Author's Notes: Wheeeeeee!!!!!! I love you all!!!!!!!!
To VRENDA-SAN: Thank you so much for your review! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
To ForesakenOn3: Thanks for the review! Yeah, I rarely cry at anything (my friends tell me I'm a soulless being), but well written stories that have sad endings make me cry. And so I don't particularly like them. I have a few ideas on the problem with the end of RotK I'm facing, so hopefully it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Hope you like this chapter!!!
To Katie: O.O Thanks so much for your review! I'm really glad you like the story so far! Hope you enjoy the next chapter!!
To Zelda Saturn Mistress: Whoa!!! Hyper much?? Omigosh, I love "Aragolas"!!!! Did you make that up?? Oh, I'm glad everyone's doing well. And of course a slow descent into true insanity is healthy!!! ;-D
To Bradleigh: I'm glad you liked Gandalf and Gimli in last chapter. Enjoy this one!
To Angelbird12241: Thanks for the review! Enjoy the chapter!!!
To Legolas19: I'm so glad you liked it! Sorry it's taken so long. My teachers have been bombarding us with homework and projects before finals in a few weeks. Hope you like the chapter!
To Isildwen: Hehehe, sneaky me . . . The answer to your suspicion is written in this chapter . . .
To Earthdancer: That's what it seemed to me when I watched the movies, Aragorn as the more dominant. So you think the little tenderness-bordering-on-sappiness is okay? I wasn't terribly sure of it.
To Star Wars Forever: ::squee:: Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the end. I thought that would be a cute little thing to add in. And as I said earlier, my teachers have been throwing homework assignments at us to get in a few extra grades before finals. Grrrrr . . . Hope this chapter meets up to your expectations.
To Nicole: Of course I'm using the extended edition! It's the only way to go, baby! It really is better, though, more information, more action, more moments designed specifically for people like me! You'll have to read this chapter to see how Gandalf knew . . . Lol. Enjoy the chapter!!
To Starlit Hope: Aren't they adorable?!
To SireenC: I'm glad you like the fic! The way John Rhys-Davis portrays Gimli in that scene was absolutely brilliant, so I tried hard to show that in the chapter. Enjoy the chapter!
To Werewolfgal: I'm so happy you liked "Fellowship." The sites are below, so enjoy on your own time!
To Yume-chan: Thanks so much for the review! Lol, aren't the flamers so funny??? I love getting flames. ::squeal:: Omgosh, I love your reply!!! Totally brilliant . . . and thanks so much for the sweet compliment!
To Rath: I typed up the best Elvish sites below because so many people asked for them. I'm so glad you like the fic! I couldn't help myself with the fish part. I had to put it in.
To Strangled lies: WOW! Thank you sooooooooo much for the wonderful review! Made me grin like the village idiot! I'm so glad you like both fics. I've worked really hard on them both. Hope you continue to read this one!!! I've typed up the websites for all the Elvish stuff below, with the best sites listed. Hope you enjoy the chapter!!!
To Shadow41: Thanks so much for the review! Hope you enjoy this chapter!!!!
To blackcat200: Sorry it's taken sooooooooo long to update!!!!! Major homework issues now that school is nearing its end (YES!!!!!!!!). Hope this satisfies your reading needs!!
To DustBunnies: Thanks so much for your review!!! I'm so glad you like both fics. I've been working really hard on them. I dunno, I think the flamers are really funny!!!!! This might sound weird, but I like getting flames. Really brighten up the room . . .
To AngelOfSoul: Lol. Yeah, that ol' wizard is too damn sneaky for his own good!! Enjoy!!!
To silver-sunn101: Thanks so much for the review! I'm glad you liked it. Enjoy the chapter!!!
Another A/N: Here are the best Elvish sites that I
And a really great, fun Lord of the Rings site (I love going here!
Oh, wow. Okay, I just fond out a lot of the Elvish I used was from a site called The Grey Company. DO NOT USE THAT SITE!!!! Apparently, other reliable Elvish sites called their Elvish "Grelvish." It's a scary kinda mix of Quenya, Sindarin, and their imagination. ::growls:: The next chapter won't be up for a bit because now I've got to go back and fix the last chapter of Love for the Fellowship and also a future chapter of this fic. Just want to get that finished before I continue on and forget about the nasty Grelvish I've been using.
Okay, sorry about that. Just wanted to let you guys know. Anyway, I'll continue posting new sites I find, if you guys want. And if you find an interesting site for Sindarin or Quenya or . . . whatever, let me know!!! Always on the lookout for new sites to visit . . .
And now onto the chapter!!!!!!
Chapter 4: The Arrival at Edoras
It was Gandalf who asked as he glanced at the other two, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Legolas' mouth dropped as Aragorn's eyes widened in shock. They glanced at each other, completely speechless and thoroughly unsure of how to respond to something like this. Legolas looked over at Gandalf and saw a smile lingering on the wizard's face.
"How did you know?" the Elf hissed, as Aragorn continued sputtering.
"It's quite obvious," Gandalf laughed. Legolas blinked.
"It is?"
"Oh, yes," Gandalf replied sagely. "The way you two were always rushing to the others' aid and always seemed to disappear together and then reappear a while later looking completely flustered."
Legolas and Aragorn gaped at each other, then at Gandalf.
"For example, while we were in Fangorn. Did you really think I wouldn't realize what you were doing when I couldn't hear footsteps behind us?" the wizard asked.
"We were hoping you wouldn't notice," Aragorn mumbled. Then his head snapped up. "Gimli doesn't know, correct?"
"No, he's still completely oblivious," Gandalf told them. They sighed as one in relief. He smiled. "Well, it's late. I'm a bit tired and going to bed. Don't stay up too late. We still have a fairly large distance to cover tomorrow and we must be at Edoras before long. Good night."
And with that, Gandalf winked at the two of them, then turned and headed into his tent with the others several yards away. Legolas and Aragorn watched him for a moment before looking at each other.
"Well, that was interesting," Aragorn murmured, wrapping his arms around Legolas and stroking his hair.
"Very," Legolas whispered before closing the distance between his lips and Aragorn's. They met in a sweet kiss, full of longing and promise and devotion.
The next morning, the company rose early and set off across the plains of Rohan. After several hours of hard, silent riding, they stopped as the village of Edoras came into view.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld," Gandalf said. "There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong." He stopped and glanced at Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn briefly before looking back towards the town. "Be careful what you say," he warned. "Do not look for welcome here."
Shadowfax cantered off, with Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn following. As they rode closer, Legolas glanced around him and saw a black silken-looking flag with a white horse depicted on it fly through the air to land near Aragorn. The Elf shivered and turned his attention back to the city as they entered. Edoras was somber, a dead-seeming city, filled with a wary silence. All the townsfolk wore black clothes. Everyone had stopped their chores the moment the strangers entered to watch them ride through the town to the stables. Legolas looked up towards the hall and saw a lady dressed in white standing at the top of the steps, looking out over the city. The Elf received the distinct impression she, too, was watching them.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli mumbled, so only himself and Legolas could hear him. Legolas smiled and nodded to let his friend know he agreed. They left their mounts in the hands of several stable boys and began up the stairs to the Golden Hall of Meduseld. Legolas noticed the lady in white had disappeared. A quick glance at Aragorn told him he realized the same. The four companions reached the top of the stairs to stop just short of several guards that blocked their way. Legolas scanned his blue eyes over them but could not detect any familiar faces.
"Ah," Gandalf sighed, relaxing a bit. Apparently the old wizard recognized someone.
"I cannot allow you before Théoden-King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame," said the one Gandalf knew. "By order of Gríma Wormtongue."
Legolas thought he detected a bit of animosity behind the words, but didn't have time to contemplate it as Gandalf nodded at them as a signal to relinquish their weapons. Aragorn pulled out his sword and knives perhaps a bit more viciously than needed and thrust them at the guards. Legolas pulled his knives from their sheaths and, just because he wanted to see the guards jump, gave them a little twirl before presenting them to the men. He smiled inwardly as the guard flinched before gingerly reaching for the weapons and snatching them quickly away. Gimli looked fondly at his axes as though he were saying goodbye and handed them reluctantly to the guards. Gandalf's acquaintance gestured to his staff a bit hesitantly.
"Your staff."
"Hmm?" Gandalf glanced at the wooden staff and grabbed hold of it tighter. "'Oh. You would not part an old man from his walking stick?" he asked as he looked innocently at the man. He hesitated for a moment, giving the wizard a disapproving look, the gestured they follow him into the hall. Gandalf winked at Aragorn and leaned on Legolas' arm as they entered the hall. At the far end, there was an ill-looking man with pale skin and dark, greasy hair crouching like a dog on the floor next to an ancient-looking man half-sitting in the throne. Legolas realized with a start the old man was the king of Rohan, Théoden, son of Thengel. He surmised the other man was Gríma Wormtongue. Gríma leaned closer to Théoden as Legolas and his companions approached. He began whispering quietly all the while his eyes never leaving the four approaching.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," Gandalf called. On a hunch, Legolas slowed his step and allowed Gandalf to continue on ahead. Aragorn and Gimli did the same. The three glanced cautiously around the wary hall and noted its unfriendly occupants. A group f evil looking men began following their steps with open hostility. Gríma leaned in close to Théoden and whispered something else. Just then, Théoden spoke up.
"Why should I . . . welcome you, Gandalf . . . Stormcrow?" the king asked, looking to Gríma for approval.
"A just question, my liege," the slimy-looking man replied, nodding. He stood up an started walking towards Gandalf. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest," he finished, his watery eyes bright with malice.
"Be silent!" Gandalf ordered. "Keep your forked tongue behind you teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!"
Gandalf swiftly raised his staff between himself and Gríma shied away.
"His staff!" he cried, cringing. He looked accusingly at the guards. "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
The men Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli had been watching warily suddenly leapt into the main part of the hall and dove at them. Legolas starts throwing punches, making sure to keep them away from Gandalf and also trying to keep a majority from harming Aragorn. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw one of the men raise an axe over Aragorn. Legolas leapt at him and tore the axe from the man's head and thumped him on the head. Aragorn slid a grateful hand down Legolas' arm before knocking out another man. Legolas felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up and he swung an arm over his shoulder and felt a satisfied feeling run through his veins when his fist connected with a man's face. All this time Gandalf had been walking towards and talking to Théoden. Gimli noticed Gríma trying to crawl away and caught him, pinning him to the floor.
"I would stay still, if I were you," Gimli growled, a foot on Gríma's chest.
"Hearken to me!" Gandalf was saying. "I release you from the spell."
He raised a fist in the air and flicked it open, closing his eyes. To everyone's surprise, the next sound they heard was Théoden cackling menacingly. Gandalf opened his eyes and looked at the king.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey!" Théoden accused.
Gandalf threw off his grey cloak, blinding everyone in the hall with the shining white light. Théoden was thrown back against his throne. The king cried out as Gandalf pointed his staff at him.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound," the old wizard threatened. Legolas noticed someone running towards them out of the corner of his eye and turned to see Aragorn grab a woman's wrist.
"Wait," he whispered. The woman looked from him to the king, distraught. She had a long sheet of blonde hair, which made Legolas think of his own locks.
My hair looks better, he found himself thinking. He mentally slapped himself for his stupidity before turning back to the mater at hand.
"If I go . . . Théoden dies," came Saruman's voice from the king's mouth. Gandalf thrust his staff sharply forward and, once more, Théoden hit the back of his chair.
"You did not kill me, you will not kill him!" Gandalf ordered. Théoden struggled to sit up.
"Rohan is mine!" the possessed king hissed.
"Be gone!!" Gandalf roared. He drove his staff at Théoden as he lunged at Gandalf. Théoden was thrown back into the chair. He moaned and slumped over in his chair. Éowyn ran from Aragorn's grasp to the king's side as he fell. Aragorn moved closer to Legolas.
"Who is she?" he whispered, glancing at the Elf.
"I have no idea, my love," Legolas replied quietly. "Perhaps a daughter of a rider in the Rohirrim?"
"Would she be staying in the court?"
"On that, I truly don't know." The two lovers watched, amazed, as Théoden's head lifted and his features began to change gradually into those of a much younger-looking man. Clarity and recognition seemed to return to his eyes. He looked closer at the woman supporting him.
"I know your face," he whispered. "Éowyn . . . Éowyn."
"At least we now know her name," Aragorn murmured, holding his hands in front of him and watching Éowyn reunite with the king. Legolas looked incredulously at him and saw a tiny smile lurking on his lips. Éowyn smiled and started weeping, giving a little laugh. Théoden then looked out into the hall.
"Gandalf?" he asked, confused. The wizard smiled.
"Breathe the free air again, my friend," he greeted. The hall seemed to lighten as everyone gasped and their eyes filled with tears of joy as they see their king rejuvenated to his former self. Théoden stood up and looked around Meduseld.
"Dark have been my dreams of late," he said. He looked down at his trembling hands.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better . . . if they grasped your sword," Gandalf advised, his blue eyes twinkling. The man that stopped them from entering Meduseld earlier now ran up to the king with his sword. Théoden reached for it, his hands still shaking. He wrapped his hand around it slowly and then unsheathed it, gazing upon the shining steel. Gríma shook and tried to escape while everyone was caught up with the king. Gimli spotted him, however, and pulled him back. Just then, Théoden's gaze landed on Gríma. The king's expression became stormy and he nodded at two of his guards. They picked up the protesting Gríma and forcefully threw him from the hall. He rolled and bounced down a flight of stairs to land in a fetal position on the landing, a trickle of blood running down his chin. Legolas, Aragorn, and the others followed the livid king out of the hall. Gríma cried out when he landed on the hard stone.
"I've only ever served you, my lord!" he beseeched pathetically to the king. Théoden advanced upon the cringing coward, his sword held firmly in a steady hand.
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" he roared.
"Send me not from your side," Gríma begged. Théoden raised his sword furiously to kill Gríma. Before he could, however, Aragorn rushed forward and grasped his arm.
"No, my lord!" he protested, straining to hold Théoden's hand. "No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
After a moment's thought, Théoden began to lower his weapon.
When he did, Aragorn reached out a hand to help Gríma to his feet. Instead, the man spat in Aragorn's hand, at which a flame of fury licked up inside him. He would have lunged forward had it not been for Gandalf's firm hand on his arm. Aragorn looked disgusted and wiped his hand on his coat. Gríma scrambled to his feet and shoved his way through the crowd.
"Get out of my way!" Legolas could hear him snarl.
"Hail, Théoden King!" shouted the guard that stopped them earlier. At his words, the crowd of townsfolk knelt in awe and respect for their king. The people behind him knelt as well, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf included. They heard the horse Gríma stole gallop from the city. Théoden turned back to the hall and looked up at Gandalf.
"Where is Théodred?" he asked, puzzled. "Where is my son?"
Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of their stomach.
Later that day, Legolas and Aragorn walked side by side behind Gandalf in Théodred's funeral procession. His body was carried by six members of the Rohan Royal Guard, which was leading the procession. When they reached the burial site, Legolas saw the woman from the court, Éowyn, standing near. When Théodred's body was handed to the woman standing next to the tomb to be placed inside, she burst into a chant in the Rohirric tongue.
"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended. Giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende, on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære," (An evil death has set forth the noble warrior. A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels, in Meduseld that he is no more) she intoned, as if each word were a struggle to sing. "His dryhtne dyrest and mæga deorost. Bealo . . ." (To his lord dearest and kinsmen most beloved. An evil death . . .)
The tomb doors were closed with a harsh thud. Éowyn ended her lament with a start.
Legolas and Aragorn waited until most of the townspeople had headed back into the city before following slowly. They walked back into Meduseld, where they were escorted into the main hall. There they were seated and offered food and drink. Gimli was already there, eating gleefully. Legolas gracefully declined; he wasn't hungry. Aragorn declined also, preferring to smoke his pipe. They sat there in relative silence (the relative being Gimli's eating) for close to half an hour, until two small children, a boy and a girl, were hustled in and wrapped in blankets by Éowyn. She went to rush past them to get hot food and water when Legolas reached out and caught her by the arm.
"What happened?" he demanded, looking back at the children.
"My uncle—Théoden King," she explained at Legolas' and Aragorn's confused expressions," was out with Gandalf Greyhame when Gandalf saw a horse approach with two children on it. One of them fell off, barely conscious. Gandalf and my uncle picked up the two and brought them here."
"What are their names?" Aragorn asked her, his eyes burning into hers. She seemed to calm down a bit as she replied.
"The boy is Éothain and the girl is Freda. They say they were sent here to raise the alarm by their mother, a woman by the name of Morwen."
With that, she remembered her hurry and continued on. Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other.
"Saruman is mobilizing," Aragorn whispered. Legolas nodded. Éowyn brought the food out for the children and stood behind them. Théoden and Gandalf came in and walked up to the throne. A chair was brought for Gandalf and the two sat. Éowyn looked up at her uncle.
"They had no warning," she reported. "They were unarmed. Now the Wild Men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot, and tree."
"Where's mama?" the little girl, Freda, asked, on the verge of tears.
"Shh," Éowyn pressed, wrapping the girl's blanket closer around her.
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," Gandalf told Théoden matter-of-factly. "All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children."
He leant forward and grasped the arm of Théoden's chair. The king looked at the gesture warily.
"You must fight," the old wizard stressed.
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak," Aragorn spoke up. "Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now," Théoden disagreed. "Éomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
Legolas and Gimli were watching this exchange silently, Gimli still pushing food into his mouth as if there were no tomorrow.
"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not," Aragorn told the king.
"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan," Théoden informed Aragorn icily in reply.
Gimli took a drink from his goblet, spilling it all down his front, and burped. Legolas cringed inwardly.
"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf prompted. Théoden looked at him before standing up.
"We will leave Edoras," he announced before exiting the hall. Gandalf stared after him. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas looked at each other. Suddenly, Gandalf was passing by them swiftly.
"Come," he ordered, his pristine white robes billowing. Gimli leapt up, not one to dally when it came to following Gandalf's demands. Legolas and Aragorn exchanged another look before following. They hurried outside in time to hear the guard that first met them (to whom they had later been introduced to as Háma) make an announcement.
"By order of the king, the city must empty," he shouted. "We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourselves with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."
The townsfolk were bustling around frantically, gathering their belongings and provisions and preparing for the move. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas followed an irate Gandalf towards the stables.
"Helm's Deep!" Gandalf grumbled.
"They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight!" Gimli growled in agreement. "Who will defend them if not their king?"
"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people," Aragorn protested weakly, trying in vain to find a reason for Théoden's seemingly unintelligent decision. "Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."
They entered the stables and headed towards their horses' stalls.
"There is no way out of that ravine," Gandalf replied, knocking several holes in Aragorn's argument. "Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn," he continued, speaking quieter now but still loud enough for Legolas to hear. "The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold."
"They will hold," Aragorn assured him, though Legolas could tell his voice told a different opinion.
"The Grey Pilgrim . . . that's what they used to call me," Gandalf recalled almost to himself as he stroked Shadowfax. "Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East," he instructed, mounting Shadowfax. Aragorn opened the stall gates and said something softly to the wizard. Gandalf nodded to him and nudged Shadowfax into a gallop. The two rode hard from the tables, causing Legolas to jump aside so not to be trampled. After a moment of watching Gandalf ride off, he walked on silent feet towards the stall that housed Aragorn's horse, Hasufel. Aragorn had closed the gate to the stall to keep Hasufel in. He was at the back of the stall, fixing one of the straps on the saddle. Legolas opened one side of the gate slightly, just enough so he could slip in unnoticed, and whispered a few soothing words to the horse in Elvish so he wouldn't make any sudden moves.
Legolas crept to the back of the stall and whipped Aragorn around without warning, immediately covering the ranger's mouth with his own. He backed Aragorn up against the wall and pinned him there. Aragorn opened his mouth invitingly and stroked Legolas' tongue with his own. The Elf released a tiny moan of pleasure at the action and dove, if it was possible, even deeper into Aragorn's mouth. After a moment or two of hard kissing, Legolas dragged his mouth from Aragorn's and kissed his way to the Man's ear.
"The first free moment we get alone after the battle will be the best of your life, I promise you," Legolas whispered into Aragorn's ear, his voice thick with lust. He knew his breath was hot and driving Aragorn crazy, but at the moment, Legolas currently had his hands pinned to the wall behind him. Legolas could tell Aragorn had clamped his mouth shut by the way his jaw had clenched together. The Elf smirked and took Aragorn's earlobe between his teeth and pulled. He transferred his mouth back to Aragorn's lips when he elicited a soft yelp from the pulling. Several moments passed as both tongues battled for dominance. Finally, Legolas pulled away, panting. Aragorn's eyes were shining brightly.
"I've got just one thing to say," he whispered, his voice a bit hoarse.
"Oh? What's that?" Legolas asked, maneuvering his body against Aragorn's with a throaty laugh.
"We'd better finish off those Uruk-hai quickly because if we don't, I might just steal you away from the fight to find an empty bedroom," he growled as Legolas' tongue traced random designs on the sensitive spot directly below his ear.
"What about saving Rohan?" Legolas asked as he looked at Aragorn, his eyes dancing with mirth.
"They can fight for themselves," Aragorn replied, shrugging. "Besides, this is more important."
That said, he reversed their positions and crushed his lips to Legolas'.
Author's Notes: Okay, so we find out the truth about Legolas and Aragorn . . . They are just horny, horny boys!!! Or at least, that's what I want them to be! Anyway, I've got a major question to ask all of ya. I've been thinking that at the end of this fic, before the beginning of RotK, I might add in a little . . . erm . . . SCENE between Leggy and his lover. Well, no, I'm definitely adding a scene, but I was also contemplating writing a sex scene for the two. I've never written one before, but would like to, especially for our favorite Elf and King!! What do you guys think??? Please let me know, because I've really got no idea what to do!!!!!!!!