Title: Inseparable
Author: Legolas-gurl88
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything! I'm just a Tolkien wannabe.
Author Note: This is the last chappie, so enjoy it! Thanks!
Another Author Note: Okay, I saw Troy last night (May 14) and I LOVED IT! If you saw it, what did you think?
Enjoy the story!
24. Estel the Elfsman
Legolas lay on his side, shivering, his pale arms rapped around his chest in pain. The wounds from the whipping had started to get infected and Belen had long since run out of healing herbs to ease his friend's pain. Instead, he put Legolas's head in his lap and rubbed his forehead softly, whispering to the Elf Prince and singing old Elvish songs.
"Belen?" Legolas whispered.
"Yes, Legolas?"
"Is there any hope?"
Belen paused. Hope? What was hope? Belen smiled down at his friend.
"Yes, Legolas, there is a hope. Your very own hope and he would not see you die if there was anything he could do about it."
"Estel?"
"Aye."
"Estel is too weak from wounds to come here. I would rather die than see him suffer because of me."
"And he the same for you, Legolas. You always were inseparable."
"That makes no difference, Belen!" Legolas shouted, trying to sit up and finally doing it, though rather ungracefully. "I would die a thousand deaths than put Estel in danger!"
"I never said you wouldn't, Legolas," Belen whispered, "And I would never expect less from you. You two share such a bond with each other that it is amazing! But please, Legolas, you are hurt, so please lie back down."
Legolas stared at his friend for several seconds before finally yielding and lying his head back on the wall.
Several more days had passed and Estel had not stopped. Nor did he think he could as Märon would not, even if she was tiring. Estel had not slept and he was reminded of those days, not so long ago, yet that seemed ages ago, when he had dressed as an Elf to sneak into Legolas's group of warrior. Estel only wished for those worries that he had carried, for they seemed like childish dreams compared to the worries he carried with him now.
Estel gasped as he saw the treetops of Mirkwood on the horizon. Already? He hadn't prepared a routine for this yet. He thought it would take several days to get to Mirkwood, but at the rate that Märon had been going, it had only taken a few hours. Just a few more hours to go.
"Hold on, Legolas. I'm coming." Estel whispered.
About 7 hours earlier;
Barlay walked down the hall, toward Estel's room to give him the soup that the cook had made for him. When he knocked on the door, he heard no answer, so he pushed the door open, prepared to leave the soup on the night table where Estel would find it when he woke. But Estel was not in the room.
Instead, his night tunic had been cast on the floor and the closet door was open, showing that the hanger where his traveling clothes had been, were gone. Barlay dropped the bowl of soup and it crashed to the ground. He thought about it for a minute; where could Estel have gone? Legolas! He had gone to save Legolas! It seemed the thing Estel would do, anyway.
Without a moments' hesitation, Barlay ran to his room, slipped a cloak on and ran for the stables to find a horse that could get him to Mirkwood at top speed.
Back to present time;
Morier sat at her throne, twiddling her thumbs. To be perfectly honest, she was bored. Now that she had Mirkwood, it's prince, all of the Elves at her command, it had lost its fun. What to do now? Then, as if to answer her question, the door burst open and Celor ran in and bowed.
"My Lady!" Celor said, "Estel, or King Aragorn arrives on Legolas's horse! What should we do? Should we send out warriors?"
Estel? Oh, this would be fun.
"Let him come. Bring him to me unharmed and fully armed. It's time I settled things once and for all."
"Fully armed? Milady, isn't that… dangerous?"
"I know perfectly well that the boy can't even wield a sword properly. It's time I taught him some lessons. When he comes in, bring Legolas."
"…Yes, Milady." Celor sighed.
The day was almost gone and Estel was at the edge of the woods.
"Do you know the way to the palace?" Estel asked Märon. She whinnied in reply. "Good. Lead the way." Estel said, gently kicking Märon's flanks and she walked into the forest.
He had only been riding when there was a rustle behind him. He peered around and saw only nothing but the shadows. When he turned back around, there were about ten Elves on horses. Estel gasped.
"How did you--"
"Hello, Estel. You might remember me as Celor." Celor said, letting his horse advance on Estel slowly. "Come quietly and Legolas may be spared."
At the mention of Legolas, Estel jerked even more to his senses.
"Very well. I will come, but let me see Legolas."
"Oh, don't worry. We will." Celor smiled wickedly, sending chills down Estel's spine.
"Come. Queen Morier is waiting."
Estel entered the throne room, still surprised that his weapons had not been taken from him. He saw Morier sitting at her throne, her hair up in a tight bun. When Estel entered the room, Morier stood up and walked to him.
"Estel! So good of you to come."
Estel backed away from her, pulling out his sword.
"Eager little fighter, aren't we?" Morier said in a friendly manner.
"Where is Legolas?" Estel hissed at her.
"Well, neither of you is patient, that's one thing.
"WHERE IS HE?!" Estel shouted.
"Very well… Celor!"
"Lady?"
"Bring Legolas."
"Aye, Milady." Celor bowed from the room. After Celor had disappeared, Morier sighed, walked to her throne and reached behind it. When she straitened up, Estel saw a sword in her hand.
"Try anything, Estel, and I shall have to harm you."
"That's King Aragorn to you!" Estel spat.
"Touchy, touchy…"
They waited several minutes, each looking hatefully into the others' eyes until they heard the slam of the door and looked at Celor, who supported a bloody Legolas.
"Legolas!" Estel said and Celor dropped the prince, who could not support himself, to the ground. The Elf prince looked blearily over at Estel, blinked and looked again. When what he was seeing was confirmed, he clambered to his feet and shouted, "Estel!" no longer needing support, or feeling weakness.
"How touching…" Morier said, "Celor, chain our little prince up. Estel, move and I will have Legolas harmed."
Estel stopped in his tracks, not wanting to cause Legolas any pain. Instead, he watched as Celor lead him to the wall where he chained Legolas's right wrist to the wall. Legolas tried to pull free, but it was to no avail.
"Oh, and Celor," Morier started, "please check Legolas's boots for daggers. We don't have any more mishaps, do we, Legolas?" She sneered at Legolas, who glared back at her. As Celor kneeled down to check Legolas's boots, Legolas kicked him full on in the face, causing the Elf to fall backwards and land painfully on his rear.
"Why you--" Celor shouted, jumping up, making his hand a fist and punching Legolas harshly on his already injured stomach, sending Legolas, gasping for breath, to his knees. Celor took this moment to check for Legolas's dagger.
"Found it." Celor announced, finally pulling the dagger from Legolas's left boot. Gently, he ran it across Legolas's cheek, causing the Elf's bright red blood to run down his face. Legolas paid no attention as he glowered at his father's trusted warrior.
"Estel, here is my proposition," Morier said, breaking Estel's gaze away from his friend, "we fight. You win, Legolas goes free. I win, Legolas dies. Deal?"
Estel looked at Legolas, poor Legolas, who had given himself up for Estel. Estel weighed his chances. If he won, Legolas could go free! But if he lost, which was probably the most possible thing to happen, Legolas would die. But wouldn't Legolas die anyway?
"Fine, Morier. Let's fight. But no tricks."
"Oh, trust me, I have no tricks. Only skill." Morier said, then, without warning, she let out a battle cry and lunged for Estel, who blocked her sword with his own. Morier swirled to the side, he blocked her. This went on for several minutes; Morier making a move and Estel blocking it, until Estel finally ran out of strength. Morier summoned all her energy and brought her sword down on Estel. The power she had put into her last move knocked the weapon from Estel's hand. Morier stopped and picked up Estel's sword, sheathing her own in her belt.
"I believe I win, Estel. You know what that means, don't you?"
"No! Don't hurt Legolas!" Estel screamed.
"A deal is a deal, Estel. Or should I say King Aragorn." She walked to Legolas, who was still on his knees, and placed the blade on the back of Legolas's neck, finding a spot to bring it through.
"No!" Estel shouted continuously, running at Morier until Celor stopped him.
"Too late, Estel. You promised." Morier teased. Then, she leaned over to Legolas and whispered in his ear, "You could have made a good husband, Legolas. I am sorry for this." Then, she raised the sword above her head.
"NO!" Estel shouted one more time. Morier brought the sword down on Legolas's neck
"MORIER!"
Morier's blade stopped right at Legolas's neck, causing a little blood to spill, but Legolas still lived. What had stopped Morier, was that this was a new voice, not Estel's.
"Who's there?" She called. The door burst open and in came a cloaked figure, brandishing a sword.
"Let them go!" The figure said menacingly.
"Who are you?"
"You do not need to know. You would not care. I am prepared to fight for these two. Should you win, I come quietly."
"Have it your own way." Morier said. "But are you strong enough?"
To prove his point, the figure walked to Celor, swirled around and gracefully stabbed the Elf, sending him to the ground, dead.
"Get to Legolas, Estel." Estel heard the voice say. He did as he was told and stumbled to Legolas, whom he caught as Legolas fell face forward in a dead faint.
"Very well. Have at thee!" Morier yelled, charging at the figure. The fight began. Morier swirled this way and that and the figure moved just as fast, yet not with the grace of an Elf.
"Give it up!" Morier shouted as they paused, blades crossed.
"Never!" The figure shouted, putting pressure on his sword and swinging it around, hitting Morier on the arm and cutting her deeply, stopping at the bone. The Queen howled in pain and dropped her sword but took the advantage of the figure's position to pull out the other sword from her belt and let the blade run though his chest. The figure gasped loudly and stumbled back, hitting the wall and sliding down to the floor, leaving a trail of blood on the wall.
"Morier…" the figure said.
"Who are you?" Morier asked again, putting the sword she had dropped before at his neck. The figure raised his hand, grabbed the top of his hood and pulled it off to reveal gray hair.
It was Barlay.
"Barlay!" Estel shouted in horror as the old servants' face paled due to loss of blood.
"Father?" Morier gasped, dropping her sword and falling to her knees, then, with a trembling voice, whispered, "Ada?"
"It… is me… Morier."
"How could I have done this?" Morier asked, terrified, staring at her hands.
"You… did not know… I was… alive."
"Yet, you were willing to give yourself for these two?" Morier asked.
"… yes…" Barlay gasped. "What have you done, Morier?"
"I…"
"Why must you… my little Elf… cause so much pain… to innocent people?"
"Father-- I--"
"Revenge. Revenge for my… death… am I not correct." Barlay answered for his daughter.
"…You are." Morier said finally.
"Revenge is sweet at times… but… Morier… too much can-- can make you… power hungry." Barlay gasped, his voice becoming raspier and raspier. "I am sorry… for you… iel nin."
"Father, can you ever forgive me?" Morier sobbed.
"That should not be… the question… Morier… the question… should be… can you forgive yourself?"
"…no."
"There is my answer… as well, my daughter. No matter what… you have ever done… I will always… have loved you." Barlay said. Tears fell down Morier's face as she watched her father take his last breath and sink into oblivion.
"Ada?" she asked, sounding like a little Elfling who was making sure her father was awake from a deep sleep. She stared around her and saw Estel helping up a newly conscious Legolas, who was shaking his head, trying to clear it.
"You two!" She screeched, pulling the sword out from her father's chest and standing up. "You knew he was alive! Why didn't you tell me?! I'll kill you!" Then, she charged at them.
Legolas could do nothing as one hand was chained to the wall and he was weaponless. But Estel thought fast. He un-strapped the bow from his back, pulled an arrow from the quiver and loaded it into the bow. Without much time to think, he readjusted the grip he had on the bow, pulled the arrow back with the string and let it fly.
It struck true.
The arrow hit Morier's chest. She shrieked, fell to the ground, writhing in pain. With her last breath, she screamed, "I'll be back, Thranduilion! I'll be back!" then her chin dropped to the ground and her eyes closed.
Estel couldn't believe it. He'd done it! But so much had happened.
He walked to Celor's body, pulled the keys from his belt, walked back to Legolas and undid the lock. Legolas stood up and, for the fist time in Estel's life, gave the boy a great big hug, as though the Elven Prince had just turned into a small Elfling. Estel hugged him back. The two were like this for a few minutes until the door burst open and Arlean rushed in, his sword ready. When he saw Legolas and Estel, he lowered his sword.
"My Lord, any commands?" Arlean asked Legolas, smiling at the sight of Morier's dead body."Yes," Legolas said, parting from Estel, "First, go down to the prison cells and let Belen out. Allow him to feast and drink all he wants. I will see him later. Second, send a message to Minas Tirith, to Lord Elrond and my father. Tell them we are here and are awaiting their arrival. And lastly… this is my good friend, Barlay. He deserves a hero's burial, for he died a hero's death." Legolas gestured to Barlay. "See that he gets it."
"Yes, Milord. I'll do that. And you might want to see Belen about those wounds." Arlean teased, knowing that comment would get to Legolas. Legolas, however, smiled down at Estel.
"As soon as your father arrives, we'll drink, feast and party, but then, I think it is time you returned home."
Not but three months has passed since the passing of Morier and Barlay. Barlay's body had been burned next to Morier's (so they might be together at last) to they hymns of the Elves. A great party was brought about in Mirkwood for the return of the true rulers of the Elven Realms. Estel was allowed his first goblet of ale and drank so much, he got incredibly drunk, climbed on the table and danced around until Legolas pulled him off, laughing hysterically.
After the party, Estel, Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen said their goodbyes and returned to Imladris, which was more or less the same as it had been since they had left. That was where they remained for three months until one day, a package arrived for Estel.
"It is from Legolas." Elrond said, handing the long parcel to his son. Estel ripped it open and found a waxed bow. Tied around the string, was a note. Estel pulled it off and read;
To Estel the Elfsman,
I believe I promised you a bow were you to prove your warrior skills to me. Here it is. I carved it myself. It is made from the finest wood in Mirkwood and the string is made from my hair. Use it well, my friend.
You really are a true warrior, mellon nin. Not only does the true warrior have the skill to wield a bow and arrow, but they must also have the skill of bravery and compassion and love. You, my friend, have a great amount of all three. I am prouder of you than I have ever been of anyone before.
You are my best friend, Estel the Elfsman (not Aragorn the Awful!) and may we continue to be friends all throughout your life.
Your mellon nin,
Legolas Greenleaf, Thranduilion
THE END
LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
How'd you all like it? I am partly happy and partly sad that it is over. I'm happy because now I can get to work on the sequel but I'm sad because I grew attached to this story! WAH! Anyway, the last review time!
Mistopurr- I know! It's so sad that I'm finally done with it! But I'm really excited to start writing the sequel! Thanks so much for reading my story!
Lyn- THANK YOU! You have no idea how happy that criticism made me! See, I love constructive criticism, because it makes me a better writer! You are right. When I went back and read the part about the whipping, I did understand what you meant about it sounding humorous in a way. I have no problem with criticism! My motto (well, one of them anyway) is 'You can't be a good writer without good criticism.' Yours was the only good criticism I've gotten. My favorite is when people tell me about what I should do, like what you told me, to make my story better, not the ones where they say 'This didn't happen in the story' when it's not supposed to! So, thank you very much! Thanks to you, I have done SO much research on my Harry Potter story that I plan to put up, that I know a lot more than I did. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Anyway, this chapter was sort of like all the other ones, but it was a killer to write and I wanted it to be just the way it was. I don't like the whipping scenes myself, but the story called for it, so sorry about that. Anyway, I'd better go. Thanks for the criticism! Looking forward to more!
Gilraen Felagund- Yeah, sorry for the shortness of the last chapter. I hope this one makes up for it. I haven't seen Secret Window, but I wanted to. No one wanted to go with me. Sadness! I am a huge Depp fan and Bloom fan, but I also think Viggo is soooo cool! Did you see him in Hidalgo? I thought he did an excellent job! Did you see Troy over the weekend? I did and I loved it!
Trinityelf- You are very welcome! I love responding to non-existent reviews, because I knew you'd review at one time or another. Well, I'd better go! Thanks so much for reviewing all through this long, two month story! Now, I can get to work on the sequel! Hooray! Poor Barlay! But, the story called for it! WAH! GAH! Lol… adios, mellon-nin… hm… Spanish and Elvish… WHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO?! A good one!
Leggylover03- lol! I was laughing so hard! Thanks so much for reviewing!
Deana- Yeah, Ecthelion deserved it… HA, HA! Don't feel bad for him! Feel bad for Estel and Legolas! Lol! Anyway, thanks for reviewing so much! Much appreciated! And thank you for e-mailing me and telling me when I needed to fix something on ff.net! Bye!
Thank you all so much for reviewing-- Niko, aknightofni, Aeglos, The Snow-Point Spear, BlueRaie14, seeing-spots, BabeyRachey, singingswede, Lorelei, Wadeva, EnglishMystic, XxgemxX, sammy, Lazia, Alariel, astaldar27, potclotrluvr, Gozilla, the evil witch queen (see, I didn't forget you!), Deana, leggylover03, Trinityelf, Gilraen Felagund, Lyn and Mistopurr-- for giving me 147 reviews! I really appreciated them and I hope I can see you all again when the sequel comes around. More on that below…
Okay, the sequel will be called 'Ventriloquist' for sure, so look out for it. I'm not sure how long it will take to post it, because I also promised the sequel for 'The Old, the New and the Unexpected' after 'Inseparable' was done. Expect it sometime, though. Also, I'm working on a Harry Potter story, to any of those who like the books; I'm not even done with a chappie, but it will hopefully come out soon! Thank you all so much! I'll miss talking to all of you and keep an eye on my bio page. I update it every once in a while and tell you how far I am on writing certain stories, so you can know what's going on and what I'm working on. Thank you all!
Wow! On my computer, with 12 pt print and Times New Roman type, this whole thing (including reviews and junk) was 164 pages! YAY ME!
DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW… one last time… sniffle
Luv,
Legolas-gurl88