Title: Inseparable

Author: Legolas-gurl88

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything… and I doubt I ever will… RATS!

Author Note: I know this doesn't mean much to most of you, but I raised my Biology grade to a C! That's very good, 'cause my mom's considering giving me more time on the computer! YAY! Sorry for the lengthy update! On with the story. This chapter is pretty sad. And it has an unexpected turn that even I didn't know about until I wrote it! Shocking!

Story time!

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20. Spiders!

Almost another hour later, Morier returned to the throne room and threw the whip behind the throne, keeping it out of view. Her timing was perfect because as soon as she settled herself in her chair, Arlean ran in and bowed.

"My Lady," Arlean said, "There are two riders heading for Mirkwood."

"Who are they?"

"We know not, My Lady, they have their hoods up."

Morier was suddenly faced with curiosity. Who would be-- no, it couldn't be-- she should have suspected this-- very well, it would make her plan move smoother than it would have… Legolas was a perfect target and he would be easy to get to once he saw Estel in the condition that he was in.

"Bring them to me alive."

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Legolas and Barlay halted on the outskirt of the forest. Even if this was his home, Legolas shivered uncomfortably. Never in his life had the forest looked so unwelcome, especially to it's prince. Legolas tried to block out the screaming of the trees; it was so loud and piercing that he was so close to crying out in pain as the screeching reached his sensitive ears. Instead, he gulped and kicked Märon's flanks and she obediently trotted into the darkness of the woods, yet Legolas could sense her reluctance. Barlay followed on Trintuliel who quivered in fear and took tentative steps as though the earth beneath him would give way any moment.

Legolas stared around at his home. The trees were all bent and grotesque looking. And opposed to the bright green and golden leaves that normally hung on the trees or fell gracefully to the ground, the dark leaves were all screaming with those that they hung next to.

"Draw your weapon," Legolas hissed urgently to Barlay, who pulled his gleaming sword out of it's sheath. Legolas pulled out his bow and readied an arrow, prepared to attack any attackers. The forest was unusually quiet and it gave Legolas a sense of foreboding.

His attentive ears picked up the sound of a twig snapping and he turned his body around to face where the sound had come from. Märon halted without Legolas even commanding her to do so.

"What is it, Legolas?" Barlay asked from behind him. Legolas shook his head in confusion. Other than the twig, no other sound came. Elves? Legolas thought. No, Elves wouldn't have even broken the first twig. Slowly, Legolas lowered his bow and looked in the other direction, then to Barlay, whose face paled and eyes widened as Legolas watched him. Just before Legolas could ask what ailed the aged servant, Märon backed up without warning. Before Legolas could calm her, something large rammed fully into his body and with a shout, he fell off Märon and onto the ground. Whatever had attacked him scuttled around to finish off it's prey. Legolas lifted his head, shook it and looked at the attacker.

A Mirkwood Spider.

Not only were Mirkwood spiders always hungry and nasty creatures, these ones were five times the size of Legolas. With the ability of the Elf that he was, Legolas regained his footing and jumped out of the way of the giant pincers, which nearly clamped onto his ankle. He looked around for his bow and arrow, which he had dropped as he fell off Märon. They lay about ten feet away from him and were no use because the spider, though large and bulky, had the agility and speed of a doe and attacked him again.

"Legolas!" Barlay said, jumping off Trintuliel to help the Elf as he unsheathed the Gondorian blades strapped to his back. As he took his second step, another spider jumped out from behind the trees and blocked him, it's pincers clicking madly and its eight red eyes gleaming dangerously. He took a stab at it, but it did nothing but anger the spider, whose skin was as rough and thick as an Oliphaunts' skin. And, like the giant Mû makil, it would take several shots to bring this creature down.

Legolas was having better luck with his as he had hunted them ever since he had come of age and received his first bow. But that didn't stop him from becoming slightly confused and dizzy when a third spider emerged from behind a nearby bush and the two darted around him, their pincers clicking frantically, wishing for nothing but food. Legolas stepped sideways to avoid one's bite and had to duck at the same time to avoid another one's. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his bow lying useless on the ground, but in all the moving, he had gotten closer to it. In one swift move he ducked under the belly of one of the spiders and dived for his bow. He rolled around onto his back after grabbing the polished Gondorian handle firmly, pulled an arrow from his quiver and shot the underbelly of the giant arachnid and just barely rolled sideways to avoid it's heavy body from falling on him. Just as he got up onto his knees, the second spider approached swiftly and opened it's jaws. Legolas knew he didn't have time to jump away from it, so instead, he put a protective arm up in front of his head where the spider had been aiming it's mouth at.

With a sudden pain, the spider closed his pincers on Legolas's left arm and broke it with a sickening crack. Legolas cried out and his voice surprisingly echoed with the crack, reverberating off the trees. The spider strongly swung it's whole body from side to side, making Legolas lose his footing and he swung around in the air as blood spurted from his arm. Luckily, this particular spider was not poisonous, but that didn't help his arm from being in excruciating pain. Legolas felt sick from all the swinging, but in mid sway, the spider surprisingly or on purpose lost it's grip on Legolas, who went flying into a tree.

"Legolas!" Barlay shouted as he saw his friend ram into a tree, hitting his shoulder hardly on the rough bark; the same arm that had already been broken by the spider's pincers. There was another crack and Legolas dislocated his shoulder. His cry this time was short, yet still painfully loud. Barlay could do nothing to help Legolas as he was still trying to kill his own spider. He took every chance he could to peek over at Legolas. It wasn't long, though, until the spider was back on Legolas's tail as the Elf lie in a crumpled heap on the ground, clutching his broken and bleeding arms roughly. He was too weak to do anything but watch as the spider moved closer and closer to him, its red eyes spelling death.

Suddenly, an arrow flew out from behind Legolas and it was a perfect mark. The arrow hit one of the many eyes of the spider and it fell dead. Another was sent at the one Barlay was fighting and it, too, fell dead. Legolas clumsily scrambled to his feet, grasping his injured arms in his right hand. Who he saw emerge from the trees behind him surprised him.

"Arlean?" Legolas said, unaware of all that had been going on. His hood had come down, revealing his golden hair and familiar features and Arlean looked stunned.

"Prince Legolas?" Arlean gasped, "You're alive?" A dozen Elves marched at Barlay and there was a scuffle as his hands were tied behind his back and he didn't hear the rest of the conversation between the two Elves.

"I didn't know I was dead." Legolas said, wincing as his arm gave a spurt of pain.

"But Queen Morier--"

"Is that it, then? Morier?" Legolas asked and Arlean nodded.

"She-- she said you had died in her arms and King Thranduil had wished for her to take over if he and you should die."

"You believed her?" Legolas asked in a pained voice. Arlean nodded slowly and shamefully.

"Arlean, you are a wonderful friend, but your skull can be thick." Legolas jested.

"Unlike your arm, which seems to be paining you. We have no provisions to make it better."

"My arm is fine," Legolas lied, immediately letting go of his arm and letting it agonizingly drop to his side as though nothing were wrong. It was in vain, though for his arm stuck out in odd places and his shoulder was facing a different direction than off to his side as a normal shoulder would do. Arlean raised an eyebrow at his longtime friend.

"Arlean, listen to me," Legolas said, "I came here not for medicine, but for a human boy. Have you seen him? His name would be Estel."

"Yes," Arlean said, taken aback, even if he had already known Legolas knew the boy. But he didn't even know Legolas had been alive as a matter of fact.

"Where is he?"

"He is in the dungeons."

"Take me there."

"But Morier--" Arlean started, but Legolas held up an uninjured hand.

"Then take me to Morier." he whispered. Unfortunately, Barlay had not heard a word of Morier. If he had, it might have saved everyone a lot of pain.

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Once again, Morier entered the throne room and sat on the throne's comfortable green cushion. She sank into a daydream, thinking about Estel's screams when the whip snapped at his already wounded back. Morier smiled pleasantly to herself, folding her hands over her stomach and exhaling in relaxation as she closed her dark blue eyes.

Suddenly, she jumped as the door was thrown wide open. Morier stared around wildly for a minute. She then saw Arlean standing before her, his head bowed, not in respect but shame; for whom, she did not know. Beside him, however, Legolas stood, his eyebrows close together in his anger, his pale face covered in sweat, mud and dried blood. His brown eyes glinted madly, yet there was also a trace of pain in the depths of his eyes. Morier could see why; it looked as though Legolas's arm was broken in several places and his shoulder looked as if Legolas had dislocated it.

"WHERE IS HE?!" Legolas shouted and Arlean jumped. Legolas's voice reverberated off the walls and repeated his words several times before it faded.

"Who?" Morier played. Legolas's eyes flashed dangerously.

"Leave us, Arlean," Legolas mumbled.

"But, Legolas--"

"Go. And tell Barlay to wait for me." Legolas whispered so only his friend could him.

"Yes, Milord." Arlean said, putting a hand to his heart and bowing. Then, he turned and left, closing the giant doors behind him.

"Where is he?" Legolas whispered treacherously after he heard Arlean's footsteps fade. Morier pushed herself out of the chair and walked toward Legolas, stopping in front of him.

"We meet again, Legolas. I was not expecting it, as you are banished under pain of death, but I am in a good mood. What is on your mind?" Morier said this all as if she and Legolas were longtime friends, greeting each other happily.

"Where is he?" Legolas repeated.

"Do not be so quick to get what you want, Legolas. Remember, I am Queen."

"Not rightfully." Legolas spat.

"Yes, rightfully," Morier replied, the ends of her lips curving into an evil smile as she stood up, "Galadriel willingly gave the elven realms to me."

"That's Lady Galadriel."

"You look hurt, Legolas," Morier said, directing her gaze to his broken arm.

"Do not change the subject Morier. I didn't come here to talk about my welfare, I came to take back Estel."

"So brave; so willing to give up your life for this boy. Why? He is only a boy. Gondor will not miss him. It has a wonderful Steward from what I'm told."

"You were told falsely. However, we are not here to discuss the security of Gondor--"

"--I thought we were, dear Legolas. Estel is king, is he not?"

"Do not toy with my patience, Morier." Legolas growled. Morier sighed sadly, slumping her shoulders in mock defeat.

"Very well, Legolas. Celor!" Morier called and Legolas recognized the name. Celor was an elf guard who always disagreed with Thranduil's decision and was always caught talking dirty about the royal line after not getting what he wanted. However, the Elf was getting more privileges with Morier as ruler, so he did what she wanted. Celor came through a door leading to the dungeons and rushed immediately to Morier's side and bowing to her, his light brown hair falling over his shoulders.

"My Lady, you called?" he asked, then noticed Legolas, "You?!"

"Celor, will you please fetch dear Estel? He has a friend that would like to see him." Morier spoke, not taking her eyes away from Legolas. Celor bowed again.

"Right away, Milady." he said and rushed off. Meanwhile, Morier moved her hand to Legolas's right and uninjured hand and pulling it up with her own until they were in front of their faces. She then spread out his fingers and their hands' palms were open and placed on each others', the fingers spread apart.

"You and I are not so different, Legolas." Morier whispered.


"I will never be like you!" Legolas hissed, trying to jerk his hand away, but an invisible force was keeping his palm to Morier's.

"Calm yourself, Legolas." Morier said, "I will not hurt you."

"Then let me go!" Legolas yelled, trying once again to jerk his hand away.

"You could have a chance to rule Mirkwood. With your father at Gondor and you as my husband, you could be king and I will be your loyal queen. What say you to this offer?"

"You kidnap me, take my soul from me, capture the elven realms, banish us, kidnap Estel… and you want me to marry you?!" Legolas hissed in disgust.

"Together, we could be a strong force, Legolas. We could take over Middle-earth, you and I. Why do you not want this chance to rule?"

"It would make me a cold-blooded murderer and an unworthy friend."

"But you would have me by your side."

"Never!" Legolas with clenched teeth. Just then, Celor came through the door with a heap of blood, clothes and long brown hair. He threw Estel to the ground and the boy cried out in pain.

"Estel!" Legolas yelled, trying to run to his friend, but Morier still had his hand to hers and she would not let go. Instead, he took in every detail of Estel's hurt body he could. The boy had so many whip marks on his back, his wrist was the only thing bandaged and Legolas recognized Belen's bandaging work. Estel's stomach was bruised and Legolas knew there must have been some broken ribs; cracked at the least.

"Take him," Morier said and Celor grasped Legolas's injured arm and Legolas hissed in pain and turned his direction to Celor. Morier let Legolas's hand go of the spell holding the hand together. She walked to the throne and reached behind it and Legolas lost all color he had left in his face. In her hand was a whip. She unraveled it and raised her hand over her head, ready to bring it down.

"NO!" Legolas shouted, but his voice was drowned by Estel's scream as the whip lashed at his back again. Morier gave the boy three more lashes and Legolas winced as every one fell onto his friends' back, as though they were really striking his own back. When Morier was done, she let her hand drop to her side, but still kept the whip clenched firmly between her fingers. Her dark brown curly hair had come undone from it's elegant bun and strayed across her face, framing it. She turned to the Elven prince.

"Now, Legolas, will you reconsider, or watch your friend die?"

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Okay, how was that? Getting very angsty! WAAAAAAAAAAAA! Okay, review time!

Astalder27- This is my first angsty story, so I'm having a hard time torturing Leggy and Estel too much! Sadness for me! WAAAAAAA! Leggy is awesome, isn't he? YAY! Well, I'd better go and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Trinityelf- Hey! ONE MONTH UNTIL TROY COMES OUT! I'M SO HAPPY! YAY! No problem about responding to your fake review! I know you had a pretty tough week! I loved your dance! Well, I'd better go. I'm kinda sad; I only got 2 reviews for this chapter, but I suppose everyone is studying for exams… : ( stupid exams… Bye!

Okay, guys, I'm kinda disappointed that I only got 2 reviews for this chapter! I understand completely that most of you are probably studying for the end-of-the-year exams and I hope you all pass with flying colors! Please, if you have time in between studying, REVIEW! I'm not sure, but I heard from someone that fanfiction.net ate up reviews, so I'm not sure if that's the case or not. So, if I didn't reply to you and you know you sent a review, I didn't receive it. Well, I'd better go type! Bye!

Please, don't forget to review!

Luv,

Legolas-gurl88