"lo all. Sorry it took me a while to write thins one. I kept getting ideas, so it's longer than the last. I'd like them to be longer than this. But it's only my first story. Wait until the plot really starts to pick up speed. One day I hope maybe even to create even a spark of the suspense that Cassia and Sio can make. I'd like to make a series as long as their….but that'll take a while. So enjoy this one and look for my next chapter.

Chapter eight

Stand Before Me

What will we do? What will we say?
When it's the end of this game that we play?
Will we crumble into the dust my friend?
Or will we start this game over again?
-Three Doors Down

Aragorn and Col heard the commotion once they were in earshot of the town center. It seemed that there was large group of people on the top platform of the structure in the middle of town. Trading quizzical glances, Aragorn and Col mounted one of the two flights of stairs that led to the top. They had to wander around for a while until they found where all the ruckus was.

What they saw was not what either had expected. It was indeed a large crowd of towns people, but they were armed. A chill that quickly turned to anger seeped into Aragorn. At the front of the people, stood Dal. He had not seen them yet, but would be likely to in a few moments. Before he could get a chance to reach Dal, Col had already sprinted ahead. Aragorn tried to grab him, but the boy was by now too far away.

Col shoved his way through the crowd. The only light he could find Dal by was the torch light from those who carried them and from the lantern posts. Dal was illuminated by one of the torches. It cast an oddly eerie glow on his face, making his shadow long and take on a haunted feel. A smile bloomed on his face when he saw his brother coming through the crowd. Though is faltered slightly when he saw that Strider was following.

Col had reached his brother and drawn him off a little ways away from the others. No one thought this out of the ordinary, most people had grouped into clusters of three or four. The main topic was of when and how they were to go about capturing the elf. In an urgent whisper Col spoke to his brother,

"Dal, where is…the elf?" He had been about to say Legolas. "Where did he go?"

Dal smile reassuringly and warmly at his younger brother. He hugged Col and kept one arm around him. He had not known where Col had been all day, it was worried him when the elf escaped. "Don't worry Col, it won't hurt you, I'm here now."

Col felt like screaming in frustration. "Listen Dal, just tell me where leg-."

Aragorn's hand clamped like a vice on Col's shoulder. It couldn't have been more effective than if he had gagged Col.

"Precisely what I want to ask him lad, where is my elf, Dal?" Aragorn raised an eyebrow, scowling down at Dal.

The older boy gulped nervously, but forced a smile anyways. "He was causing a commotion upstairs, so I went up to…quiet him down. I didn't think you'd mind at all. But he broke through his bonds and escaped. He did some damage to me and couple of friends on the way. The people are going to find him." Dal nodded, it sounded believable to him. A simple ranger did not have that much loyalty to one king or lord enough for him not to be bought.

The story might have been worked, if Aragorn was truly a simple ranger and Legolas just another errand to run for his lord, but that was not the case. Aragorn did not possess the patience Legolas had when it came to dealing with the faults of the human race, although he himself was a part of it. Dal's "quieting" did not sound as if he merely shushed the elf for being noisy. No, his patience was at an end, and Legolas needed him.

A colorful string of curses in elvish was all the warning Dal had before Aragorn snatched him by the collar, hauling him a few inches off the ground, he brought his face close so that their noses be very nearly touching. "Do you expect me to believe any of that?" His voice was low and gravelly with bridled anger. "I would venture to say that you tied him before beating him. You will tell me where Legolas is or Valar help me I will take retribution from your hide."

Col looked as shocked as Dal felt. But the older boy also felt something that Col did not, fear. His voice trembled when he spoke and it came out in a rush.

"W-we, I mean I, that is to say that he umm…" Dal's feeble attempt at covering up was lost on the ranger. Eyes like molten lead bored into Dal's own. His mouth went dry as a bone and he licked his lips without wetting them.

"Where is he?" Aragorn no longer held his anger in check, he shook Dal like a rag doll.

Through chattering teeth Dal cried out in a voice, high pitched with fear "He's gone, he's gone, I swear, I saw him! Please he's gone, he fell over the side, please!"

Aragorn immediately let go of the boy, letting him collapse onto the ground. Aragorn moved to the very edge of the platform, where the second level gave way to open space. The ground wasn't visible, it was now too dark out to see except for few feet away. Aragorn raked a hand through his tousled hair and paced along the edge. The ground could have been miles down for all he could see. It wasn't though, and Aragorn knew it. Although not as tall as some trees he had fallen out of, it was still of good height. It would not have been easy for the elf to do if he was injured.

Col looked nervously about. Even if Aragorn had acted like nothing had happened, others had been staring open mouthed the entire time Aragorn had been threatening Dal. They were starting to re-group now and finger weapons. An uneasy murmuring swept the crowd. As the whisperings grew louder, so did the accusations. They meant to kill Aragorn, or at least meant him to share the same fate as Legolas. He was in league with the elf. The more Col saw, the more he realized that Aragorn might not make it through alive.

Aragorn turned, he needed to get down there and fast. He and Legolas might be able to make it out alive if he could find him and get out of here. They would get out of here somehow. A plan started forming in Estel's agile mind. He began to push his way through the crowds without a thought. His planning consumed him so that he did not realize the people had formed a tight circle around him, blocking off all exit. The end of a quarterstaff prodded his chest, stopping him.

"Now there fella, we know what you're tryin' to do. We can't just let you go out there and find your friend. You and that Elf are gonna stay right here. All cozy like with us." The fellows smile did not look at all heartening.

Aragorn let his hand slide to the hilt of his sword buckled at his waist. Before he could draw the quarterstaff withdrew and came at his again, hitting his shoulder hard. A tightening of his mouth was all that betrayed how much the blow hurt. His hand found the sword, and Aragorn drew it from it's sheath with a metallic ring.

The crowd backed off a little. Aragorn's racked his brain, trying to think of a way to get out of here. The only one who had not receded was the man holding the quarterstaff. He reached out to the man, trying clam him down. He went so far as to adjust the way he held his sword, so that it pointed downwards. The man didn't give Aragorn a chance to talk the quarterstaff flashed out once more. The cracking of bones in Aragorn's right hand were heard clearly. Col winced in sympathy and Aragorn bit his lip to keep from crying out.

Aragorn pulled his hand back, keeping his arm close to his body. His broken hand dropped the sword and he picked it up with the other. His left now gripped his sword, he whirled it around so that it was back to pointing at the circle surrounding him. Leveling Andúril so that it was parallel to the man's eyes, Aragorn held it unwavering as he glared at the people surrounding him. Hopefully the people would not see that the blade was awkward in Aragorn's hand.

In a quick fluid motion, he moved to where Col stood in the circle and encircled and arm around his neck, the arm that held his sword. He laid the blade edge against Col's neck. A collective gasp went up from the people and they unconsciously took a step forward.

Col froze in a split second his heart jumped into his throat and his stomach plummeted. His breathing sped up and he looked around with eyes wide with fear. The boy nearly gasped with relief when the ranger bent down to whisper in his ear.

"Easy lad, play along." Aragorn started to back up slowly.

The circle opened and allowed his to pass through. When the ranger began backing away towards the stairs the people took another step forward. Aragorn pressed the sword a bit harder to Col's neck. The blade was cold but other than put pressure, the blade did nothing.

Col almost enjoyed seeing the stunned faces of the towns folk. The flat of the blade was mostly lying on his neck. The blade it self was not touching the boy, it only looked that way. A mask of fear was all the people could see on Col's face.

"I won't harm the boy, unless you let me leave. I'm taking him with me. You'll be able to find him when I'm gone. Don't try and come after us."

Quickly, Aragorn took the blade from Col's neck and pulled the boy behind him. Andúril now pointed back at the cluster of people watching them go in the direction of the nearest flight of stairs. Once they were out of earshot Aragorn let Col walk besides him and not in front of with his hand on the boys shoulder.

Aragorn felt his broken hand beneath his cloak. It seemed to be broken in several places. Not stopping to dwell on it Aragorn pressed on. Though Col had other thoughts, stopping the ranger, Col took Striders hand lightly in his own. The boys long fingers probed softly at Aragorn's wounded hand, before ripping a long piece of cloth from the bottom of his tunic. Making a crude sling, Col slipped is over Aragorn's head to his neck and placed his arm through the loop to hang against his chest.

Aragorn inspected the sling with surprise. A smile was all it took to set a dark blush in Col's cheeks.

"Well done lad." Aragorn patted the boy's shoulder.

It soon became apparent that the towns folk did not intend to keep their word and not follow after. Aragorn thought it sounded as if they were trying to keep quiet. Rolling his eyes Aragorn looked down to Col who hid a snicker behind on hand, they made more noise than a drunken orc. But they did not follow for the sake of something to do. They meant harm to Legolas and Aragorn, and they were gaining. Quickening their stride, Aragorn and Col descended the steps to ground level with as much noise as leaves falling.

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Elladan looked quickly over his shoulder. One hand slowly reached over his shoulder to free his bow. Silently knocking an arrow, the elf slid over to his brother who was sleeping by the fire. The elf had his eye's open, but they were glazed over in a film of sleep.

"El, wake up." He touched his brothers shoulder lightly "slowly gwanur nin."

Dark shadows had formed a half circle around the two elves. Elrohir reached slowly for the nearest haversack. It had his bow and quiver strapped to it side. The only weapons he had on him were two daggers. He had no time though, to unfasten the bow. The shadows darted in towards Elladan and Elrohir. Elladan shoved his brother to get him running and took after him. Quickly, they scaled the nearest tree. The teeth of the warg on Elladan's heels snapped shut with a audible snap of empty air.

The wargs circled the tree, but the twins did not mind, they were in a forest and surrounded by trees. They could keep going for miles without setting foot to the ground. Elrohir gave his brother a relieved smile albeit shaky.

"That was close."

The elder elf shook his head and put a hand over his face, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Come, we should go." Elrohir followed his brother, walking lightly along the tree boughs. They weren't as at home among the trees as Legolas would have been. But every elf had a special place in their hearts for the forests and combined with the natural balance of an elf they were at ease.

Elrohir dug out a canteen from the salvaged pack and drank deeply from it. Passing it back to Elladan, the younger twin looked down at the darks silhouettes of the wargs following underneath.

They made good time by the trees, maybe not as well as if they had been on the ground. Though it might be better for the going to be rough than to be supper for wargs.

A good many hours later Elladan stopped his brother who was just about to jump to the next tree.

"El, look." Elrohir peered through the darkness at the ground. He saw what his brother was pointing to. There in the dirt was a faint set of tracks not caused by wargs. They seemed to be ranged all over, as if some sort of intricate dance steps. Both elves examined the tracks closely with interest, Elrohir noticed also that the wargs were no longer following them.

"What happened do you think?" It was Elladan who spoke.

"Well, They are most certainly Estel's and Legolas's, but your guess is good as mine."

Elrohir looked upward through the trees, there were lights. The town was almost visible from where he was perched, but in the dark he could only see the lights clearly.

He poked Elladan and motioned with his head towards the lights, "It seems to me that the tracks lead there."

Elladan raised his head to glimpse the way Elrohir had indicated. "So it would seem."

The brothers silently crept towards the town. The trees were getting farther and farther apart, soon they would have to go on foot.

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When Legolas had hit the ground, only his natural elven abilities saved him from breaking anything else. As it were, Legolas hit the ground and rolled instead of just colliding with it.

The rolling was painful for the arrow lodged in his shoulder and for broken ribs alike. But he grit his teeth and jumped up. No doubt the towns people would organize a search part to look for him.

Almost to the point of collapsing after running around the town trying to find his way out and to find Aragorn, Legolas leaned against a wall panting heavily. Although it hurt his ribs, he could hardly stop himself, a lack of oxygen was making him lightheaded.

Pushing away from the wall and beginning a staggering run, Legolas was hit by a wave of dizziness and stumbled head on into a person in the middle of the lane. The man grabbed Legolas in a firm grip by the arm. The elf tried to view the man's face but his world was still spinning, so he braced himself for a blow and closed his eyes.

"Legolas?"

The voice caused Legolas's eyes to snap open as Aragorn's arms enfolded the elf tightly.

"Aragorn, mellon-nin?" Legolas whispered the name and pressed his face into Aragorn's shoulder.

Aragorn hugged Legolas to him closing his eyes thankful he had found the elf at last.

Aragorn saw how stiffly Legolas moved once he had released him. The wet stain from the blood on his shoulder drew Aragorn's attention to the arrow in it.

"This will have to come out." Aragorn muttered to himself and Legolas, he gently fingered the end to the shaft.

Wincing slightly, Legolas waved away Aragorn. Though through experience he should have known that that wasn't going to keep Aragorn away. The son of Elrond had a bad habit of mothering Legolas when he was injured, though Legolas could hardly deny his own tendency to do the same to Estel.

The way Legolas kept one arm wrapped around his middle was a good indicator of where the elf sustained the worst injuries. Aragorn laid a gentle hand on the elf's ribs, probing with fingertips. Grimacing faintly, Aragorn shook his head.

"Father is going to kill me for bringing you home like this."

Legolas would have laughed if he could have. Instead he grinned and shook his head.

"What about you, I see that sling you are trying to hide beneath your cloak."

Col was a bit lost by this time. He was immensely glad to find Legolas, and was content to simply watch the warm reunion. It was surprising to Col when Legolas beckoned to him, though he came. Feeling as if he owed an immeasurable apology to the elf, he started to stutter ashamedly.

Guessing what the boy was saying, Legolas placed one slender finger beneath the boy's chin and raised his head so that they were eye to eye.

"You need not apologize for what you did not do young one." Col nodded after a minute, looking away with a gratifying appearance on his face.

All three individuals looked up when they heard the sound of many footsteps and the talking of people. Col's eyes grew frightened while Legolas and Aragorn tensed. Aragorn could not use his sword with his left hand and Legolas had no weapon, nor could he run anymore. It seemed like they would be well and truly caught this time.

"Where's our luck now?" Aragorn whispered the words to Legolas who stood besides him.

"If my memory serves me correctly, we've never had any." Legolas crouched slightly, preparing for the onslaught.

The crowd of towns people rounded the corner and now had all three in plain view. The light from the torches lit up the street. Most of the people had some sort of weapon on them. As they began to come forward slowly, some of the men came to the front, they held ropes that would be for restraining them.

Aragorn had a white knuckled grip on his sword hilt. Though it might not do much good, it was worth it to not go down without a fight.

"Deri dan!" The command rang sharply through the gloom piercing the towns people better than any arrow could have done. They flinched back as if struck.

Elladan and Elrohir strode carefully in front of Legolas, Aragorn, and Col. Elladan had an arrow knocked and drawn, ready to fire. Elrohir had his daggers clenched tightly in both hands, his bow and quiver slung onto his back.

"Don't move!" came the second cry, this time in Westron.

One of the men ventured a step forward, but Elladan let loose his arrow. It struck the ground so close to the man's foot that it sliced the leather on one side of his boot.

"I said stay where you are!" Elladan voice took on a chilling bite.

He started to back up, they slowly moved backwards until they came to the end of the street.

"Go now." Said Elrohir. He stayed and watched the mob while Elladan covered Aragorn and the rest. When they were out of site Elrohir began to walk backwards after them, his eyes never leaving the towns people.

Turning the corner he started to walk after the rest into the forest.

They walked in apprehensive silence for a few minutes and they were sure none were coming after them.

Elladan lost the icy hardness and smiled warmly to Legolas and Estel. The twins traded looks when they saw Col, but did nothing more.

"We thought you might be causing some trouble somewhere Estel. But we did not expect this. What do you plan to tell father? You and Legolas look as if a building fell on you" The elder twin spoke in elvish, he embraced Aragorn and ruffled his already disarrayed hair.

"You really pulled our chestnuts out of the fire this time to be sure." Aragorn laughed and Legolas grinned.

The wood elf was being supported by Elrohir, his good arm pulled around the noldor Elf's shoulder and his arm about Legolas's waist. The sling that Col had made for Aragorn did not escape Elladan notice, he merely raised an eyebrow at his younger brother as he too drew Aragorn's uninjured arm around his own shoulders.

Speaking now in the common tongue, Elrohir gestured to Col who walked to the side of him. "I thank you for your aid to my brother and to Legolas. What is your name boy?"

Col shyly raised his eyes "Col, my name is Col." The boy hesitated for a moment before asking " Is Strider really your brother?"

Elrohir's face creased in an amused smile "Of course he is young one. My name is Elrohir, my brother over there is Elladan, and you already know Estel and Legolas."

Col nodded, taking in the elf's new name for Strider.

The twins lead them into the forest. There didn't seem to be any of the wargs about. It looked as if they had final given up their hunt for the elves and went off in search of easier game.

"Come, that rabble won't be long in coming after us. Though I doubt they will come into the forest for us."

Col Followed the elves and Strider into the wood, knowing that no harm would befall him.

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gwanur nin: my brother

Deri dan: Stay back

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Elfmage: I know, one day I'll get a freakin' lot of good ideas and write out a huge thing…but then I go back to writing at a normal pace a few days later. Thanks for the compliment mellon. I can't believe you like it so much. This next one's for you.

Miss Attitude: Don't worry they get Legolas, I'm gonna go through the whole healing and angry elf lord thing next. Sorry about the spelling errors. It's my fault, my editor works hard enough as it is and he does a great job.

Deana: I love Legolas and Aragorn the same. I can't choose between them 'cause I don't think you can have one without the other. You can't separate the twins either, but I just love Elrohir better. I say Elladan's name just like it's spelled Ell-a-dan, with the Dan said like you would the guy's name.

Nikki1: Don't worry, hopefully Dal got his just reward of getting the crap scarred out of him. I don't think I could bring myself to have Aragorn beat up on a kid…even if he did deserve it.

Elven kitten: Sorry, I think I took a bit longer to update, but it's mostly planned out from here. With any luck I can get the last couple of chapters in in a few weeks or less.

Kris: You're awesome!! Thanks for all the work you do, you don't know how much I appreciate it. Thanks for reviewin' the next chapter will be coming your way soon.

Leggylover03: Sorry, not much Estel pain in this one. But if you could only see what's in store. Mwahahah, if you like Estel pain then your gonna have a fit in the next story. Look for my sequel once this is done.

Invisigoth: The best Legolas story…wow…if I could giggle I'd sound just like a school girl on helium. You can't imagine how much I was grinning after I read your review.

Lauranna Starbreeze: Yeah…I can tell, but it's not a bad thing. I'll hopefully have the next chapter up soon.

Heiwen: That was a pretty bad cliffie wasn't it. But I liked it. Don't worry Aragorn won't let them have Leggy forever. He's got to get all threatening and protective sometime. The twins are coming too, they get to save the day and make everything slightly better.

TBC…