THE OLD FOREST BY ASHA DREAMWEAVER
Summary: How did Aragorn catch Gollum? Why was Mirkwood attacked? How did Gollum escape from the Elves? What have the Nazgûl got to do with it? Chaos in Mirkwood as Aragorn and Legolas team up with trouble following in their wake! But will the two survive it?
Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.
A/N:
Review responses:
Grumpy – Yes, Strider does seem to get wet a lot. It's not like he didn't need the bath anyway. Hope you like this chapter!
ElizabethBlack4 – Yes, the snippet was cruel. I fully agree. Here's more.
Jadelyn Rashwe – Kibble and bits?! I'm not exactly fond of dogs. But anyway, here's the continuation…
Maranwe1 – Not laughed at? Oh boy. I love the way you describe Aragorn, 'the corrupted youngest of Rivendell'. Oh I couldn't have put it better myself! Just wait until he and the 'Menace of Mirkwood' get together… oh the possibilities…
Noriel – Next 'long' chapter eh? I hope I have obliged.
CHAPTER THREE: JOURNEY OF THE MAGI
"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
-- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Athon, Ismagil and Isfin caused all sorts of uproar when they reached the palace gates, with their two unconscious tag-alongs. The Lord Estel was well known within Mirkwood, having been visiting their lands on and off for the last sixty-odd years. And *everybody* knew the reputation of Estel's brothers, the Lords Elladan and Elrohir, who were about as safe to be around as a fully enraged dragon who had just had their treasure stolen. Which was not at all. Not that Estel himself was any better, there were several long running bets on which pair were worse; the Lords Elladan and Elrohir or the Lord Estel and the Prince Legolas. Though it was a well known fact that the Prince was just as bad as the sons of Lord Elrond, he just didn't get caught half as much. Having a prophetic grandmother and father was a bit of a disadvantage for the two young lords of Rivendell and the Chief of the Dunedáin.
And so when Erundul, Captain of Mirkwood's guard, caught sight of exactly who three of his warriors were dragging behind him, he began to foresee a great deal of trouble for himself. Oh dear Eru! The King was going to be in fits! He *hated* having to explain Lord Estel's latest disaster to the Lord of Rivendell.
Hurrying to intercept them, he pushed his way through the growing crowd, his heart beginning to beat more rapidly in anxiety. Lord Elrond would be furious with his liege if his youngest son was killed within Mirkwood's borders. Grabbing Athon by the shoulder and forcibly hauling him aside, causing Ismagil and Isfin to nearly drop their burdens in surprise, earning them a fierce glare from their commander, he turned back to the dark-haired warrior currently looking like he would have rathered being in Mordor than in front of his captain. "What happened?!" he demanded, "Is the Edain hurt?! Speak you fool!"
Athon blinked and then began somewhat nervously, "Well, Captain, we found them by accident when scouting along the Forest Road. They had apparently fallen into the Morn Nen. Neither are harmed but they will be asleep for a few days yet."
It was Erundul's turn to blink, "Neither of *them*? There's two?" he asked, craning his head to see exactly what Ismagil and Isfin were trying to constantly pawn off on each other. Athon, being the highest rank, had carried the much less ugly Estel, leaving the other two with Gollum.
Erundul's face creased in puzzlement, "What is that?" he murmured, "Some new breed of orc perhaps? But why in Elbereth's name is he wearing a *leash*?"
"We think the Lord Estel was travelling with… it, sir." Athon supplied smoothly.
Erundul closed his eyes as he took in the extremely unfetching apparition that was the… thing, for lack of a better word. King Thranduil would not only throw a fit, he was going to be in an absolute *atrocious* humour after he found out what Lord Estel had brought with him into the forest. "Take it to the dungeons," he ordered Ismagil and Isfin, who were looking unhappier by the minute. If that was possible given their aversion to Gollum, and the aversion of the Elves in general towards dark creatures. "And stay there until someone is sent to relieve you," he finished, hammering the final nail into the cask of duty that was swiftly closing about them. Neither were pleased but both obeyed and carried off their unexpected cargo.
Turning back to Athon, he looked at the human's face, secure in the throws of somnolence. "Take the Lord Estel to his usual suite of rooms. Have a healer look at him and then report back to me. I will inform the King and whatever you do, make sure the Prince doesn't find out yet. The King can tell him and save us all the trouble of receiving the Prince's interrogation." That was another problem, the Prince would be most unhappy with this turn of events and would most likely spend the entire length of Lord Estel's enchanted slumber in a state of worried boredom. And when the Prince was bored, Mirkwood shook.
Athon bowed and swept off with his charge, leaving Erundul to his unenviable task. The Captain of the Guard swiftly dispatched the gathered crowd and then headed in the direction of the throne room to seek an audience with the King.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Erundul squared his shoulders and stalked into the throne room when the herald announced him. He bowed deeply, "Your Highness," he murmured respectfully.
Thranduil, clad in sumptuous robes of deepest green and rich brown was standing at a large desk in the room adjoining the throne room, perusing several maps. "Erundul," Thranduil welcomed, "To what do I owe this visit?" he asked, studying his Captain. Erundul winced almost imperceptibly but Thranduil saw it and acknowledged it with suspicion. "It's not my son again, is it Erundul?" he asked with a small sigh, settling himself down in his perch atop the desk.
"No my Lord, the Prince is in no trouble." There was a questioning tone to that response though, Thranduil noted, one that, that though unspoken, seemed to imply 'yet'.
"Then what is the matter?"
"Your Majesty, two intruders were found near the Old Forest Road by a scouting group. They had had some trouble with the Morn Nen and were locked in the enchanted sleep. My Lord, they were the Lord Estel of Rivendell and an unknown creature," he said quickly, wanting to get this over with as quickly as possible.
Thranduil's composure didn't waver but Erundul was sure he had seen the King's eyes widen momentarily. "The Lord Estel?" he repeated, "Here?"
Erundul nodded.
Thranduil found himself stifling a groan, "Then we are in for interesting times, my good captain. But what of this unknown creature?"
"It looks like an orc more than anything, yet not so my Lord. He was being led on a leash by the Lord Estel for some purpose undetermined. It too fell victim to the enchanted stream and I have ordered it to be guarded in the dungeons."
Thranduil was silent for a moment, "I will investigate this later," he said after a moment, "Is Estel taken care of?"
"Athon was given charge of him, my lord."
"Good. Then that is one less thing to worry about though the human will be in no fit condition to tell us anything about this creature for a few days at least. I am unsure how potent the Morn Nen is for men, nor do I know how much he drank. You may leave Erundul and send a servant to fetch the Prince with all haste," he ordered,
Erundul bowed again, in disbelief that the King had not yet gotten angry. 'Twas a miracle from the Valar themselves. "As you wish, my liege." He hurried off, giving the first poor servant he saw the instruction to bring Prince Legolas to his father in the throne room.
His King was right about one thing for certain, things were about to get interesting.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~**
Nevraith, a serving maid to the King, trembled slightly as she approached her Prince, chatting with some guards about the finer points of orc killing.
Which was somewhat unusual since it was nearly common knowledge that Erundul had ordered the guards not to tell anything about the earlier incident to the Prince and then there was the fact that Prince Legolas and Mirkwood's guards had a love/hate relationship at the best of times. While it was widely acknowledged that young Thranduilion was a brilliant and deadly warrior, this good attribute was counterbalanced by his tendency to slip past them and get himself into trouble, for which they were then given a severe chastisement for letting their guard down. It was especially galling to the Captain of the Royal Guards, Erundul, who had not been able to keep a First Guard or Guardian with Legolas for more than an hour before the little scamp managed to slip away from them since the Prince had been but ten years old.
"No, you have it completely wrong Faloth!" she heard the Prince say, "I have it on good authority that the twins actually *have* managed to scare off orcs through bickering alone!"
"You jest!" Faloth vollied in return, "The Lord twins were probably trying out another trick on you!"
"Impossible! For I was there when they did it and never have I seen orcs look so bewildered! It really was quite extraor…"
"My Prince," Nevraith interrupted timidly, causing all their attention to turn towards her, "My Prince, the King requests your presence in the throne room. Immediately my Lord."
Legolas frowned slightly, "What is it he wants of me?"
"I think it is something to do with Lord Estel of Rivendell my Prince." At the mention of Estel's name, some of the guards shifted uncomfortably causing Legolas to look at them suspiciously. Something was up. Legolas wasn't easily fooled and his friends, previously in good spirits were now looking decidedly uncomfortable, as if they were wishing they were somewhere else. He could interrogate them later, right now he would see what had befallen Aragorn now that Lord Elrond had decided to send a message to Mirkwood. Perhaps Aragorn had had another encounter with some trolls or something of the sort. Whatever it was, it was bound to prove interesting.
"I shall go then and take my leave of you," he said before heading to see what news his father had.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**
"Ada!" Legolas called as he entered the throne room, the herald shutting the door behind him to give the King and Prince some privacy.
Upon hearing his son's voice, Thranduil poked his head out of his study and was struck once more by the likeness between his only son and his dead wife. Silivren had always been able to brighten up a room just by being in it and she had passed that trait onto her child. Legolas had always taken after her the most, inheriting only Thranduil's golden locks, renowned stubbornness and volatile temper, though it took a lot more to rouse it in Legolas than in Thranduil.
Just like his mother, Legolas was unusually fair and Thranduil didn't hold back the pride he felt when he heard Legolas being remarked upon as Lady Arwen's male counterpart. (After all, it made sure the Half-Elven Lord didn't get one up on him. Relations between Rivendell and Mirkwood may not have been as bad as they once were, but there was still a healthy rivalry between the two realms.) And Thranduil made sure that Elrond never forgot that the Prince of Mirkwood had and still could beat both Heirs to Imladris as well as the Lady of Imladris when it came to fighting. Of course Lord Elrond had retaliated by saying ever so sweetly that his children didn't have the many dark creatures to practice on that Legolas and his father enjoyed.
Thranduil had almost blown his fuse at that and had felt the urge to spear Lord Elrond Peredhil with his own sword. His wife, Silivren had been pregnant before Legolas but had lost the baby due to being injured in an orc attack. Both prospective parents took the loss hard and Thranduil had felt extremely guilty and blamed himself for not going with her and providing her with enough protection. When Silivren became pregnant with Legolas, Thranduil wouldn't let her leave the palace grounds and when Legolas was born, Thranduil swore he wasn't going to lose another child. And so Thranduil knew that he has been very overprotective with Legolas, without outwardly trying to appear so. And that overprotectiveness had only increased when his beloved Silivren had been killed scarcely two years after Legolas's birth, during an unexpected warg attack in a supposedly safe area of the forest. Luckily Legolas understood his father's reasoning and tolerated it to some extent but which seemed like very little to Thranduil.
"Legolas," Thranduil greeted, gesturing to a seat, "Sit down. I have quite the bit of news to share with you."
"I was told it was something to do with Aragorn."
"Yes," Thranduil began slowly, "Aragorn seems to have once more demonstrated his amazing aptitude for finding trouble. He arrived earlier today."
"What? When? Why? How was it I wasn't notified?!" Legolas demanded, "And why hasn't that scamp of a human come to see me?!"
"Well, my son, therein lies the problem. No one knows why he or his… guest arrived today as he apparently had a rather unfortunate encounter with the Morn Nen." Legolas winced in sympathy and then a sort of devilish amusement could clearly be seen. At least Thranduil could see it as clear as day and it no doubt meant trouble for Elrond's youngest, but he really didn't want to know so he just pretended he wasn't seeing it. Whatever Legolas was planning would no doubt be palace gossip before long. He almost felt sorry for the ranger. Almost. Any feelings of sympathy were duly quashed when he remembered the creature he was forced to house in his dungeons thanks to the ranger's incompetence. "Yes, he should be… occupied for several days at least. I was hoping you could shed some light on this unscheduled visit," he finished, looking at his son expectantly.
"Nay, I have had no word from Aragorn in several months. And what guest did you lock up in the dungeons? Surely he didn't bring a dwarf into this kingdom?!"
Thranduil's eyes narrowed menacingly and his face darkened at the mention of a dwarf, and the memories of the last troop of Naugrim to pass through his realm. That whole incident was still fresh enough to have him spitting fire at the thought of it.
"No, it was something else. A creature none of us can identify. So we are at an impasse on this matter until Aragorn wakes up," Thranduil sighed, "Why do the children of Elrond have to attract so much trouble?" Sharp eyes turned to Legolas, "Now listen here my son, you and that ranger are not getting into any of the shenanigans you are so famous for on this occasion. You *will* not go looking for trouble, stay close to the palace and avoid trouble at all costs! Am I making myself clear?!"
"But Ada!" Legolas protested, "It was hardly are fault!"
"It doesn't matter if you went looking for the orcs or if the orcs decided to drop out of the heavens.! You still managed to find them didn't you?! And that my son, is a problem! I am weary of it, Lord Elrond is weary of it and all of the healers in Mirkwood and Rivendell are sick of patching you two back together! You can take it as a direct order from your King. You are to stay *out* of trouble Legolas Greenleaf or both you and that ranger will have a nice stay in the dungeons until it is time for him to leave! Understood?!" Thranduil thundered.
"But Ada!"
"There will be no 'buts' no 'it'll never happen again's, no excuses whatsoever! The only acceptable answer from you at this moment in time is 'yes Ada'. Is that clear?"
"Yes Ada," Legolas said petulantly.
"Good. Now you may go and check up on that ranger of yours. Athon was taking care of him I believe…"
Legolas was moving out the door before he'd even finished his sentence. Thranduil rubbed a weary hand over his brow, curse Elrond! And curse the ranger! There was an ominous feeling about this visit and considering how it had started so very well, he'd be lucky to have the palace standing by the time the ranger was sufficiently recovered enough to be booted out of the forest.
The Valar hated him.
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
"Your Majesty?" the King's butler hesitantly called into the throne room, bowing slightly when he spotted the King. The King usually went to the great hall for his evening meal at this time, along with the other nobles and there was to be a feast tonight so he would be doubly displeased when he heard of his late calling visitor.
"Yes Galion?" Thranduil said sharply. "What is it?"
"The Lord Mithrandir has come my Lord. He wishes to see you at your convenience."
Galion gave a cry as a knobbly elbow connected with his gut as an indignant voice came through the doorway, "At his convenience! I think not! Move aside you silly Elf! I have urgent business with Thranduil, none of which is your concern!"
Thranduil's eyebrows had by this time, nearly reached his hairline.
The owner of the voice pushed his way past the highly insulted butler and stormed into the room, his battered pointy grey hat leaning lopsidedly to the right, his robes crumpled, his beard in disarray and carrying a gnarled staff.
"Mithrandir," Thranduil drawled, "Is it really necessary to abuse my poor butler?"
Gandalf looked back at the glowering Galion and gave a slight shrug, "My dear Thranduil I told the chap I was in a hurry but he insisted on following his 'protocol' like a ninny from Bree. I say let that be a lesson to him! Never delay a wizard in a rush as the saying goes!"
"Really? I had not heard that one before, though I think you might enjoy the one I heard from Rohan; Gandalf Greyhame brings bad weather and ill tidings. Should I be wary of any news you carry?"
"Of course not!" Gandalf exclaimed, "For it is I who come to seek news from you!" Pausing a moment, the Istar turned to Galion and said, "Do leave us. I must speak of things not for your ears!" Galion glared but obeyed after a nod from his king, the door rattling behind him as it was shut forcefully. "Now that that is taken care of, let us get down to business! Has young Aragorn passed through here?"
"Young Aragorn is *still* here, he was found today after a little accident in the Morn Nen," Thranduil said suspiciously, "You knew he was coming here? And you didn't warn me? Suffice it to say any anger from Lord Elrond shall be directed your way, you sly fox!"
"Of course I knew he was coming here! Was it not I who sent him? Word came from Lórien that he had found a creature called Gollum who I much desire to speak with."
"Ah, so that thing has a name. But why did you send it *here*?" the Elvenking asked dangerously. "If the ranger passed through Lórien, why did he not leave it *there* instead of bringing it to me?"
"Ah yes, well as you know Lothlórien doesn't have the dungeons you have."
"True but the Lady Galadriel has a ring to help her does she not?"
"Be quiet you fool of an Elf! 'Tis not the place to speak of such things."
"Then we shall retire to my quarters," Thranduil said, "Legolas can host the feast tonight. 'Twill do him good considering the amount of times he's played truant to them!"
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
"You ask much Gandalf the Grey! Too much! My realm is constantly under attack, every day more and more of my people flee West. Many brave warriors have been lost to the shadow, my wife included! I am the *only* Elven realm not to benefit from one of the Three and don't you dare tell me it is not so!" Thranduil bellowed, standing up and beginning to pace in agitation, "A simpleton could work it out! Lothlórien and Imladris remain untainted by shadow while Mirkwood is consumed by it! And Mithlond! Mithlond is too far West to be threatened by attack and their people have the means to flee to safe harbour if the impossible does happen. I am no fool Mithrandir, I know Círdan has borne one also. Every Elven leader except me! And they dare criticise me over my handling of *my* kingdom! They have grown bold indeed! And arrogant I would call them!"
Gandalf eyed the enraged Elvenking calmly, blowing smoke rings and pictures from his pipe. "They worry over the coming war my friend, they fear you will not last. Not with Dol Guldur in your midst."
"Have we not lasted this long? When I first inherited this realm, when my father died with so many of our warriors for a hollow and short lived victory, it was strong and fair and thriving despite its loss, alas for beautiful Greenwood! Then the Necromancer returns and my forest is captured by darkness and we are forced to retreat into this corner while Galadriel and Elrond enjoy lands untroubled!"
"They do not wish to lord it over you Thranduil, they know how badly your realm is faring and wish to aid you not mock you."
"Aid me?! No one can aid me now. Not unless the Valar intervene and Sauron is destroyed."
"Be careful of what you speak son of Oropher, the cost of such an undertaking might be more than you can foresee."
"*Can* foresee?" Thranduil questioned, "What have they seen? Or has the Mirror revealed some secret?"
"The One has been found," Gandalf stated bluntly.
Thranduil let himself fall heavily into a chair. "How? Saruman said it had been swept out to sea."
"Saruman was wrong. For the creature you house in your dungeons was its last bearer."
"Last bearer? Who has it now?"
"I have suspicions my friend, and if I am right, then it has fallen into the hands of the most unlikely creatures imaginable but that is why I have come. Gollum can answer many questions of mine. But alas! The enemy found him first."
"Explain," Thranduil ordered.
"I believe that he was taken to Barad-dur and released for a purpose unknown, no doubt something nefarious or something as simple as Sauron knowing that Gollum would not stop hunting for the ring."
"And you brought it *here*?" the Elvenking hissed furiously, face flushing with rage at the thought of the possible threat to his kingdom and his people. "Here, where we suffer through his attacks day and night, where he holds a bastion and where he may assail us in search of the One! Are you mad?!"
Gandalf sighed heavily, eyes tracing the worn grooves of the intricately crafted ceiling, "I could not bring him to any realm where one of the Three resides. Ever has Sauron desired to know their bearers and with his victory standing on a knife's edge, such folly could be afforded."
"Yet to bring such danger here was acceptable? Have you no care for this realm?"
"This realm is where the war started Thranduil, where the Dark Lord first resurfaced. He will not attack in force here, relying on Dol Guldur for any course of action."
"Of course! Of course!" Thranduil cried, throwing his hands upwards, "How remiss of me! Dol Guldur, how is that *not* a threat?! Do you know how many Elves I have lost to that cursed place?! Too many Mithrandir! Even one is too many, yet many more than that have met with death or worse through its designs."
"Speak honestly Thranduil and not in riddles. Forget your pride and answer me truly, how bad are the affairs of Mirkwood since I last visited?"
"Dire Mithrandir. Dire. Shadow encroaches on our borders and we are powerless to stop its slow advance." Thranduil's normally proud face and composure wavered through fatigue and Gandalf could see the lines of weariness and worry that spoke of the cares that plagued the King.
"I am sorry my friend but communications speaking of Mirkwood have been slow in coming these past few years."
"My people have other worries. All outlying settlements started moving to the main city scarcely five years ago. We could not spare the warriors needed to defend such vulnerable places and so they retreat behind the borders we hold, abandoning more and more of the forest to neglect."
"Things will be decided for certain in the next year or two my friend. One way or the other, one side will win or lose."
"You say the One has been found. All Sauron need do is regain that and the Elves shall flee to the West and its safety whilst the other races will submit either through fear or they will be beaten into submission, if they are not destroyed at the onset."
"Or the One could be destroyed and peace restored."
"There are none who could resist the ring who could get into Mordor unchecked. 'Twould be a hopeless endeavour."
"'Tis a dark view you take on things. And your son would be the first to disagree with you."
"What is the White Council's fascination with my son Mithrandir!" Thranduil demanded, a protective fire flashing in his eyes, akin to a mother bear whose young is threatened.
"Galadriel told you many years before my friend. Your son is destined for great things."
"My son will not be getting involved in any affairs of yours! He is needed at home. His skills are needed."
"His skills could be put to better use elsewhere. You cannot shield him forever."
"I do not care what folly you are planning but Legolas shall not be included. As his King, I order him to help protect Mirkwood not leave to his death."
"His skills are extraordinary for one so young. He would better serve his home by helping to solve the problem rather than just fighting a small part of it."
"Legolas shall not leave Mirkwood Mithrandir. And if I find that you have been influencing him in any way on this matter, Istar or not, I will not hesitate to throw you out!"
"The prophecy was not my making Thranduil."
"Leave the prophecy to the ranger. Legolas is not one of whom it speaks."
"You just refuse to believe it. The Lady of the Wood is certain."
"She has been wrong before. And for all her wisdom, she did not foresee her own child's sorrow."
"She is right on this. Elrond agrees."
"Elrond has been most quick to agree with her this century. I have no doubt it is something to do with a rift between him and his two youngest some years back. I have heard the rumours of their pledging to their troth, just like everybody else. The Lord Aragorn and the Lady Arwen to be bound in wedlock is not something that has pleased the Lord of the Valley so I hear. For in order to be with the man, the Lady forsakes her father and her people and chooses a mortal life. Elrond's bitterness and sorrow if great but it will not influence this decision. Legolas is my son, not some pawn of the Council's and Morgoth be damned if I let him get himself killed on some foolhardy quest."
"Then you have seen it too." Gandalf said quietly.
"I have seen nothing. I shall not waver. Now I suggest you leave this topic lest I make haste on my decision to render your stay most unpleasant."
"Your love for him blinds you."
"On the contrary I see clearly what the cost would be and I am not willing to pay it. He is all I have left."
"So be it then. We shall speak no more of it. For now."
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil and the Prince of Mirkwood was used to getting his way, with nearly everyone except his father anyway. Either through skill, subterfuge or any other manner of coercion he decided to employ. Having been friends with Aragorn, son of Arathorn for over sixty years, he was also very familiar with his friends stubbornness and had been one of the first to hear of the semi-scandal that had rocked the Elven realms, concerning the betrothal of Lady Arwen to Isildur's Heir and the Lord of Rivendell's reaction to it. Which was to say, ship Arwen back to Lothlórien where she would be under the watchful eyes of her grandparents and after lecturing Aragorn on family duty and the need not to take *any* wife until he was crowned, if he was crowned, ship Aragorn off into the wilds to learn the craft of the rangers.
Not that that had worked, thanks to the meddling of the Lady Galadriel, who had ever so helpfully arranged a meeting for the two lovebirds in the Golden Wood. Elrond hadn't been pleased in the slightest but Thranduil had taken quite the sum of amusement from the whole scenario.
And so Legolas, close friends with both parties involved, knew more about their relationship than was reasonably safe for him to know, considering Lord Elrond's left eye had developed an involuntary manic twitch that only occurred whenever someone mentioned anything about the whole affair.
Legolas needed no more proof that his human friend was deeply enamoured of the Evenstar and so the situation he found himself witnessing had strayed into the realms of too much information a *long* time ago.
He had been greeted at the door by a frightfully red-faced Athon, who had bowed hurriedly, told him Lord Estel was fine and then scampered off as quickly as his legs could carry him without resorting to all out running. That had ignited Legolas's curiosity and his sense of caution, and after spending five minutes in the same room as Aragorn, Legolas was torn between taking notes of the event for future blackmail and embarrassment, (Not to mention some interesting titbits for the twins) and evacuating the room himself.
Water from the Morn Nen had more than one side affect, it's most renowned one; the enchanted slumber being the main one but there were several others that most didn't talk about. For though the water did put the unfortunate imbiber into a forced sleep from which they would not awaken until the effects of the water wore off, it wasn't entirely unpleasant for the slumbering one. It induced dreams of that which the dreamer loved most. And while Legolas held great kinship and loyalty towards the exiled King of Men. This was pushing things too far.
There was only so many times one could listen to a dreaming Aragorn speaking endearments to an invisible love and trying and failing to create some appropriate love poetry. Legolas could really see why Athon had wanted out of there as soon as elvenly possible. Though it had provided him with some juicy titbits to tease Aragorn about for as long as he lived.
Still, enough was enough. There could only be one course of action from here on out. Aragorn must be awakened through some other means. A sly, devilish grin spread across the Elven Prince's face as he studied his sleeping friend. Oh yes, there was a way. Not exactly pleasant for the victim but heartily amusing for anyone watching. Yes, Aragorn wouldn't stand a chance…
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
Half an hour later, Legolas came back into the room, carrying a large steaming smoking goblet that emitted a foul smell. Placing it on the table beside the large bed, he took a small packet from the pocket of his tunic and then dropped it in the goblet. The liquid inside fizzed and bubbled, the stench growing more intense and the smoke taking on a grey-green tint.
Crossing to the bathing chamber through a door at the other side of the room, he checked to see the large pool was full of water and checking it, he found it to be satisfactorily cold. Content, he went back over to the ranger and looked down on him for a moment, eyes dancing with devilish amusement.
Smiling pleasantly, he hefted the large container and stepped closer to his friend, just close enough to bring the goblet into range of the unsuspecting Dúnadán. And with a singularly gleeful expression he dropped the smoking, stinking goblet right atop the ranger.
The ranger involuntarily inhaled some of the mixture and in a rather impressive display of startle reflexes, shot up into a sitting position, spluttering madly whilst one hand knocked the offending goblet across the room before coming up to rub the new lump on his head.
The poor ranger was still quite asleep and so was completely unprepared when a pair of slender hands grabbed him and unceremoniously dumped him out of the bed. Aragorn sleepily squawked his indignation but the culprit just continued dragging him across the room, before hefting him to his feet and giving him an almighty push.
With a spectacular display of arm-waving and slurred cursing, Aragorn Elessar fell face first into the pool, landing with a tremendous splash in a demonstration of human grace. Or lack of it.
Legolas of course, had stayed well out of range of both the goblet and the water and was currently laughing himself silly over his friend's predicament.
Aragorn let out a loud yell when he connected with the ice cold water, resurfacing in all his sputtering glory, swearing so fluently and colourfully, a corsair pirate would have blushed. His teeth were chattering and he looked a fright but to give credit to Legolas's methods, he was just about awake now.
As Aragorn's brain caught up with events, he realised that he was absolutely *freezing*, soaked to the bone, covered in some reeking herbal mixture and was nursing quite a few bruises he could swear he hadn't had before. Once he was relatively up to speed, he realised he was weaponless, in some unknown place, he had no clue where Gollum was or if the Black Riders had caught up with them or not and an unknown assailant was in the same room as him.
Uncaring of his surroundings, Aragorn grabbed the nearest weapon and jumped to his feet, slipping and sliding madly on the wet tiles and yelled, "Show yourself, foul beast of Sauron!"
That did it. Any composure that Legolas had left fled him when he saw Aragorn threatening him with a bar of soap of all things! And the Prince cracked up, falling into the nearest seat and clutching his stomach while laughing uproariously.
By now, Aragorn had realised there was something seriously wrong with this picture and clearing the awful, sticky herbal remedy off his face, he got a good look at the 'foul beast of Sauron'. "Legolas?!" he cried. "You misbegotten spawn of a balrog! What is the meaning of this?!
The Elven Prince managed to choke out a greeting that sounded something like "Mae govannen mellon nin," before taking another look at Aragorn and cracking up again. It didn't take Aragorn long to work what had happened. The last thing he remembered was falling into a river and then feeling very tired which meant he had probably fallen into the Morn Nen. He had obviously been found and brought to the palace and Legolas had been the cause of his considerable misery and embarrassment for the last few minutes. And the Elf had the sheer cheek to *still* be laughing at him. The ranger looked at his hand to see what weapon he'd picked up and blushed as he spotted the bar of soap. Oh he was never going to live this down.
His eyes narrowed into silver-grey slits as he witnessed the Prince's mirth at *his* expense and he lunged at his vulnerable friend, intent on getting payback. Unfortunately Legolas had been expecting some form of retaliation and dodged out of the way, retreating into the bedchamber and putting the solid four poster between himself and the ranger. Still chuckling, he batted his eyelashes infuriatingly and said, in an obvious imitation of Aragorn, "Oh Arwen! Lady of Night! Evenstar fair! The moon doth pale against the splendour of your beauty! Arwen! Arwen! Ever-bright! You make this mortal's heart take flight!" By the end of the recitation he was again nearly choking with laughter whilst Aragorn stared at his friend in utter shock, a red flush beginning to spread from his neck to the tips of his ears.
"Where did you hear that?" he demanded furiously. how in the name of Elbereth had Legolas managed to come across that poetry, meant for Arwen's ears only. He was sure he'd never wrote it down so how had that tricky little Wood-Elf gotten a hold of it?
"From your very lips my friend!" Legolas answered cheerfully, having clawed back the rest of the composure, "'Twas such a fine rendition mellon nin! And spoken so very sincerely! I wonder what else you speak of as you slumber?"
Aragorn paled. He hadn't! He couldn't have! "You jest!" he protested weakly.
"I think not Estel. I must say however does Arwen put up with it?! You sound like a moonstruck maid!"
"But how?!"
"The Morn Nen induces vivid dreams my friend! Be glad they were somewhat innocent or Lord Elrond would have you drawn and quartered for corrupting his beloved daughter!"
"I really hate you sometimes Greenleaf."
"Come Aragorn! Don't be like that!" Legolas admonished, "You know you love me! But really whatever were you thinking when you came here? How, by Eru, did you manage to fall into the Morn Nen in the first place?"
"Don't start!" Aragorn growled, shivering as he looked for a towel to dry himself with.
"And what was that creature you brought with you? The patrol that found you had difficulty telling which of you was the most orc-like. And I can't say that I disagree."
"Am I being compared to an orc?!" Aragorn asked indignantly, glaring at his Elven friend.
"Have you looked in a mirror lately?" the prince asked reasonably, "I don't know how Arwen stands it, what with you trudging into Rivendell and Lórien, looking you were mud wrestling with a troll! Go take a bath for heaven's sake. You stink!"
"*You* were the one that dropped that foul concoction on me!" the ranger replied.
"And sadly, my friend you were already quite stench worthy before it. And someone had to wake you up before the whole of Mirkwood was forced to listen to your awful verses!"
"The water in there is ice-cold!" Aragorn complained as Legolas gingerly shoved him in the direction of the bathing chamber, "Where did you get it? Caradhras?"
"How would I know where the servants got it? Most likely from the Forest River. Now cease your dallying and wash all that slime off you. I vaguely remember what you looked like without it."
"Your wit never ceases to amaze me Greenleaf," he grumbled, grabbing the door frame to avoid slipping on the soaked floor. "Perhaps you would be so kind as to fetch me some clothes? Or do you have more plans for my further embarrassment?"
"If I wanted to embarrass you, I would have just recited your charming poetry for all the Elves in the great hall and then sent copies of your verse to the twins, the Lady and your father. Now go! Clean up! Now that you are here, we have much to do my friend!" he said, giving the ranger another push.
For some strange reason, that innocent sentence sent shivers down Aragorn's spine.
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
Thranduil looked up from his pile of parchments in dismay as he heard several loud thumps, yells and strange noises coming from the wing where he knew Athon had put Aragorn. Any worry he had over the cause of the inevitable destruction (the ranger wasn't very good at preserving furniture after spending so many years learning to destroy it) disappeared when he heard Aragorn's shout of "Show yourself, foul beast of Sauron!" followed by rather hysterical sounding, tinkling laughter that he recognised as his son's.
His advisors looked askance at him and Galion was the first to voice their concerns, "My Liege," he ventured cautiously, "Shouldn't someone be sent to investigate that?"
Thranduil let his quill drop to the table and gave a long-suffering sigh, "Why bother? I have already identified those involved as my son and Elrond's youngest. And knowing their exploits, I can wager no one in their right minds will want to venture into those rooms for quite a few hours yet. No doubt Legolas managed to waken Estel and now the ranger is spitting mad. If they don't show up for the banquet tonight then I'll send someone looking for them but until then let them try and kill each other in peace. At least the racket will let us pinpoint where they are. Speaking of banquets… Galion, do inform the cooks that the Lord Estel is awake and will be joining us and have a place prepared for him."
Galion looked slightly uncomfortable, "But Your Majesty, will they show up?" he asked.
Thranduil's wry smile darkened considerably and everyone shivered, "Oh, they'll show up if they know what's good for them. I've got quite a few topics to interrogate them over."
*Really* not wanting to know, Galion and the King's advisors decided to be prudent and leave it at that. Whatever the King was planning, they'd find out soon enough.
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
Legolas was waiting for him when Aragorn came out, mostly dry and considerably cleaned up, clad in new, dry clothes and carrying his sword and knives. Now that the previous levity had cooled, Aragorn was ready to interrogate his friend about Mirkwood's state and his own health. The chieftain of the Dunedain had heard nothing good about Mirkwood since his last visit and the most current rumours were predicting its downfall to Dol Guldur. "Tell me my friend," he began, not bothering with small talk, "How fares Mirkwood?"
Legolas's face was stony as he thought on the state of his homeland. "Dol Guldur is rising," the blonde Elf said sorrowfully, "We keep it at bay for now but it is hard to harm that which is already dead. And the cost is something we cannot keep paying for long. And more is known of our doings than we wish, though we know not how the enemy is gaining this knowledge."
"That which is already dead?" Aragorn asked, thinking of the terror that dwelled on Amon Lanc.
"Three Ringwraiths are in residence at Dol Guldur, instead of the one previously thought. Our warriors are hard pressed to hold them back. Our weapons turn to dust at their touch and their strength grows with their master's. Every round of the moon, we can see that more dark things are gathering beneath its shadowed eaves but we can do nothing save kill what crosses our paths. I fear they will mount an attack soon. And though my father does not say, I know he believes the same."
"'Tis a dark time for everyone mellon nin, I have crossed many lands on my way here and many ill tidings have I heard."
"Dare I ask?" Legolas teased lightly, "Or will the close-mouthed Dunadan tell me of his own free will?"
"Gondor has lost the bridge at Osgiliath to the enemy," Aragorn said quietly, "It was not a serious attack, just a means of testing their defences but still, it bodes ill."
"Gondor flounders," Legolas agreed, "But the trees whisper of a coming darkness and the turn of the tide. They say war is coming and it shall be the one that decides that future of all."
"I once heard never go to the Elves for advice for their wisdom seldom comforts and they will say both yay and nay."
"I only tell what I have heard. It is your decision how much value you place on it." Legolas said softly after a moment of silence.
Aragorn cast him a sideways glance, "Do not take offence. 'Tis not that I don't believe you. I too have heard the foretellings of war and your words only reinforce them. I cannot help but worry that this time failure cannot be recovered from."
"And you do not worry that the time to claim your birthright is approaching?" the Elf asked shrewdly.
"Aye, that too. And I have much to tell you later, someplace where we may not be overheard by Elven hearing. But that is for another time and dour have our thoughts become. Come, tell me of what you were planning earlier."
A small smile grew as Legolas explained his plans for the day.
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
"Absolutely not!" Thranduil all but roared as Legolas and Aragorn smiled beguilingly at him. "You two! The most trouble prone pair I have ever met, leaving for a simple 'walk' in the forest? Do you think me a fool? You are incapable of keeping out of trouble! Everyone in Arda knows it except you! And you seriously think I would let you just walk out of here so you may do your best to get yourself killed again?! No! I forbid it!" The stubborn look he was so well known for made it clear that he wasn't backing down.
Caladar, Legolas's First Guard since birth nodded in agreement with his King, knowing full well that in order to protect his charge sufficiently, - an increasingly hard task - it was easier done if the King put his foot down and refused to let his all to often wayward son set foot out of the safety of Mirkwood's stronghold.
"I do hope you realise that this was just a formality Ada and that I fully intend on going anyway." Legolas said, as innocent as freshly fallen snow.
Thranduil's expression was beginning to rival a storm cloud from Caradhras. He knew his son well enough to know that Legolas would sneak out of the palace and posting a guard on them would prove useless in the long run. Unfortunately when Legolas pulled a disappearing act, you didn't find him, he found you. Until then the entire guard could look for him and not find him at all.
A fact that had gotten Erundul in a temper more often than not.
After considering his options for a moment, he shot his son a hard look, ""You, of all people, should know that bribery is a crime."
"Apologizing beforehand isn't, is it?"
Thranduil looked at them sternly , the beginnings of a plan beginning to form in his head. "You get back here in time for the banquet tonight otherwise, I'm going to come and get you and it won't be pretty."
Legolas smiled brightly and said, "Yes Ada!" before he and Aragorn left the throne room.
Caladar looked at his king in dismay, "Was that wise Sire?"
"Of course not. That's why you will be following them. Discreetly. The human should make enough noise to mask your presence if you're careful."
"Still my Lord? Wouldn't it have been better to not let them go?"
"They would have gone anyway. This way I at least can send you along to try and keep them out of trouble."
"Do you think the Prince will ever grow out of this phase?" Caladar asked despairingly, already envisioning exactly what trouble the prince was going to find now. On his watch.
"I don't know but I just wish he'd stop looking for trouble. With his luck he'll find it. Now you had better hurry if you wish to catch up with them. I have instructed the stable hands to delay their leaving long enough to give you a chance to catch them."
"I will do my best to ensure their safety my Lord," Caladar said formally, placing a hand over his heart and bowing.
"You always do my friend. But I fear to keep them out of trouble altogether is a task worthy of the Valar themselves. Good luck Caladar."
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
In the dark bowels of Dol Guldur, Khamûl, Chief Ringwraith of the tower, bowed before the lidless eye. "My Lord, the Witch-King bids me relay information about the creature who dared bear your Ring."
"He let him fall into the hands of the Elves!" the eye growled, "I grow weary of failure Khamûl. You shall deliver the creature to me or it shall be on your hide!"
"How shall I get past Thranduil's guard my Lord? His defences weaken every day but not significantly enough to mount an attack yet."
"Then you shall *make* them weak. I don't care if you have to got through every cursed Elf in the forest to regain him but you shall do it!"
"As my Lord commands."
~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~**
A/N: So? Opinions please!
Naugrim - stunted ones. Elvish term for Dwarves.
Galion - the King's butler. Appeared in 'The Hobbit'.
Mellon nin - 'My friend' in Sindarin.
Amon Lanc - 'the Naked Hill' in Sindarin. The site of the tower of Dol Guldur in Southern Mirkwood.
Khamûl - Ringwraith. Second only to the Witch-King. Also known as the 'Black Easterling'. Was perhaps the wraith with the strongest capability of thinking for himself but had the weakest powers during the day. In charge of Dol Guldur.
OC character list:
Athon - leader of a scouting party.
Caladar - Legolas's First Guard.
Erundul - Captain of Mirkwood's guards.
Faloth - member of Mirkwood's guards.
Isfin - member of Athon's scouting party.
Ismagil - member of Athon's scouting party.
Nevraith - serving maid to King Thranduil.