@Sparrow Greenleaf : Ah! Stop whacking me! Okay! I'll undo this! Now stop whacking at me! Ah!
@Deana : Oh, yeah. Gallard will be in trouble…
@Amlee : Actually, Leggy did reach through my computer screen but he didn't punch me. He kissed me! Ha…!
@Jamie & HalandLeg4ever : I'm glad you like the twist.
@IrishQT : Will nobody get mad at Gallard? I don't think he will be that lucky!
@Legolas Greenleaf : Not only you, mellon! I also received funny looks when I burst up laughing reading your reviews! Ha! Ha! I hope it rains soon so you can get out and play. Be careful not to catch cold though!
@Aranel of Mirkwood : Yes. I hope so too. If worst come to worst, they should use the old car once again!
@Baby Blaize : You got a mild concussion? What happened to you? Come on, tell me!
@Hp-Azn : Okay. It's just Saruman-lair bad. Hmmm. Very mad father indeed, but the scene has to be censored. NC-17 for violence!
@Twin : Ouch! Please stop hitting me. I'm sorry I made Gallard that way. So sorry! Ouch!
@Princess Arwen of Smirkwood : Legolas can't shoot me. He has a broken shoulder, remember?
@Fire Breathing Ferret : Okay. I give up too! You are a hopeless case! LOL!
@Young Storyteller : I'm planning to burn the McLaren car in Bahrain so they have to use the more reliable old car. As far as I know, Thranduil and Celeborn are not closely related. They just came from the same elven race, and their forefathers came from the North together. I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong in that, but I'll go check the Encyclopaedia of Arda once more. (Datuk Rais Yatim from Jelebu is now Menteri Kesenian, Kebudayaan and Warisan!)
@Julia Moore : He! He! Right. Quite a cliché there. Sorry. I'm an angst writer. It's my job to grate your nerves with Leggy's 'I'm a victim syndrome'. Okay, okay! I'll bring Kel back…somehow…
@Sailor Elf : Give. Me. The. Bat. Easy now. Don't hurt any of my characters before the story is completed.
@Musicstarlover : No more updates if you don't give me more chocolate, do you hear me? No chocolate, no talk!
@Sarwenaletari Elanesse : Leggy doesn't have a weak blood. He just has a very bad author writing about his life! Ha! Ha!
@fredie loves frodo : Thank you for the support, mellon! Leggy might see Kel again. Keep praying!
@Kayo : You are so mean. Ha ha ha! Oh, yeah. Watch out for Thranduil, Gallard!
@Lady Lenna : Gallard will regret what he had done, mark my words!
@Lucy : Yep. Quite like Romeo and Juliet.
@Szhismine : Ouch! Ow! Hey, stop it already! I'm going to share the blanket with naked Leggy whenever I want and you can't stop me! (Oh. Leggy knew Kylea when he overheard Kalden talking with Gafar.)
@AbbiCat14 : Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!! Your laughter is so funny! Hahahahahaha!!!!!! And so is your attempt at humor! Hahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
@manders1953 : Dude, it sure is!
@Fondued Jicama : Okay, bring it on!
@Katie : I hope you read this before you got home from work.
@Snow Glory : They won't hurt Gallard. But I will!
@astalder27 : Now you remember he hates dark and cramped places? Sorry. Your room won't work either.
@Kiku3 : Of course he is rich! Bloody dirt rich! I've paid him loads of money to faint over and over again!
@LegolasLover2003 : Yessssss…I have a plan that fits in….yesss….(Don't kill Gallard. Not just yet. Listen to LegolasTM).
@littletoaster : Thank you, thank you!
Another chappie. And I'm getting very bad in updating!
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The only person Legolas saw when he regained consciousness in Minas Tirith's guest chamber was Gallard, sitting by the bed with a forlorn expression on his face. His eyes were downcast, staring unseeingly at the floor under his feet. But he immediately looked up when Legolas stirred.
"Legolas! You've awakened," said the draq, leaning closer.
Legolas groaned. "Ai, this is definitely becoming a habit!"
Gallard was perplexed. "What do you mean?"
"Me, lying in bed like this, and waking up to have people staring down at me. It's beginning to grate on my nerves!" the elf grumbled as he pushed himself to a sitting position, grimacing all the while.
Gallard didn't know how to answer to that so he said, "Forgive me, Legolas. I didn't mean to cause you pain just now. I…I overreacted. I wasn't thinking."
To Gallard's surprise, Legolas just grinned. "I understand perfectly. If I were you, with Nara in Kylea's place, I might react the saw way too! We are quite alike in that sense, I guess."
"Yes, but your wife and your father, not to mention all your friends, would hardly agree." Gallard shook his head. "Nara kicked me," he then added in embarrassment.
Legolas' eyes bulged in astonishment. "What?!" He instantly dissolved into wild laughter. "She kicked you? Where?"
"My shin," Gallard replied with a sigh. "I never saw her so angry before."
"Thank the Valar for that! I thought she had kicked you at the…uh…the place 'where it hurts the most'!"
Despite it all, Gallard also chuckled. "I guess I was very lucky, huh? But your father…God, I nearly lost my life there! He could have succeeded breaking my neck if Lord Celeborn and Aragorn didn't stop him in time!"
Wiping the tears of mirth from his eyes, Legolas asked, "Speaking of my 'vicious' family, where are they?"
"They are resting in their respected chambers, asleep," Gallard said, nodding at the darkness outside the opened window. "Nara and your father wanted to sit with you, but somehow Lady Arwen was able to make them let me stay here instead. Again, I'm sorry, Legolas. You've been hurt because of me, and I've added more injuries to you."
"That's all right. As if I'm not used to it," Legolas responded with a grin. "So, what are they planning now?"
"I think they are finding a way to banish me from Middle-earth, while your father is contemplating my 'accidental' death!" Gallard grinned when Legolas dissolved into laughter again. "No, seriously, Aragorn and the others are planning the next strategy. I heard they are seeking Gwaihir's help."
The draq then stood and walked to the window. Staring at the full moon above, he said, "I do not know if I deserved such generosity and kindness, but they seem determine to help me recover Tasqamaran from Kalden."
"Of course, you deserve it! You are our friend!" Legolas stated wholeheartedly. "We will never abandon you with your trouble. Never!"
"And I'll never abandon you, Legolas." With a sad smile, Gallard turned to face the elf. "Since that day you mended my broken wings, I've been dying to tell you who I really am but…I guess a secret has to stay a secret. Still, I feel guilty doing so, as if I was deceiving you the entire time."
Legolas shook his head. "Gallard, it's all in the past now. Let it go. The most important thing is to get your kingdom back, and your Kylea. I want to know what the others have planned to do…" He suddenly broke off in a wide yawn. Grinning sheepishly at Gallard, Legolas said, "Just…not right now, though. I have trouble…staying awake."
As his eyes began to glaze over, Legolas' voice grew weaker. "We'll talk later…my friend…"
Gallard watched as the elf drifted back to sleep. He then walked silently to the bed and sat, taking Legolas' hand and giving it a squeeze. "Yes, my friend. We'll talk later."
*******************************
Two days later, Legolas felt strong enough to join the others in the king's parlor. They were about to depart for Tasqamaran that very afternoon.
The entire details of the plan had been completely laid out, and every person involved had been briefed of their positions and tasks. Gwaihir and his kin had arrived from the North to lend aid as requested. Both fleets of Gondor and Dol Amroth were waiting near Osgiliath, ready to sail at any time.
Despite some protests from several officers within the king's council of lords, Aragorn had decided to come along with the operation, finally admitting that he was indeed very bored and had been craving for adventure long enough. Worried as she was for her husband's safety, Arwen could only shake her head and reluctantly gave her blessings.
"May we succeed in this quest," said Aragorn at the end of his departing speech. He nodded at Gallard. "And for his sake, may Gallard recover what's his. He has been cruelly robbed of his family and kingdom. So lets win them back for him."
There came a collected cheer in the room as Aragorn finished. Everyone was in full agreement with his words.
"Hear! Hear!"
"Nicely put, Estel!"
With his heart near to bursting point, Gallard gazed gratefully at them all, one by one. Standing beside their grandfather, Elladan and Elrohir were smiling with enthusiasm, barely holding their excitement for the imminent battle. The same went to Aragorn and Faramir who looked splendid in full battle regalia, complete with flowing mantle and a sword strapped to their waists. As the eldest in the room, Celeborn and Thranduil had their faces composed and expressionless. But the gleam in their eyes betrayed their true feelings, for they were also anticipating the outcome of the mission. Arwen and Narasene sat side by side on the sofa, looking so graceful and beautiful, the soothing balm among the powerful males.
Gallard's eyes rested on Legolas the last. The elf was still a bit pale, but—except for his broken shoulder—his injuries had healed and his strength was returning. He also looked very determine.
"I thank you, Lord Ellesar," said Gallard after clearing his throat. "I thank all of you. This is supposed to be my fight alone, yet you are willing to risk your life for me, even after Legolas here has been harmed. I have no better words to say except…I'll be forever indebted to you. In fact, I already am."
Legolas walked forward and gripped his shoulder. "No debt, Gallard. We just glad to do this. That's what friends are for."
Gallard reached up and squeezed the elf's forearm. The two smiled at each other as the others looked on, nodding in agreement.
Legolas then turned and announced, "Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
"Halt!" Aragorn cried out as Legolas eagerly marched after the twins towards the door.
Legolas stopped in his tracks and frowned at the human king. "What's wrong?"
"Where are you going?"
"To get my weapons, of course."
"Whatever for? You are not coming with us."
Legolas' face grew thunderous. "What do you mean, I'm not coming?!"
"That's what he said. You are not coming along, Legolas," said Elladan with a cursory glance at his twin. "You have a broken arm, remember?"
"A broken shoulder," Legolas said through gritted teeth, annoyed to find out that he was forbidden to join the mission.
Elladan shrugged. "Same difference."
"I can still fight! I'm not an invalid!" cried Legolas stubbornly. Narasene rolled her eyes at that as the others groaned. When the mood hit him, Legolas' obstinacy could render even a Balrog to tears!
"Legolas," Faramir started, "You are a great warrior, we don't doubt that. But we do not know what the situation there is like. It might be too hard for you to handle with only one good arm."
"Those shraqs and I have a score to settle! They've dragged me across the sky and dumped me into the blasted sea and you expect me to sit here and do nothing but twiddle my thumbs?!"
Narasene snorted in unladylike fashion. Legolas ignored her and continued, "I'm still coming and no one can stop me!"
As one, every other person in the room turned their heads to stare at Thranduil. The elven king raised his eyebrows when he suddenly found himself the center of attention. As the others waited breathlessly for him to speak, Thranduil took his time to think. He gazed at his son for a long moment before softly saying, "Let him be."
"What?!"
"My lord?"
Grumbles of protest and shock responses instantly flew across the room but Thranduil calmly stood there, while Legolas smiled victoriously.
"Are you sure, Thranduil?" Celeborn asked skeptically.
"But your son is not fully well, my lord," said Gallard, earning a killing glare from Legolas.
"Oh, he will be fine. He is able to care for himself," Thranduil said easily. He glanced meaningfully at Narasene who then stood and walked towards her husband.
"Very well, my love. Go then," she said, touching Legolas' cheek. "But first, let me give you a kiss as a token for your safe journey and return."
Legolas smiled stupidly and complied, lowering his head to claim her lips. He was not aware when his father silently stepped beside him. When Thranduil suddenly touched his neck, Legolas broke the kiss instantly as comprehension dawned on him. I have been tricked!
His father kept his firm hold, pressing his finger against a nerve point there as Legolas' vision began to blur. "You…you said I…can go…" Legolas managed to utter before his eyes rolled upwards, and he slumped.
Thranduil deftly caught his son and cradled him in his arms. He smiled down at the unconscious young elf. "I lied."
The others sighed in relief. Aragorn and the twins grinned at one another, while Celeborn chuckled in amusement, "Nicely done, Thranduil. Quick thinking there."
"But I fear his temper when he wakes up!" Elrohir exclaimed. "So, we had better go before he does!"
"Yes. You should," Thranduil said. "I'll make sure he stays here. I'll tie him to the bed if I have to!"
"Indeed." Celeborn grinned, and turned to Gallard before announcing, "To Tasqamaran!"
TBC…