~*~Chapter 16~*~
The human turned and buried his face in his fathers shoulder. He didn't care at this moment that he was a grown man and was acted like a child. Being around elves had always made him feel like a child so he no longer cared when he was around them… though he would never admit it. He was only comfortable showing his tears to his father, and even then he was embarrassed about it.
"It could be temporary…" he muttered, "everything could go back to normal…"
Elrond smiled slightly, "Aye… everything could get better."
Aragorn heard the doubt in his voice though and he sighed sadly, "It is not likely… you know this…"
Elrond didn't answer.
Legolas watched with a slightly worried look but decided this was a family moment and climbed in front with the wizard.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Aragorn smiled the first real smile he had since the incident. He had just put Erethrintin into her stall and was going to give the unicorns a greeting.
He could not speak through thought to them, for he could not find their eyes, but they could speak to him. They knew almost immediately what had happened and were expressing their apologies when Aragorn glanced up suddenly.
The faint flapping of wings had caught his attention and he stared in the direction he'd heard it come from.
Within a moment the dragon had landed in front of him.
"Mae govannen Elen!" he said with a small smile.
- Well met to you as well young friend. – She thought to him, a sparkle in her eyes.
He sighed and glanced down. Everything was silent for a while before she spoke again.
- Loona has told me what happened… though he knows not how it happened… -
"Smoke," the human muttered, "there was a fire in The Shire… one of the hobbits were trapped and I went in to get him… I suppose Legolas came in and dragged me out…"
- Well… I suppose he did pull you out of at least one scrape… -
Aragorn's sightless eye's widened, "How did you find out about that?!"
- I have my ways. -
Aragorn snorted before smiling, "What did they name her?"
'She' was the white unicorn.
- Gailglawar, - came her bright voice in his head.
He smiled, "It suites you."
She bowed her head slightly, - Thank you… -
The man just smiled, "I should head in…" he seemed almost reluctant to.
- Something the matter? – Elenoharthad asked.
"I do not wish to face the twins…"
He heard the dragons clicking laugh and the whinnies of the unicorns and he made a face, "You wouldn't want to either…"
- True enough! – Loonailma said brightly.
"I will see you later," he muttered softly.
He had not gotten far when he felt slightly uneasy, but he shook it off and fell into a deep thought while concentrating on where he was going.
In a moment he started when he felt a hand around his neck. He jumped, pulling out his dagger with lightning speed and pushed his weight into his attacker. He brought the blade up carefully but quickly, his hand was on his attackers throat and he moved as the blade took its place. He forcefully calmed his breathing but was so freaked out his arms shook and he did not notice the presence behind him.
He threw his weight backwards and rolled when the other pulled him off the first. Growling slightly he rolled into one of the bushes off to the side and got ready for them to strike again. By now his whole body was shaking.
He started and pulled back when the two pairs of hands pulled him out. One took the blade away and the other pinned him gently.
"Gwilb! Calm yourself Estel! What is wrong with you?" // Quiet! //
Aragorn immediately stopped though his panting continued a while. He closed his eyes slowly and breathed out in relief.
"Are you going to answer me?"
Aragorn winced, he could tell his brother was angry with him and he only hoped he didn't hurt them, "I…" he couldn't get anything else out and he simply rolled over onto his stomach and slowly got up to his knees.
"Estel?" Elrohir asked, slightly annoyed his brother wouldn't answer his twin.
"I'm sorry…" the man said quietly, his eyes clenched tightly as he refused the tears that wanted to come.
Now that the adrenaline was beginning to wear off, the man suddenly became aware of a pounding headache, he remembered hitting his head on a rock or something when he rolled under the bush. His head swam and he wavered, nearly collapsing again.
The twins were suddenly worried and they pulled their brother carefully to his feet, "Estel are you okay?" they asked in unison.
All the human managed was a slight mumble.
The twins immediately brought him into the house.
Within moments he was on his bed with his father checking him over.
"What happened my son?"
"Hit my head…" he managed, almost unheard though.
Elrond checked and winced, "Hit it pretty hard… how did this happen?"
Aragorn moved his head painfully to stare away from his father.
The twins shifted, "Ada… he… we came up behind him and he freaked out on us. He attacked us… saw us… but didn't stop…" Elrohir said uneasily.
Aragorn shifted slightly and sighed.
Elrond paused before speaking, "Are you sure he saw you?" he asked steadily, a hint of a meaning lacing his voice.
The twins missed it of course though.
"Of course he did! He looked right at us! You saw us right Estel?"
The human was silent.
Elladan blinked when he got no answer and mumbled, "He did see us…"
"Aye," Elrohir put in softly in way of jest, "'tis not like he's blind!" he smirked slightly.
Aragorn shifted and Elrond stared at the younger of the twins steadily.
The twins froze, "Ada? What is wrong?" they suddenly seemed to fear the answer.
Aragorn shifted and stared up at the ceiling unseeingly.
"Estel?" Elrohir asked when their father gave them no answer.
"Elrohir…" he mumbled quietly, "I… something happened… while we were in The Shire… there… there was a fire…"
He was saved by a knock on the door and his vacant eyes shot towards it.
Elrond gave his son a questioning look but quickly caught this and asked, "If you want them in here say so."
Aragorn nodded, "Come in," he muttered, his voice getting stronger.
He heard the door open but didn't say anything, not knowing whom it was.
"Strider," Legolas said, nodding slightly, "I heard they dragged you in here… is everything alright?"
"Just hit his head rather hard a moment ago."
In any other circumstances Legolas would have laughed at his friends supposed clumsiness.
He frowned in worry, "Are you okay?"
"Would you be okay if you were trying to explain your predicament to them?" he pointed weakly at the twins with a slight smile.
Legolas sighed, "I suppose not…" he paused, "you haven't told them?"
Aragorn shook his head slightly, "Nay… I know not how…"
"How about you start from where you left off?" Elladan muttered.
Aragorn sighed, "Well…" he glanced around the room, hissing under his breath at the uselessness of it and finally just lay back and stare at the ceiling helplessly.
Legolas glanced at the twins then back to Aragorn, "Would you like me to tell them?"
Aragorn nodded almost immediately.
"Where'd you leave off?"
"There was a fire in The Shire."
Legolas snorted slightly, "Wow, you got far didn't you? Anyhow, I was mainly useless while Gandalf and your father went about trying to stop the flames while your brother pulled the halflings together and got them to wet the grass between themselves and the flames. One of them were separated, a young one, and he ended up in the middle of the fire. Your brother was the first to notice so he went out there."
The blond elf paused and sighed, "When he got there the smoke was thick… he found the hobbit by tripping over him from what I found, then began carrying him out."
"Didn't get far," the human muttered, clearly upset about this.
Legolas smiled softly at him, "You did all you could my friend…" he frowned, "and hurt yourself terribly in the process…"
A/N
Elven Kitten: Hey! I decided to put this chapter up early since it took so long to put up my previous one! ^_^
Elf Side: She was bored… *Yawns*
E.K.: Will you stop telling them that?!?!?!
E.S.: No.
E.K.: …
Gollum Side: Letsss just get the repliesss over withss…
bananadude- Thank you very much! ^_^ lol I'm sure he will… *Shifty eyes* lol OH! And I love yer name! Lol ^_^
tychen- when I read that I was like, whoa… I wrote that?!?! Lol, when I write… I go with it as I go and half the time I end up with a different ending than I had intended… and I forget what I wrote in the process… yeah that's right, I'm pathetic… lol. Not smiling… Right!!!!!! I believe that… lol ^_^ hey I did… lol ^_^ I think I shall put it in… may be a while though… have to find the right time… ^_^
Viresse0- YES! You were remembered again!!!!!! And now again!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!! ^_^ lol. I always get a laugh out of your reviews! Thank you for that! ^_^
Kandice- O.O… I shouldn't have mentioned that… and I don't intend to start that again so I'm gonna stay quiet… lol ^_^ but yes the wind can be evil! Especially if it's in league with the trees… *Eyes the trees outside her window* lol. ^_^
Jadesaber- My next story will be a sequel. I intend to make my stories one long series… ^_^ are you sure you wanna see what I intend to torture him with? Of course you do! Lol
leggylover03- GAH! He might see!!!!!! Lol… I shalt not show my evil plans!!!!!!! *Evil laugh* lol ^_^
Macilwen- Hmmm… AU… never thought of that… *Evil grin* Thank you!!!!!!!! *Wicked laugh* The Elrond story! That makes two stories I intend to put in here… ^_^
grumpy- He'll find a way! Lol ^_^ he's special! He can do anything! *Hugs her Estel*
Aragorn: Except handle her!!!!!!!
…
Hobbit Side: There there! That's done… now what?
E.K.: Now we torture each other to amuse our readers before we say bye!
H.S.: … uh oh…
E.S.: Uh oh is right…
G.S.: *Hides*
E.K.: Coward!
G.S.: *Shrugs*
H.S.: *Blinks* Uh…
Aragorn: Look… this is great and all… but I've had enough being tortured… can I go?
E.K.: NO! MINE! *Glomps him*
A: *Curses under his breath and starts turning blue*
Legolas: Uh… You should probably let go now…
E.K.: Why????
L: I think you're killing him…
A: *Glares* I don't die that easily…
L: Don't I know it!
A: WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!?!?!?!
L: Uh… nothing!
A: *Eyes him suspiciously*
E.K.: Uh… okay… Legolas! Don't kill my precious!!!!
A: …
L: HAHA! You're the precious!
G.S.: PRECIOUS?!?!?!?!?! WHERE?!?!?!?!?!
E.S.: Not the ring! HER precious…
A: Will you stop calling me that?!?!?!
E.K.: NEVER!!!!!!!!!
A: Crap…
L: Haha!
E.K.: OKAY! Everyone! I need your ideas! What should I call Legolas?
L: O.O… crap…
E.K.: MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
L: Valar save me…
A: I've already tried that…
L: Oh…
A: I think they enjoy this too…
E.K.: No… not really… I bribed them!
A & L: O.o… how did you manage that?!
E.K.: I bought a boat, sailed west, bribed them and fled before they understood what had happened!
A: She confused the Valar… AI! She's capable of anything!
E.K.: Except math… ai! I hate the stuff…
L: -.-
A: O.o… this is pathetic…
E.K.: Well!
Fare-thee-well! I go to torture
them now! Namarie!
~*~Elenmeoi~*~