Okay now, don't kill me please....hides behind Aragorn. If you kill me, you'll never know what happens, so who's losing more? LOL No really, I'm so sorry for the long delay, but now that summer's here and school's over I have a lot more time on my hands and the postings will come more quickly. But know that I don't have the story all written. I'm making it up as I go along so there are times when I writer's block hits me. Anyhoo, thanks to everyone for all the great reviews. Please keep them coming. I was planning to ditch this story, but after reading your comments I just didn't have the heart. I would gladly answer each review individually, but it'll take a long time and I know you guys don't want to wait. I think this chapter will answer a lot of questions you guys might have.
"My lord, your news thrills me, but I must say that I am bewildered. Did you report this to my father?"
"Indeed, I have, Lord Aragorn," replied. Thengel. "I sent this message with the news of Ecthelion's death. The soldiers sent by your father aided us more then we expected. Although we lost many, the Haradrim retreated. Is there something wrong?"
Of course there is, thought Aragorn. He just didn't know what it was yet. All he knew is that he needed to get back to Gondor and speak with his father immediately.
"Please," continued Thengel, "join us for a feast this evening. You can spend the night here and return to your kingdom on the morrow." A young maiden walked into the room. Her hair was of gold and stern was her face. "My daughter, Theodwyn. The feast is in honor of her betrothal to Lord Eomund. She will escort you to your quarters."
"I thank you for your hospitality, my lord, but I really must return home."
"So be it. Theodwyn, take the Prince of Gondor to the stables and let him choose the finest steed."
Aragorn bowed and followed the lady.
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Aragorn and the men rode swiftly towards Minas Tirith through the night. A few hours into the next day, they arrived. The stableman took Aragorn's horse as he dismounted it, making his way towards the Great Hall, in search of his father. But once he got there, there was no one.
"Deor," Aragorn called upon the man.
"Yes, my prince."
"Where is my father?"
"I don't know, sire. The last place he was seen was in the dungeons yesterday evening."
What is my father doing there? Aragorn asked himself. He went down to the prison cells and heard yells coming from the one where he had placed the elf. As he opened the door, a horrid sight greeted him there. Arathorn was mercilessly beating the elf who lay bleeding on the floor.
"What are you doing?!" he asked in horror. He couldn't believe this. Of course he knew that his father hated Elves, but to do this. This was too low.
Arathorn turned around, not expecting to see his son there. "You said the elf needed a lesson in obedience."
"Not like this!"
Arathorn didn't like his son's reaction. He walked straight up to him and looked him in the eyes. "Why does this troubled so much? He's just a prisoner. Even more so, an elf."
Aragorn didn't know what to say. He didn't know why this bothered him. He looked over his father's shoulder and saw the bleeding form on the ground. Why did it affect him to see the elf in so much pain? Aragorn looked back at his father. "You gave him to me, father. He is now my prisoner and only I have the right lay a hand on him."
Suddenly, a horrid thought came to him. "Is this why you sent to me to aid Rohan even when you knew that they did not need it? You knew that I wouldn't like this and you didn't want me to interfere."
"Aragorn, there are many things that you do not understand."
"Well then explain to me."
The King of Gondor was getting furious. He wanted to end this argument. "I will not defend myself to my own son. You apparently forget your place. But I ask you not to forget mine." With that he turned and walked out of the cell.
Aragorn watched his father leave and then he came toward Legolas and knelt by the elf, looking him over. There were many bruises covering his body and blood fell freely from the numerous cuts and welts. His clothes hung in tatters, while his back was almost bare. Scars of lashes were evident. But one injury truly shocked Aragorn. The deep wound on the elf's left side. It was about the size of his fist. His father's dagger was producing from it. The wound was made cleverly so not to kill. Yet it might as well of killed him due to the tremendous loss of blood.
Legolas looked up and locked eyes with Aragorn. Aragorn saw the pain and the sadness in them and for some reason it torn at his heart.
"Get me water and cloths," he yelled to the guards not taking his eyes off of Legolas. Confusion was evident on the elf's face. He didn't understand why Aragorn was helping him. Perhaps not all that was given was lost, even after all these years.
/Can you stand?/ spoke Aragorn in the Grey Tongue. Legolas only nodded and tried to pull himself up. But as soon as he got up, a small cry escaped his lips and his hands went to his side as he fell to his knees. Aragorn was quick to act as he caught the elf just as he was about to fall. He dragged him off to the side and leaned him against the closest wall. Legolas put his head back against the cold stone and closed his eyes. His body trembled slightly from the blood loss. He hated his pitiful state. He couldn't stand being so weak, especially in front of Aragorn. Despite everything, he didn't trust the man and was not planning on doing so.
Just then, a bowl of water and a pile of clean cloths were placed by Aragorn. He knew, though, that first he had to pull out the dagger before he did anything else.
/I need to get it out/ he told Legolas.
Startled, Legolas opened his eyes. This was too much. He couldn't let Aragorn do this.
/Get away/ he said.
"If it stays in you'll die."
"I'll die anyway. What does it matter? All is lost anyway."
Aragorn paid no heed to the elf's words. "Look, I can knock you out and do it that way, but in your state that won't be so good. It will be much easier for the both of us if I have your cooperation."
Legolas looked away and didn't answer. His silence told Aragorn that he agrees. Aragorn pressed one hand gently against the wound and had the other on the hilt. Legolas flinched. He really didn't like Aragorn touching him but what choice did he have? Slowly and carefully Aragorn pulled the dagger out. Legolas tried really hard not to cry out, but as Aragorn removed the dagger a jolt of pain rush through his entire body and his breath left him. He pressed his eyes shut and let out a scream in agony. It really couldn't get worse than this.
Aragorn winced when he heard the elf's scream. He quickly put aside the dagger and covered the wound tightly with a piece of cloth to stop the bleeding. When he looked up at Legolas, he saw that the elf had lost his consciousness. Still holding down the cloth, he carefully picked Legolas up, surprised at his light weight. Aragorn walked pass his guards and out of the cell, making his way to the House of Healing.
Upon his arrival, the healers cleared the way, allowing Aragorn to pass by. He placed Legolas on a bed and told the healers to do what they can for him. But they only stood there with their eyes to ground.
"Are you deaf?" he yelled. "He needs help."
"I am sorry, Lord Aragorn," said Bathma, one of the healers. "But we are under direct orders from the King."
"Leave then."
They bowed and left the room.
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Legolas opened his eyes and immediately regretted it. His head spun and the light hurt. He looked around to study his surroundings. He was no longer in a dark prison cell. He was in a bright room on a bed. His body was aching, but he realized that his wounds were dressed. How long had he been out? It was hard to say. On the side he saw Aragorn mixing something in a cup before holding it over a candle. Aragorn looked over at Legolas.
"Oh good, you have wakened. That means your strength is returning." He walked up and sat on the bed. "So, rumors of the amazing healing of the elves are true after all."
Aragorn placed an arm around Legolas' shoulders and propped him up, holding the cup to the elf's lips. But Legolas turned his head. This reaction didn't surprise Aragorn. He only smiled.
"If I wanted to poison you, elf, you'd be dead by now. I gave you a portion of this a few hours ago while you were unconscious." Legolas still didn't drink. "Come now, put aside your foolish elven pride. It didn't get you far."
As if completely losing self control, Legolas obeyed and drank the tonic. The taste was horrible, but as the warm liquid trailed through his body, his strength seemed to return. A familiar feeling took him over. He had taken this tonic once before. Many years ago.
"Thank you," said Legolas. Although he still disliked Aragorn, it was clear that the man truly wanted to help him.
"Your bandages need to be changed." Aragorn pulled back the covers and slowly removed the bandage on Legolas' side. The bleeding had stopped and now only dried blood covered the wound. Aragorn dipped a cloth in a bowl of water and washed all the blood away, revealing the nasty gash that lay beneath. As he wrapped the wound, Legolas asked,
"Why are you helping me?"
Aragorn paused, not answering the question. He felt Legolas' eyes on him, but he didn't look up. After a few moments, he proceeded wrapping the wound.
"Tell me why my father hates Elves so much."
It was Legolas' turn to fall into silence. Painful memories haunted his mind.
"Speak," commanded Aragorn.
"It was a while ago, before you were even born. Gilraen, your mother was still alive and wed to your father." Legolas paused before continuing. "Your father was once a good ruler. Until he went mad."
"Mad?"
"Aye. Mad with power. He met with a seer, who told him that his child would grow to be a mighty ruler. One so powerful that he would over throw his father and deliver the world from an age of darkness. When Gilraen became pregnant his lust for power over took him. He was so enraged that he would beat her and he killed his men for no reason. Your mother was frightened. She wanted to protect you. She ran out of Gondor, with the help of a few elves from Rivendell, foreseeing what might happen if she stayed. She made for Rivendell, hoping that the power of the Lord of Imladris will protect her from Arathorn. But Elrond had a vision of Arathorn coming after her. As much as he wanted to help, he could not risk Arathorn attacking Rivendell. He did not have the power to stop him.
"It was then that Gilraen sought refuge in Mirkwood. Queen Melian gladly took her in and helped deliver the child, while the king organized a great army of elves, hoping to lead them against Arathorn. But Arathorn ruled with fear and when he asked for the help of the men of Middle-earth, none dared to oppose him. He attacked Mirkwood at night, burning down the trees and houses, and killing all. The elf women clutched their children and ran, while the Mirkwood warriors fought. They all lost their lives... each one of them.
"He entered the palace. King Thranduil and his men provided a distraction while you, your mother and Melian ran out of the palace. Melian lead Gilraen through a secret passage, but wasn't quick enough to escape herself. She was captured by Arathorn's men. Thranduil's son watched as his father was mercilessly slaughtered by Arathorn, and he couldn't do anything to stop it. Before his death, Thranduil told his son to lead Gilraen and her boy, Aragorn, to Lothlorien. Grief taken, the prince obeyed. Knowing the forest better than any other elf in Mirkwood, he lead Gilraen around the battle. The forest burned. Screams of men and women and cries of children were all that the young prince heard, but he kept running on. Beings once so fair lay massacred."
Aragorn listened, wide eyed and watched as tears filled Legolas' blue eyes. He couldn't imagine that his father was this cruel. No, he wasn't just cruel. He was a murderer.
"Arathorn came riding upon his steed, blocking the path of the prince and Gilraen. His eyes were never before filled with so much hatred. Weaponless, the prince tried to fight him, but he could do so little. Arathorn pushed him out of the way and ripped Gilraen's child straight out of her arms. With that, he plunged his sword into her heart and rode away, leaving the once beautiful kingdom in ruin."
Legolas closed his eyes and held his breath, trying to block out the tears that threatened to escape.
"Continue," commanded Aragorn, ignoring the pain that he saw the elf go through.
"Not long after, Arathorn ordered all of the elves of Middle-earth to leave for Valinor, even when they were not ready. He made sure that word was spread that every elf seen was to be brought to him."
"What happened to Melian?"
"He took her, raped her, and then tortured her until her soul was broken and she did not have the will to live. She cut her vein."
"What happened to the young prince?"
Legolas looked up. "He escaped, but did not leave for Valinor. He swore upon the grave of his mother and father that he would take his revenge. But not so long ago, he was once again captured by Arathorn and now he sits before the very boy he once tried to save."
Aragorn guessed that the elf before him was indeed the prince. Otherwise, he wouldn't of remembered the story so distinctly. He now knew why Arathorn hated Legolas in particular so much. He saw it in his father's eyes when Legolas was brought before him.
"So that's why my father did this to you?"
"Yes and no. Indeed, he does hate me greatly for being Thranduil's son, but he did this to install fear in me, hoping that that fear would prevent me from telling you the truth."
"And yet you still told me?"
"I do not fear him. He's nothing but a coward."
Suddenly, Aragorn felt as though he had been slapped. He jumped up to his feet. "My father is no coward!" he yelled. It didn't matter what his father did, he was still his father and no one had the right to call him a coward.
Legolas was startled by Aragorn's sudden reaction. He thought that by telling him the truth he would open the man's eyes.
"He killed your mother, Aragorn. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"You...you lie, elf. I don't believe you. I..." He was interrupted by a knock. Deor walked in.
"Lord Aragorn, your father summons you."
Aragorn faced the man. "I am coming. In the meantime, take this elf back to his cell. He can continue his healing there."
Aragorn took one last angry glare at Legolas, before leaving to his father's hall.
tbc......
Ella