Chapter 2! So I lied. This one came rather quickly, really. Chapter three,
although done as of now, will be a bit longer of a wait. I really do need
to get a few more chapters written. Thanks for your patience!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn cocked his head, watching the bird tap at the window relentlessly.
"Determined fellow, isn't he?"
Aragorn laughed at the comment his friend made, but did not take his eyes from the bird. Finally, it hopped, showing the human the parchment attached to its leg. He cast a glance around before opening the window.
Taking the parchment off, he smiled. "Fly to my room, little one. You will know it."
"Get a letter, did ye?"
Aragorn nodded. "I did, Nifren, though from whom, I do not know."
"There be a royal crest on the back. Do ye recognize it?"
Aragorn flipped the letter over. "Aye, I do." His heart leapt at the sight of the crest. He put the letter inside his coat. "I shall retire for the evening. Come and find me if anything interesting should happen."
"Around here?" Nifren snorted. "You'll be retired for a long time then, my friend."
Aragorn smiled, threw a hopeful look at the bar maiden, who did not see him, then headed for the stairs. Closing his door behind, he spotted the bird.
"Hello, my friend. Miss me? I've certainly missed you." He handed the creature a piece of dried meat, then carefully opened his letter. A few minutes later, he nodded and slid the parchment inside his jacket. He turned back to the bird. "Legolas isn't expecting you home too soon, I should guess. Make yourself comfortable."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
The ranger half jogged back down the old steps of the inn, which also served as a bar. It was far too early to stay in his room, and he needed to think about what to tell Legolas.
"Ye be back," a light voice said.
Aragorn turned and cocked his head. "And you, Nifren, are at a different table."
"I figured ye'd be back, and this table had a better view of the bar."
Aragorn looked to the indicated area and caught the eyes of the bar maiden. He smiled sheepishly, and turned away. "You are evil."
"Nope, just trying to help a friend." A wicked smile spread over the man's face. "When'er ye going to strike up the courage to talk to her?"
"I've talked to her!" The younger ranger said defensively. "Plenty of times."
"Indeed," Nifren said, mirth dancing in his aged eyes. He was not much older than Aragorn, but life experiences had aged the man quickly.
Aragorn smiled, his eyes darting to the bar every so often. Sometimes, their eyes would lock, but either Strider's bashful smile or a drunken customer would break their gaze.
"Good god, man, just go talk to the girl. Yer making me sick."
"I would, but look at the bar! Berylla is far too busy to be bothered by me now."
"But perhaps if ye would do something besides stare at her, she might be able to better perform her job."
Aragorn laughed. "Leave me be."
Nifren joined the laughter. "Maybe she'd more than smile at ye, if ye made the first move."
Aragorn's eyes grew wide. "Would you let the subject drop, please? I am not as obsessed with her as you make me out to be, and I will talk to her on my own time."
Nifren raised a skeptical eyebrow, but said nothing more on the subject. "Where will ye be headin' off to next, Strider?"
The young man opened his mouth, but closed it again. In all honesty, he didn't know. "Maybe home. I think I'll stay here for a while." His eyes drifted back to Berylla behind the bar.
"I figgered as much." Nifren leaned his chair back, balancing on the hind legs. He put a pipe to his lips, hands behind his head, and a smile playing in his eyes. "I think I'll be headin' south in a month er so."
"Not enough adventure for you here?"
The ranger laughed. "Oh, ye know. A little too much adventure. Why, that bird tappin' on the winder nearly had me scared out of me wits."
"Sarcasm does not suit you, my friend."
Nifren shrugged. "I tried. Go get us some more ale, would ye?"
Aragorn rolled his eyes, pushing back his chair. He made a rude gesture playfully, then turned towards the bar.
Nifren watched his friend's retreat, knowing full well that he wouldn't be back anytime soon, and when he did return, he would most likely forget the ale. A man in love was a fun thing to witness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas-
I thought for a while you hadn't received my letter. I would like to say that I have been much too busy to notice, but that is not the case. I think, should I do this again, I will wait for you to accompany me. You tend to find the more eventful places.
There is nothing to speak of here that would interest you. The town has been quiet, uneventful. We came looking for a traitor, of whom I will not go into detail, but have found no leads on him here. We've decided that our job is finished, but we don't want to leave just yet. Each for our own reasons.
I am only going to tell you this because you are not here to laugh at me. At least this way, I can pretend that maybe you aren't laughing.
I think I'm in love. Nay, I know I am. There's a girl named Berylla. She runs the inn where I am staying. I've spent the last few days with her. We go to the edge of town after the bar downstairs closes each night.
She is amazing, Legolas. I have never met a woman more beautiful or intelligent as her. She is the only reason I stay in this town. Otherwise, I find it quite dull and lonesome. Then, I had better get use to the latter if I am to continue being a ranger.
A Spring Festival? You weren't jesting when you said that Mirkwood holds many events. Do you hold a ball every season? Do you have a Mid-Spring Festival? Probably, and more, if the merry mood of your friends is any suggestion. (I won't include Telemnar in that, for he does not seem like he is ever merry, for that matter.)
Evandael. No, to answer your question. I never learned anything more from them. The town has an incredible way of hiding information. I get the feeling that if you knew the right people, you could hide for a lifetime there.
Aladrion is engaged? That's fantastic! When is he to be wed?
I hope this letter does not fall into the hands of anyone other than you, for Ada has told me what would happen to Mithfalas if it should. I myself could not believe you took the risk in telling me. Then again, he did take the much greater risk just by seeing you. Do you know what that means? He's forgotten, or forgiven, whatever ill you said to him upon his departure. He risked everything to see you! Surely you've forgiven him now, haven't you? I can't even imagine what your father would do if he knew.
But enough of that. What did he say to you? More importantly, what did you say to him? Were you angry? Thrilled? You're letters are so vague. They leave me with nothing but questions. Honestly, tell me everything!
This is only so I can save you the trouble of asking for it, and me the trouble of having to write it next time. Berylla is three years younger than I. She looks like a newly bloomed flower. I can think of no other way to sufficiently describe her. She is amazing. She can outwit any man, (aside from me, of course).
Write again when you find the time. Best of luck with your spiders, as well.
Strider
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn sealed the letter, gave the bird another scrap of dried meat, and sent him on his way. He watched it fly towards the moon, and after it disappeared from sight, he let his eyes linger on the moon. He thought of Legolas, of how he missed his dear friend. He thought of Aldarion, whom he did not know well, but liked well enough. He thought of the elf's engagement, then of Berylla. He put the two together and liked the picture before him.
"No," he chided himself out loud, "you are rushing into deep waters. Be careful."
Then again, waiting had never gotten him anywhere.
"Stop it."
He heard a sudden commotion from somewhere below him. It grew louder as he threw his door open. Nifren was already running down the stairs. Aragorn took his cue, chasing his friend.
"So much for the lack of adventure!" The other ranger called over his shoulder.
"Maybe someone should have complained earlier!"
A scream greeted them. "It's Berylla! Nifren, go faster!"
They skipped the last couple of steps, skidding into the bar area. A hooded figure glanced their way, grabbed something, and turned fully to them.
Aragorn started forward immediately, but Nifren put a hand out to stop him. "Do not let your emotions blind your sense."
The intruder held Berylla in his grasp, a blade held to her throat. The look in her eyes was one of boredom, as if she had been in the situation before.
Nifren spoke. "What do you want?"
"Nothing you can give me. Do not come any closer!"
"We're not moving," Aragorn said calmly. Whoever the man was, he was panicked. His hands were shaking, and he was telling them to do what was already being done.
The hooded man looked around him. Whatever he was looking for, he didn't see it. "If you promise me that you'll let me get out without pursuing me, I'll let her go."
"Promised, on the grave of my mother," Aragorn said. Nifren growled under his breath. There was a moment in which nothing happened, then the hooded man pushed the bar maiden towards the rangers and ran for the door.
Once he was gone, and Nifren was about to turn on Aragorn for his brash promise, the young man smiled at Berylla. "But once he's outside, all bets are off!" Aragorn tore out of the room, chasing after the hooded man.
"I swear," Nifren mumbled, "that boy will be the death of me." He looked at Berylla. "Are you all right, miss?"
"I am fine," she waved off his question. "Aren't you going to follow him?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn had to fight to keep his feet under him as he ran through the wet streets on the nondescript town. He wasn't going to complain, however. The wet street was the only thing that allowed him to continue pursuit; he could hear his enemy splashing his way through the town in front of him.
He skidded to a halt, hearing nothing but the gentle fall of rain around him. Moving slowly, he turned a corner around a building.
From his left side, he saw a dagger flying towards him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas woke with a start. He reached automatically for his blade, his heart racing. The room was still.
Why had he woken? Pain. He crinkled his brow, reaching into his memory.
He had dreamt of pain in his leg, but there was nothing there now.
He sighed to himself. "Nothing but a dream, Legolas. Get control of yourself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn cursed all things elvish, quickly pulling the blade from his left thigh. He started to move forward again, trying in vain to ignore the fire running through his leg.
A hand landed on his shoulder and he started. He heard a laugh.
"Bit jumpy for a ranger, aren't ye? Give me the dagger."
Aragorn said nothing, but obeyed Nifren. He would not have stopped the chase if he thought there was any way he could have caught them man.
"Are you all right, Strider?"
"Berylla, what are you doing out here? It's dangerous. Go back to the inn!"
The girl stepped back, a pained look on her face, but then shook her head. "I think it is you that needs to go back to the inn." With that, she ran off in the direction which Nifren had taken.
Strider wanted to call after her, but if the chase was still underway, it was a dangerous thing to do. Sighing, he sat down. He had nothing to do now but wait for his friends to return.
Nifren and Berylla found him that way nearly an hour later. Berylla's face was flushed, but she had a large smile on her face.
"Did you catch him?"
Nifren shook his head. "Nearly, but no." He held out a cloak. "Berylla managed to make a grab at him, but this is all we got. He got away."
Aragorn looked to Berylla, who had a look on her face that simply said, "Ha ha." He shook his head, smiling.
"I suppose he'll be back, though. Whatever he was looking for, he didn't find, did he?"
"No, he didn't. I don't know what he was looking for either."
The three made their way slowly back to the inn, Aragorn hobbling along between Berylla and Nifren.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Reviewers:
Lizzie: Haha, yes, we will see a little confrontation between Legolas and Ministir soon. Lol, it won't be pretty. We'll get to see the angry side of Legolas. . .
SPEoD: Did we see Aragorn soon enough? There is a pattern to my chapters this time around. Uhm, I'm going to not be my normally nice self and not tell you if Thranduil knows or not. . . you'll see why later. I honestly have no clue when the Fal backstory is coming (honestly, I thought everyone was going to vote for that!) but it'll come soon! No, I like dressage better. I think just because there is more detail in it, that's all. Yeah, my mom freaked the first few times I jumped. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Yes, actually, I think there is going to be a PotC 2 and 3. I will definitely go see it! How about you?
LegolasLover2004: Ah, thanks for all the great adjectives! I will try and hurry so as not to incur your wrath, lol.
Deana: Gee, you aren't happy or anything, are you? ::big smiles::
Bec: Hi! You're back! It's okay, to be honest, I don't expect everyone to review everything. It's nice when they do, but even I don't review 100% of the time, so I can't ask it of others, now can I? Well, you did see Estel, but not doing any rescuing. Yeah, I know, paperwork bites. I thought I should give Leggy a feel for homework, lol. There will be mentions of Fal, but, so far, we won't be seeing him. Who knows, my stories tend to take on a life of their own. Yes, I usually have my stories written before I post them. I have three stories after this one finished, too. The only reason this one isn't written is because I realized I needed a story in between Secret Alliances and the next one. So I'm trying to whip it together all fast.
Das Blume: Jeez, I had like, three copies of that Galadriel email. They were like bunnies, they just multiplying, lol. I don't know, it was bizarre. Haha, yes, Thranduil hates work just as much as Leggy. . . but if Legolas is the crown prince, he needs to know how to do this stuff, right? I just got the best image of Legolas doing dishes. Haha. Yes, you know me, though he won't be a slave in this particular fic. Then again, I think this one puts him through something worse. . . but shh! Don't tell anyone. Good luck with inventing that son!
Irish QT: Thank you so much! That was so nice! I hope I didn't make you wait too long!
Shadowhunter: Don't worry, I've at least ten chapters planned, probably more, and the next three in this series are ready to go after this!
Jenzy: I've never had anyone send me such an eloquent death threat. I'm assuming you've at least read Secret Alliances, right? If not, let me know, and I will give you as many details of Mithfalas as I can. Unfortunately, you voted for the wrong story to learn more of Mithfalas. All he receives in this are a few notable mentions. Yes, in truth, your use of language is beautiful. It puts me to shame, to be honest. So for that, I congratulate you. Don't worry, I usually never review every chapter either. I never really expect people too, either. I appreciate your reviews, whether they are copious or few.
Coolio02: I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long!
Nenya: I'm not saying anything other than his name is a hint. There's more than one thing that can mean, so don't hurt me just yet, okay? An email of Leggy is headed your way! I hope it's not too big, I just threw all the good pictures of the headpiece in there. I don't have a good RotK pic page though, terribly sorry. I think they're making a Pirates 2 and 3. And I will make up some compute-version of a quote from the movie next time around, okay?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn cocked his head, watching the bird tap at the window relentlessly.
"Determined fellow, isn't he?"
Aragorn laughed at the comment his friend made, but did not take his eyes from the bird. Finally, it hopped, showing the human the parchment attached to its leg. He cast a glance around before opening the window.
Taking the parchment off, he smiled. "Fly to my room, little one. You will know it."
"Get a letter, did ye?"
Aragorn nodded. "I did, Nifren, though from whom, I do not know."
"There be a royal crest on the back. Do ye recognize it?"
Aragorn flipped the letter over. "Aye, I do." His heart leapt at the sight of the crest. He put the letter inside his coat. "I shall retire for the evening. Come and find me if anything interesting should happen."
"Around here?" Nifren snorted. "You'll be retired for a long time then, my friend."
Aragorn smiled, threw a hopeful look at the bar maiden, who did not see him, then headed for the stairs. Closing his door behind, he spotted the bird.
"Hello, my friend. Miss me? I've certainly missed you." He handed the creature a piece of dried meat, then carefully opened his letter. A few minutes later, he nodded and slid the parchment inside his jacket. He turned back to the bird. "Legolas isn't expecting you home too soon, I should guess. Make yourself comfortable."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
The ranger half jogged back down the old steps of the inn, which also served as a bar. It was far too early to stay in his room, and he needed to think about what to tell Legolas.
"Ye be back," a light voice said.
Aragorn turned and cocked his head. "And you, Nifren, are at a different table."
"I figured ye'd be back, and this table had a better view of the bar."
Aragorn looked to the indicated area and caught the eyes of the bar maiden. He smiled sheepishly, and turned away. "You are evil."
"Nope, just trying to help a friend." A wicked smile spread over the man's face. "When'er ye going to strike up the courage to talk to her?"
"I've talked to her!" The younger ranger said defensively. "Plenty of times."
"Indeed," Nifren said, mirth dancing in his aged eyes. He was not much older than Aragorn, but life experiences had aged the man quickly.
Aragorn smiled, his eyes darting to the bar every so often. Sometimes, their eyes would lock, but either Strider's bashful smile or a drunken customer would break their gaze.
"Good god, man, just go talk to the girl. Yer making me sick."
"I would, but look at the bar! Berylla is far too busy to be bothered by me now."
"But perhaps if ye would do something besides stare at her, she might be able to better perform her job."
Aragorn laughed. "Leave me be."
Nifren joined the laughter. "Maybe she'd more than smile at ye, if ye made the first move."
Aragorn's eyes grew wide. "Would you let the subject drop, please? I am not as obsessed with her as you make me out to be, and I will talk to her on my own time."
Nifren raised a skeptical eyebrow, but said nothing more on the subject. "Where will ye be headin' off to next, Strider?"
The young man opened his mouth, but closed it again. In all honesty, he didn't know. "Maybe home. I think I'll stay here for a while." His eyes drifted back to Berylla behind the bar.
"I figgered as much." Nifren leaned his chair back, balancing on the hind legs. He put a pipe to his lips, hands behind his head, and a smile playing in his eyes. "I think I'll be headin' south in a month er so."
"Not enough adventure for you here?"
The ranger laughed. "Oh, ye know. A little too much adventure. Why, that bird tappin' on the winder nearly had me scared out of me wits."
"Sarcasm does not suit you, my friend."
Nifren shrugged. "I tried. Go get us some more ale, would ye?"
Aragorn rolled his eyes, pushing back his chair. He made a rude gesture playfully, then turned towards the bar.
Nifren watched his friend's retreat, knowing full well that he wouldn't be back anytime soon, and when he did return, he would most likely forget the ale. A man in love was a fun thing to witness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas-
I thought for a while you hadn't received my letter. I would like to say that I have been much too busy to notice, but that is not the case. I think, should I do this again, I will wait for you to accompany me. You tend to find the more eventful places.
There is nothing to speak of here that would interest you. The town has been quiet, uneventful. We came looking for a traitor, of whom I will not go into detail, but have found no leads on him here. We've decided that our job is finished, but we don't want to leave just yet. Each for our own reasons.
I am only going to tell you this because you are not here to laugh at me. At least this way, I can pretend that maybe you aren't laughing.
I think I'm in love. Nay, I know I am. There's a girl named Berylla. She runs the inn where I am staying. I've spent the last few days with her. We go to the edge of town after the bar downstairs closes each night.
She is amazing, Legolas. I have never met a woman more beautiful or intelligent as her. She is the only reason I stay in this town. Otherwise, I find it quite dull and lonesome. Then, I had better get use to the latter if I am to continue being a ranger.
A Spring Festival? You weren't jesting when you said that Mirkwood holds many events. Do you hold a ball every season? Do you have a Mid-Spring Festival? Probably, and more, if the merry mood of your friends is any suggestion. (I won't include Telemnar in that, for he does not seem like he is ever merry, for that matter.)
Evandael. No, to answer your question. I never learned anything more from them. The town has an incredible way of hiding information. I get the feeling that if you knew the right people, you could hide for a lifetime there.
Aladrion is engaged? That's fantastic! When is he to be wed?
I hope this letter does not fall into the hands of anyone other than you, for Ada has told me what would happen to Mithfalas if it should. I myself could not believe you took the risk in telling me. Then again, he did take the much greater risk just by seeing you. Do you know what that means? He's forgotten, or forgiven, whatever ill you said to him upon his departure. He risked everything to see you! Surely you've forgiven him now, haven't you? I can't even imagine what your father would do if he knew.
But enough of that. What did he say to you? More importantly, what did you say to him? Were you angry? Thrilled? You're letters are so vague. They leave me with nothing but questions. Honestly, tell me everything!
This is only so I can save you the trouble of asking for it, and me the trouble of having to write it next time. Berylla is three years younger than I. She looks like a newly bloomed flower. I can think of no other way to sufficiently describe her. She is amazing. She can outwit any man, (aside from me, of course).
Write again when you find the time. Best of luck with your spiders, as well.
Strider
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn sealed the letter, gave the bird another scrap of dried meat, and sent him on his way. He watched it fly towards the moon, and after it disappeared from sight, he let his eyes linger on the moon. He thought of Legolas, of how he missed his dear friend. He thought of Aldarion, whom he did not know well, but liked well enough. He thought of the elf's engagement, then of Berylla. He put the two together and liked the picture before him.
"No," he chided himself out loud, "you are rushing into deep waters. Be careful."
Then again, waiting had never gotten him anywhere.
"Stop it."
He heard a sudden commotion from somewhere below him. It grew louder as he threw his door open. Nifren was already running down the stairs. Aragorn took his cue, chasing his friend.
"So much for the lack of adventure!" The other ranger called over his shoulder.
"Maybe someone should have complained earlier!"
A scream greeted them. "It's Berylla! Nifren, go faster!"
They skipped the last couple of steps, skidding into the bar area. A hooded figure glanced their way, grabbed something, and turned fully to them.
Aragorn started forward immediately, but Nifren put a hand out to stop him. "Do not let your emotions blind your sense."
The intruder held Berylla in his grasp, a blade held to her throat. The look in her eyes was one of boredom, as if she had been in the situation before.
Nifren spoke. "What do you want?"
"Nothing you can give me. Do not come any closer!"
"We're not moving," Aragorn said calmly. Whoever the man was, he was panicked. His hands were shaking, and he was telling them to do what was already being done.
The hooded man looked around him. Whatever he was looking for, he didn't see it. "If you promise me that you'll let me get out without pursuing me, I'll let her go."
"Promised, on the grave of my mother," Aragorn said. Nifren growled under his breath. There was a moment in which nothing happened, then the hooded man pushed the bar maiden towards the rangers and ran for the door.
Once he was gone, and Nifren was about to turn on Aragorn for his brash promise, the young man smiled at Berylla. "But once he's outside, all bets are off!" Aragorn tore out of the room, chasing after the hooded man.
"I swear," Nifren mumbled, "that boy will be the death of me." He looked at Berylla. "Are you all right, miss?"
"I am fine," she waved off his question. "Aren't you going to follow him?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn had to fight to keep his feet under him as he ran through the wet streets on the nondescript town. He wasn't going to complain, however. The wet street was the only thing that allowed him to continue pursuit; he could hear his enemy splashing his way through the town in front of him.
He skidded to a halt, hearing nothing but the gentle fall of rain around him. Moving slowly, he turned a corner around a building.
From his left side, he saw a dagger flying towards him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas woke with a start. He reached automatically for his blade, his heart racing. The room was still.
Why had he woken? Pain. He crinkled his brow, reaching into his memory.
He had dreamt of pain in his leg, but there was nothing there now.
He sighed to himself. "Nothing but a dream, Legolas. Get control of yourself."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn cursed all things elvish, quickly pulling the blade from his left thigh. He started to move forward again, trying in vain to ignore the fire running through his leg.
A hand landed on his shoulder and he started. He heard a laugh.
"Bit jumpy for a ranger, aren't ye? Give me the dagger."
Aragorn said nothing, but obeyed Nifren. He would not have stopped the chase if he thought there was any way he could have caught them man.
"Are you all right, Strider?"
"Berylla, what are you doing out here? It's dangerous. Go back to the inn!"
The girl stepped back, a pained look on her face, but then shook her head. "I think it is you that needs to go back to the inn." With that, she ran off in the direction which Nifren had taken.
Strider wanted to call after her, but if the chase was still underway, it was a dangerous thing to do. Sighing, he sat down. He had nothing to do now but wait for his friends to return.
Nifren and Berylla found him that way nearly an hour later. Berylla's face was flushed, but she had a large smile on her face.
"Did you catch him?"
Nifren shook his head. "Nearly, but no." He held out a cloak. "Berylla managed to make a grab at him, but this is all we got. He got away."
Aragorn looked to Berylla, who had a look on her face that simply said, "Ha ha." He shook his head, smiling.
"I suppose he'll be back, though. Whatever he was looking for, he didn't find, did he?"
"No, he didn't. I don't know what he was looking for either."
The three made their way slowly back to the inn, Aragorn hobbling along between Berylla and Nifren.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Reviewers:
Lizzie: Haha, yes, we will see a little confrontation between Legolas and Ministir soon. Lol, it won't be pretty. We'll get to see the angry side of Legolas. . .
SPEoD: Did we see Aragorn soon enough? There is a pattern to my chapters this time around. Uhm, I'm going to not be my normally nice self and not tell you if Thranduil knows or not. . . you'll see why later. I honestly have no clue when the Fal backstory is coming (honestly, I thought everyone was going to vote for that!) but it'll come soon! No, I like dressage better. I think just because there is more detail in it, that's all. Yeah, my mom freaked the first few times I jumped. I'm glad you're enjoying it! Yes, actually, I think there is going to be a PotC 2 and 3. I will definitely go see it! How about you?
LegolasLover2004: Ah, thanks for all the great adjectives! I will try and hurry so as not to incur your wrath, lol.
Deana: Gee, you aren't happy or anything, are you? ::big smiles::
Bec: Hi! You're back! It's okay, to be honest, I don't expect everyone to review everything. It's nice when they do, but even I don't review 100% of the time, so I can't ask it of others, now can I? Well, you did see Estel, but not doing any rescuing. Yeah, I know, paperwork bites. I thought I should give Leggy a feel for homework, lol. There will be mentions of Fal, but, so far, we won't be seeing him. Who knows, my stories tend to take on a life of their own. Yes, I usually have my stories written before I post them. I have three stories after this one finished, too. The only reason this one isn't written is because I realized I needed a story in between Secret Alliances and the next one. So I'm trying to whip it together all fast.
Das Blume: Jeez, I had like, three copies of that Galadriel email. They were like bunnies, they just multiplying, lol. I don't know, it was bizarre. Haha, yes, Thranduil hates work just as much as Leggy. . . but if Legolas is the crown prince, he needs to know how to do this stuff, right? I just got the best image of Legolas doing dishes. Haha. Yes, you know me, though he won't be a slave in this particular fic. Then again, I think this one puts him through something worse. . . but shh! Don't tell anyone. Good luck with inventing that son!
Irish QT: Thank you so much! That was so nice! I hope I didn't make you wait too long!
Shadowhunter: Don't worry, I've at least ten chapters planned, probably more, and the next three in this series are ready to go after this!
Jenzy: I've never had anyone send me such an eloquent death threat. I'm assuming you've at least read Secret Alliances, right? If not, let me know, and I will give you as many details of Mithfalas as I can. Unfortunately, you voted for the wrong story to learn more of Mithfalas. All he receives in this are a few notable mentions. Yes, in truth, your use of language is beautiful. It puts me to shame, to be honest. So for that, I congratulate you. Don't worry, I usually never review every chapter either. I never really expect people too, either. I appreciate your reviews, whether they are copious or few.
Coolio02: I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long!
Nenya: I'm not saying anything other than his name is a hint. There's more than one thing that can mean, so don't hurt me just yet, okay? An email of Leggy is headed your way! I hope it's not too big, I just threw all the good pictures of the headpiece in there. I don't have a good RotK pic page though, terribly sorry. I think they're making a Pirates 2 and 3. And I will make up some compute-version of a quote from the movie next time around, okay?