Author's Notes: Sorry it's been so long, all. Had a few miscommunications between my beta and myself. But it's all sorted out now!!!
Thankies!!!
To Elf-Formally-Known-as-Legolas: Well, I hope the story gets better and slashier as it goes. My beta says it does, so I'm trusting her! O.O You actually found a picture of Legolas drinking the beer??? ::falls off chair laughing:: Ohhhh, dear, I'm so going to have fun with this one!!!! If you still have it and you have a few minutes, here's my email: . Hope you enjoy this chapter!!!
To Legolas19: That's all right that you couldn't think of a name. I think I've got one and now I'm just searching for a free domain or subdomain provider, 'cause I'm too cheap to buy one!!! Enjoy the chapter!!!
To Katie: Thanks so much for your review!!! Enjoy the chapter!!!
To Star Wars Forever: Again, don't worry about the names. I think I've got one. I'm so glad you liked my other A/L fic, too! I'm here to please!!! Hope you haven't died yet from anticipation!!! Enjoy the chap!!!
To Zelda Saturn Mistress: Thanks sooooooooooooooo much for your help!! I got an 'I-Made-Zelda's-Life-Better Award'!!!!!!!! ::shows it to everyone that doesn't have one:: Go me!! LOL. I'm sorry about your dad, though. Is he okay?? And congratulations to Zelda's sister!!!! Thanks for the translations. Hope you enjoy the chapter!!!
To Nessa Inwe: ACK!!! Omgosh, please don't kill me!!!! I've been sooooo busy lately and have barely been able to answer or write any emails!!!!! Life's calmed down slightly since then. I swear, I WILL email you with those sites as soon as I possibly can!!!!! Thanks for your remark about the flamers. You're so right!!! Hope this chapter lives up to your expectations!!! (And if it doesn't, you're free to whack me with a broom!!)
To ForsakenOn3: Oh, my goodness, your review made me feel all squishy inside!!!!! I'm sooooo glad you liked the first chapter!!! I hope you like this one as much!!!!
To Jadesaber: I'm so glad you liked it!!!! And I hope that if you read the first in the series, you enjoy it as much!!!
To bradleigh: Thanks so much for your review. Really made my day. Enjoy this chapter!!!
To Shadow41: Thanks so much for your review. I'm glad you think this chapter measures up to my other!!!
To NiCoLe: I know exactly what you're talking about with the movie lines!!! I don't think people have discovered the wonders of subtitles and the pause button!!!
Dedicated to: My wonderful beta, Laura. Thank you soooooooooooooo much for all your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 2: The Fate of the Hobbits and a Surprise in Fangorn
Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn galloped fiercely towards the huge mound of smoldering carcasses. They dismounted, and as Gimli began sifting through the corpses, Legolas surveyed their surroundings and Aragorn stood staring numbly at the pile. Legolas's eyes caught sight of Gimli pulling something from amongst the burnt bodies of Orcs and Uruk-hai. It was a charred belt and dagger sheath. Legolas felt a great sorrow wash over him as he realized.
"It's one of their wee belts," Gimli announced in shock. Legolas bowed his head and closed his eyes, placing a hand over his heart.
"Hiro hyn hîdh... ab 'wanath," (May they find peace in death) he whispered, his arm falling back down to his side. Suddenly, Aragorn viciously kicked a helmet and released a scream, startling Gimli and Legolas. It was a shout filled with grief and anguish. Aragorn fell to his knees and stared at the ground. Legolas felt a wave of pain at Aragorn's obvious feeling of failure and frantically suppressed the urge to shower him with love.
"We failed them," Gimli whispered, still in disbelief. Legolas looked from him to Aragorn as he moved to look at barely visible tracks on the ground.
"A hobbit lay here," he said, lightly touching the earth, "and the other." He sat back, surveying the tracks. Legolas followed Aragorn's every move, unsure of what this was leading up to. Aragorn followed the marks. "They crawled."
Aragorn began hurrying along as Legolas and Gimli walked behind him, listening as he told of the hobbits' movements the night before.
"Their hands were bound," Aragorn said. He spotted something a few yards away and darted over to it. He pulled a broken length of thick rope from beneath the brittle, dry grass. "Their bonds were cut. They ran over here."
Aragorn straightened and began jogging away from the pile of dead Orcs and Uruk-hai.
"They were followed. The tracks lead away from the battle . . ."
The Three Hunters broke into a run. They stopped abruptly as they stared at the massive hide-away before them.
". . . into Fangorn Forest."
Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli stared into the thick expanse of trees that loomed for miles, as far as the eye could see.
"Fangorn . . ." Gimli breathed, terror woven with wonder and apprehension clearly audible in his voice. "What madness drove them in there?"
"We'll find out soon," Aragorn told him determinedly, starting into the forest. Gimli reached out and grabbed his arm.
"You don't mean to follow them?!" Gimli asked in a strangled voice. Aragorn's eyes held an amused twinkle and they flicked to meet Legolas' blue ones quickly. Legolas smirked and winked at his love.
"Of course," Aragorn replied simply before plunging into the forest. Gimli stared at where Aragorn had stood before he turned to stare, outraged, at Legolas. The Elf grinned at him before diving into the trees. He could hear Gimli shouting at him behind the line of trees.
"But it's Fangorn Forest!!!"
Legolas then heard the crashing of twigs and brush as Gimli reluctantly followed him. Legolas quickened his pace to catch up to Aragorn so they might have a moment to talk. A moment later, he saw Aragorn's lithe form dashing through the trees. Legolas applied an extra burst of speed and narrowed the distance between him and Aragorn. Suddenly, an Uruk-hai stumbled out into the path and bared his teeth, brandishing a bloodstained axe. Legolas shouted in surprise but, before he could pull an arrow, the Orc sighed in a gurgling cry of death. It fell facedown with an arrow shaft protruding from its back. Legolas looked from the dead Orc to Aragorn's face only inches from his own.
"Careful, now," he whispered before firmly maneuvering the Elf against a thick tree trunk. Aragorn stared Legolas intently in his eyes before urgently pressing his lips to the Elf's. Legolas closed his eyes and savored the feeling. Aragorn seductively ran his tongue over Legolas's lower lip, asking for entrance.
The Elf shivered and opened his mouth invitingly, drawing Aragorn in. They were oblivious to all else, their tongues engaging in a heated duel, hands roaming the other's body. The loud cracking of a branch caused them both to jump apart, faces flushed, lips swollen with kisses, and panting heavily. A moment later Gimli tripped through the trees and fell on his face. He quickly stood up and looked at Aragorn and Legolas, who both sported bemused smiles. Gimli grumbled and set off ahead of the other two. They smiled at each other as they followed the Dwarf. Aragorn reached and squeezed Legolas's hand before bringing it up and softly kissing the Elf's soft skin. The three hurried along deeper into the forest.
It had been a day since Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn had entered the woods, and they were all growing increasingly nervous and edgy. They were now silently scouring their surroundings for hints as to the hobbits' whereabouts. Suddenly, Gimli stopped and touched a leaf, bringing it to his mouth. He spat on the ground and half-turned.
"Orc blood!" he growled. Aragorn stared intently at the ground.
"These are strange tracks," he murmured. Legolas looked at him and met his love's even gaze.
"The air is so close in here," Gimli stated conversationally.
"This forest is old. Very old," Legolas said, his voice a mixture of awe and wonder. "Full of memory... and anger."
Suddenly, great groans could be heard reverberating throughout the forest. Gimli looked around and raised his axe, hefting it threateningly.
"The trees are speaking to each other!" Legolas cried. Aragorn looked sharply at the Dwarf.
"Gimli!" Aragorn hissed.
"Huh?"
"Lower your axe," Aragorn gestured. Legolas smirked and strained to hold back his laughter.
"Oh."
Legolas felt it was time to educate his thickheaded friend about the trees.
"They have feelings my friend," he said, walking around and looking at the forest surrounding them. "The Elves began it; waking up the trees, teaching them to speak."
Gimli snorted.
"Talking trees, what do trees have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings?"
Legolas suddenly felt a prickling at the back of his neck. He looked sharply at Aragorn before sprinting forward.
"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" (Aragorn, something's out there!) he said. Aragorn walked up behind him and glanced around.
"Man cenich?" (What do you see?) he asked, whispering into Legolas's ear. Legolas listened for a moment before realization washed over him.
"The White Wizard approaches."
He looked at Aragorn, who was steeling himself. Gimli walked carefully up behind the two as they conversed quietly.
"Do not let him speak," Aragorn stiffly instructed in a whisper. "He will put a spell on us."
Aragorn wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword and glanced at Legolas. The Elf notched an arrow discreetly as Gimli tightened his hold on his axe.
"We must be quick," Aragorn whispered. They three of them whirled around with a yell, ready to attack. Gimli threw his axe and stood gaping when it was shattered. Legolas released an arrow, but the shining figure in white deflected it easily. Legolas's eyes flicked quickly to look at Aragorn, shocked to see him drop a shimmering sword. The three stood with their hands raised, yet trying to distinguish a figure through the glaringly bright light.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits," came a deep voice from within the light.
"Where are they?" Aragorn demanded. Legolas prayed he wouldn't do anything foolish.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday," the voice answered. "They met someone they did not expect," he continued with an amused tone in his voice. "Does that comfort you?"
"Who are you?" Aragorn shouted, edging forward slightly. "Show yourself!"