I'm back, everyone! Yes, I know you're all saying "Well it's about time already!". I know, I know, and I am terribly sorry. Fact is, RL seriously got in the way. Both of my computers died and for this entire period of time I was computer and internetless. And also, school started and I was up to my head in stuff. But now, computers are fine and I seemed to get my life in order. Happy Halloween everyone!

Now for some review responses:

whoneedsaname?: blushes Thank you so much. I must admit, I actually was a bit scared about what it would turn out like and how people would respond to the sudden universal shift. So far, so good. J

galadriel evenstarI know just as much as you. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. Depends on the kind of mood I will be in when I will write the last chapter. If you read my story "Hands of Fate", then you know that I can sometimes cross over to the dark side. Please note, however, that I am not hinting anything. I truly don't know what the outcome will be. But whatever it is, I'll just go with the flow.

GozillaThank you, thank you. You've put up with me for quite a while now. Just hang in there for a few more chapters and then it will be over.

Melda AmarieI will, don't worry. The period where I was doubting whether to continue or not is over and it will not return. My stories are like my own children and to abandon them would just be dissolute.

Elysia of Corellia I had a strange delivery a while ago from a certain werewolf with a package for my client. I said that I will deliver it, but apparently he wanted to hand it to Arathorn personally. I let him. Aye, I still have people picking out those needles. And let's just Carcharoth imposed a very unforgettable impression on him. LOL

astalder27 I think some of your pleads may be answered in this chapter.

DeanaOh, I know. The scene with Legolas holding baby Aragorn was very cute. I actually don't know where that came from. I was not planning to write that scene. It just sort jumped out and I was in no position to protest.

Thank you everybody for your reviews. They are what truly inspire me.

Special Note: It has been brought to my attention that who I thought to be an OC character (Melian) was actually a canon. So, the name of Legolas' mother from now on will be changed to Meluriel. I tried to make the name something close to Melian so that you guys wouldn't be confused. I will change it in all the other chapters. Please notify me if this also happens to be a canon character (which I highly doubt is).

Let's then proceed with the story, shall we?

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Arathorn robes suddenly fell on the marble floor as he rose up sharply. The news of the wizard enraged him beyond his expectation. He knew that Gandalf's arrival would not bring anything benefiting him, but to hear that his own soldiers- men he trusts with his life- would revolt against him, just made him furious. He thought that he had made that quite clear to his people and that the fear he made them experience would block out any possible thoughts they might have for revolt. Under his rule the consequences for treason were so much worse than death. But apparently it wasn't as obvious as he would have liked it to be. That didn't matter now, however. Arathorn is their king and he will not condone such a matter.

As he started to calm down, he addressed Gandalf, "And when exactly were they planning to execute their plan?"

"At first light of the morrow, my lord," answered the wizard. "When I traveled to Ithilien, I happened to be present at a certain gathering your soldiers were holding. They said that they shall not pull back unless you satisfy their demands. If utter resistance be their answer, then they will strike, and strike hard."

"What do you suggest I do, wise councilor?"

Gandalf looked up at the king. After making it look as though he was thinking about it, he answered. "I suggest you meet their demands, my lord."

"What do you suppose that would make me?!" Arathorn barked out. "If I am willing to consent to every miserable provocation of my soldiers, how would that make me look in front of my subjects? My halls will then be filled with every unhappy villager, each with demands. How dare they even demand something of me, their king?"

Gandalf now moved forward in protest. "As their king it is your job to satisfy the wills of your people. Without your people there's nothing you rule." How stubborn and ignorant this king was. He only hoped it wasn't too late for the son.

"I rule Gondor!" yelled Arathorn. The echo of his voice spread throughout all of Minas Tirith.

After a few silent moments, he sat back down on his throne and put his head on his hand to cover his eyes. With his other hand he signaled the wizard to leave. With a humph, Gandalf gathered his gray robes and turned around angrily, making his way towards the exiting doors. As he walked out, he was eagerly met by the young prince of Gondor.

"Mae govanen, mellon nin," Aragorn said to the wizard, putting his right hand across his chest and bowing his head slightly.

Gandalf, in turn, did the same gesture. "Well met, indeed, my boy," he responded, placing a large, wrinkled hand on Aragorn's shoulder.

/I heard my father's yelling. What in Middle Earth did you tell him that angered him so?/

Gandalf sighed and walked down the corridor leading away from the throne room. Aragorn followed. /I told him only of what his own malice would lead to./

Gandalf stopped in his stride, unexpectedly, and Aragorn almost crashed into him. Turning to face Aragorn, the wizard's face grew serious and he switched back to the Common Tongue. "The times are growing dark, my lad. The throne of Gondor may be yours sooner than you think."

Aragorn looked up at the elder aged man and locked eyes with him. An aura of silence fell between them. Abruptly, Gandalf's expression changed as he broke into a grin.

"Tell me, Aragorn, how have your fared since our last meeting," he said, once again walking forward with Aragorn at his side.

"Not much to tell, old friend," answered the man. "Gondor has been peaceful since your last visit."

Gandalf laughed. "Oh yes. I did cause quite a racket then, did I not?"

"Indeed my friend. And yet I miss it. Your presents always seems to bring joy with it and laughter to the kingdom that has been absent for quite awhile."

"That I am glad to hear. Yet now I do not see your eyes in happiness."

Aragorn forced a smile to hide his feelings from the wizard.

"Oh no," continued Gandalf. "I've known you for way to long to be fooled by your masked expressions. Come, speak."

For a moment Aragorn hesitated. He wasn't sure if he wanted to tell Gandalf of the past few weeks: of the encounter with the elf. However, if there was anything he had learned from the wizard it was that to hide anything away from him would prove futile in the end, as the wizard had a way of knowing things. And so, he pushed out any doubts and spoke.

"An elf was brought here," he started.

This had sparked the old man's interest. Gandalf raised a bushy eyebrow, looking at Aragorn "An elf?"

"Aye. First one I've seen and perhaps the last. You have taught me much about their kind and your stories have never ceased to fascinate me. But to see an elf before my very eyes was a startle on my behalf. I sparred with him as well. He proved to be quite a fighter. A worthy opponent, I dare say. "

"So I can imagine. Elves do, indeed, possess a great skill in battle, but being caught so off guard by your father and being in much smaller numbers they could not withstand the fate that came to them. Arathorn had the great forces of Men on his side, including those of Harad who shared the same mercilessness as your father. I suppose you'll never have an experience like that again. So what gruesome death befell this elf you speak of?"

"On the contrary, he remains alive."

"Alive? That is quite a surprise now." Gandalf had stopped once again. They now reached the great court yard and stood atop the stairs that led down to the fountain.

"I asked my father for his life and he gave it to me. I don't know why I didn't want to see him killed, but for whatever reason it was, I was glad of it. He answered the questioned I have had for many years now, questions my father had avoided. Though my father denied the truth of the elf's answers, I disregarded it. The elf's answers were much too well replied for them to be false. He spoke of my mother and of the murder of his parents. I found out the elf is a prince of Mirkwood, a status no less than myself."

Suddenly Gandalf's eyes widened in horror. "Legolas?" he asked quietly, almost to himself.

Aragorn cocked his head a bit in surprise. "You know him?"

Ignoring the man's question, Gandalf grabbed him by the shoulders and asked, "Where is he?"

"In the cells."

"You've kept him in imprisonment?"

Aragorn was somewhat startled by the wizard's abrupt reaction. "Indeed I have."

Gandalf sighed, dropping his hands from Aragorn. "Did he not tell you he would die? Elves cannot survive in imprisonment. They need to be among the natural life and breath fresh air. The death that he shall now have is far worse than anything your father could've done to him. "

This Aragorn did not expect. He then remembered the elf's words: all you did was prolong my suffering. I will die anyway, without my freedom. He now knew what it meant and all of sudden he felt incredibly guilty. From the very beginning, something drew him to the elf. First when he stopped his father from killing him, and then when he saw him after Arathorn beat him. Aragorn felt responsible for the elf's suffering and wanted to end it.

Gandalf saw the Aragorn's thoughts, as they played out on his face. "You must get him out of here. And quickly."

Aragorn nodded. He knew just how to do. As a child he explored the palace often, and found many different routes out. Ones that perhaps even his father did not know of. Gandalf turned, making a motion to leave.

"Where are you going?" asked the man.

"There are things I must do. But I promise you, this parting will be far shorter than our last."

After Gandalf's departure, Aragorn went to the stables. Orlenir, the stable boy in his fourteenth summer, greeted him.

"What can I do for you my lord?"

Walking pass the boy, Aragorn eyed the wall of a certain stall. Turning back towards Orlenir, he pointed at the horse standing in the stall he was just looking at. "I want you to have this horse saddled and ready for me by the time I come back here. Make haste, for I shall be back soon."

"Right away, my lord," said Orlenir. Aragorn patted his shoulder as he ran by him. He then grabbed a cloak hanging on the gate on the stable and made his way to the dungeons, thinking over in his mind the best way out. He only hoped it was not too late.

Aragorn reached the stairs of the prisons, and took a torch off of the wall. He walked down, looking to his right for the cell of the elf. When he finally reached it, a guard came to stand before him.

"Open this cell," Aragorn commanded the guard.

"Is there an intended purpose, my lord?"

"Do you dare question me?!" Aragorn asked angrily. He had no time for arguments. "Now open this cell."

Seeing the prince's mood, the guard stepped to the side. "Forgive me, sire." With this he took out the keys and opened the door.

Aragorn walked inside and raised the torch. On the stone floor he saw the unconscious form of the elf. He was deathly pale and a pool of blood was beneath him. Aragorn placed the torch in a holder on the wall and ran up to the body on the ground. He turned Legolas over and placed two fingers on his neck. He breathed out a sign of relief as he found what he was looking for. The pulse was there, though it was faint.

Pulling out a flask of water that hung on his belt, he uncorked it and poured the cool contents in Legolas' mouth, holding up his head with a free hand. A violent cough escaped the elf, as he slowly regained consciousness. His eyes fluttered open and rested on Aragorn. Aragorn tried again to give him water, and this time Legolas helped him by raising his head up slightly.

Placing the flask back on the ground, Aragorn said in the Grey Tongue, /I have to get you out of here./

Not waiting for Legolas to reply, Aragorn placed the cloak over him and helped him to his feet, careful of the wound that still bled freely. He supported him by wrapping a hand around Legolas' waist and leading him out of the cell. After a while, Legolas fully regained his senses and more or else was able to walk on his own, though still very weak. Aragorn led them through many narrow corridors until he finally came to a small door in the wall. Opening it, he went in first and motioned for Legolas to follow him. But Legolas grabbed his arm, turning Aragorn to face him. "Hannon lle," he said. Locking eyes with him for moment, Aragorn nodded and then they went through the passage.

tbc…

Sorry guys, I haven't betaed this yet as I was in a big hurry to post. I will go over it again a few days from now and then repost, so don't flame me for any mistakes. But please point them out to me and I will do my best to fix them.