You probably know who the elf is, in fact if you don't you're probably not the sharpest person in the world. Heh heh, just kidding. ^^;
-I do not own LOTR or any of its characters. But Thelin, Elomier, and Aron are mine.-
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Elomier was angry, and maybe a bit panicked. Aron was gone, and he didn't know where he was. He grumbled as he stirred the ashes of the fire to make sure it wouldn't burn anymore. He got up and put everything into his pack, slinging it over his back and walking off in search of Aron.
He thought to himself on the way. Where could he have gone? Why did he go? Why was it so important that I couldn't come with him? And then he remembered something from the other night.
"We should've kept 'im. Twas a beautiful hobbit."
And it clicked. Aron had gone after his younger brother and the halfling. Elomier growled in anger. He wasn't supposed to get the halfling! We were supposed to sell that thing and use the money! Elomier glared at the trees staring innocently at him, disgusted. How could he do this to me?!
He continued on through the forest, looking for any signs of his missing companion.
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Merry looked around from his perch high atop Ada. His father Sara was looking around grimly, watching for any signs of Frodo. They had continued on, going in the direction of Estel, but finding nothing.
Merry sighed. "Da, do you think Frodo is ok?" He asked, twisting around to look at Sara.
Saradoc looked down at his son in thought. He sighed too. "I don't know, Merry."
Merry frowned and turned back around, gazing to the front of him. I hope he is ok. I don't know where he is, or what has happened to him, but I hope he is ok. Merry suddenly saw something up ahead, and heard voices. Sara stopped Ada behind a large oak tree, getting off and tethering her there, and helping Merry down. Merry and his father peered cautiously out behind the tree. Merry could see Estel, and another man, and an elf. Merry covered his mouth so as not to gasp in awe and wonder. An actual elf!
"Frodo! Frodo! Where are you?" Estel yelled, looking around.
"Frodo! Frodo!" The other man yelled. Merry saw the two men continue searching and heard them yelling out to Frodo too, asking where he was. But Merry's eyes were fixed on the elf. The elf was looking up into the trees, seeming to see something the others couldn't. And he could.
The elf started to climb a big ash tree, not making one mistake as he climbed without an effort onto each branch. Merry watched until the elf was completely out of his sight, the leaves of the tree completely swallowing him. But Merry kept his eyes glued on where he thought the elf must have stopped, and watched intently. Something was about to happen, he knew it.
Estel stopped just short of the ash's trunk, looking around. Suddenly a sharp cry emitted from somewhere in the tree's branches, and all heads turned towards it. A whole lot of crashing sounds could be heard, and several branchs snapped and fell to the ground, narrowly missing the ranger that stood under it. More cries of pain and fright were coming from above Estel, and he suddenly gasped.
"Frodo!" He yelled as a small figure came into view, falling from the branches. One more cry was emitted from the figure before he slammed into Estel, sending both him and Estel falling to the earth. Several seconds passed without a sound or movement made. Frodo lay on top of Estel, both of them immobile. The elf was now kneeling next to them, putting his hand on Frodo's shoulder. Merry stood there in shock, his eyes wide, waiting for something to happen, someone to move. And to his sheer joy, not one, but both did.
Frodo suddenly groaned and sat up, Estel following suit. "Frodo, are you alright?" But before Frodo could say a word, Merry jumped out from behind the tree and ran to Frodo's side. The elf moved aside, watching curiously with a small smile on his face.
"Frodo! Frodo! Where were you? Are you alright? What happened? Why did you go?" These questions stumbled from Merry's mouth in one hasty breath, and again before Frodo could speak, he suddenly found himself in the tight embrace of Merry. Frodo returned the embrace and tears streamed down both the hobbits' cheeks.
"Don't ever do that to me again, Frodo. I was so worried about you." Merry whispered into Frodo's ear.
"I know Merry, I know. I'm sorry. I missed you." Frodo whispered back.
"I missed you to, cousin." Came the barely audible reply. Someone cleared their throat after a few moments of silence, and Merry and Frodo let go of eachother and looked up. Thelin was kneeling in front of Frodo, clear sorrow and self-hate in his eyes. Frodo backed up a bit, and Estel put his hand on his shoulder comfortingly. Not one person moved in the least bit, not a single sound was made.
Then, "Frodo, I am sorry for what my companions and I did to you. I am sorry that you had to go through this. I am sorry for everything. Can you forgive me?" Thelin's head bent in shame. Everyone was now staring at Frodo, but Frodo's eyes were intently watching Thelin. Everybody was waiting for Frodo to say something, for something to happen.
Frodo smiled and said, "Of course I will forgive you." Thelin's head shot up in surprise, and Estel's eyes widened as he grew a bit stiff. "I know now that you didn't mean for any of this to happen. I can see it in your eyes." Thelin and Estel stared at him for a long time, complete silence once again settling over them. Then another throat was cleared and Frodo saw his Uncle Saradoc walking toward him. His Uncle sat down beside him and hugged him close, Frodo returning it tightly.
"Where were you, Frodo? What happened?" He asked.
"Well -" Frodo hesitated.
"I actually would like to know what happened and why you were running away from that man, straight into the river, Master Hobbit." The elf interrupted. Frodo looked up at him and smiled, and was about to reply when Estel beat him to it first.
"I don't think we should pressure him. Perhaps we should stay somewhere in the woods this one night, since it is already late, and I would like to check Frodo for injuries."
Since nobody seemed to have any rejections to that, Estel picked Frodo up and set him on his hip, signaling for everybody to follow him. Sara ran over to Ada and untethered her, leading her with him in the back of the group. Merry ran up to walk alongside Estel, who was talking quietly to Frodo.
"Are you sure you aren't hurt Little One?" Estel whispered concernedly.
"Yes, Estel, I am fine. I'm just a little cold." Frodo replied.
"And why shouldn't you be, Cousin? You're all wet!" Merry said. And he was right. Though Frodo had dried somewhat, his hair was still sticking to his forehead, and his shirt and breeches clung onto his body uncomfortably.
"Yes, Merry. I guess that's what I get for not looking where I'm going when I'm running. Fell right into a river!" Frodo replied. Estel chuckled lightly.
"Well, now you know not to do that anymore, don't you?" He said. Frodo nodded his head and smiled at the ranger.
"So, I am hoping you will tell us what happened when we get there, won't you?" Frodo started at hearing the elf's voice right behind Estel and him.
The elf shook with silent mirth for a second. "Maybe I shouldn't do that anymore." He finally said.
"Yes, I don't think you should." Frodo said. "So, what is your name, Master Elf?"
"Legolas." He said simply. "Legolas Greenleaf."
"Frodo Baggins." Frodo said. "So is your father King Thranduil?"
The elf blinked in surprise for a second, then laughed. "You are a very smart hobbit, Master Baggins! Yes, he is my father."
Frodo smiled. "Then I am not mistaken when I say you are the prince of Mirkwood, Legolas?"
Merry looked back at Legolas with wide eyes, and Estel just smiled.
Legolas laughed again. "Yes, I am! How did you know that?"
"Bilbo knows a lot of stories." He replied with a smile. "Pleased to meet you Prince Legolas."
"Pleased to meet you too, Master Baggins." Legolas replied.
"Just Frodo, if you please."
"Alright then, Frodo. Just Legolas for me then."
Frodo grinned at Legolas for a minute, Legolas returning the gesture. Then Frodo put his head down on Estel's shoulder, looking boredly at the trees ahead of them.
Meanwhile, at the back of the group, Sara and Thelin were talking quietly. "What did you do that you're sorry for, Thelin?" Saradoc asked.
"You will know that soon." Thelin said quietly.
"It must have been something terrible if you needed to be that sorry." Sara said.
"You will know soon." Thelin repeated.
"But-" Saradoc started, but was cut off by Estel.
"Master Hobbit, I do believe you will know soon. And anyway, Thelin will not tell you no matter how long you keep pestering him, so I suggest you give up now."
Saradoc pouted, making everyone laugh. Ada whinnied and nudged Sara's shoulder. "Not now, Ada. You will get some food soon." Sardoc whispered in her ear, patting her nose.
And so they continued on, talking happily to eachother, unaware of who was out there in the night, angrily growling.
-To be continued..-
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More cliffhangers for ya, you know I love 'em. I have to get off now, but I promise it won't be too long before another chapter goes up. Review and it will go up much faster!
Hey guys, by the way, could you tell me what AU is? I can't figure it out.
See ya next time!