Ewww, I didn't realize how long it's been since I updated this, well I'll have to say sorry and I'll try not to make you wait so long again. My plot bunnies keep getting interested in my other fictions…here it is!

Chapter 16--Attack At Sea

Legolas was up early the next day, even before Qui and went out on deck to find Taron and attempt to apologize for his rudeness again. After searching awhile he found the young man at the bow of the ship. "Taron?" he said softly, so he wouldn't startle him.

Taron turned. "Do you need something?" he asked.

"Nay, I just wished to ask your pardon for my rudeness once more. I am truly sorry for the way I spoke to you," Legolas said.

Taron looked like he was going to walk away for a minute then he sighed. "I guess I can understand why you were annoyed. Alright, apology accepted if you will agree to do one thing," he said.

"What?" Legolas asked.

"Teach me Elvish and we are even," Taron said, grinning.

Legolas laughed. "I think I can manage that," he agreed.

"I am off duty at noon, so can we start after lunch?" Taron asked.

"That would be fine. I will leave and let you return to what you have to do," Legolas agreed and walked off. He felt much better now.

After lunch Taron and Legolas went down to Legolas's cabin where it was quiet and Legolas gave Taron his first lesson. He was pleased to find that the young man was quite a fast learner. They were interrupted by loud shouts from on deck.

"All men to your stations! Pirates!" someone yelled.

Taron leaped up and ran out of the cabin. Legolas grabbed his knives and bow then followed him.

The deck was in chaos as sailors rushed about trying to get to their stations and get weapons ready. Legolas spotted Aragorn and Qui and made his way over to them.

Aragorn spotted him first. "We are going to try to outrun them, but I do not think it will work. Their ship is made for speed and ours is not. We will most likely have to fight," he said as Legolas came up.

Captain Kellon came up to them. "It does not look good, sire. They are gaining on us despite our best efforts. I will run from them as long as I can, but we will have to fight eventually," he said. He glanced at Legolas. "Your bow would be appreciated if you would join my archers when the time comes."

"I will be glad to help," Legolas said.

"I am not sure that is such a good idea, Legolas. You should probably stay below," Aragorn said.

"Do not treat me like a child, Aragorn. We will need all the fighters we have from the looks of it," Legolas said.

"As much as I hate to admit it, Legolas is right, Aragorn. He is most likely the best archer on the ship. It would be foolish if we did not let him fight," qui said.

"Very well, run from them as long as you can then we will fight," Aragorn said.

Captain Kellon bowed respectfully and hurried off, shouting orders at his men who hurried off in different directions.

"Really Aragorn. I do not need to be hurried out of danger. I know how to fight. Please stop doing that," Legolas said.

Aragorn sighed. "Sorry, Legolas. I will try not to do so again," he promised. He watched as Legolas hurried off to help where he could.

"Stay close to him when the fight begins, Qui, please," Aragorn said.

"I will," Qui said then they hurried off to do the same.

Captain Kellon and his crew were highly skilled and managed to keep away from the pirate ship until nearly dusk. Finally they could run no more. "To arms, men. Prepare to fight!" Kellon shouted. "Archers to your places! Fire at my command!!!"

Legolas joined the archers at the railing and notched an arrow. He took aim along with the others and waited for the captain's order.

'Steady, steady, we want them closer…Now!!" Kellon ordered.

The archers fired seven pirates dropped dead from the volley and the crew cheered, but the pirates had archers too and they fired back.

Legolas winced as the archer directly next to him fell with a shaft in his eye. Three more men died in the volley. Legolas shot down three more of them before the pirate ship came up alongside and grappled to their ship.

"Prepare to be boarded!" Kellon shouted.

The archers abandoned their bows and drew close quarter weapons instead as the pirates threw down boarding planks and charged….

Fight at sea!! Whoohoo!! R/R please!