@Nikki1 : You'll know why the shraqs are coming. And you are not going to like it!
@IrishQT : Green, huh? Nice shade of pale there, as long as it happens to Leggy and not me!
@Lady Lenna : More Leggy's angst? Err…I'll see what I can do.
@Musicstarlover : Thank you for the chocolate. I'm already halfway through!
@AbbiCat14 : YAY to you too! Huggles!
@Aranel of Mirkwood : I hope McLaren get another different car! Period!
@namarie2legolas/Foundued Jicama : A llama, eh? Not scary enough!
@Amlee : Okay, okay! I'm giving him a break! Err…actually, I already did! I broke his shoulder, didn't I? Ha! Ha!
@astalder27 : Hey! Not fair! Don't use the closet! Leggy hates it! (I'll make Leggy drop more than his blanket next time! He he…)
@Gwyn : So you love Thranduil? I'll give him more moment in the sun!
@Legolas Greenleaf : OH MY GOSH! THANK YOU! Don't worry. I always lost my mind too!
@Kiku3 : Sorry for being so evil. I'll do it again!
@Hp-Azn ; You want something Mordor Bad? How about this one?!
@Dur En Thurin Nur : I won't send Thranduil to sea. But maybe I will, depend on my mood.
@Althelas : I'm glad you like it, mellon! And thank you for your sympathy for Kimi. That #@&*%#$ Michael won again and I'm still in denial! Better luck—or rather, car—for Kimi next time in Bahrain!
@Julia Moore : Your little piece of wisdom is very much appreciated! Thank you! I'll keep that in mind, girl! (And I'm glad you don't charge. ^_^)
@Enigma Jade : No. The auditors didn't kill me. But after having to face them everyday for the whole week, how I wished they did! Grrrr!
@Kayo : I'm still alive, safe and sound. A little battered after the 'battle of the accounts' but still breathing nonetheless. Imrahil is canon; he belongs to Tolkien. (But I wished he were mine! He's a cool dude!)
@Fire Breathing Ferret : They can't help? Well, offer yourself to the balrog then!
@Sailor Elf : Don't get in Leggy's way when he awakes too. It's not going to be pretty when his temper flares.
@Sarwenaletari Elanesse : Those elves in his son's colony told Thranduil of Legolas' abduction. (Thranduil is going to make another entrance!)
@szhismine : Hug you back! Yes, I have been kidnapped by the shraqs too and they've put me in the same cell with Leggy. (Leggy was half-naked and I brought a blanket with me, so we shared it.) …. He! He! I know you won't believe that!
@LegolasLover2003 : Your dignity is gone once again. I hope this chapter will have the same effect too!
A twist in this chapter might cause some of you to want to kill me. Why? Read on!
NOTE : This chapter is also unbeta-ed. So be nice.
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"My father wants you to remain below and never show yourself," said Amrothos, already turning for the door. "He believes that the shraqs are looking for you to kill you!"
"But…"
Then a sudden huge explosion rocked the ship. Legolas was thrown clear off his feet from the powerful blast. He flew into space for a full agonizing moment…and landed into the dark churning water.
Valar, this can't be happening…Not again…
Legolas fought hard for surface, but he didn't know where the surface was, so confused was he with his bearings. Everything was so dark, and he was completely alone. Where is everyone?
"Legolas?"
Someone was calling him. He turned towards the voice, a little surprised to hear his name sounded so clearly under the water. Who is there? Amrothos?
"Legolas? Are you well?
What…? He blinked. The darkness had gone now. In its place was Imrahil's kind face looming above him.
"Legolas, are you with me?" the man repeatedly asked with a concern gaze in his eyes. "Are you in pain?"
The elf shook his head to clear the cobweb in his brain. He looked around dizzily and found himself still lying in the bunk bed, his head comfortably supported by a mound of pillows and his body warmly covered by a pile of blankets. He groaned. There had been no explosion, for the small cabin was still intact. And we are not under attack, thank the Valar!
"Hey, Legolas, you begin to worry me. Are you all right?"
"Huh?"
"Is something wrong? You were thrashing and moaning just now. Are you in pain?"
"Err…no. Not that," the elf responded as he ran a shaky hand through his tousled hair.
"Was it the sea-longing?" Imrahil kept asking. He knew of Legolas' previous affliction and understood the terrible times that the elf had gone through.
Legolas grinned weakly. "No. More like a sea-nightmare!"
Imrahil also chuckled before he turned grim. "Be prepared."
Legolas frowned at Imrahil's serious tone of voice. "Why?"
"We have just docked in Osgiliath a half hour ago right after sunset."
Legolas' face brightened. "We have reached Gondor? Ai!" He laughed joyfully and eagerly pushed himself to a sitting position. "Get me some clothes. I can't wait to get home."
"Uh…your father is coming here," Imrahil said quietly.
Legolas froze. Stupefied, he blinked at the man. "My father is coming to Minas Tirith?"
Imrahil cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Actually, he has been in Minas Tirith since this morning, as what they have told me. What I mean is, he is coming here, to this ship, right as we speak."
Legolas' mouth dropped open. "My…my father…is coming here? How…?"
"Legolas?! Where is he? Where is my son?! LEGOLAS!"
Legolas winced when the familiar voice streamed down from above deck. "Great. Talk about the very devil. He is here already."
The door flew open and Amrothos rushed in, followed by the very perturbed king of Eryn Lasgalen. Thranduil made a quick gaze around the room, saw his son on the bed, and immediately released a heavy sigh of relief. "You are alive," he said shortly.
Legolas shrugged sheepishly. "Obviously I am, father."
Imrahil looked at the elven king and prince to and fro. He then grabbed Amrothos' wrist and pulled his son out of the room. The young man reluctantly followed, feeling quite disappointed to miss the interesting exchange between the two elves.
As soon as the door closed, Thranduil opened his mouth and yelled, "WHAT THE BLAZES HAVE YOU GOTTEN INTO THIS TIME?!"
Cringing, Legolas grabbed his forehead. "Oh, father, for crying out loud! Stop yelling! My head is pounding as if Gimli is cheerfully hammering inside with his bloody axe!"
Thranduil instantly grew concern. He rushed to the bed and sat by his son's side. "You are hurt? Are you well?"
Legolas glanced ruefully at his father. "No." Sighing, the prince indicated his left arm in the sling. "I broke my shoulder. Again."
Thranduil looked on in sympathy. "Is it bad?"
Legolas shrugged. "Bad enough that I got nightmares from it."
Gingerly pulling his son into his embrace, Thranduil whispered against the prince's hair, "You had me so worried, Legolas. When I arrived at your keep and found out that you had been abducted…Valar! I had expected the worst."
"Worry no more, father. I've returned," Legolas replied, wrapping his good arm around his father's back. He gazed down at himself and grinned before he added, "…in one piece, fortunately."
Thranduil chuckled and released his son. "We better get you back to Minas Tirith. Everyone is waiting anxiously for you. In fact, we were about to depart for Tasqamaran to rescue you before the report came to tell us that Imrahil's ship has docked with you onboard! We were shocked of course, but very glad nonetheless."
Legolas instantly thought of something. "Nara! Oh, father, how is she? She is not harm? Tell me, is she all right?"
"Nara is fine, my son. She is taking this entire affair quite well. Very strong, that lass." The king smiled and stood. "But let's not tarry and make her wait any longer. Come. We had better get off this ship and head for the white city. Are you able to ride?"
"I think so," Legolas replied. "But…but I…"
Thranduil frowned to see his son still not moving from the bed. "Well, what are you waiting for? If you are too weak to walk, just tell me. I can carry you…"
"Father, I'm naked under here!" Legolas hissed in exasperation, blushing deep red on the face. Thranduil blinked at that, and broke up laughing.
The prince glared. "This is not funny!"
"No. Of course not." Thranduil quickly swallowed his laughter, but his shoulders were still shaking in his effort to control his amusement. He then took off his long over tunic and held it to his son. "Here. Will this help?"
"Not even close," Legolas responded, making a face at the rich garment. "Please, father, go and get Amrothos. He has promised to lend me his clothes. They will fit me just fine."
"As you wish," said Thranduil with a grin and turned for the door.
Even when the king had stepped above deck, Legolas swore he could hear his father's loud booming laughter exploding all over again.
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Narasene flew down the short flight of stairs of the citadel's grand entrance to embrace her husband. Legolas, who had just dismounted, draped his good arm around her and pulled her close, kissing her lips.
"You are back. You've returned," she whispered breathlessly as tears of joy ran down her cheeks.
"Yes, I'm back, my love. We are together again," he responded, crushing his wife to him. A hand fell on his shoulder then. Legolas turned. The king of Gondor was grinning back at him.
"You have the live of a cat, brother," said Aragorn, his eyes twinkling. "An elf with nine lives. How many are there left now?"
Legolas rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I'd rather not knowing."
Laughing, the two friends reached for each other and hugged. A while later, the Rivendell twins also joined in, laughing in relief and delight.
Gallard stood in the background with the others, watching with mixed feelings. He was so glad that Legolas had returned safely, but he also dreaded the elf's reaction towards him. Will he blame me? Gallard thought. I've caused him great danger. Will he stop calling me his friend for causing this?
The draq looked up and saw Legolas staring straight back at him. Gallard tensed as the prince limped forward. This is it, he thought, clenching and unclenching his fists in anxiety. He is going to tell me to stay away from him forever.
Legolas gazed into the draq's anguished eyes and spoke, "So, Gallard, who is Kylea?"
Gallard was struck speechless by the question that he was left staring at the elf in bewilderment. "Err…what?"
"You heard me," Legolas said. "Is Kylea your lover?"
Gallard slightly blushed at Legolas' direct inquiry. "Yes. You can say that. Did you see her?"
"I did. And I also understand that she is a shraq. Strangely though, she seems to know who I am."
"Oh." Fidgeting uncomfortably under Legolas' steady gaze, Gallard said, "I shared many secrets with her. I've told her about you."
Legolas nodded. "And both your families are not aware of this relationship, I gather?"
"Our families are sworn enemies, Legolas. Shraqs and draqs have been resenting each others' guts for many centuries." Gallard's eyes were sad. "It had been my father's wish to see this conflict end. But my uncle has turned it against our kingdom instead, driven by his own greed and jealousy."
"Kylea's father has promised her to be Kalden's queen," Legolas said softly.
Gallard's tawny eyes widened before they drew to a slit. "What?" he asked in a dangerous tone, angry and shock at the same time.
"From what I heard, Kylea is going to marry your uncle."
The atmosphere seemed to thicken with tension as Gallard's face hardened, his eyes glinting with fury. He was so still and silent that they all thought they were looking at a statue.
"That is not going to happen," the draq finally said through gritted teeth before whirling around in absolute rage, his hands already unbuttoning the catches of his tunic.
As Gallard peeled his shirt away, Legolas understood what the draq was about to do. He reached up and grabbed his friend's arm before the draq could take his eagle form. "No, Gallard! You can't go back there!"
"I have to and I will!" Gallard snapped, glaring at the elf. "I won't let that bastard take the only thing I have left! Now let go of me!"
Legolas kept his grip, staring intently into Gallard's glinting eyes. "You won't succeed going there alone. They will kill you!"
"So be it!" Gallard growled, snatching at his arm. Legolas resisted. In annoyance, Gallard flung his other arm and shoved the elf out of his way.
Still groggy and a bit weak from his recent ordeal, Legolas staggered. He lost his balance and fell, right onto his injured shoulder. He cried out when excruciating pain exploded up and down his left side. For a moment, he saw stars. As hot bile rose to his throat, he could barely hear the cries of alarm and dismay from all around him.
Then everything just turned peacefully black.
TBC…See? A twist. Go ahead, guys. Hit me.
