The Wrong One
By Nefhiriel
A/N: Oh, thank you all SO much! I got so many wonderful reviews for the last chapter – I was just walking on air I was just so happy : ) Thank you!!! And I apologize for how long it took me to post this…The 'log in' wasn't working yesterday, so I couldn't do it then, and since I was gone all day I couldn't finish getting this chapter ready until now : b I'm sorry, you really did deserve it sooner than this : (
Chapter 22: Freedom and Escape
"…he's coming around…"
"Estel?"
"….open your eyes…"
"Please, mellon-nín?"
One voice merged into another as consciousness threatened to steal him away from the peaceful quietness. Aragorn couldn't really say how many voices there were or who they belonged to. All he knew was that there were voices. Everywhere. He centered on the last voice. Drawn to the mellow sound of his friend's voice even in his half-conscious state, he strained to get his eyes open. He struggled until they finally opened; or at least he hoped they were open.
Since he was blind everything was still black, of course, and his annoyingly sluggish brain wasn't talking to him yet. It simply refused to supply him with any useful information. He weighed his options. It would sound incredibly stupid, he realized, to ask them (whoever 'them' was) if his eyes were open or closed…No, that wouldn't work.
Just wait until my brain decides to return to speaking terms?
That appeared to be his only other option, so he waited.
"Umm, Estel? What are you doing?"
"I said: 'open your eyes', not: 'open your eyes until they pop out of your face'."
So they were open. He could feel that much now and, Valar, were they beginning to hurt. He let them slide a fraction closed. Much better.
"Are you alright, Estel?"
Legolas. That was Legolas's voice. Now that his brain was cooperating, Aragorn was free to start thinking about other more important things besides whether or not his body was obeying his commands.
"Estel! Will you please say something?"
Legolas's voice was becoming more urgent. Aragorn decided it was time to give his friend an assurance that, yes, life did exists somewhere in this uncooperative body of his. So it was down to the ultimate test: speaking.
"M-mellon-nín?"
It sounded a lot closer to croaking than actual speaking, but it got his message across. He heard at least three sighs of relief and then cool liquid was sliding down his throat. Now his senses were restored to full alert.
It was a welcome change that greeted his reviving senses. He could feel the softness of bed beneath him, instead of the hard ground or a taught stretcher. His hand clenched the smooth, clean sheets that completely enveloped him. Aragorn knew that Elrond, at times, worked miracles, still it seemed a little bizarre, even for him. How in the name of Arda did he get a bed out in the middle of the woods?
"How… Where…?"
"We're back in Rivendell, Estel." Elrohir answered his question.
So maybe his brain wasn't completely reliable as of yet. He would have to work on that a little harder. Once he'd finished scolding his brain for assuming something so implausible, Aragorn remembered the three figures that were, undoubtedly, waiting for him to say more. The more he contemplated his next words them more it began to dawn on him. And in a burst he exclaimed:
"Rivendell!"
If he could have seen at that moment what he would have seen was three startled elves jump at his sudden outburst, and then stare at the "invalid" human lying "near death" in the bed. But, at that moment Aragorn didn't happen to have the pleasure of sight. So, oblivious to their astonishment, he continued:
"Eru, how long have I been unconscious?"
As he spoke Aragorn tried to sit up. Before anyone had the chance to rush forward and force him to lie down, he fell back onto the bed with a moan of pain. That was the second time that his near-fatal wound had "slipped his mind".
"Estel…" Elrond's voice held a gentle reprimand.
"Ada!" Aragorn smiled, "I didn't realize you were here."
"I heard noise and decided I'd better check on you. I see you're trying to escape already?"
"Not really, Ada." he grinned sheepishly, "I guess I just forgot that I was wounded, that's all."
"You gave us all a scare, ion-nin. When your heart slowed down so much we thought…"
"We—" Elrohir's voice cracked, "we all thought we were going to loose you!"
Aragorn was startled. He'd nearly died? Funny, he didn't feel like he'd almost died. At the moment, and despite his throbbing wound, he was actually feeling quite good, especially in retrospect to how he had felt.
"Promise me, you reckless human, that you will never do that to us again!" Legolas demanded, his own worry just fading.
And just how was he, a warrior—and brother to Elladan and Elrohir—suppose to promise never to get seriously wounded again?
Why was it that whenever you come back from near-death experiences people are always pressing you to make unrealistic promises like that?
If he remembered correctly, Legolas and the twins had alternately asked him this same impractical question dozens of times before. What did they expect him to do? Sit around his bedroom wearing full armor for the rest of his life? Maybe it would be better not to ask.
"I'll do my best, mellon-nín."
His indomitable smile finally won over their not yet reconciled terror for his life. Elrond checked over his wounds and, with relief, pronounced him on the mend. All around him, Aragorn could hear sighs echoing that relief and the sound of three elves dropping into their chairs.
"Elladan?" he inquired, wondering at his oldest brother's marked silence.
"I'm right here, tithen-muindor.(little brother)" Elladan answered beside him.
"Is something wrong, El? You've been awfully quiet, what's the matter?"
"Is something wrong?" Elladan's voice was incredulous, "What's the matter? What's the matter…?" he repeated dazedly, a dark undertone lining his words.
"Elladan." it was impossible to miss Aragorn's annoyance, "What is wrong?" he drove the question sternly.
The comprehension was fairly emanating from the rest of the elves in waves of invincible silence. Aragon had the feeling he was the only one being left in the dark. Elladan was being extremely irrational and strange, and Aragorn wished he would just speak his mind.
"Elladan, come on," he made his voice gentle, "tell me."
"I…" Elladan scrambled for words, "This is all because of me." Elrond began to protest, "No, Ada, please…"
For the obvious amount of turbulent thoughts he was harboring, the next rush of words were said with astonishing calm—for Elladan.
"This whole business with Acharndil is my fault. He was trying to kill me, that's why you were poisoned. And then you were captured and hurt—because he wanted revenge on me!"
"He was after me too, El." Elrohir said softly.
"Yes, but in the end the blame lies with Acharndil only." Aragorn added just as softly.
"But that's not all, you know it Estel! That arrow that nearly took your life was meant for me!"
"Elladan, listen to me." Aragorn said firmly, "Do you actually think that I would hold you responsible? Do you think so little of me?"
"That has nothing to do with this—"
"It has everything to with this, El. I love you, muindor-nín, and I know that you would have done the same thing if you had been in my place. You would have jumped in front of an arrow headed for me without a second thought, I know you would. Ilúlvatar gave me a chance to show just how much I love you, and I wouldn't have it any other way." a smile erupted across his face, "Besides, El, since when have you been able to control my actions?"
"Oh Estel," Elladan sighed, partially accepting the truth. "why do you always have to be so…"
"So right? Brilliant? Heroic? Dashing?" Aragorn found no lack of adjectives to describe himself.
"Try: annoying, exasperating, proud, irritating…" Elladan finally began to grin.
Everyone else was enjoying it too. For a while they'd all been afraid Elladan would never quit beating himself up.
They talked for the better part of an hour. Without comment, they passed over the events of the last weeks, choosing instead to blissfully ignore it all and talk about lighter, more commonplace matters. None of them wanted to think about the horrible things that had happened, or the problems that still remained.
Aragorn could feel Elrond's eyes upon him, searching for any signs of weariness. Soon, he guessed, Elrond would be forcing him to take some more rest. He was a little tired, but not enough that he would willingly trade company for sleep.
Every time he let his mind wander, evil pervaded his thoughts. He shuddered as he thought about being left in the darkness—and alone. He did not see Dagron, of course, since he was blind. How strange it was: he'd never even seen his face. It was really rather ironic, he thought, to be haunted by a man he'd never even seen… But he could hear his voice, and that was quite enough. All those dark days had burnt undeniable scars onto his memory. Even now, he wondered if all this wasn't too good to be true…
Aragorn felt a hand touch his own. Long fingers intertwined with his.
"Are you tired, mellon-nín?"
No. He wasn't dreaming this time.
"No, I'm not tired."
"Are you sure?" he could feel Legolas scanning him critically. "After all, you have been through quite a lot and—"
"Mellon-nín," he squeezed the elf's hand reassuringly. "I feel the best I have felt in weeks. I promise you, I really am not tired yet." he smiled. "And believe me, I know when I'm tired. I have explored each level of exhaustion quite thoroughly."
"Forgive my, my friend," Legolas squeezed back. "I forgot that it takes quite a deal more than mere exhaustion and life-threatening wounds to keep you down." The teasing in his voice was not lost on his friend.
"Speaking of life-threatening wounds…" Elrond interrupted their reunion, "I had better have another look at that arrow wound."
He pulled back the loose-fitting shirt that Aragorn wore, examining the bandage for any sign of renewed bleeding.
"The bleeding has stopped," he felt Aragorn's forehead and nodded with satisfaction, "and your fever is gone." he chuckled at the look of hope that had sprung onto the human's face. "But no, ion-nín, that does not mean that you will be able to leave your bed any time soon." ignoring the usual pleas for mercy coming from his youngest, Elrond addressed Legolas, "And now, Prince Legolas, I think that it is time you had some rest."
"And why me in particular?" Legolas looked startled.
"Don't looked so surprised, Legolas." Elrond regarded Legolas with amusement, "Do you really think that all the times you've faked sleep fooled me?"
"But I was asleep! At least some of the time…"
"Yes, some of the time. But not much. I don't believe that you have had any real sleep for days."
"What about Elladan and Elrohir? They couldn't have had much more sleep than me!"
"Ah, but there you are wrong," Elrond foiled Legolas' last attempt to bring the twins down with him, "just last night I ordered them to both to rest, and they slept for quite a few hours." Seeing more arguments already forming in Legolas' mind, he didn't pause, "When they awoke I took to my room for several hours as well." he didn't bother to tell Legolas that even though he'd "taken to his room", he hadn't actually slept. That particular bit of information was hardly likely to help his argument. "So you see, Prince Legolas, you are the one who needs sleep the most. I suggest you take the opportunity that is before you and retire."
Anyone who knew anything about Elrond knew that when he "suggested" something, it was best to comply. And so Legolas decided that he would take the "opportunity", and retire. And he had to admit, he was a little worse for wear at the moment.
The twins, watching Legolas stumble slightly as he moved across the room, grinned at each other, and neither could suppress a rather undignified giggle.
"Oh, and Legolas," Elladan said with a wicked grin, "watch out for the rugs, they can be dangerous! We wouldn't want you to trip, you know."
Smiling stiffly and nodding to Elrond, Legolas all but stuck his tongue out at them as he exited through the door. He restrained himself, but the way his hands were clenched indicated that this fight was anything but over.
Elrond was mystified.
Just what in the name of Arda what that all about?
He almost spoke his thoughts aloud. But, with an inward shrug, he decided against it—he probably didn't want to know. He watched Elladan and Elrohir, who were by now clutching their stomachs and laughing uncontrollably. Still, he had to wonder what it was they all found so hilarious. Sometimes his sons' sense of humor eluded even him.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Moranuen glared icily at Dagron. He couldn't believe that after only two days of being back in Rivendell, he'd already allowed himself to be duped so easily into guard-duty. But Elrond had been so busy attending Estel, and he didn't have the heart to bother the elf lord with his trivial problems.
Yes, once again he found himself guarding the wearisome human, and relief seemed very long in coming. So, for the last hour he'd been trying to resign himself to being a victim of the man's annoying personality. It wasn't working very well. Although Dagron had, for the most part, ceased to vocalize his complaints, his irritable mood was still contagious. Highly contagious.
"I don't suppose you elves ever bother to feed your prisoners." Dagron said contemptuously.
"Oh, of course, we do!" Moranuen said sarcastically, "We can't have any starving prisoners, we have to fatten them up for thekill, after all!"
"Oh? And when do you cowards plan on doin' that?"
"Look, human," he picked up a discarded gag, "I can always put this back on you."
Dagron gave him an evil look and then sulked. Moranuen sighed. It was in the nature and habit of elves to show mercy to prisoners, and he usually felt no compulsion to do otherwise, but sometimes… There were some prisoners, like Dagron, who didn't seem to want mercy, and at the moment he didn't feel much like showing him any. But, until Lord Elrond directed otherwise, he would have to be patient.
Dagron snarled a curse at the silent, dark-haired elf, and returned to his own thoughts.
As he'd passed thorough the halls of Rivendell on his way to the "dark hole" of a cellar they were keeping him in now, he'd carefully scrutinized his surroundings. He'd watched the elves, strolling leisurely about the gardens or wandering, seemingly without purpose, down the hallways. They certainly didn't look fierce or warlike… This whole haven seemed far too peaceful to harbor the warriors he'd seen attacking their camp.
He'd watched many elves, garbed in soft, flowing material, gracefully glide down the path. Even now, his mouth curved in disdain. No weapons in sight. Most of the elves didn't even have daggers. The only thing they seemed to carry with them in any profusion was books―books! A handful of book-wielding elves certainly weren't going to stand between him and escape.
And there were windows everywhere―they all but invited him to jump through them. Even from the second story there were plenty of bushes to land in, and then it was only a short sprint for the gate. He hoped that they left it open… Laughing inwardly, he smiled. And just why wouldn't they? They had already proven themselves inept and naïve when it came to guarding prisoners—they didn't even have a dungeon! His arms were unbound, due to his severed hand. He'd have to wait until his guard was distracted…
And then he would be free.
To Be Continued…
Reviewer responses:
viggomaniac: Hi! It's so wonderful to hear from you again : ) Well, I have plenty of stories up my sleeve…but it one thing to have the ideas, it's quite another to get them onto paper in a coherent form, LOL. Thank you so much for the compliment! I'm still plugging alone through a attack of writers' block at the moment, but I hope to have at least a few vignettes out soon, and I'm working on several longer stories.
annika: Oh, I'm so glad I could make your WEEK with one chapter : ) Well, you returned the favor with you wonderful, encouraging review! Really, it just made MY week to know that you're still reading and enjoying : )
Tinorial Peredhil: Hmm, I wonder what happened there at the beginning… I certainly didn't type that in twice… Must have been the stupid computer once again : b I'm so glad you're liking Dolenil : D LOL, I dare say Doriflen could distract Estel…Perhaps a little too much? Oh yeah, and Kaldur, although distracting, might prove a little…Stressful? (g) Yup, it's so much fun to play around with Elladan and Elrohir dialog, and see how funny you can make it : ) You HATE me? (pretends to look hurt) How could you say those things about me (sniff) I thought you were my friend! (sniff) OK, OK, so maybe I deserved it ; ) I have to admit, I'm beginning to feel a little sorry for that poor guard of yours… (guard glares at me) YOU! You BETRAYED me! You are the one who GAVE me to HER!!! (looks sheepish) Ah, sorry there, guard… Now Tinorial, be easy on the poor guy, it's his first job after all : ) Anyways…I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Hannon le, mellon-nín!
crazyAZNkid: LOL, so I'm not the only one who restrains myself from reading my favorite stories, simply to avoid cliffies? I can't wait for Cassia to finish posting the rest of BDaD… Then I'll finally get to read it! Anyways…I, too, am a huge fan of C&S stories (couldn't tell, could you?), so I'm very flattered that you'd like my story because you like their stories : D Anyways…I'm sorry you didn't think Elladan was quite in character… (sighs) Somehow I always get at least one thing wrong : b I'll try to keep that in mind about Elladan for future stories. Thanks for telling me your thoughts – it really helps!
elitenschwein: I'm so glad that you like the part with Glamdil trying to speak to Elrond : ) Hehehe, so your progressing with "the look" than, are you? I think you, along with Elrond, will truly put some fear into Dagron (g) Well, if you didn't like to hear other people ramble, I'm sure I would have lost you back there somewhere in the first reviewer response : ) Yup, you asked for the cliffie, I was only trying to make you happy ; ) I always count it a success when I get my readers laughing. But you were actually falling out of your chair?! Wow, I'm thrilled to hear that you thought it was funny : ) Well, I think this story is beginning (beginning mind you) to wind down with the angst…But there's still lots of humor left in the upcoming chapters. (eyes Nazgûl horse uneasily) Hmm, I'd better finish up with the other responses so that I can update…LOL. Sorry I couldn't update on Friday… Thanks for reviewing!
Joslin: Hehe, yes I know I was evil to leave you there… But you were just about right on with your guess : ) LOL, hope this was soon enough for you ; ) Thank you so much for reviewing!
silege: LOL, no, I'm not THAT cruel – I wouldn't actually leave you on a cliffy for a long time ; ) What kind of an author do you take me for? LOL, OK, OK, don't answers that question… Thanks!
jacquelinestel: Aww…you had a computer die on you? (cringes) Did you really loose all your stories? Ouch, that's got to hurt…I'm paranoid about loosing all my writings, so I'm constantly backing them up on CDs in case my computer ever crashes (or in case characters get out of hand ; ). LOL. Thanks for reviewing!
Hyperactive Forever: Well, I saw The Birds only recently…and I'm still just getting over it : ) Yes, when you said "I don't work well with scary movies" I definitely felt like you were a kindred spirit, LOL. I'm HORRIBLE when it comes to scary movies! (shudders) Aww, I'm sure there's even more than the lonely tumbleweed in that head of yours ; ) Oh yes…Poor Glamdil… (smiles fondly at nervous "councilor") He really is a sweet-heart, but you can't help but laugh at him : ) Thanks so much for reviewing!
EverKitsuneDead? You really thought I might kill our beloved ranger?! LOL, I'm not that evil, LOL. Hmm, with the "fat snake" escape? After this chapter I'm sure that's the question of the day ; ) But, you'll just have to wait and see what happens, of course! (authors code, you know…) BTW, your story is great – I can't wait for the next chapter : ) Thank you so much for reviewing!
silivren: Well…I don't know exactly how to answer your question (it would end up being a very loooong answer if I tried!) But I do believe that Legolas actually is Silvan and Sindar. You can find more information on the Council of Elrond ( councilofelrond . com – just take out the spaces). Look up Silvan elves in the encyclopedia. Anyways… I'm so glad you're enjoying my story : ) "Breathtaking" and "Mind-blowing" are certainly flattering terms for any author to hear their story described as! Thank you so much for reviewing!!!
HarryEstelLOL, I thought you'd figured it out by now – I'm evil! Remember? Hehehe, I know, it really was cruel of me to lead you into this false sense of security, and then spring another cliffie like that : b Sorry, sometimes I just can't help myself… Thanks for reviewing!
Anorwen06: Oh, I know all about R/L craziness – it's been attacking me viciously lately : b Just to know you're still reading is encouraging : ) LOL, and your not skipping classes either! Hmm, well, it might have been a good place to bring Acharndil back into the scene… But as you can see, he's still lurking somewhere out there… (eg) I have to admit, when you said "I do have a complaint", my heart kind of jumped into my throat. I've been having all kinds of minor problems (my computer messes something up, I missed a spelling mistake, I didn't quite do a character right…etc.), and I'm think "Oh no, what have I done this time…" And then you went and made my day by saying that my story made you laugh hard enough to turn heads – (sigh) That was such a relief : ) I was having a rough day, but your review really helped… Thanks!
elvingirl3737Hmm, other than being shot exhausted, and generally "womped on" I really haven't a clue what could have possibly been wrong with Estel… LOL. (eyes get big) A cliffie prize?! For me?! Oh thank you… (elvingirl holds out rabid vampire gerbil who promptly attaches itself to Nefhiriel's neck) Um…thank you…I think… I'll put my prize in a nice durra-steel gerbil cage… (grabs gerbil) Once I disengage him from my neck, that is… (gerbil bites Nefhiriel) Ouch! (finally manages to get gerbil into cage with Imbecamiel's help) Whew! And I thought writing this story was going to be the hardest part…I never counted on the prizes being so…vicious. LOL. Wow, I really am rambling pointlessly, sorry… (grins sheepishly) Thanks for the prize : )
Dagnir Erynion: LOL, yes, I know I was positively evil to leave you there ; ) Thank you so much for the review – I hope you enjoyed the chapter : )
Erulasse: First of all – Welcome! LOL, and don't worry if it takes you a little while to figure things out. Not even everyone whose been on here for a while has everything about this website figured out. Just when you think you know what you're doing, they go and change things again… (g) I'm so glad you enjoyed the part with Legolas tripping over the tree root. (Legolas glares)…er…I mean rock… LOL. Oh, I know what it is to have a bad memory! Grr…It can be so frustrating : b Cassia and Siobhan write such excellent stories! LOL, feel free to act weird around me : ) Ooo, I'm very flattered that you added me to your author alerts! (if you put an someone on "author alerts" you get an e-mail alert every time that author updates a story.) (g) I can't tell you how encouraging your review was – I'm so glad you found me an inspiration : ) Thank you SO much for reviewing!
A special thanks to Dagnir Erynionfor adding me to your author alerts! And to EverKitsuneand Erulassefor adding me to their author alerts and favorites list!
(duck flying objects) Oops, it would appear that I've finally pushed my loyal readers too far this time… (rotten tomato hits her in the side of the head) (Imbecamiel laughs) Yup, Nefhiriel, you've really done it this time! How on earth did you expect them to react when you hint that that… creep might escape! (Nefhiriel shrugs and turns to reviewers) Sorry…You'll just have to wait and see what happens with Dagron in the en—(an egg splatters in her eye) OK…I think I had better leave now…
Next chapter should be up Tuesday or Wednesday (this website permitting…), and it will be called "In a Heart-beat".
- Nefhiriel
Vice President and Co-founder of the SNWCG & member of the F.F.F.F.F