Title: Inseparable

Author: Legolas-gurl88

Disclaimer: If you think I own anything that Tolkien thought up… you crazy!

Author Note: I'm very sorry for the lengthy update, but I'm trying to time this story well, 'cause I'm trying to get inspiration for the story and I've only got a few more chappies done, so I'm panicking. But, I'm writing a REALLY hard scene now for this story (a few chapters along) and I have to find out how to time the appearances of separate characters and what is it I want accomplished by the end of the story and what I want to happen so a good sequel can come out of this. Also, I'm getting TONS of Science tests which are seriously more important if I want to graduate high school, so please excuse any further late chapters! But I will try as hard as I can to continue this story regularly.

On with the story!

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Chapter 18. Finding a Road

Estel had been walking for nearly an hour, not knowing where to go, or what to do. His nose was wet as he cried in confusion. He rubbed it to dry it, but it just kept running. He had no clue where he was going or what he was doing. But then, he heard horses approach. He looked up to see a band of Elves, riding towards him. Their hair was blonde, so he figured they were either from Mirkwood or Lothló rien. He waved his arms, glad to see that he was not alone anymore. One Elf pointed at him and the rest rode over to him and surrounded him.

"State your name!" One Elf (who must have been the leader) yelled over the horses, who were pawing the ground.

"Estel-- Aragorn!" Estel said.

"Well, which is it?"

"Both. I am known as Estel by the Elves, but by men, I am King Aragorn."

"Did you know Prince Legolas?"

"Yes." Estel said, not catching the past tense form of the question.

"Then, by the order of Queen Morier of Mirkwood, you are under arrest."

"Queen Morier of Mirkwood?" Estel asked. The Elf bowed his head. While he did so, Elves walked up to Estel with ropes and gags.

"Yes, Queen Morier of Mirkwood." The Elf said, "It was the wish of King Thranduil that Queen Morier take over if he and Prince Legolas should die."

"Wait. But--" Before Estel could say anymore, one of the Elves behind him had put the gag in his mouth. Estel was captured. Captured by Legolas's people, who thought their prince and king were dead. It was then, that Estel remembered who Morier was. But what use was it now? His heart stopped when he remembered his friend, Barlay, was the father of Legolas's foe.

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Legolas however, did not know that Barlay was the father of Morier, nor the fact that Barlay had 'died' in Mirkwood, for at that time, he had been on patrol for his father. But Barlay had explained who he was, why he wanted to follow Legolas (to help Estel), but he didn't mention he had once been in Mirkwood and didn't mention anything about Morier. Legolas found he trusted the old man, far more than he would ever trust Ecthelion or Denethor. In fact, the only Gondorians he did trust were Estel, Arathorn and Gilraen, two of whom were dead. But Barlay also said he was a Rohirrim and Legolas always felt that Rohirrims were easier to trust than Gondorians.

Out of the man and Elf, Legolas was the best tracker, but it was hard to ride Märon or track anything wearing his long purple and black robes, so, he ripped up the black robes from the waist down, folded the ripped parts up to his waist, making a tunic-like length of clothing and tying the ripped pieces together. Luckily, he had had the sense to wear his leggings and regular boots underneath. He used the outer purple robes to tie around his neck and make a cloak, but ripped a small piece off to tie his hair back with.

Barlay had stolen a sword, knives, a bow and a quiver full of Gondorian arrows to give to Legolas who gratefully took them and strapped the quiver to his back, exercising the bow to get used to the different style the Gondorians used. Barlay had not been able to steal back Legolas's own weapons, because Ecthelion had placed guards at Legolas's bedroom doors to make sure no one did exactly what Barlay wanted to do; steal the weapons. Barlay himself used a sword that he had stolen and he had also stolen Ecthelion's finest horse, Trintuliel.

They rode for nearly half a day. Finally, Legolas stopped Märon, jumped off her and put his ear to the ground. He heard horse hooves beating all around. It sounded as if there were some ahead of him and Barlay and some behind. His did not know who was ahead of him, but he figured the ones behind him were Ecthelion's men, trying to capture him again.

Then, he saw the faint hoof prints of Elvish horses and the deeper prints of a child's feet. From the looks of it, Legolas could have sworn that from all the scuffling and worried footprints, his comrades might have carried the child off. But why?

Morier, Legolas decided. He would get to the bottom of this. Once the Elves saw him, they would help him get Estel back and stop the madness which the half-Elf caused.

"Barlay, come here." Legolas said, waving a hand at Barlay, who jumped off his horse and rushed to the prince.

"What?"

"I think we should go to Mirkwood."

"Mirkwood? Why?"

"See these footprints?" Legolas pointed to the ground. Barlay nodded. "If I'm reading it correctly, these hoof prints have come from Elvish horses and I could swear by my Naneth's [Mother's] grave those footprints came from Estel. See, look at the size of them. And they are slightly deeper than the other footprints, so it had to have come from a child."

"But how do we know it's Estel?" Barlay questioned. Legolas thought about this. As he did so, he stared at the ground and the footprints. He suddenly saw something that no one else probably would have noticed. On the pattern of the sole of the shoe, there was a tiny tree with seven stars around it; the White Tree of Gondor!

"It is him!" Legolas yelled out loud, kneeling down and pointing to the design, "Look! When last I saw Estel, he was wearing Gondorian shoes instead of his regular boots! This has to be him!"

"Then which elven realm to we have to go to? Why Mirkwood? How can you be so sure these horses are from Mirkwood?"

"I think that's where the person behind this is."

"Who would be so heartless as to kidnap a child and take over all the elven realms?"

"Later, Barlay," Legolas said, mounting Märon, "We have to catch up with the horses. Come on,"

Barlay sighed an mounted Trintuliel. He really didn't want to return to Mirkwood. He had had many bad memories of that place. But if it were the only way to save Estel, so be it. If he were to die, he would have lived a long life anyway. Estel was more important… he was young, and King of Gondor. He was more imperative than the old servant. Barlay kicked Trintuliel's and the horse took off, following Legolas as the Elf lead the way to Mirkwood, unaware of what they would encounter.

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Lame, I know. And short. SORRY! I'll try and get the next chapter up REALLY soon! I just thought this would be a good, cliffie-like ending, wouldn't you say? Nah, you just want more! I promise, I'll try to get the next chappie up soon! Reviews!

The evil witch queen- Thank you for forgiving me, yet I still can't help but feel bad. Anyway, I'm still really sorry. Don't feel guilty about ranting… all human beings rant! And I have to admit, it would be annoying for me to have forgotten to reply to you for a second time. Sure, I'll read your story! I went to your bio page and I was confused. Which one did you want me to read? Whichever one it is, I'll read and review for ya, just 'cause you're so nice! Heh, heh! It's not pathetic to fish for reviews! I sure did the same thing! It makes it more fun with reviews, doesn't it? I also don't mind long reviews, 'cause they're more fun and I LOVE answering them and getting to know new people! Well, talk to you next chapter! Namaarie!

Mistopurr- Wow! You signed in. That's kinda funny, 'cause I was always wondering why you didn't sign in… but now I know! YAY! Please, talk about random stuff! I love talking about random stuff! I do it all the time! 20 names? WOW! That's a lot of husbands! Orlando is obviously at the top of my list. Karl Urban and Sean Bean are also some of my other favorite actors! My mom likes Karl Urban and I can't argue with her there! Heh, heh! Arwen is a good character and Liv is a good actor, but I have to agree with you; she is not the elf I would chose. I just thought it'd be nice for Leggy to have a friend! And the conversations between them are so sweet! But, yeah… getting off subject. Well, I'd better go! Still awaitin' your next chappie! Bye! Thanks for thinking of signs! Heh, heh!

Leggylover03- Later in the story, I answer why they can't crawl out of the window… also, they are on like, the fifth floor or something like that, so once they got out there, what would they do? Once again, it's a fanfic, but also, Vilya doesn't play a HUGE part in the story… nor does Nenya. What's the other one? I always forget! Anyway, I'll try to update soon!

Trinityelf- YAY! Heh, heh! Don't worry, I start off most of my reviews with 'yay' as well! *Starts to chant* Lopez, Lopez, Lopez… remind me to show you a picture! I don't want to show you too much, 'cause I want it to be a surprise, but bring your camera, 'cause it's not a big island, but it's got some GEORGOUS scenery! Well, I'd better go! Bye!

Thanks for the reviews, guys! Also, I'm guessing there are other people out there not reviewing… I'm NOT gonna kill you if you do! I'm harmless! But I fully encourage you to review to me, 'cause it shows me how much my stories mean to you guys! Please, I'm encouraging you to encourage me! Heh, heh!

DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW… once again… *sigh*

Luv,

Legolas-gurl88