quilt burdened cot, and he heard voices from afar.
A tickle began in his lungs and he coughed as he was put back down on the warm bed.
He felt a bit of slimy ointment on his stomach, but otherwise he felt normal, if not sleepy.
His eyes did not even sting any longer, and neither did his head.
"Open your eyes lad." a encouraging voice soothed.
He tried, and it felt as if he had, but all remained dark.
"That's a good lad." he heard a unmistakably closer voice say, and a hand played with his wet curly hair.
With alarming certainty Aragorn knew something was wrong, he tried to open his eyes once more. Trying the shun the darkness and reward the light. But he could not seem to do it, as a matter of fact, he felt as if his eyes were wide open.
"What'cha tryin' to do lad?" a voice asked from behind his head, and Estel knew that something was terribly wrong.
All his other senses were coming back at full force, they even felt stronger. But his sight remained dark and foreboding.
A shadow passed over his face and he felt his heart start raging in a panic.
"I can not see." he whispered, his voice so dry that hef elt he might have swallowed a desert.
A gasp from the left and a wisp of wind seemed to pass over his face.
He made no move save gulped back the saliva that had accumulated in his throat.
"He speeks no lies." another voice from right beside him claimed, it was a soft voice, but gruff. He could tell it was a man. "He don't respond none to my hand, or light. Blind as one could ever be."
His throat choked and he coughed as the news came forth and hit him full force once more. So much horror in one day, and he had yet to find Legolas.
"Where am I?" he asked, trying to scoot back into a sitting position.
He was pulled up and handed a piece of fabric, he pulled the familiar piece over his head and smiled as he smelt the fabric.
It had once been Elladan's favorite tunic. He knew that when he returned home with it in shambles like thus, Elladan would have his hide.
"West o' the forest. Mirkwood tha' is. Your in the slave camps to them rotten elves."
"Elves?" he asked again, remembering the one that had thrown the soot-like stuff in his eyes.
"Yes sir! 'Nough of them filthy varmints 'round here! Kill the 'ole lot of 'em if I could ge' me hands on somethin' sharp." he felt his heart sink even further as he thought of Legolas, alone with these elves.
"Why?" he asked, cause he could think of nothing more to say.
"I dunno'. That spoiled rat, Donolea. 'Im and his friend Tranol started this slave camp. Both o' them stupid elves!"
He felt a weight lift from one side of the bed and he tried to stand with the other, but felt a stronger hand on his shoulder. It pushed him back down and he looked up, even though he knew he would not be able to see the one who had pushed him.
"Naw'. You just sit lad. I'll have Lilly bring ya in some stew. What say you?"
Aragorn close his eyes and nodded softly, he brought a hand through his unruly hair.
He wished he could see it, his hair. Or even this man that had been so kind to him. He wanted to see them all.
How was he going to find Legolas if he could not see the elf.
"What are ya thinkin' of?" a soft melodious voice came from the corner and he shook his head.
"I beg your pardon mam'. I did not-" he stopped himself and readjusted his gaze to the direction he heard the footsteps. "I did not realize there was anyone else in the room."
A soft hand touched his shoulder, and he heard the woosh of fabric near an open window, wind blew about his face and his hair lifted on the cool night breeze.
"Oh it is perfectly alright. No one ever notices me anyhow. You seem nice. What are you called?"
He resisted the urge to say Estel. He knew they were humans, but even a mortal might know an elf name.
"Strider." he said softly, picking up the hand on his should and kissing it softly as was the custom he was taught to do among ladies. It showed respect, the twins and Legolas always did it, even sometimes to Lord Elrond or King Thranduil, and once he had heard of elves doing it to other elves in a matter of respect.
It was usually in the stories his father had told him.
"I am flattered Strider."
" 'Tis the custom where I come from." he explained, letting her hand free.
A smile graced her pale face and she pulled her brown hair away from her face, smiling ever so gently.
"And where do you come from?" She asked.
Estel frowned, he bit his lip and lowered his head in defeat.
" A fair land." was his only answer, and she shook her head.
"Well maybe later you may tell me more of this 'fair land'?"
"Maybe."
~_~
"A very fine dinner, Caloway." Aragorn said as he handed her the bow from which he had been eating.
She smiled broadly and looked into the silver eyes. She knew he could not see her looking back at him and smiling, but somehow, it felt better than not being polite.
"You are most welcome Strider." she said with joy and gave him a hug.
This family was very quickly warming their way into his heart, he could not even think now of how he had but an hour ago been a stranger to the entire home.
Saliel, the girl who had talked to him before, took his hand and helped him to his feet.
Estel swayed unsteadily, but easil gained his ground, his facial expression questioning her.
"We are going for a walk." she answered the unspoken words, and he nodded.
"But Saliel, how will I-"
She gently pushed him.
"I can see just fine. I will guide you."
He smiled ruefully and murmured. "Wonderful."
"Alright, but be back soon. It is getting dark. You would not want one of the guards or Donolea to find you out at that late."
The girl smiled and grabbed her new friend's hand, pulling him off and out the door.
"Fear not mother."
Caloway shrugged and began to clean up the dishes that were laying about the table and two on the cot where Strider had been sitting.
She turned her head as her husbadn waltzed through the old doorway in hapy mood. His cheer spread to her and she laughed without knowing why.
"What is with you Toso?" she asked scrubbing at the dishes as if they had become her new enemy.
Toso smiled and slid into a chair, pulling out a small pipe and a small supply of pipeweed that his boss had given him the day before.
"I talked with Lord Donolea, he said that considering the circumstances: young Strider may stay with us."
Caloway looked at her husbaan and the smile on her face faded slightly.
"But Toso? We have never had this sort of challenge before. We will have to take full responsibility if he fails to complete a task, and considering his position…" her words trailed of and he looked at her as if a bolt had struck straight through his heart.
"But dear, he has no one else. I heard he was captured by Donolea himself, that has got to be rough."
"I heard he was brought here with one of them elves. A new one." Toso looked at her, and she noticed the twinkle that was evident and it was not because of the fire place.
She let her brown head fall into her hands and she shook it, smiling sadly.
"Besides, you saw how delighted Saliel was. She would be crushed if we made him leave. She has no one else to talk with. Maybe he is a blessing, he might be helpful. He's got mighty quick senses."
"Alright. You need not convince me." Caloway looked up and remembered the scared look that had marred the young man's pale face. She could not see that again.
"He will be no trouble Cal. I know it."
She shook her head, a playful smile on her features. "I hope that your heart is as thick as your head Toso."
Toso smiled, the devilish one that he was so good at. "It is indeed marm." he laughed. "'Tis indeed."
~_~
Aragorn smiled as a cool wind whipped at his ahir and features. He smiled and closed his eyes, although this did nothing to aid the feeling for it was the same closing his eyes as it was opening.
But right now, he could hardly think of that, how odd it felt, he still worried for Legolas.
He had not heard from his friend in what seemed like days, he had heard, nor seen anything.
"What is it Strider?" the hand that was clasped round his own tightened and he smiled, a sort of sad smile.
"Oh, it's just. My friend is somewhere out there. I am not sure where, we were separated. And now that I have not my sight to help me I do not know how to find him."
Saliel smiled and looked up at the stars that were appearing overhead.
"Saliel? How do the stars look?" he asked as realization that he might never see another star, tree. Never another beautiful sunset, or sunrise.
"They shine brightly. Ever so brightly."
Aragorn nodded, she could not see the tears streaming down his face.
He acted casually on the outside, as if nothing had happened. As if his sight was nothing short of normal. But on the inside, he could feel himself failing. He felt disconnected.
Have being raised among the eldar, he now felt as one who had lost a very important asset. He felt his heart tearing with distress. But he did not let it show, and he knew that if he could conquer this, he could do anything.
"I am sure he is alright..unless he is as stubborn as you."
She smiled, but noticed he did not smile back, infact his grievous look grew worse and his eyes grew wide.
"I did not mean it." she assured. "I am sure he is fine Strider."
"If I tell you something..will you never tell another?" he asked, trying to decide wether to tell og Legolas's race or not.
He knew how everyone here felt about elves, and to tell her might endanger Legolas. Or at least himself.
"I promise." she squeezed his hand to show him that she would.
A sigh escaped Aragorn's lips and he rubbing his slightly aching head.
"My friend, Legolas is his name, he is..an elf."
A gasp came from his side, and he heard her clap a hand over he slender lips, trying to staunch the sound.
Finally after a while, he felt her pull away and her hand slipped from his own. He gentle steps could be heard from behind as she continued back home by herself, utter surprise etched on her features. She had forgotten about Estel and left him alone.
But he would not be left, Strider listened to her gentle footfalls. He follwed them, smiling as he found Galanion's tracking skills coming into play.
Earlier in life, he had not been able to learn because he had no understood the importance of hearing, but now. He must rely more on his ears than ever before. Since his eyes could not help him, he must be the same. Not faulter or trip. He would walk as one who had never lost his sight.
His smile faded as her footsteps faded into the distance, his brain begain to pound and his heart thumoed aquardly against his chest. He felt the sliva cloud his throat and he swallowed hard.
A force slammed into his chest and he fell back in alarm, a stiffled cry barely finding it's way to the wind.
A harsh, and slightly angered voice came from above him and he knew instantly that he did not want to be wherever he was.
"Hello rat scum." a large and strong fist grabbed the front of his dirty tunic and pulled him from the ground. Holding Aragorn far above himself.
"I was hoping to find you alone." he gulped back a vile taste beginning to rise to his esophagus. "Ready to have a bit of fun?"
A swish above him and a sharp crack alerted his now screaming head that for some reason his head just started hurting.
He let ou a whimper as the last of his senses began to be clouded by a horrible pain near his temples. They rang and screeched at him.
Darkness started to cloud his hearinf and other senses, save his eyes which he could not tell dark from light.
Estel felt himself let go and his head hit the dusty ground with a small thump, realesing his body from the pain and distress to the beautiful gloom.
Ok, I know Aragorn has just woken up and it was a shame to conk him out again. But I had to! You must understand how hard it would have been to keep him awake. And he would have been much to obnoxious to keep conscious.
I hope you liked this, and to those of you have seen RotK….was it not one of the best movies ever?! I enjoyed it so!!!! But I wanted them to put the appendices!!!! Oh well, maybe in the extended!!!
And for those who have yet to see it, it is really great!!!!!!! You must see it!!!
Thanks to those who reviewed "First Time." Thanaks and hope to hear from you soon!!! Please review!!!! No flaming!!!!