Ooh, this is a GOOD chapter! I really, REALLY like it! And you'll soon see why…
Many of you have been asking what happened to Astalder, Legolas' former lover/abuser. The answer is in THIS chapter!
Replies to reviews are below as always, and some more reviews would really be appreciated! I love reviews. (I'm hyper cos we had teacher training day today! Woo hoo!)
Crap…Sports Day Heats tomorrow…Shot Put…groan… :(
Lani – You'll find out what happened to Astalder in this chapter, ok? Pleased you're liking it, thanks for reviewing.
MoroTheWolfGod – Yeah, I know it does! I can't WAIT for the Extended Version! As I said, you'll see what became of Astalder in this chapter. Thanks for reviewing.
Elerrina – Yeah, they do get one well don't they? You don't agree with us being even? Then I guess you ARE better! Heehee…
Thanks for reviewing.
(I'd like him to be my big brother, or even better, my b/friend!)
Starlit Hope – Cute? Yeah, that word rules! I'm on your faves? Thank you very much! Thanks for reviewing too!
Haldir's Heart and Soul – A woman's point of view is ALWAYS needed in those situations! And Leggy needed to someone to talk to and understand him. Thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 10: Stories to Tell.
"Who gets to do the scolding now?"
She poked her tongue out. "Shut up. I'm not in the mood for arguing."
"I don't care. You shouldn't have done that Éowyn. You put your life in serious danger."
"At least I did what I wanted to do. Like I said before, we women can be just as stubborn as men."
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "It is not a laughing matter Éowyn."
She sighed, and leant back against her pillows. "I know, and I'm sorry."
"You'd better be. I was really worried about you."
"That's nice to know. I've never had an Elf worry about me before."
"Just get some more rest. And if you ever do anything like that again…"
"I know, I know, you'll probably kill me."
"No, you'll just a serious telling off." They glared at each other for a few moments, then both burst into laughter at the same time.
"I shall do as his Majesty requests. Good afternoon to you my Lord."
"And to you my Lady." He graciously kissed her hand, and she laughed again.
"Be careful."
"I shall be fine. I will see you when we return."
She smiled, and he left. Sighing, she shifted until she was comfy. "Be safe," she whispered, then drifted off into a light sleep.
"Well, it's all over laddie."
"Yes, you're right Gimli. All done, all over, finished." Legolas sighed and looked up at the sky. "We'll be able to go home soon."
"Thank goodness. I need some good old Dwarven food."
Legolas laughed. "I expect you do, after all that running."
"Gotta keep my strength up!" He joined in the Elf Princes' laughter.
The pair was walking through the gardens of Ithilien together, under a clear night sky. The War of the Ring was all over, and peace had been restored once again.
"Miss your family?"
"Definitely. I can't wait to see Filigon again." He fingered the bracelet round his wrist. "At least I didn't lose this. She really would've killed me."
"I bet. That's a nice piece of silver you've got there lad."
"I know." He looked down at the Dwarf. "What about you? You miss your family?"
"Of course. Dad'll be pleased to finally have me home. Probably won't stop complaining about the length of time I've been away. And then when I tell him I've made friends with an Elf-Prince…all hell'll break loose."
"I bet it will, knowing your father."
Gimli gave a short laugh. "Oh well, it's a bit late now."
The next day, everyone left to go to Minas Tirith. More celebrations were held here, and then there was just the long wait for Arwen and her company to arrive.
The days dragged by. Legolas was hoping that if she stopped at Lothlórien on her way, she would bring the Lord and Lady with her. And they might bring…
"I miss Haldir," he said randomly, as he and Aragorn were wandering through the Minas Tirith gardens one day.
"As you keep saying melonin."
"I know, but I do!"
"And I miss Arwen."
"At least you know for definite that she is coming."
"True. Look, don't worry, I'm sure he'll come. Any opportunity to see you…he wouldn't let it go."
"You think?"
"Legolas, are you completely blind? He'll love you to death and beyond. You've witnessed that already."
"Yes, but…"
"No buts Legolas. He loves you, and you love him. Don't you?"
"Of course I do!"
"Well, then. Never doubt a persons' love for you Legolas, especially if you love him as much as you do. I can see how much you love each other. Just be patient. He'll come."
"I know," Legolas agreed, smiling determinedly. "He will. He'll come."
And he did.
Legolas saw them coming from the walls of the City. The company of Fair Folk, heading from the North. They were still several miles away, but his keen eyes spotted them straight away. Coming across the Pelennor Fields, banners fluttering, and hair shining.
"Yes," he whispered to himself. He ran back across the courtyard, in through the doors, straight into the Main Hall.
"They're here," he announced.
Aragorn looked up from where he was conversing with Gandalf. "At last," he breathed.
The preparations had already been well under way, but there was now a mad rush to get the City looking as perfect as possible. The streets were cleared up, the few gardens that had been achieved made to look as neat as possible, and the people tidied themselves up.
They arrived later the next day. Aragorn waited on the palace steps, Gandalf beside him. Legolas and Gimli stood at foot of the steps, the Hobbits in front of them. All waited as the Company made their way up through the City.
Finally, they reached the top circle, and straight away, Legolas spotted him. He smiled, but made no movement. The crowd that had managed to get into the Citadel parted as the Company made their way through. They stopped, and Arwen dismounted, as did her father. Aragorn walked down the steps and stood in front of his friends.
Father and daughter walked over to him. They bowed respectfully, and then Arwen literally jumped into Aragorns' arms. They kissed, and then everyone erupted in cheers.
Legolas caught Haldirs' eye, and smiled. The Marchwarden smiled back. Gandalf saw Haldir looking towards the Prince, and smiled to himself. Nothing would stop those two now.
Everyone gradually made his or her way inside the palace. Aragorn sat Arwen down on her new throne, and there was, once again, more clapping and cheering.
Servants then arrived to show the Elves to their rooms. Legolas was still up by Aragorn, as were the rest of the Fellowship that remained. He was talking with Gandalf, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Haldir get led away to a guestroom. He sighed, but carried on talking.
"Go on," Gandalf interrupted.
"What?"
"Go with him. I know you want to. I'll make some excuse up for you."
"I can't leave now! Aragorn needs me here."
"No I don't." Aragorn leant across from his conversation with Elrond. "Go."
Legolas gave each of them a puzzled look, grinned, then literally ran out of the Hall. He heard Gandalf and Aragorns' laughter following him, but he ignored it.
He ran down the corridor he had seen the servant lead Haldir down. He passed several, and asked if they had seen him. They pointed him further down the hallway. He thanked them and ran on.
As he turned a corner, he saw them. He picked up speed.
As the servant showed Haldir into a free room, he skidded to a halt. "I need to see Haldir," he said, rather breathlessly.
Haldir poked his head out the door. "He can come in," he assured the servant. "He's a…very, old friend."
The servant nodded, and left. Legolas grinned at the Marchwarden. "You can walk bloody fast when you want to," he scolded.
Haldir laughed, and took Legolas' hand, pulling him inside. As soon as the door was shut, they were all over each other.
"Won't Aragorn miss us?" Haldir asked as they paused briefly.
"Gandalf's making excuses. We've got a little time."
"Oh good." They kissed again, then just held each other in a tight embrace. "I missed you so much," Haldir whispered.
"And I you," Legolas echoed.
"Legolas…" Haldir pulled away, his face suddenly grave.
"What? What is it?"
"Sit down melamin."
"What's happened Haldir?" He sat on the edge of the bed. "Please tell me."
Haldir sat down beside him. "I don't really want to tell you now, but it's better to get it over with." He sighed, running his hands over his face. "Its Astalder."
Legolas visibly paled at the name. "Wh…what about him?" he stuttered.
"He's dead."
Legolas just gaped at him. "De…dead? How, when?"
"A short while ago. He stabbed himself in the neck."
Legolas was shaking by now. "But…why?"
Haldir slid onto the floor in front of the Prince and took his hands. "Now Legolas, before I go on, I must assure you of something. Filigon is perfectly ok."
"What did that bastard try to do to her?" he almost shouted, anger glittering in the depths of his eyes, the fear quickly disappearing.
"Calm down melamin, please. We don't want to attract attention."
"What did he do?" he asked softly, his voice dangerous.
"He tried to kill her."
"Why?"
"No one knows. Jealously, maybe? Or perhaps being alone for so long drove him mad."
"How did he get to her?"
"She was out riding, with friends. He had, by some miracle, snuck past the border guards in Mirkwood, and ambushed their group. He pulled Filigon off her horse, and put a knife to her throat. He warned the others, that if they didn't stay back, he'd kill her. They were powerless. He bound her hands, gagged her, leapt up on her horse, and galloped away.
The rest of the girls ran, and found a border patrol. They were on to it immediately. They forgot their duties, and just ran through the trees as fast as they could, trying to catch up. Warnings were sent all round Mirkwood, saying that Astalder had got in. The hunt was on. Everyone was out looking for him."
"And was he found?" Legolas' voice was at a more normal level now.
"Yes. Captain Aras and his patrol caught up with him. They overtook him, somehow, and fired. He was hit in the shoulder, and leg. He fell from Filigons' horse, taking the Princess with him. The Elves jumped down, but he thought quickly. He pulled the arrow out of his leg, and held it at his throat, all the while pointing his knife dangerously at Filigon, who he had still in his grip."
Flashback.
"Astalder, don't do something you'll regret," Aras warned, stepping closer.
"One more step and she dies," he hissed. The pain in his voice was clear.
Aras stopped walking. "If she dies, so do you. In fact, you're already meant to be dead." The Elves tightened the hold on their arrows already notched to their bows.
"I don't care. Perhaps death is the best way now."
"Don't say that. Just let Princess Filigon go."
"No. She's mine, as was your pathetic little Prince!"
"You bastard!" Filigon screamed. Her gag had come loose, and she started kicking.
Astalder struggled with her, as one shoulder was injured. "Stop it Princess. We don't want to hurt you now, do we?"
"Let me go!" she ordered, stills struggling.
"Princess," Aras warned. She stopped.
"Good girl," Astalder murmured into her ear. "Behaving now."
"Just let me go," she whispered back, glaring at him. "Else you'll pay."
"Oh no. You're the one who's paying. Let's just say, I'll get from you, what I never got from your brother. Obedience, understanding, and love."
"That's right, he never loved you," she spat, seeing the Elf behind her and Astalder creeping up. "He hated you, he despised you. He's told me himself."
"Why then, did he stay with me? Insist on not telling anyone."
"He couldn't."
"No. Because he was scared. Face it Filigon, your brother is a wimp. A useless, pathetic…" but he was cut off as Haldir lunged at him from behind, his brothers assisting.
Filigon was picked up by Aras and taken to one side. Her bonds were cut, and Aras held her close. She was shaking like a leaf.
Haldir, Rumil, and Orophin struggled with him on the ground. Eventually though, they had him under control. Rumil and Orophin pinned him down, whilst Haldir talked to him.
"You're stupid Astalder," he said, crouching down beside the trapped Elf. "You've wasted your entire life."
"No. I think I've lived it to the full personally. Oh, and Legolas? You can have him."
Haldir backhanded him across the face. "You will refer to him as Prince Legolas. He is royalty, and should be treated as such."
"Whatever," Astalder spat back in his face. He managed to knee Rumil and Orophin off him somehow, and picked up the arrow he had dropped. "Give my love to Prince Legolas," he said. Then he plunged the arrow into his neck.
Filigons' scream echoed throughout the forest.
End of Flashback.
Legolas sat there stunned. "I…"
"Shh, don't speak now melamin. Don't worry, Filigon is safe and well. No harm came to her."
"But…what were you doing in Mirkwood anyway?"
"Helping with the destruction of Dol Goldur. We stayed there a bit, so went out with the border patrols."
"Oh, ok." Legolas was shaking again, and still worryingly pale. Haldir got him a drink of water. "So…he's gone then? Dead…forever?"
"Yes. I wanted to kill the bastard myself, but he beat me to it. He knew he'd won then. By killing himself, he got one over on me. But at least he's gone for good now. Surely that puts your mind at rest?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes. But I have to go home. Filigon…"
"She's fine, just like I said. Don't worry. Your father got really mad though. He's very scary when angry I've discovered."
"I know. I have been through it many times, trust me." They laughed.
"Get some sleep Legolas, you need it."
"No. I'd rather be around people. I won't be able to get to sleep at any rate."
"Are you glad I told you?"
"Yes. Very glad. I needed to know."
"That's what I thought. So, what's been happening here?"
Legolas then started telling Haldir his own story.
HE'S DEAD, HE'S DEAD! YAY! WOO HOO!!!!
Well, I knew he was dead as soon as I started this sequel. I'd already decided to kill him off, just hadn't told you guys! Heehee…
Next chapter is the LAST ONE! So, (cos I always have two stories on the go at once), I have put the first chapter of The Demons of the Heart up tonight. It's the sequel to Sleeping Dangerously. If you read that, go read Demons!
See you next week for the final chapter of New Hope and Love.
Lainfaer