Severity of Silence
The whole 'I'm sorry' part will be going by very quickly so I can get on with the story.
Chapter 10: All or nothing
Aragorn
After reading the letter that Legolas wrote me I close my eyes, tears threatening to over flow at the ending words. Handing the lung line to Jerald I vault the ring fence and race up to where I knew I would find the still recovering elf. Finding him in the garden I drop to my knees and hug the person I have grown to love as a brother. Legolas embraces me and whispers words in my ear as we apologize for being so blind and stupid. Together we walked back to the castle when the bellow of my father is heard calling my name for a meeting with him.
Told ya it would be quick. Now ONTO THE GOOD STUFF!
Arathorn
The two enter my hall as I start to call the council together, my hooded guest seated close to my chair also watches as my son and the slightly limping Legolas enter. The two take their normal seats and look at me, waiting for my words.
" As you all know, we have cut off all alliance and trade with the people of Druth." I begin and hooded guest lowers his head and I stare strongly at him.
" This is a spy we sent to live within the walls of Druth and find out the inner workings of the Earl's plans." Legolas looks sharply at the guest and narrows his eyes. I nod my head to him to lower the hood to reveal golden eyes and white hair, now gray from not being washed and bloody from the beating he took upon return to Druth. Narrow golden eyes stare hard at the Mirkwood prince and I wonder if this was a good idea. Yet the prince seems to control his anger and swallows his pride. Yet my own son seems to have a problem with the Arkots spy. He snarls at the demonic assassin before turning to me.
" You had an Arkots under your command? The one that shot Legolas no less! How?!" he asks, anger flashing sharply in his eyes. Sighing I rub my eyes with my hand before glaring at my son.
" When we liberated the camp Elrond and the others were in this Kerrick was the one who helped us get through the lines of the warriors summoned from all over." I explain but that's not good enough for Aragorn and he slams his hand down on the table, jolting both Legolas and Kerrick. Before I can answer Kerrick speaks up
" Young Prince. The Earl of Druth did not hold my soul, which died along with my family. What he held was my death and chance to be with them. Your father, Lord Arathorn made me see that all I was walking into was a longing for death. I have already lived longer than most of my kind and I am tired of the bloodshed at my hands. I have come to seek retribution for my crimes so I might be granted the right to see my family before I am cast to the mines of fire." He says, golden eyes holding no emotion other than pure remorse from the Earl of Druth. Legolas smiles and reaches a hand across the table
" I thank you for helping." Kerrick stares at the elf's hand and then raises his own putting it to his chest and then his lips and out. Legolas does the same as both Aragorn and I watch on. Since Arkots can't touch living beings or possessions of one touching the Elf's hand would have caused the demonic shadow extreme pain.
" Sorry for shooting you in the leg. Had to make it believable to the Earl that you were wounded. I didn't put the poison on it though." Legolas smiles and sits back down.
" Poison! You never said anything about that!" Aragorn shrieks at Legolas whose face lights up in a huge smile.
" I didn't want to worry my nursemaid." He says and claps my son on the shoulders.
" I swear Legolas you shall be the death of me yet!" He smiles and the two laugh. I glance at Kerrick who is sitting and watching the two with curious eyes before the golden gaze turns to me.
" My lord, I wish to seek some medical attention." He says and I nod. The Arkots warrior gets to his feet slowly and exits the room, slinking away into the shadows that he has come accustomed to. Looking at Legolas and Aragorn I smile at the look on my son's face, one of mistrust and suspicion. Legolas' own youthful face holds one of pure amusement at my son's antics.
" Come, we have horses to train." Legolas says and gets stiffly to his feet before inclining his head in my direction. I nod and the two head off, I lean back in my chair, thinking over the threat Kerrick brought with him.
" Your Kingdom shall fall Arathorn, and you shall fall with it."
Legolas (a few weeks later)
Clucking my tongue to my gray colt I move with the horse as he side steps, head bobbing in annoyance. Smiling I pat the sleek coat and whisper a few encouraging words in his ear. Glancing back at Aragorn, who is halting his own horse, stolen during our escape from Druth lands. Since coming to live in the stables of Gondor the little colt has built on more muscle and seems to have become less edgy, although quite hand shy. My concern is how the horse will react when thrown into battle against his own trainers. I have tried to listen to the horse a few times but often only get short answers from him, mainly about the day and his likes. Other than that he rarely speaks, not even to his box partner, my gray King.
" Slayer is quite anxious, he doesn't want to listen." Aragorn remarks, pulling the small colt to a halt next to King. Smiling I pat the muscular neck of the Druth horse as King tries to nip at his stall companion.
" Why are we out here again?" He asks, swatting at an annoying fly buzzing around his long hair. Gray eyes narrowed as he finally catches the critter and squashes it in his hand.
" We're scouting the area. Remember, reports of Druth warriors?" I tell him and scan the woods beyond the Prince's sight. My ears pick up the sound of a horse's rapid hoofbeats and I tense,
" Rider, coming from the south." I whisper to the prince and he tightens his hand around the pommel of his sword, wheeling the horse to face the direction the rider is coming. We wait both tense and horses ready weapons set to be grab into hands. Suddenly the hoof beats stop and I scan the shadows. From one comes the sleek black coated, red eyed demon horse of Kerrick. Atop the wild beast sits the pale haired, golden eyed assassin, his eyes holding a bit of amusement.
" Man you have a knack for doing that." Aragorn sighs, dropping his hand to his thigh, watching the Arkots warrior closely.
" Your father requests your audience on a pressing matter now just brought to his attention." He states simply and begins to ride off down the path. Glancing at Aragorn we both knee our horses into a racing gallop back to the palace.
Walking through the halls to the main chamber I begin to realize just how terrible we look, both of us are coated in mud and sweat, smell like horse and leather. I smile lazily as Aragorn stops and tries to brush his Jerkin back into place enough to look somewhat presentable. He gives me a sideways look and I shrug, knowing nothing was really going to help my stained clothes and tangled hair. What did the King expect of two men dragged in from patrol? Aragorn rolls his eyes and pushes through the great door and into the mighty chamber.
Aragorn
Entering the chamber before has never left me with such a terrified feeling, yet today there seemed to be an ominous air about the great hall and it took ever fiber in me to surpass a shiver that threatened to make my teeth chatter. Legolas seems to have noticed this change and was tense, gazing at the three men standing with my father. Two I recognized, one Theoden, now King of Rohan and the other the stewards son, Boromir. The other I have no idea who this man is and since they are in a heated discussion I make my way to where Glorfindel stands, looking utterly bored. The elf's blue gaze lights up upon seeing Legolas and I and he quickly begins whispering what he knows
" Theoden and Boromir have had run-ins with Druth warriors. The other man there is the leader of a band of Rangers that were called upon by your father to help in the battle." My eyes narrow.
" Battle?" Glorfindel nods his head sadly and then continues.
" Yes, the Earl of Druth sent us a declaration of war, he is coming to destroy the Kingdome of Gondor. Along with the last remaining elves on Middle Earth." He says sadly. I look at Legolas who is watching the men with interest, eyes puzzled.
" Why would he need Aragorn and I here to make a decision?" Legolas asks absently, looking away from the men to Glorfindel and back.
" I don't know." He shrugs and I turn when my father calls my name.
" Aragorn, Legolas come here." He says and I quickly walk over, Legolas close to my side.
" You know Lord Theoden of Rohan," I bow my head and Legolas does the same " This is Tracker, one of the leaders of Rangers from the north, beyond the mountains." I nod my head at the man with a thick beard and dressed in hunting garb. Legolas does as well, studying the man with curious eyes.
" We are to attack Druth." I start, and stare at my father. He was serious about doing it! He's really going to war with Druth.
" I want you," he places a hand on my shoulder " To go with Tracker and his warriors. Legolas " he inclines his head to the elf " will be going with Glorfindel, Elrond, and the twins into the woods with Kerrick, attacking the men on their advances here."
" I would like to help as well my Lord King." I turn at the booming voice. Eyes fall on the stout Dwarf, eyes blazing with anger at being left out.
" I pledged my Ax and skills to help defend this land, I will honor that pledge." He says and raises his ax up in demonstration. The mighty two-headed Ax's sharp edge catches the slight light and flashes angrily.
" Very well Master Dwarf. You can also go with the Rangers." My father says and I am glad to have the Dwarf with me, but slightly afraid for Legolas and the other Elves. That was the true reason for the Earl for attacking us, he wants to finish the race off. Looking at Legolas I see the fierce gray fire blazing in his eyes as he places a hand over his heart and makes a downward sweeping motion. He is showing his allegiance and willingness to die for the kingdom. I stare at him, not sure whether to feel safe knowing the archer's skill will defend him, or fear for his life just because of his race. I know not.
I know this was a short and long coming chapter. I've had so much stuff going on lately that its not even funny. Three reports, two essays and MCAS preparation. Also I'm working on my Magnificent Seven site, and trying to make enough money to get my truck out of the shop and still have time to write this fic. IT CAN'T BE DONE! So, this fic will be updated when I have the time to write and updates will be not regular. I'm sorry for this but I just don't have the time.
Please review!