Hey everyone. I am so so so sorry for the long wait! I can't explain it,
Aragorn's chapters are so hard to write! No fears, the next one will come
sooner (hopefully!) because Legolas' chapters are easier. The next chapter
is the big spider hunt! (Or at least the beginning of it!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn growled in frustration. It had been a full month since the traitor had come into the inn. Since then, he had not come back for his things, nor to finish the task he was assigned to do. In that month, Aragorn had been able to come to no conclusions about the mysterious letter. Nifren, on the other hand, had come to many conclusions, none of which seemed probable.
Legolas' letters had also been coming less frequently. It gave Aragorn less and less to look forward to as his days ended with no results.
Berylla, for her part, seemed to be ignoring him. No, she was quite plainly ignoring him. He attempted to speak with her on one occasion. She handed him a mug of ale, then turned on her heel and left him, his words of apology still in his throat. Though, Aragorn did have to give her credit: she was far more clever than he had originally believed. She knew what his hesitation had meant.
"Are you going to ask me to sit down, or are you going to continue to stare right through me?"
Aragorn started as the cynical words broke him from his thoughts. "Berylla! I am sorry, I was thinking. Please, sit down."
"Thinking, were you? Still puzzling over that letter from the traitor? Which, mind you, you would not have had if it had not, in fact, been for me."
Aragorn knew he deserved that. He shook his head. "I was thinking about you."
She raised an eyebrow, but let Aragorn continue.
"I am sorry for my actions, truly I am, but if you would only let me explain, I think you would understand them."
She cocked her head to the side, her curls falling into her delicately featured face. "Such eloquent language for a ranger."
Features that seemed too delicate for her disposition.
Nonetheless, the man took the comment as permission for him to continue. "I was only worried for you. Frightened for you. My business as a ranger is dangerous, a fact which eluded me when I. . . whenever I look at you, really. The danger, however, is not for me alone, but for anyone I associate myself with. I did not wish to put you in harm's way. I. . . I am far too fond of you to risk that."
A hint of a smile crept onto the girl's lips. The shadows- dancing across her face in the candlelight- added a warm glow to her smile. "Do you not think that it is my decision to be in harm's way? Strider, I have been a barmaid since I was old enough to talk and walk. My father owned this inn, and I inherited it from him. I've seen my fair share of rangers, and the danger they put themselves in. I've known Nifren for a long time as well. I've seen firsthand what can happen."
Aragorn was stunned at this revelation, but Berylla continued before he could say a word.
"If you're always scared of the risk, then there's no point in. . . being with someone." She was dancing around the word, just as Aragorn had earlier.
He kissed her.
She broke away, finally, a full smile on her lips and in her eyes. "This doesn't mean I forgive you."
Aragorn laughed. "Point taken."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Nifren eyed his partner with knowing eyes. "Yer in a happy way this morning."
"I feel happy, yes."
"Cryptic answer."
Aragorn nodded. "I'm a ranger, what do you expect?"
"I had an idea about our traitor." Nifren thought it wise to drop the conversation.
Aragorn took a seat across the table form Nifren. "Did you?"
"I think he may be getting reinforcements."
"Should we do the same?" The giddy smile dropped from his face.
"Nay, we don't want to draw attention to this town. Too many rangers crawlin' through it would ruin our mission."
"But if they outnumber us, what good will too few rangers do?"
Nifren put his arms on the table, his fingers entwined. "We have spies throughout the city. They will help us."
"We cannot rally them in the event of a surprise attack."
Nifren nodded. "I know. We will just have to rely on our training in such an event. With any luck, our spies will alert us before they can surprise us."
"My middle name is Luck," Aragorn said, smiling.
"Yes, but, mind ye, yer first name is Bad." He laughed lightly.
"At least I can throw things."
Nifren looked hurt. "I can throw things!"
"Yes, but I can actually hit something."
Narrowing his eyes, the elder retorted, "I can hit you."
"All right, you win. Let's not get violent."
The smile on Nifren's face vanished. He nodded once towards the doorway, pulling his hood around his face. Aragorn did the same before looking in the indicated direction.
"It's him," he hissed.
"Keep quiet, lad," Nifren said harshly. "Don't stare."
The traitor walked to the bar and ordered a drink.
"House brew," Aragorn whispered though he was in no danger of the man hearing him. Nifren had grown used to Aragorn's ability to hear things farther away than most could. In truth, he believed it to be a lip-reading trick, since Aragorn would never answer him when questioned about it.
"Does she recognize him?"
"Berylla? I can't tell. If she does, she's not showing it. He's asking her. . . how her day was," he said the last part with a question in his tone.
"Why would he ask that?"
Aragorn shrugged, his brows knit. "Trying not to act suspicious, I suppose. She's giving him one word answers."
"Good. I don't want to see her in trouble again."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow.
"Don't be givin' me that look. Just because I distance myself doesn't mean I'm not fond of certain people."
The traitor was staying at the bar with no intention of moving soon. He sipped lightly on his ale and followed Berylla with casual eyes.
Aragorn tried not to stare at him, but it was hard when Nifren's eyes were solely focused on his own face. He had his back to the bar and was relying on Aragorn to tell him what was going happening.
Aragorn stiffened as the traitor grabbed Berylla's arm. The woman jumped, but nodded.
"He's asked for another ale, and she definitely knows it's him."
"Another ale? Surely he knows we are stayin' here. Why is he hangin' around?"
Strider shrugged. "Wait, he's getting up."
The traitor grabbed his pint of ale and stood from his seat at the bar. He took a few steps, then stared directly at Aragorn. The young man froze. "We've been discovered," he whispered as the man moved his gaze away.
The ale found itself splashed down someone's shirt. Both rangers groaned as fists started to fly. The traitor's plan was clear now.
"I'll chase him!"
Aragorn was preventing from running forward by Nifren's arm on his shoulder. "What?"
"Last time ye went after him, he got away. Ye stay and break up the fight." He nodded towards the stairwell where the traitor was escaping. "I'll follow him."
Aragorn pushed his annoyance at the words to the side, plowing through the drunk people to get to the fighters.
"All right, all right, break it up!" He spent quite a few minutes pulling the fighters apart. Eventually, after buying eight different men drinks as bribes to behave, the bar had settled down. Aragorn was partially annoyed by the lack of excitement in this, especially since he knew Nifren had not yet come back.
"Thank you."
The man turned at the sound of the soft voice. "'Twas my duty, Berylla. Are you all right?"
"It was him."
The ranger nodded. "I know. Nifren is after him now."
"No I'm not. He escaped again." Nifren gave a look to Berylla, which clearly told her to get back to work, or at least make herself scarce. When she was gone, he spoke again. "He's been watching us, Strider. He ran up the stairs and made straight for yer room. He was halfway out the window before I could grab him."
Shocked, Aragorn nodded, a gesture that Nifren took as a sign to continue. "He grabbed his things from yer dresser, Strider."
"That means he's been in my room!"
"Hopefully when ye weren't. Watch yerself real carefully, he may have done something in there."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas-
Our traitor came back, and escaped again. Now we're at an even bigger loss. He took his things, so we may no longer puzzle over them. We also discovered that he's been watching us closely. I only hope your days have turned more productive than mine.
I know you'll be angry at me for this, but I suppose if your father will not tell you Mithfalas' fate, then I should not. I do not want your father's wrath directed at me, may that be bestowed upon another misfortunate soul. I would not worry about it too much, however. He can't do anything now, and I highly doubt that Fal will be visiting you in Mirkwood anytime soon.
If you could only see me, I'm sure you would think me as much of a blithering idiot as Aldarion. Berylla is captivating. . . stop making your wrenching noises. (And I know you are making them)!
This letter should reach you by the time you begin your spider hunt. I wish you a safe expedition.
I'm sorry for the brevity of my letter, but there is nothing else worth telling you about.
Strider
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
After sending Legolas' bird away, he prayed softly that his friend's next reply would come sooner than the others had been. He could not explain it, but deep down, Aragorn worried for the prince.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Reviewers: Big cookies for everyone! (Something just beeped. . . That's weird. . .)
Dead: That is scary. . . lol. Uhm. . . if Fal dies, I swear to have the best hiding place so that no one can find me to kill me!
Deana: Mithy, lol. Well, see, Fal was trained for it, but then he was banished. So both he and Leggy (cute, Leggy and Mithy) have the training. Angst is coming soon, I promise!
Jazi: Oh, I'm hungry. (Sorry, that was random.) Yeah, I understand the busyness. Gr. Thrandy (hahah! Thrandy, Mithy, and Leggy!) is having some issues. . . we shall see what happens!
SPEoD: I can only ride once a week, but that's because of school and softball and guitar. . . and a double major. . . wow, and I used to say I needed a life! Be careful what you ask for! Yeah, Tir is annoying. I'm thinking of having Thrandy tell him off.
Silvertoekee: Lol, so many questions that I can't answer! But yes, Legolas and Aragorn will meet. . . in a few chapters. They need to have personal angst before they go through it together. Maybe at the most five or six chapters later. . . at the most!
True-Slytherin-gurl: Sorry about not getting the "soon" part, lol.
Wildfire2: Thranduil's not going anywhere, I promise! As for Fal and the future seeing dreams. . . let's just say that not everything is as it seems on the surface. (Could that be any more cryptic?)
Lady Aqawondel: Sorry about not updating sooner! You can trust Minastir. He's been protecting and helping Legolas since he was an elfling and is one of Thranduil's most trusted advisors. But yeah, he seems to have a quality about him that no one likes. His part of the story is not yet over, though. Thanks for the review!
Gwyn: Lol, I thought it was cute too.
Das Blume: You know what else he does quite nicely? Basket-weaving! Tel's so much fun to write. He's just sort of, "I know you're thinking it anyway, so I'm gonna say it!" or "Hold my tongue? What's that mean?" He's so cool. I love Aldarion too, though, because where would they be without a serious head? Some of the servants work at night to do chores that aren't done during the day. . . like, cleaning the floors. You wouldn't want guests to see your servants cleaning the floors, would you? So they heard him by chance on several occasions. Thanks for the fun review!
Dimostiel: Hun, if a spider is planning something, my guess is BAD. Sorry my updates have been few and far between! Aragorn inspiration is just not coming to me lately! Leggy's chapter should come more quickly.
Nenya: Tir is not going to die. Neither is Legolas, lol. You gave me a great idea about Telemnar, though. Thanks! Yeah, he is oh-so fun! I've grown rather attached. And to think he was such a jerk to Aragorn. Hm. . . the muse is jabbering. . . aw, thanks! I'm so glad you like Fal! (And in response to something somewhere in your review: ask and ye shall receive. Now, sh! Don't tell anyone!)
Angel With No Wings: So I take it you don't like Minastir, huh? I can't imagine why (lol). Yay! You like my OC's! You are so cool! Are you kidding? You took every part in Fal's fate! (Just a hint, I've never actually planned on killing him. I do it just to torture you guys. Now, keep in mind, if the muse asks of it, my mind may change in the future, but he's got a while now.)
Kenderbender: Thank you for the reviews! I'm glad you like them! (If you ever catch up, lol!) Your story will be well received, I think!
Okay guys, do we still love me? Just so you know, I really appreciate all of your reviews! Even the criticism! I actually get a lot of my ideas from your reviews, so thank you immensely!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Aragorn growled in frustration. It had been a full month since the traitor had come into the inn. Since then, he had not come back for his things, nor to finish the task he was assigned to do. In that month, Aragorn had been able to come to no conclusions about the mysterious letter. Nifren, on the other hand, had come to many conclusions, none of which seemed probable.
Legolas' letters had also been coming less frequently. It gave Aragorn less and less to look forward to as his days ended with no results.
Berylla, for her part, seemed to be ignoring him. No, she was quite plainly ignoring him. He attempted to speak with her on one occasion. She handed him a mug of ale, then turned on her heel and left him, his words of apology still in his throat. Though, Aragorn did have to give her credit: she was far more clever than he had originally believed. She knew what his hesitation had meant.
"Are you going to ask me to sit down, or are you going to continue to stare right through me?"
Aragorn started as the cynical words broke him from his thoughts. "Berylla! I am sorry, I was thinking. Please, sit down."
"Thinking, were you? Still puzzling over that letter from the traitor? Which, mind you, you would not have had if it had not, in fact, been for me."
Aragorn knew he deserved that. He shook his head. "I was thinking about you."
She raised an eyebrow, but let Aragorn continue.
"I am sorry for my actions, truly I am, but if you would only let me explain, I think you would understand them."
She cocked her head to the side, her curls falling into her delicately featured face. "Such eloquent language for a ranger."
Features that seemed too delicate for her disposition.
Nonetheless, the man took the comment as permission for him to continue. "I was only worried for you. Frightened for you. My business as a ranger is dangerous, a fact which eluded me when I. . . whenever I look at you, really. The danger, however, is not for me alone, but for anyone I associate myself with. I did not wish to put you in harm's way. I. . . I am far too fond of you to risk that."
A hint of a smile crept onto the girl's lips. The shadows- dancing across her face in the candlelight- added a warm glow to her smile. "Do you not think that it is my decision to be in harm's way? Strider, I have been a barmaid since I was old enough to talk and walk. My father owned this inn, and I inherited it from him. I've seen my fair share of rangers, and the danger they put themselves in. I've known Nifren for a long time as well. I've seen firsthand what can happen."
Aragorn was stunned at this revelation, but Berylla continued before he could say a word.
"If you're always scared of the risk, then there's no point in. . . being with someone." She was dancing around the word, just as Aragorn had earlier.
He kissed her.
She broke away, finally, a full smile on her lips and in her eyes. "This doesn't mean I forgive you."
Aragorn laughed. "Point taken."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Nifren eyed his partner with knowing eyes. "Yer in a happy way this morning."
"I feel happy, yes."
"Cryptic answer."
Aragorn nodded. "I'm a ranger, what do you expect?"
"I had an idea about our traitor." Nifren thought it wise to drop the conversation.
Aragorn took a seat across the table form Nifren. "Did you?"
"I think he may be getting reinforcements."
"Should we do the same?" The giddy smile dropped from his face.
"Nay, we don't want to draw attention to this town. Too many rangers crawlin' through it would ruin our mission."
"But if they outnumber us, what good will too few rangers do?"
Nifren put his arms on the table, his fingers entwined. "We have spies throughout the city. They will help us."
"We cannot rally them in the event of a surprise attack."
Nifren nodded. "I know. We will just have to rely on our training in such an event. With any luck, our spies will alert us before they can surprise us."
"My middle name is Luck," Aragorn said, smiling.
"Yes, but, mind ye, yer first name is Bad." He laughed lightly.
"At least I can throw things."
Nifren looked hurt. "I can throw things!"
"Yes, but I can actually hit something."
Narrowing his eyes, the elder retorted, "I can hit you."
"All right, you win. Let's not get violent."
The smile on Nifren's face vanished. He nodded once towards the doorway, pulling his hood around his face. Aragorn did the same before looking in the indicated direction.
"It's him," he hissed.
"Keep quiet, lad," Nifren said harshly. "Don't stare."
The traitor walked to the bar and ordered a drink.
"House brew," Aragorn whispered though he was in no danger of the man hearing him. Nifren had grown used to Aragorn's ability to hear things farther away than most could. In truth, he believed it to be a lip-reading trick, since Aragorn would never answer him when questioned about it.
"Does she recognize him?"
"Berylla? I can't tell. If she does, she's not showing it. He's asking her. . . how her day was," he said the last part with a question in his tone.
"Why would he ask that?"
Aragorn shrugged, his brows knit. "Trying not to act suspicious, I suppose. She's giving him one word answers."
"Good. I don't want to see her in trouble again."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow.
"Don't be givin' me that look. Just because I distance myself doesn't mean I'm not fond of certain people."
The traitor was staying at the bar with no intention of moving soon. He sipped lightly on his ale and followed Berylla with casual eyes.
Aragorn tried not to stare at him, but it was hard when Nifren's eyes were solely focused on his own face. He had his back to the bar and was relying on Aragorn to tell him what was going happening.
Aragorn stiffened as the traitor grabbed Berylla's arm. The woman jumped, but nodded.
"He's asked for another ale, and she definitely knows it's him."
"Another ale? Surely he knows we are stayin' here. Why is he hangin' around?"
Strider shrugged. "Wait, he's getting up."
The traitor grabbed his pint of ale and stood from his seat at the bar. He took a few steps, then stared directly at Aragorn. The young man froze. "We've been discovered," he whispered as the man moved his gaze away.
The ale found itself splashed down someone's shirt. Both rangers groaned as fists started to fly. The traitor's plan was clear now.
"I'll chase him!"
Aragorn was preventing from running forward by Nifren's arm on his shoulder. "What?"
"Last time ye went after him, he got away. Ye stay and break up the fight." He nodded towards the stairwell where the traitor was escaping. "I'll follow him."
Aragorn pushed his annoyance at the words to the side, plowing through the drunk people to get to the fighters.
"All right, all right, break it up!" He spent quite a few minutes pulling the fighters apart. Eventually, after buying eight different men drinks as bribes to behave, the bar had settled down. Aragorn was partially annoyed by the lack of excitement in this, especially since he knew Nifren had not yet come back.
"Thank you."
The man turned at the sound of the soft voice. "'Twas my duty, Berylla. Are you all right?"
"It was him."
The ranger nodded. "I know. Nifren is after him now."
"No I'm not. He escaped again." Nifren gave a look to Berylla, which clearly told her to get back to work, or at least make herself scarce. When she was gone, he spoke again. "He's been watching us, Strider. He ran up the stairs and made straight for yer room. He was halfway out the window before I could grab him."
Shocked, Aragorn nodded, a gesture that Nifren took as a sign to continue. "He grabbed his things from yer dresser, Strider."
"That means he's been in my room!"
"Hopefully when ye weren't. Watch yerself real carefully, he may have done something in there."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Legolas-
Our traitor came back, and escaped again. Now we're at an even bigger loss. He took his things, so we may no longer puzzle over them. We also discovered that he's been watching us closely. I only hope your days have turned more productive than mine.
I know you'll be angry at me for this, but I suppose if your father will not tell you Mithfalas' fate, then I should not. I do not want your father's wrath directed at me, may that be bestowed upon another misfortunate soul. I would not worry about it too much, however. He can't do anything now, and I highly doubt that Fal will be visiting you in Mirkwood anytime soon.
If you could only see me, I'm sure you would think me as much of a blithering idiot as Aldarion. Berylla is captivating. . . stop making your wrenching noises. (And I know you are making them)!
This letter should reach you by the time you begin your spider hunt. I wish you a safe expedition.
I'm sorry for the brevity of my letter, but there is nothing else worth telling you about.
Strider
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
After sending Legolas' bird away, he prayed softly that his friend's next reply would come sooner than the others had been. He could not explain it, but deep down, Aragorn worried for the prince.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
Reviewers: Big cookies for everyone! (Something just beeped. . . That's weird. . .)
Dead: That is scary. . . lol. Uhm. . . if Fal dies, I swear to have the best hiding place so that no one can find me to kill me!
Deana: Mithy, lol. Well, see, Fal was trained for it, but then he was banished. So both he and Leggy (cute, Leggy and Mithy) have the training. Angst is coming soon, I promise!
Jazi: Oh, I'm hungry. (Sorry, that was random.) Yeah, I understand the busyness. Gr. Thrandy (hahah! Thrandy, Mithy, and Leggy!) is having some issues. . . we shall see what happens!
SPEoD: I can only ride once a week, but that's because of school and softball and guitar. . . and a double major. . . wow, and I used to say I needed a life! Be careful what you ask for! Yeah, Tir is annoying. I'm thinking of having Thrandy tell him off.
Silvertoekee: Lol, so many questions that I can't answer! But yes, Legolas and Aragorn will meet. . . in a few chapters. They need to have personal angst before they go through it together. Maybe at the most five or six chapters later. . . at the most!
True-Slytherin-gurl: Sorry about not getting the "soon" part, lol.
Wildfire2: Thranduil's not going anywhere, I promise! As for Fal and the future seeing dreams. . . let's just say that not everything is as it seems on the surface. (Could that be any more cryptic?)
Lady Aqawondel: Sorry about not updating sooner! You can trust Minastir. He's been protecting and helping Legolas since he was an elfling and is one of Thranduil's most trusted advisors. But yeah, he seems to have a quality about him that no one likes. His part of the story is not yet over, though. Thanks for the review!
Gwyn: Lol, I thought it was cute too.
Das Blume: You know what else he does quite nicely? Basket-weaving! Tel's so much fun to write. He's just sort of, "I know you're thinking it anyway, so I'm gonna say it!" or "Hold my tongue? What's that mean?" He's so cool. I love Aldarion too, though, because where would they be without a serious head? Some of the servants work at night to do chores that aren't done during the day. . . like, cleaning the floors. You wouldn't want guests to see your servants cleaning the floors, would you? So they heard him by chance on several occasions. Thanks for the fun review!
Dimostiel: Hun, if a spider is planning something, my guess is BAD. Sorry my updates have been few and far between! Aragorn inspiration is just not coming to me lately! Leggy's chapter should come more quickly.
Nenya: Tir is not going to die. Neither is Legolas, lol. You gave me a great idea about Telemnar, though. Thanks! Yeah, he is oh-so fun! I've grown rather attached. And to think he was such a jerk to Aragorn. Hm. . . the muse is jabbering. . . aw, thanks! I'm so glad you like Fal! (And in response to something somewhere in your review: ask and ye shall receive. Now, sh! Don't tell anyone!)
Angel With No Wings: So I take it you don't like Minastir, huh? I can't imagine why (lol). Yay! You like my OC's! You are so cool! Are you kidding? You took every part in Fal's fate! (Just a hint, I've never actually planned on killing him. I do it just to torture you guys. Now, keep in mind, if the muse asks of it, my mind may change in the future, but he's got a while now.)
Kenderbender: Thank you for the reviews! I'm glad you like them! (If you ever catch up, lol!) Your story will be well received, I think!
Okay guys, do we still love me? Just so you know, I really appreciate all of your reviews! Even the criticism! I actually get a lot of my ideas from your reviews, so thank you immensely!