Title: Inseparable

Author: Legolas-gurl88

Disclaimer: I don't own anything… DARN!

Author Note: Don't got one, so just read already!

Story time!

22. Screams

"Dan, give it up!" Elrohir yelled once more as Elladan fiddled with the window, trying to pry it open as he had been doing for the past few days.

"No, wait, Ro," Elladan said from behind the curtain, his feet the only thing visible, "come here."

"Why?"

"Just come here. Do you see what I see?"



"What?"

"Come here and I'll show you!" Elladan yelled angrily. Elrohir walked to his brother and went around the curtain and stared out the window.

"I don't see anything."

"That's because they're behind the hill. Wait for a minute and you'll see them." Elladan said. Elrohir waited patiently for two minutes and then he saw a dapple gray horse gallop over the plain.

"Isn't that Märon, Legolas's horse?" Elladan asked.

"Yes, it is. Is that Legolas?"

"No, it can't be."

"Well, you can't tell. He has his hood up."

"Does that look like Estel to you?" Elladan questioned, staring at his brother before returning his gaze to the Märon.

"No. Estel is smaller." Elrohir answered.

"No, not the big one… the smaller one in front, being held by the big one."

Elrohir squinted his eyes, willing to strain his Elven eyesight to see.

"It is!"

"He wasn't here? All this time, he wasn't in Minas Tirith?" Elladan said, stunned.

A guard approached Ecthelion's study and pushed the door open to find the Steward at his desk, writing.

"My Lord," the guard said, "Prince Legolas returns, bearing King Aragorn."

Ecthelion didn't even bother to look up as he continued writing, but at the same time, he was thinking about what to do and unconsciously writing his thoughts on his paper. How-- no-- why had Legolas returned to the place he was not welcome? Why bring Estel? The boy only betrayed him.

"My Lord," the guard interrupted, "Prince Legolas returns, bearing--"

"I heard you the first time, fool!" Ecthelion snapped, looking up from his writing at the nervous guard. "Are the Elves still locked up?"

"Yes, Milord."

"Very well. Let them come. Bring them to me immediately after capture."

"What of the horse? 'Tis a rare Elvish horse, Milord. It could be worth some money."

"Send the horse to the stews. I cannot afford for it to get in the way one last time."

"Yes, Milord." the guard bowed and left the room, rushing to give the orders to attack to his comrades.

Barlay peered out from under his hood to catch sight of the guards rushing toward him and Estel.

"Whoa!" he said, pulling on Märon's reins and she halted. He then waited for the guards catch up to him, being on his guard, but ready to show them Estel's wounded body and say he needed medical attention right away.

"Halt! Legolas Greenleaf, you are under arrest for attempted murder and escape from prison." The guard in front yelled as he neared Barlay and Estel. Barlay pulled down his hood and the guard stared at him, amazed that the person under the hood wasn't Legolas.

"I'm afraid I'm not Legolas, Vale," Barlay answered back, then pulling Estel's hood down. The boy's limp head lolled around until it came to a rest on Barlay's chest, his brown hair blowing gently in the wind. "He is ill and gravely injured," Barlay explained as the guard called Vale neared him to get a better look at Estel's bloody body.

"Very well," Vale said, "My orders were to bring Legolas and King Aragorn to Ecthelion right away, but given the circumstances, Barlay, go find the Healer, who would most likely be with Lady Arwen, healing her wound and I will take Estel to his room. If anyone stops you for questioning, tell them I gave you strict orders. I will leave Estel in his room and summon Ecthelion."

"Yes, Vale." Barlay said and he gently transferred Estel's body to Vale's horse and as the guard and his men rode off toward Minas Tirith, Barlay leaned by Märon's ear and whispered to her, "I've always wanted to see how fast an Elvish horse could run. Do it for Legolas and Estel." Märon whinnied at the mention of her master and headed for Minas Tirith, overtaking Vale, well understanding that this meant life and death for Legolas and Estel.

Barlay rushed down the hallways and up many stairs. He heard pounding from several rooms, but assumed it was the maid, cleaning them and being very noisy at it. Had the situation not been so serious, he would have stopped to help her, but Estel's need was greater and he was not about to allow his friend and the king die. Finally, he reached Arwen's door and pushed it open without knocking.

His eyes met Arwen's beautiful ones as he stepped inside and found her sitting up in bed, painfully sipping soup from a bowl. The Healer was sitting on the edge of her bed, watching her intently. However, when Barlay had entered, the Healer had jumped several feet in the air. Arwen lowered the bowl, staring at Barlay with the utmost curiosity, her warm, blue eyes reminding him so much of his beloved wife's eyes… and Morier's eyes… how he missed Morier… Barlay shook his head. No-- why was he daydreaming about his dead family when Estel was in trouble?

"Can I help you, Barlay?" The Healer asked. Everyone who worked at Minas Tirith always knew one another's names.

"It's Estel-- King Aragorn. He is gravely injured. He needs medical attention now."

"I am sorry, Barlay, I cannot. Lord Ecthelion gave me strict orders to accompany Lady Arwen and no one else, unless he say further."

"But this is the King!" Barlay raised his voice, but the Healer shook his head.

"I am sorry, Barlay, but I dare not defy Ecthelion's words."

"Healer," Arwen said, "Might I speak?"

"Certainly, My Lady." The Healer said kindly, returning his gaze on the Elven princess.

"My father, Lord Elrond, is a very good Healer… the best of all Elves. Perhaps he could help."

"My Lady Arwen," Barlay bowed his head, "Thank you so much."

"Save my little brother." Arwen said, tears growing in her eyes and the Healer leaned over to comfort her, not wanting her to get herself hurt again.

"I will try, My Lady." Barlay answered before walking out, closing the door and ran down the hall in the direction of Elrond's room. When he reached it, he heard the pounding again and saw two guards-- one on either side of the room. With a jolt, he realized that it had not been the maid, but the Elves, trying to escape.

"May I get in?" Barlay asked one of the guards.

"Nay, Barlay. Strict orders from Ecthelion."

"I am sorry, gentlemen, but I have strict orders from Vale, Captain of the Guard, to bring Lord Elrond to King Aragorn."

"I am sorry, but my strict orders overrule your strict orders."

"Listen," Barlay said, unsheathing the sword around his waist, "I don't have time for this. You will either allow me to pass or I will be forced to take action."

"Have at thee, old man," The second guard said, unsheathing his sword and running at Barlay, giving a war yell which was cut short by Barlay's sword across his throat. The guard fell dead. Barlay brandished his sword at the first, and now only, guard, who backed away slowly and when he was a ways away, turned and ran.

"Some guard." Barlay murmured, running to the door, slipping the sharp edge of his sword in the crack of the door and bringing the blade down, cutting the lock in the door. He pulled the door open and Elrond and Thranduil ran out. Before either had a chance to speak, Barlay said, "There's no time. Come with me. Estel is badly wounded. Hurry!" Then, he ran down the corridor, and Elrond and Thranduil followed him unquestioningly.

The door burst open and Elrond caught sight of Estel lying on his stomach on the bed, whimpering from pain.

"Legolas! Help!" Estel yelled loudly and deliriously.

"Hush, now, Estel. I am here." Elrond whispered while stroking his adopted son's forehead, trying to calm the tiny form which once was a spirit little boy. As he rubbed his son's forehead, he took in all of Estel's visible wounds, which included what seemed thousands of whip marks. "My good servant," Elrond said, "Please accompany Thranduil to the healing herbs. Thranduil, please get--"

"I could get them myself, My Lord." Barlay said, bowing to the Eldar.

"You wouldn't possibly know which healing herbs I wanted. They are all in Elvish."

"I speak Elvish, Lord Elrond," Barlay said.

"Very well… please, get me some athelas and bandages."

"Yes, Milord. I shall return shortly." Barlay said, then he exited the room.

"Who would do this to my son? My son!?" Elrond shouted in anger. Thranduil leaned over Elrond to catch a glimpse of the welts that the whip had left. He was shocked to see that the lesions had come from a Mirkwood-made whip.

"Elrond-- look--" Thranduil said, pointing to the wounds. Elrond gently touched a wound, making Estel cry out in pain.

"Hush, Estel. It is alright. I will make it better in a minute. Where is that servant?!" Elrond shouted.

"Have patience, Elrond. He only left a minute ago and Minas Tirith is a big palace."

"I did not see you having patience when Legolas was in trouble!" Elrond said softly and Thranduil hissed in anger. Then, Thranduil looked at the ceiling and thought aloud, "I hope Legolas is alright. All locked up in the prison, just a few floors down."

"What were you pointing at earlier, Thranduil?" Elrond said and Thranduil returned his gaze to the sobbing child and pointing at the welts.

"Those are made by the Mirkwood Elves."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. We put a heavy metal within each of the thongs of the whip. It is meant to inflict more pain on one who has done something horrible, but never would I have thought it might be used on your son, Elrond. Forgive me."

"But why in Valor's name would Estel have Mirkwood whip wounds when we are in Gondor?"

"We shall ask the servant when he returns." Thranduil declared. They waited several minutes before Barlay returned, holding athelas, bandages and a bowl of water. He handed them to Elrond, who immediately started to dress Estel's wounds and Thranduil turned to Barlay.

"Servant--"

"Barlay, My Lord."

"Barlay-- what happened to Estel. Tell me everything."

It was then that Barlay remembered… he was facing and talking to the father of Legolas. He took a deep breath, swept his gray hair out of his eyes and started his story.

"Legolas is in Mirkwood."

"What?" Thranduil gasped.

"He is in danger. He gave himself up for Estel. Last I saw him, his arm was badly hurt. We had just run into giant spiders, then met some Elves--"

"How did Legolas get out of the jail cell here?" Thranduil asked. Estel screamed as athelas stung his wounds.

"I let him out--"

Another scream from Estel. Elrond shushed him.

"--and we rode to Mirkwood--"

Scream.

"--the last thing Legolas said to me was 'Should Estel come out, take him to Minas Tirith. Do not wait for me.' That's exactly what I did--"

Scream. Sob.

"--Arlean, Captain of the Guard, said I should leave before their queen got angry that a human was around--"

Gasp. This time, it was from both Elrond and Thranduil. They stared at each other, then together, shouted one word;

"Morier!"

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Well, how was that? Now, Barlay knows who the queen is and I don't have to keep it a secret from him! Happiness! Did you guys like it? I sure hope so! It wasn't as long as I wanted, but I wanted to post soon and I don't have any extra chapters ready, so I'm not really sure when the next one will be up, but it will be soon! I promise! I'm so excited! Less than a week until Troy comes out! Eek! Orlando Bloom! Okay, getting obsessed. Better go! Bye! Review time!

The evil witch queen- Thank you for being patient! ICK! Exams! What a waste of time!… not really… heh, heh. You can hate both Denethor and Morier. What did you think of this chapter? Personally, I thought it was a little choppy, but I was being rushed. Yes, long reviews make me happy! Unfortunately, this isn't as long of a response as I would like, but my mom's bringing home a dog we are babysitting for our friend, who is going on vacation, so I really have to go! BYE! YAY! A WEEK UNTIL TROY! Are you going to go see it?

Mistopurr- I started cracking up! Yeah, Belen is cool! I like his name! I'm never really good at coming up with Elvish names, but I like that one! I might use it in future stories, I like it so much! Yeah, this chapter was kinda choppy… oops. Oh well. Hopefully, the next one will be better… I'll e-mail you later!

Gozilla- Thanks!

Trinityelf- WE GOT FIRST, WE GOT FIRST!!! TROY, TROY, TROY, TROY, TROY! YAY! Yeah, Lurtz is getting kinda annoying. I'm kinda taking your side, so I'm trying not to accept food from him. JOSH GROBAN! Well, I'd better go… ORLANDO BLOOM! You didn't really think I could go through a whole review response and not mention Orlando Bloom, did you?

Gilraen Felagund- I didn't mean to hurt your 'Las!' Your really checked for my story every day? I'm touched! YAY! Can't wait for your next review!

Thanks y'all for the 136 reviews! Can't wait for more! I'm not sure when the next chappie's gonna be up, 'cause one, it's not typed yet and two, I bombed my Physics and Biology test when I REALLY did study for them and I REALLY hope my mom doesn't cut back on my fanfiction time! Please hope for me too! Adios!

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Luv,

Legolas-gurl88