Title: Inseparable
Author: Legolas-gurl88
Disclaimer: I am but borrowing most of the characters for a while! They really belong to Tolkien!
Author Note: I'm really sorry for the lengthy update! Like I said, I have two Science classes now, and I'm just kinda trying to re-sort everything out because I feel like I'm falling apart. Also, for the longest time, I had writers' block! It's terrible! I hate writers' block! But, I know what's going to happen, I just didn't get in front of the computer and type it all down. But I've come up with a MAYBE sequel. I'm not sure if there will be a sequel, but there most likely will. I'll talk more about it as this story comes to a close.
Story time!
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14. Meeting Ecthelion and Denethor
Legolas stared ahead. The White City, Minas Tirith was coming into view. He looked down at Estel who was, once again, sleeping in his arms. The boy moved in his sleep. This trip had been hard on Estel. But it would soon be over. The King would soon return to Gondor, even if he would not yet take up the throne.
Once they entered through the great stone doorway, Estel awoke, and a guard immediately approached them.
"Who be in your group?" He asked in a falsely regal voice, holding out a paper and quill, to take the names down.
"Galadriel daughter of Finarfin." Galadriel started, "Celeborn son of Doriath, Thranduil son of Oropher, Elrond son of Eä rendil, Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen, children of Elrond, Legolas son of Thranduil, and Aragorn, son of Arathorn."
At the mention of Estel's name, the quill the man was holding snapped in his fingers.
"A-Aragorn? T-The K-King? W-w-where be h-he who is called by this name?" The guard's once deep and imperial voice changed suddenly to a quick stutter, his tongue stumbling over the words he spoke them.
"I am here." Estel said, waving to the man from around Legolas's arms as Legolas still held Mä ron's reins. The guard's eyes went wide with shock as he dropped to his knees, his scroll and broken quill scattering to the ground.
"My Lord Aragorn-- That is to say, My King Aragorn. I am at your service."
"Your service is not needed at the moment for Aragorn." Celeborn broke in. "We must speak with Lord Ecthelion."
"Yes, My Lord, if you will please dismount your horses, they will be taken to the royal stables and you all may follow me… by the way, my name is Pralicar…"
The elves and Estel dismounted gracefully and followed Pralicar through the crowded streets where the elves earned themselves confused looks from the peasants who walked past them. Estel was shorter than most of them and they all looked down their noses at him. At one point, he saw a man beating another man with a crowd of onlookers, cheering. He whimpered slightly and hastened. After that, he kept close to Legolas's side, his hand tucked in the elf's belt, so he wouldn't lose him.
It had been some time since Legolas had been here and it certainly had changed. When Estel had been born, everyone had been happy and joyous. Now, there was a fight everywhere you looked. He also sped up to catch up with the twins and Arwen.
"This is not good." He muttered to them, slowing down a bit to allow Estel to walk and not run. "They should not be fighting each other. Ecthelion's eyes are blind to all else that is outside of Gondor. More evil stirs there and yet he does nothing to stop even the arguments within his walls."
"Maybe that will change when he sees Estel and hears our stories." Elrohir answered.
"I hope so."
They walked for a little more ways, keeping up with Pralicar who was yelling "Make way for the King! Make way!" But that caused even more peasants to stare. Finally, they stopped in front of white stairs. And Lord Ecthelion and his eleven-year-old son, Denethor, stepped down them with enough grace that a man could muster.
"My Lords, Ladies, Kings and Prince," Ecthelion said, bowing to them all and they all nodded their heads deeply in return. "It is said that the Heir to the Throne has returned. Where is the King Aragorn?"
"I am here." Estel said again, stepping forward. He suddenly felt very small, for everyone, even the onlookers, who were bowing to Ecthelion, were much older than he. He was scared of being small. Even Denethor was a foot taller than him. For a split second, he stared at the Steward and his son, taking in their appearances.
Ecthelion was an elderly man with cold gray eyes and greasy gray hair, framing his aged and unshaven face. His robes were all of animal fur and they swept down to his feet. Denethor, on the other hand, had a smooth face, brown hair that went down to his shoulders and forest green eyes that bore the coldness of his father's eyes. He, too, was wearing robes, but they were all black, with a fur lining around the neck, sleeves and hem.
Estel smiled to Denethor, but Denethor only sneered back at Estel.
"My King," Ecthelion said, bowing low. "You and your comrades are most welcome. Come. I invite you all inside. King Aragorn, if you would walk with us?"
At this, Estel looked around at the elves. They all nodded to him encouragingly. He looked to Legolas, then turned his head back to face Ecthelion.
"May my friend, Prince Legolas walk with us. I feel much safer with him."
"Nay, Estel." Legolas called, "I cannot walk with you or Lords Ecthelion or Denethor. But I promise, I will not be far behind."
"Well, that solves that." Ecthelion said, before reaching out an arm and pulling Estel around with him and back up the stairs. Estel looked around again, over Ecthelion's arm and saw Legolas escorting Arwen up the stairs, Celeborn escorting Galadriel. Thranduil and Elrond walked up the stairs, not far behind, deep in conversation. The twins were trying to get a laugh and were escorting each other up the stairs, their arms linked humorously.
Estel snorted in laughter.
"Excuse me?" Ecthelion said and Estel looked back around.
"What?"
"You snorted. A king should never snort. Ai, King Aragorn, you have much to learn about the ways of being a king. I want you to keep close watch on my son. He knows the proper way to behave and shall do so for you to follow." Estel looked around to Ecthelion's other side to see Denethor smirking at him again.
"Denethor? Answer me." Ecthelion said. Denethor pulled an innocent face as his father looked around.
"Yes, Father, My Lord, I shall behave in the necessary way to teach the young King the ways of Kinghood."
"Very good, Denethor." Ecthelion said, looking back at Estel. Denethor smirked once more at Estel once more, mouthing the word 'loser.' Estel stuck out his tongue, but realized his mistake too late. Ecthelion had seen.
"My Lord Aragorn, if you are not going to behave like a King, then I suggest you do not become one!" Ecthelion said.
"But I--"
"Please, follow my son's lead. We shall wait out here for a little. Denethor, please take young Aragorn inside and explain the ways of Gondor. We will be in in about five minutes time. I must speak with the elves."
"Yes, Father, My Lord, I shall do so at once. Young King, please follow me," Denethor walked off.
"There's my good son." Ecthelion said, "Well, King Aragorn, follow him!"
Estel ran after the Steward's son. Once inside the palace, Estel looked around, but didn't have time to take in his surroundings before Denethor slammed the giant door shut, and before Estel could do anything, he swiftly grabbed the younger child's tunic front and pushed him against the wall.
"You should not be here." Denethor hissed. "My Father is supposed to die, then I am supposed to take over Gondor! Not you! I have been waiting all my life for the moment when Gondor is at my command!"
"Let me down!" Estel yelled.
"Nay, brat. I shall not let you down, unless you promise to give me the throne."
"Never! That throne is mine, whether I want it or not!"
"Do mine ears deceive me? I thought I just heard you say you didn't want Gondor."
"I don't, but I don't want you in charge of it. And if becoming king is the price I have to pay to make sure you don't get the throne, then so be it."
Denethor's lip twitched and he punched Estel in the stomach and let go of the boy. Estel gasped for breath, sliding down the wall, holding his stomach.
"If you tell anyone about this meeting, I'll kill you."
"Well at least I know you'd be in trouble before I died."
"You know what? You're right. Killing you would be letting you off to easy for being a snitch. But, um… those elves seem to be pretty important to you. What if I should sleepwalk and accidentally drop my sword down on one of their necks."
"You wouldn't." Estel said.
"Oh, I would. Don't forget. I am a whole year older than you. So, if you speak anything of this, I might drop my sword on one of their necks."
The great door opened and Ecthelion walked in.
"Denethor, my son, I wish for you to go outside and greet the elves. Please, take them to their rooms and tell them that dinner will be in the Hall tonight and we shall fetch guards to escort them in one hour's time. Also, tell them that your room, my room and King Aragorn's room are strictly off limits, even for them and that if we catch them in the area, they will be punished."
"Yes, Father, My Lord." Denethor said, bowing and walking out of the room, with one last smirk to Estel. Ecthelion paced around, his hands behind his back, staring down at Estel, who still sat on the floor.
"My King, Aragorn," Ecthelion said, "Get up, now." Estel stood up, "If you are going to act like a child--"
"But I am--"
"Silence!" Ecthelion spat, "Do not interrupt me! Now," He directed his attention to a servant walking in the halls, "You! Servant! Please, escort the King to his chambers and then take his luggage to the chambers as well. I believe the one, Prince Legolas, has Aragorn's case."
"Yes, Milord Ecthelion," The servant bowed and took Estel to his room.
Once Estel was there, he stared around as the servant left to retrieve his luggage. There was a giant, king-sized bed, a fireplace, a dresser with a large mirror perched on top. On the dresser, there was a small stand holding a crown (the one in Return of the King). There was also a desk and chair in the corner of the room with a large variety of quills and ink on small shelves. And by the dresser, was a huge bookcase, holding what seemed like thousands of books.
The servant arrived again, carrying Estel's bag and set it down.
"Now, Sire, if you need me, send word with a passing servant. My name is Barlay. I shall arrive in one hour to fetch you for dinner. The Steward requests you wear the crown and that you bathe. There is a bath room just over there (he pointed to a second door).
"What about my Adar?"
"Beg pardon?"
"S-sorry. My father?"
"He and the rest of the elves will be at dinner. Do not worry."
"Thank you."
Barlay bowed his way out of the room.
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One hour later, Barlay returned to find Estel bathed and in his special occasion elvish clothing and his crown. They walked to dinner.
The Hall was enormous. Everywhere Estel's head turned, there were portraits on the walls of past kings, queens and stewards. There were many long tables where peasants were standing as Estel walked by. There were musicians in the background, playing flutes and violins in a wonderful harmony.
At the end of the large Hall, was a long table full of royals and in the biggest chair was Ecthelion. Denethor sat on his father's right hand side. There was a vacant chair next to him and after that, Legolas sat. Estel walked up to him and sat between him and Denethor. Denethor leaned over and patted his back in a friendly manner, but Estel caught sight of the boy's sneer.
Estel ignored him and looked around at Legolas. The elf was wearing a silky, crystal blue tunic that made his face look it's elven pale color. The leggings were dark blue and Legolas wore his usual boots (one probably had a new dagger tucked away). Atop his head lay a silver headdress that Estel knew Legolas hated wearing and only put up with it because Thranduil made him. Thranduil sat on Legolas's right.
Estel was just about to speak with his friend when Ecthelion stood up.
"Friends! Peasants! Servants! People of Gondor!" He started, "Today, we celebrate something special! Today, we celebrate the return of the king!"
Amidst the cheers, Estel could hear a small chanting of "King Aragorn! King Aragorn!" Ecthelion held up his hand and the room grew steadily quiet.
"Let us raise our goblets to King Aragorn! May he live a long life!"
"Long live the king!" The whole of the Hall yelled. Estel looked around at Legolas and saw that the elf had also raised his goblet and drank the wine it held, to his friend. Estel couldn't help but smile sheepishly.
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Morier rode into Mirkwood, atop her horse Daran. She had just dismissed all of the orcs who had been battling at Mirkwood. They all bowed and left, because she had no need of them for a while. She did, however, tell some of the orcs to take two trolls to guard the entrance of the palace. They did so and the attacks lessened. Soon, they had ceased. Morier rode on, between trees, on a small path. Suddenly, elves jumped out at her, all of them with loaded bows.
"Lower your weapons." She commanded, "How dare you attempt to strike you Queen?"
"Queen, you say?" said one elf "We will only have a queen is King Thranduil should pass to the Halls of Mandos. And even then, our Mighty Prince Legolas would take over!"
"Ah, but they have both passed into the Halls of Mandos." Morier lied, bowing her head in mock sympathy as the elves' eyes widened in horror.
"How would you know?" Another elf asked. Morier tried to hide her glee as she saw the looks of pure shock dawn on the elves' fair faces when she pulled out the large amount of Legolas's tunic that she had ripped off when she took his soul.
An elf reached out to it and grasped it. He felt it.
"The Royal Fabric. From Legolas's tunic." He announced quietly. Morier smirked, but hid the look as the elves looked up.
"Did they say anything before they…" The first elf asked.
"Both said something to me in a way. Thranduil was perched on a rock, blood seeping all over his chest. As I kneeled down, he whispered to me, 'Morier, look out for Mirkwood. Become the ruler.' And his eyes closed."
"Now, I searched for Legolas," Morier continued on her lies, "When I found him, he was clutching a stomach wound. A sword had gone right through him and I knew instantly he would not live, for the sword had hit his vital organs. As I held him in my arms, he grasped the front of my robes. He said nothing, but in his last few minutes, he and I stared at each other, talking with our eyes. And then his eyes went blank as he closed them and thus, he died in my arms."
"Then, King Thranduil clearly wished for you to rule?"
"Yes, he did."
"Very well. Please come with us. We will take you to the palace--"
"Queen Morier." Morier said, voicing aloud what she had been wishing for years. She liked how that name rolled off the tongue… Queen Morier. It sounded nice, even if 'morier' did mean 'dark one' in elvish. But nonetheless, if anyone made fun of her name, she could easily have guards throw them into prison. Now that she was Queen of the Elven Realms, she could put into action, what she had been planning since the days of her father.
"I'm not finished with you yet, Thranduilion." She muttered under her breath as she followed the elves to her palace.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Oooh, Scary Morier! Evil person. Yup, her name means Morier. It took me the longest time to think of her name at first and I have Trinityelf to thank for helping me. I remember us looking through my 'elvish dictionary' for a good word that could make a good evil name. Morier was the best we could do, but I think the name suits her. Wow! This was a longer chapter! I like it that way and I'm sure you guys do, too!
Just to let you guys, who aren't into LOTR as much as other people, know; when I say 'Thranduilion,' I do not mean 'Thranduil' as in Legolas's father. At the end of a name, if there is an 'ion,' it means 'son of.' So, when I say, 'Thranduilion,' I'm basically saying, 'Son of Thranduil,' referring to Legolas. So, if I were to say, 'Legolasion,' I would be saying, 'Son of Legolas.' Thanks for helping me figure that out, Trin! The only problem is, I always forget what 'daughter of' is! Stupid me!
Once again, I'm REALLY sorry for the lengthy update! Okay, now it's review time!
The evil witch queen- I don't like Denethor either! John Noble or whatever his name is, is a great actor and is perfect for the part, but Denethor is evil! Thank you very much! Now, we're getting to the good part of the story!
Leggylover03- Yup, Galadriel is banished! Poor her! But you'll just have to see what happens. *evil cackle*
Sammy- Hey! I haven't heard from you for a while! Well, thank you very much!
EnglishMystic- Yup. Heh, heh! : )
Trinityelf- How're you? That would be cool if my Leggy costume won best costume! That would be soooo cool! LASTA LALAITHAMIN! HA! Heh, heh! I can't wait for Troy! Well, I'd better go!
Deana- You are very smart! Now, this is where I kinda got the idea for another idea for the story, but, as I already said, there is a chance of a sequel, because I thought of what could happen!
Mistopurr- Hey, Misto! Leggy probably would feel a little guilty, but I didn't really do a lot of detail for that. Sorry about the last line. I was having a hard time writing that chapter and I just wanted to get it over with, so I stopped it there. I'll try to do better! E-mail you later! : )
Gilraen Felagund- I'm glad you like my story! It's good to know I'm writing for a purpose. YOU DON'T LIKE ORLANDO! That's okay. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. What's yours on Johnny Depp? If you like him, that's who we could talk about! Or Viggo Mortenson or Elijah Wood or Billy Boyd or… *trails off and doesn't stop naming people for about five hours*
Well, that's all folks! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS! I'm SO close to 100 reviews! THAT IS SO COOL! Let's see… 89 reviews! And I only asked for 82! Good job! Thanks for making me very happy! Talk to you all later!
You know the drill… REVIEW!
Luv,
Legolas-gurl88