CHAPTER EIGHT
When You Believe
Aragorn stumbled back into the jail and he went up alongside the bars of Legolas and Rothinzil's prison. Legolas and Roth had been soundly sleeping, Legolas had his head leaning on Rothinzil's shoulder and Roth was pressed up against Legolas for warmth, but both were fast asleep. Aragorn could hear their even and heavy breathing. It made the whole situation almost serene and put his heavily pounding heart at ease to see his friends carefree for a brief period of time.
He was not going to wake them, but Legolas fluttered his eyelids open due to his Elven keeness to noise and through the dim light he squinted at the figure near them, just outside of the cell, which was their only safety zone at the moment. He asked quietly, "Strider?" His voice was damped with sleep; it was practically a yawn.
Aragorn said, "Legolas, it is I. Nothing is wrong. Are you awake then?" he whispered back in the dark.
Legolas answered back as quietly as possible so as not to waken Rothinzil, "yes. I haven't really been sleeping and I sensed your presence. What are you so joyous about?" He felt Roth stirring slightly and he held still for a moment and his breath caught.The other needed sleep and Legolas was about to do anything to let his friend remain lost in dreams.
Aragorn sat down as close to the bars as possible so Legolas could feel he was here and that the he and Roth were not alone. "I can prove you innocent. I have a way." He sounded so assured...exactly the opposite of what Legolas felt. It was also exactly the opposite of what his tone carried.
Legolas' tone of voice suddenly went very cold and he said, "no. You won't! You will be ambushed for certain! They will murder you Estel!" Does he not understand the urgency, or must he always challenge the Valar like his brothers? thought the prince antagonistically.
Aragorn gave a wry chuckle and said quietly, "they have already tried." He was not sure that ws something to be laughing at, but it was too late now and anyway, it was rather humorous that they had not succeeded. Or at least, that was how he tired to justify it in his mind. He knew that Legolas' opinion hardly concurred with his own and so he was not surprised to hear a little outburst from the Elven prince.
Legolas did not bother to hold still so that Roth would not wake. He spun around in the dark and grabbed the figure of the ranger by the shoulders. "Did they hurt you? Are you in pain?" he asked imperatively. "Estel! It isn't funny!"
Aragorn was undaunted and said, "they did me no lasting harm Legolas. Calm yourself Son of Thranduil." He gently moved Legolas' hands from his shoulders. As he did the Elf felt the chill of them and he gasped,
"Strider, your hands are like ice. You should be inside, you are not the one being charged with a crime here," pleaded the Elf. He would wager his life that the ranger could not feel his fingers. "You shall get frostbite!" he declared with a twinge of anger.
"I am staying here with you Legolas, mellon nin, you and Roth are not going to go through the night alone. Do not fear, we will get you home soon."
Legolas laughed with a bit of scorn in his voice, "home? That is across the Anduin and as we are now we still have miles between us and its waters!" He drew a heavy sigh and said, "you just don't know when you are defeated, do you? Men, you can't tell when you are beaten." He shook his head and all but spat, "this is the end, whether you can see it or not!"
Aragorn reached his hands through the bars and took the prince's head in his hands, bracketing it gently, "The end of the horse thieves. I will clear you and Roth's name then we will hunt down those cowards and bring them back to meet the people they betrayed."
Legolas tried to pull away from the man's firm grasp and the ranger let him. "No. You do not understand. They will fall in the end, yes, they will. But right now we are going to sink with them."
Aragorn sighed and taking Legolas' hand, he held it gently and then gave it a squeeze. The prince just laid his forehead back against the bars. "Legolas, you must trust me." Legolas gripped the ranger's hand back and said,
"I am so tired of fighting. I am just so very tired. Men hate us and we fight, win for a day, then they reject us again. There is so much evil in the world, and in its mocking face the foes of one enemy are separated because they cannot understand each other anymore. Men do not wish to understand that which they fear and Elves do not wish to fight it. I am just so very tired. Even the Lake Men grow leery of us and us of them. I trust you Aragorn son of Arathorn. You have never let me down and have been my friend even when it gets rough. I am too tired of fighting and so if you, in your youth, feel the need to carry on I wish you the best of luck. But know this," here Legolas closed his eyes as though against the dark, "it is an uphill battle."
Aragorn heard a soft yawn emit from the blonde Elf and Legolas' breathing even out into deep and slow breaths. He still held Aragorn's hand as though it was all he had to keep him holding on. Aragorn knew that in his heart the prince did not wish to quit and he could go on strong for a long time yet if he was pushed.For this the ranger was grateful.
Aragorn looked at Rothinzil in the dim light and he saw how the Elf was clothed in only his breeches and his along with Legolas' cloaks. Pity rose in the ranger's heart. Tomorrow, when this was all over, he would make sure that they were fed and that Roth got a proper tunic to wear.
The Elves would both have extra clothes in their packs, but those were locked away with their weapons.
Aragorn looked into the darkness. He could not sleep, he felt so excited and yet like he had struck bedrock. He shut his eyes, but sleep did not come. He opened them and stared about the dank prison and still sleep did not come. He felt Legolas' hand go limp and he guessed the Elf was finally in a deep sleep. He was no longer worrying, no longer fighting and Aragorn knew it was because Legolas was not fighting any more, but it was not because he was broken. No, he knew he had someone else fighting for him who was worthy and Aragorn felt the burden of both of the Elves lives placed upon his shoulders.
He knew it was not something to take lightly and he let go of Legolas' hand gently, so as not to wake the prince. Putting both his hand sin his outer tunic's pockets, the ranger kept them warm and felt them tingle as life came back to them.
Aragorn opened his eyes and saw light glittering through cracks in the stone and he realized he must have actually gotten some sleep that night because it was morning and he had opened his eyes. On the other side of the bars, Legolas slept peacefully. Roth had shifted closer to his prince during the night to ward off the chill he felt.
It made the ranger smile to see the friendship between the two Elves. It reminded him of his brothers. Rothinzil and Legolas were not brothers by blood, but Aragorn knew what many did not: they were sworn brothers. He did not know all the thought and reason behind it, but he did know that was what they were.
He got up carefully, to make sure that Legolas and Roth stayed asleep. They needed rest and he could tell they were both extremely tired because even Legolas had his eyes closed. He could see the Elves' breath coming out of their noses in puffs of white steam.
Looking at them he said in a faint whisper, "I will be back Legolas and Rothinzil. Just sleep a little longer and do not fear, for today you will be free." Legolas seemed to stir and then he held still.
Aragorn walked quietly out and he blinked as he walked into the bright world. The wind nipped him and he drew his tunic in closer about himself, since Roth had both his and Legolas' cloak. As he walked, the freshly fallen snow crunched beneath his feet and the noise seemed so loud in the early morning.
But he had to get to the magistrate's house again and wake the man if need be. He was not going to let his friends get killed that day. Brushing his unkept hair from his lean face, the ranger began to walk across the town towards the chancellor's home.
As he walked through the streets he saw that hardly anyone was about but boys doing their chores. It was earlier than he thought. The slush in the streets had frozen anew over night into awkward little waves and mountains with ankle twisting valleys.
The man found it hard to believe that he had even been out here the night before. The morning was crisp and no clouds hung in the sky. It was red, however and faint tendrils of night still clung about the crimson sky. It was actually beautiful in its own way as the colors mixed and welled together to create wonderful scene. If only he could be sharing it with his best friend. The whole landscape was ethereal and it seemed to be a sign from the Valar, all will be well and the night cannot last. A new sun has to come.
When the ranger reached the door, he knocked. There was no answer. He knocked again and banged even harder on the door. No answer still. As he waited another moment he took a chance to survey the house in the light of morning. It was not large nor was it small. It was made of logs and was seemingly snug.
He was about to knock again when the magistrate himself came to the door. He was wearing a nice robe, with a maroon colored cord about his waist. When he saw Aragorn he said, "my butler is not even awake yet. What is it you want? You can't possibly have any way to prove those Elves innocent. I shouldn't even waste my time..." He eyed Aragorn ad said with some reluctance, "well, come on in."
Aragorn entered with some reluctance himself. Even though he was a man he was used to the homes of Elves. They were close to nature and this place made him a bit uneasy. He had to tell himself that he was doing this for Legolas and for Roth. Otherwise he would have gladly run the other direction.
The magistrate stood by his own chair, which was large and very nearly over stuffed. But before sitting, he motioned for Aragorn to make himself comfortable in the chair across from him so that they might talk. "Don't get me wrong, ranger. I do not like to kill. I do not believe in puffing out flames, but these Elves..." He shook his head and sighed, "I can't trust them."
Aragorn said, "but the blonde one...he is an Elven prince...he is the crowned Prince of Greenwood the Great! Surly that must count for something? Do you wish to start a war with a race that if they so chose, could annihilate you?" Aragorn's voice was growing more and more distraught.
The other man shook his head and ran his fingers through his thinning hair. "No, I do not. Since the orcs destroyed our able men, we would not even be able to resist." He drew a heavy breath. "Yet if they did this horrible crime and let those men suffer and die at the hand of merciless orcs...then I can't say that I won't kill them." He then raised a brow at Aragorn and said, "don't bandy words with me. I know what place it is you speak of and saying its old name does not hide the evil it has turned into. Mirkwood it is now and should have always been. Where the Elves dwell are dangerous places."
Aragorn felt his mouth waiting to drop in shock as soon as he would let it. The elderly man gave a wry chuckle and said, "caught you off guard?" He gave a laugh, "those Elves used to be allies of ours until one betrayed us to the orcs. We were told he was captured by them first, but we do not know for sure."
Aragorn grimaced inwardly, for any Elf captured by orcs he would not be surprised if they were driven to betray those they cared for. Especially under the threat of torment they could receive for being an Elf, it would be doubled if they did not comply and orcs had a knack for making sure you were awake when they wanted you to be. "I am certain that the Elves did not do it on purpose. But you must understand Elves are not inhuman. They are beings like us and can be slain just as easily, they have feelings as we do and don't think for one minute that Elf did not lament, for if he betrayed you it is most likely his own kind was betrayed as well."
The man nodded slowly, as though processing all that he had been told thus far. He still was unmoved about the sentence of his prisoners. "Ranger, let me tell you something. The constabulary found them at the scene of the crime with a man dead and the others trying to capture the Elves. What does that tell you? Do you think that Elves are incapable of evil? Everyone can be evil if they wish, whether you choose to see it or no."
Aragorn shook his head sadly and said, "no. I know Elves can be evil, just as everyone else. But they have to be driven into it. Their hearts lie in peace and in joy. I have known evil Elves and so has Prince Legolas and his friend Rothinzil." The young Dúnadan sighed and looked at the floor for a moment. How could he explain to this man that the Elves were not evil, just misunderstood? "If you are not going to believe in the goodness of their hearts, then will you at least listen to reason?" he asked quietly.
The other snorted, "if I can believe it."
Aragorn said, "Two Elves cannot steal over twenty horses! They have no magical powers, despite popular beliefs. Or do you think they like your prison enough to not use a miracle to escape? Don't flatter yourself! " He scowled darkly and said, "it is impossible for them to bewitch others, that is the work of dragons, their bitter foes."
The elderly man nodded again and said, "Yes, as I recall not too long ago. They did defy the worm Smaug. But rumor has it they were after the treasure of his hoard more than because they disliked the creature."
Aragorn sighed. Yes, it was somewhat true. But the Elves also had grievances with the dragon. He had killed their people and helped to make their woods evil. It was not the fault of the Elves that their woods were turning into places of brooding evil and malice. Thy kept great vigilance over the places they still held for a time. He spoke slowly, as he tried to explain the immortals' point of view; "That is not entirely true, he let evil take their lands and after he left much evil fell, though it is returning and they are without aid to fight against it. They may live forever, yes. They can only abide so long on this earth being hated as they are by many and the day that they leave is the day that all man kind will rue bitterly, for then much that was good will be gone." The ranger looked the other straight in the eyes as he spoke.
The other said nothing for a few minutes and there was a silence between them that were heavy with the striving of wills. Finally the elder man spoke, "how can I know you are not lying? You see them with a friend's eye, and may be more willing to over look their faults."
Aragorn had expected this question and yet was still not wholly prepared for it. Perhaps it would best for the Elves to talk with this man themselves. "If you are willing I am sure that Prince Legolas and Rothinzil his close friend will be more than willing to tell you truthfully all about their home and what honestly happened at the time of the crime they are wrongfully charged with." He made sure to place emphasis on Legolas' title. He wanted to make sure the other knew the fact that whether his town was leveled by enraged Elves or not was his decision.
"I still see no alibi for them being there at the time of the murder." The graying man shook his head in frustration. Although he was beginning to believe that perhaps he had been wrong and now he was beginning to wish he had been.
"It was said the men were trying to lay hands on them," said Aragorn slowly. "Perhaps they wished to capture the Elves for other reasons unbeknownst to us. I know them and they would never murder anyone, no matter how much they hated them, in their sleep. Elves, especially Legolas and Rothinzil believe in a fair fight if it must come to that, though they would rather avoid it. Which is part of the secrecy of the Elves. They do not like to go around looking for trouble, which is often why are the first blamed for it, because they are thought to be hiding."
"Then who killed the man? I do not think the son would. But Calmir and his gang along with his father showed up in this town not too long ago and so I have not gotten the chance to know them. If the Elves were there, which they don't den that, then that leads me to believe that they did it."
Aragorn did not like what he was hearing. It sounded like the magistrate still found the fault to lie within the Elves and their race. Perhaps he was still afraid. But maybe Aragorn could use this fear. But he knew that would not be what Legolas or Roth would have him do. It would only serve to cause more tensions even if they were free. It only wins a day, they hoped to gain the trust of a town. The fight for innocence had turned into a fight for perception.
"I do not know, but if the son wanted to capture Legolas or Roth badly enough, then he would have killed anyone who got in his way."
"I cannot picture any son doing that to his own father." The man seemed to close his mind to the thought. It was not something he wanted to hear. It made him frightened and the thought of such cold hate and evil in his own mankind made him sick. If it was in Elves it was more tangible and it seemed that then they could get rid of it, if they killed the Elves. But as they did this, they did not realize that they were adding to the hate and fell chill that lurked within all Mankind. Every mortal had the potential for evil, but not all had the will to over come it with good.
"I have known men this cold. It does happen. I think you should talk to Legolas and let him tell you what happened. Do not be afraid of him," said the ranger. "He has saved my life, the lives of my brothers and many others before. Do you think I would not readily trust him with my life again?"
The elderly man sighed and rubbed his hand through his graying hair before saying, "I do not see yet what good you see in them. I will go and talk to them for your peace and mine. But before I do, I am going to get dressed for the cold." He looked at Aragorn and said, "are you not freezing? Where is your cloak?"
The young Dúnadan answered truthfully, "I gave it to Rothinzil, who was beaten nearly senseless under the charge that he attacked a child. He would never do that and I was told by him he no more than talked to the boy. Roth is now shirtless," told the ranger with anger rising in his voice.
The magistrate sighed and he said, "we sill straighten all this out when I get down there lad. Keep your cool."
Legolas heard the door to the jail being opened and he lifted his head from where it had been resting against the wall. Perhaps they had come to take him away and end everything. He looked sidelong at Rothinzil, who returned the glance. Both of them looked at the two figures approaching. One was certainly Aragorn. The other was older and he was taller, with broader shoulders, though they were withering. "Elves!" he called out to them, earning a sharp look from Aragorn.
The ranger whispered in his ear, "how would you like it if you were called 'human'? If you wish to get as much out of them as possible, talk nicely." He called out to Legolas in the Elven speech, "mellon nin, I have brought him here to talk to you and Rothinzil. He means no harm."
Legolas had guessed as much and he stood up, going over to the edge of the cell and pressing his forehead against the bars. "Estel..." he spoke to the ranger as the younger man came over first to make sure that all was well. "How do you expect them to believe me or Roth?" he spoke to his friend in Elven.
Aragorn answered back, "I am not sure I do. But you must try Legolas." Then he teased lightly, "I know you can be extremely mule headed if you really want to. Don't give up yet."
Legolas chuckled dryly, "alright ranger. I will try for what it is worth."
The turnkey of the jail came net to Kixer who had conveniently decided to show up. The jailer took the keys and handed them reluctantly to the magistrate, who snatched them away. The turnkey obviously was scared of the Elves and said, "Sir, are you sure you want to go in with them?" Kixer looked nervous and watched cautiously. They obviously were afraid of the Elves taking advantage of their lord's kindness.
The elderly man snapped, "half the danger is your head! Now leave immediately!" He did not want them around, for he feared that it would cause tensions to be raised between he and the Elves. They left without any argument, save the looks on their faces.
Legolas looked at him and then said to Aragorn in a worried voice, "you are going to stay here, are you not?" He feared an interrogation alone. Rothinzil too looked uneasy.
Aragorn smiled and said, "right beside you. Just tell him exactly what happened, nothing will be forced out of you, I promise."
Legolas looked at his friend and whispered, "then I trust you. You have always been a true friend to Roth and I." Aragorn smiled on the outside, but inside he was frowning. He could tell that Legolas was suffering a little from the cold and his friend's breathing was quick, though even. He could tell that Legolas was frightened a little. He felt honored that his friend had so much faith in him, when he had so little power to help him. The thought was also a bit alarming; what if he let the prince and Rothinzil down? What if he failed?
The lord of the town waited until Aragorn had finished speaking with Legolas and assuring him all would be well. Then he stepped forward and said, "hello Prince Legolas and Rothinzil, Captain of Mirkwood's Guard." Roth knew that was not entirely true, he was only a captain, not the captain. But it was close enough and that was not what this was about.
Legolas watched as the door was opened and both Aragorn and the other man stepped in. Legolas and Rothinzil watched him with fierce eyes. The man said, "if you would be more comfortable sitting, do so. I mean no harm to you."
Legolas and Roth sat down slowly, for not only did they still not fully trust this man, but their muscles ached from cold, and lack of exercise. "What is it you wish to talk about Lord of Farlost?" asked Legolas as politely as he could find it in his heart to say. There was still an edge of bitterness.
The man did not seem to notice or if he did, he did not mention it, "I want to speak to you and Rothinzil of what happened the day of your arrest."
Legolas looked from Aragorn and then he looked at Rothinzil before answering, "to do that will involve speaking not only of that day, but the night before."
Rothinzil nodded and said to back up his prince's answer, "lest things should be mixed up or not fully understood."
They then told all that had happened and when they were finished they looked to Aragorn, who was watching everyone quietly. The magistrate nodded slowly and said, "so you know not the reason why they wanted to capture you, seemingly alive?"
Rothinzil answered this question with a quick look at Legolas, "that is unknown to us, yes." He then sighed and said, "we meant no harm to the town, horse or man alike and we grieve to see that you lost so many lives. But if you need a target to avenge their deaths..."
"I do not need a 'target' Master Elf. I need answers and I need to get the outlaws, which right now the evidence still strongly points to you." He shook his head.
Suddenly Kixer ran in and he was panting heavily as though he had run for miles. His breath came from his mouth in short puffs of steam, white in the cold. "The horses! They are gone! The did not escape for the gate was locked, but the lock has been melted into weakness and broken it seems!"
Legolas raised his head and his blue eyes connected with the lord's dark ones in a knowing gaze. The man looked at Kixer and said, 'are you sure?" This would mean that the Elves were innocent. Something he would be loath to admit, but it was true he would try to make right the wrongs that had been made.
Kixer stammered, "I have never been so sure in my life!" He drew a quick breath before blurting out, "Calmir and his men are no where around either!"
The Lord of Farlost looked at Legolas and Rothinzil. He saw their haggard faces and tired looks. They had done no wrong and yet had been treated as murders. It was then he saw the wrong in it and he looked at them both, "you two and your ranger friend are to stay at my house and recuperate. Anything you need will be given, horses, food, clothing..."
Legolas smiled and said, "you more than have our thanks. But we cannot trust (or thank properly) a man whose name is unknown to us."
He smiled back and said, "my name is Ryxen, Lord Ryxen." He then looked over to Kixer, who was still panting in the doorway. "Round up the boys and then bring them to my house. We then can all talk."
Glorfindel strode behind Erestor. It was now near eleven in the morning and he was not in a wonderful mood. The Gondolin Elf was downright grumpy. However, he felt slightly smug when he thought of how Erestor was taking everything. The raven-haired counselor was even worse and he was not afraid to show it. "Glorfindel, can't you keep up? What do you think this is? A cake walk?" he snapped fiercely as he rolled a map of the mountains they were crossing up and stowed it quickly in his pack.
Glorfindel retorted in a harsh whisper, "if you want to call attention to every goblin ever spawned, keep up your obnoxious and very loud grumbling!" They were not able to use horses in this weather and even though they could walk on top of the snow, they did not particularly like it. It made traveling slower to walk and it mean that if goblins came they were fair game. The only good thing was that it was easier to them to hide themselves than horses. All in all, they were a pair of extremely grumpy Elves that got on each other's nerves when they were in good moods.
Erestor just rolled his eyes and looked ahead. More mountains. He hadn't done this much traveling for a long time and was finding it far from pleasant. The wind whipped his hair into his face and he brushed it lightly aside. "Where are we?" he mumbled to himself.
Glorfindel sighed, "well, if we would have taken a right back there then we would be over this mountain by now and through the gape, hence we would through with this blasted terrain!" He whined, "but some ones else thought that reading an old map was better than experience!"
Erestor snapped, "did I ask you?"
Glorfindel rumbled, "no, but there was nobody else to answer unless you are talking to snow and rocks! Do you have any idea where we are? We are closer to the goblins, that's where! If we get attacked by their main patrol, then we are as good as forgotten and dead." He looked sidelong, "If you want to know what Mandos looks like I can tell you. Or if you want to see him in person I see no need for I to go as well."
Erestor wrinkled his nose. "That is not capricious Glorfindel!" He pulled his hood up about his face and said, "very well. If you think you can lead us back, then do it! I am tired of arguing!" He was about to walk forward when he saw a huge track in the snow. It was of a giant paw. As he looked about he saw more and he felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. He had never seen tracks this big before. His stomach did a flip and he looked back at Glorfindel. The Gondolin Elf was not there.
Glorfindel had started back and to the right, where he felt they should go. However when he looked back and saw Erestor's still form he asked, "are you frozen? What is the matter with you?" He then mocked, "What do you think this is? A cake walk?"
Erestor just stammered, "Glorfindel, how big are most wargs?" The Erestor's fingers were nearly dog-earing the edge of his own map made the Gondolin Elf a bit uneasy.
Glorfindel knitted his golden brows and said, "I suppose the size of a bear, why?"
"Well then there is a rather large one around here some where. I found tracks." Erestor's voice quivered and Glorfindel did not like the sound of that. Erestor did not get afraid. He always strategically figured things out and judged them. Now his voice sounded weak and totally undignified. Had they not been traveling in a place known to have wargs Glorfindel would have found it quite humorous.
But now their lives were at stake and if he took this lightly they could be killed. All though, what may be big to Erestor may be a medium sized warg in his eyes. He trotted over to his companion and looked to where Erestor had his eyes locked.
It was large. Both of his feet could stand in it and one of Erestor's. It also was alone. This meant it was most likely hunting or was hurt. For the larger wargs hunted alone because like other animals they began to find other company obnoxious as they got old. Glorfindel hoped it had already ate or was returning to its den to sleep.
Looking at Erestor he said, "lets keep moving." He gripped Erestor's cloak and gave it a tug to get the raven-haired Elf motivated to walk on.
Erestor pulled free of Glorfindel's grip and said, "so there is a hungry warg about looking to have raw Elf for lunch? Wonderful! Traveling with you is such a joy!"
Glorfindel snorted and then hissed venomously, "if you keep shouting that way we might as well drench ourselves in sauce and stand here, waiting for them. It wouldn't be long before they found us and then I can say, 'this is Erestor and he has always wanted to be an Elf pastrami!'"
Erestor did nothing but scowl daggers at his 'enemy' and swirl his dark eyes upward in annoyance while stating, "Oh wonderful! Well in that case I will tell them, 'this is Glorfindel and he always wanted to be an Elf roast, but you don't want to eat him, he's spoiled. You might get a tummy ache!'"
Glorfindel rolled his eyes in turn and commented, "that is like the pot calling the kettle black!"
Erestor snorted before rebutting, "oh, is it?" His brows rose and he looked at the Gondolin Elf with a fiery glare.
This argument continued for another hour and kept building up more and more momentum until something had to happen.
As they neared a precipice that would be good to survey the land before them they stopped. Glorfindel went to go look around and Erestor fumbled through his bag, looking for the correct map. As Glorfindel watched Erestor he sighed. This was getting rather annoying. He needed something to throw.
Looking on the ground he saw the nice white snow. It was a bit cold to make into a ball, but after holding it in his hands a few seconds it warmed up enough to mold into a large ball. He threw it at Erestor, but he missed and hit the bag of Erestor's maps.
Of course, it had to fall over the edge of the cliff. Erestor looked at Glorfindel and growled in a low and virulent whisper, "you can go and get those!" He set his jaw and glared at Glorfindel then for greater affect. When he saw that the Gondolin Elf was by no means going down the cliff to get his maps he sighed, "if I want something done right, I might as well do it myself."
Glorfindel looked a bit alarmed and said, "I wouldn't do that. There is a lot of ice. Do you wish to break your neck?" he finished. Then he added as an after thought, "I think that might very well be the best objective you have conjectured yet Lord Erestor!"
Erestor had already begun to descend down a narrow lip of rock that if he followed it carefully enough, he could reach the bottom. It curved into the edge of the precipice, providing a near ramp like way down. "I highly doubt I will break my neck!" he retorted savagely. "But I think my best thought was of you coming down to get me, then if I was lucky, you would break yours!"
It was only seconds after he had reached the bottom and collected the said maps that he realized he was trapped down there. As he thought of the warg he began to feel cold fear tickle his spine and he looked up at Glorfindel, "I can't get back up."
"That is a problem, now isn't it?" said the golden-haired Elf shaking his head. This was too entertaining to end it right away and pull the midnight-haired Elf up. He sighed, "too bad the warg is probably down there somewhere looking for something to eat..."
Erestor narrowed his eyes; "This isn't amusing! You forced me down here and you had better help me up!" he snapped. Pulling his cloak around himself tighter he said, "and we don't have all day!"
Glorfindel frowned, "alright, keep your cloak on straight! I'm coming!" Glorfindel then took and laid his bow and quiver on the ground after unstrapping it from his back. It choked him when he laid down and he didn't need to pass out and fall in. He laid flat on his stomach with his head and shoulders leaned precariously over the edge of the bluff. Stretching his arms downwards, he said, "now reach!"
Erestor jumped for the Gondolin Elf's hand and grabbed it, but his weight was just enough to cause Glorfindel to slide on the slippery snow and tumble over the edge in a cascade of snow and golden hair.
The blonde Elf landed on top of a surprised counselor who said under his breath, "nice." His voice was cold and sardonic. Then he rolled his eyes up at Glorfindel, who was picking snow out of his pointy ear, "do you mind getting off me and then dealing with personal hygiene?" He felt his face burning with snow and he was certain it had to be up his nose.
Glorfindel said, "hold on a minute. I nearly have all of the snow out and don't wish to miss any." He continued batting his ears and flicking them clean of snow. Erestor scowled and shoved Glorfindel off roughly. Glorfindel got up from the snow and brushed it of himself. He looked up at the edge and said, "nice, not even my bow made it down here or my quiver! At least we still have our swords! Way to go Erestor!"
The raven-haired Elf got up and spat back, "if you hadn't thrown the snow ball-"
The golden-haired Elf shook his head, "lets not make this worse by pointing fingers, shall we?"
Erestor growled, "because its your fault!" He shouted, "admit it! If you had been a little more mature and kept your head on straight we might not be stuck down here now waiting to be an Elf lunch and Elf snack!"
Glorfindel rolled his azure eyes in annoyance, "Erestor, didn't your mother ever teach you not to play the 'blame game'? The fact is it was your fault!"
Erestor was not even going to respond. A low growl was heard and the raven-haired Elf looked at Glorfindel, "I told you to eat breakfast! I'll wager you 'forgot' to."
Glorfindel shook his head, "Erestor, that was not my stomach, please say it was yours." And by what means had Erestor told him to eat breakfast? It was probably during a part of the morning when the Gondolin Elf was hardly alert. And anyway, he did NOT have to be told to eat breakfast!
Erestor shook his head and said, "it was not I." Suddenly a huge shadow was cast on the ground from above and they stared up into the face of a huge warg. It had to be the warg, whose tracks had been found by Erestor. It was the greatest one either of the Elves had ever seen. It was old by the scraggly looks of it with patches of fur missing, but it was not a he, it was a she. She did not have as much mane on her back and her pelt was a bit shorter and finer (despite the random bald patches), if that can describe the hair of a warg. Glorfindel's bow looked tiny next to her large foot.
Glorfindel felt the color drain from his face and saw Erestor was frozen in place with a face as white as death.
Glorfindel whispered to Erestor as quietly as he could without moving from his spot, "no sudden moves." After all, Glorfindel' bow was up on the cliff edge. Perhaps if the knocked it down they could then shoot the creature, but because of her shear mass, she was going to be a challenge for two swordsmen alone. Anyway, Glorfindel knew it was long since Erestor had ever wielded a sword. All Elves have the potential to be deadly...all except Erestor. His talent was in counseling, not in fighting.
The dark-haired Elf whispered back through grit teeth, "don't worry about that." He had no intention of moving. He was as close to being petrified with fear came. If it was goblins, he would welcome those. He could fight those. Not a warg that was at least ten times as large and as powerful as he was. He asked Glorfindel, "so what is your plan of action?"
Glorfindel answered, "I don't know. My bow is up there." He personally had no problem fighting big creatures. Long ago he used to call it fun, until he had been turned into Elven toast by the Balrog. He would fight this warg, but it was not moving. It was waiting for them to make the first move.
Erestor whispered, "maybe if we act bigger than it is it will leave. You seem to enjoy throwing snowballs, throw some at it!" he hissed.
"You can do that and then tell me from its jaws what to do next!" seethed Glorfindel. Then an idea struck him, "you distract it. I am going to see if I can't knock my bow and quiver from the edge and make them fall to me."
Erestor frowned, "me? Distract that? Are you out of your mind? How?" he snapped.
Glorfindel said, "I don't know! Throw things at it! Make it only look at you!"
Erestor rolled his eyes as he said corrosively, "no! Really? That is usually what the meaning of 'distraction' is!" and bent down stiffly to get some snow. He felt his hand trembling and he hoped that Glorfindel did not notice. Molding the snow into a odd shaped ball, he lobbed it at the warg. She growled and watched as it flew past and fell off the right to mix with more snow. In a scornful growl, she barred her teeth into a wicked looking smile. Erestor could understand what she was saying as though she had spoken. "I am going to eat your little friend and when I bore of ripping him apart and playing with his corpse you are next weak one."
Erestor whipped his sword out. "Do you really want to fight then, Hound of Sauron?" he seethed. Fear was turning into anger. She growled and to Erestor it seemed she was laughing. He tightened his grip on his sword, which to his dismay was slick with sweat from his palms. Perhaps this was not a good idea.
Glorfindel looked over and shouted, "Erestor you fool!" But the other Elf was not even listening. He placing all his concentration on the she-warg that was ready to lunge for him.
Now Glorfindel had to get his bow or let Erestor become that ugly beast's lunch. Couldn't that stupid counselor ever even think? Had he no thought for his preservation? Why had Elrond ever placed him in a position that required so much thought? Well, he certainly was distracting the warg. If only Glorfindel could reach his bow with the quiver. But he could not.
The warg jumped down straight for Erestor, whose face went white as he saw it coming straight for him. He raised the blade but she knocked it aside with a powerful fore paw as she landed. With her other paw she pinned Erestor to the ground, crushing him into the snow and knocking the breath out of him. He stabbed at her paw with his sword, but it was no use. She grinned evilly and he winced as her saliva dripped onto his face. He was going to be brunch! "Glorfindel! Glorfindel!" he screamed for the Gondolin Elf.
Glorfindel looked over and saw his companion being crushed by the weight of her paw. He cringed inwardly as her claws shifted to rest on Erestor's throat. A little more pressure, a little more movement from one of those huge claws and Erestor would be dead. "Erestor!" he called back. The other looked at him with an expression of complete terror. Erestor actually looked pitiable.
Glorfindel looked at he warg and shouted at it, "you stupid, mangy, ugly, filthy.." the list could have gone on but it turned its head to look at him and he said, "of course I am talking to you!" She growled at him, but pressed its claw further into poor Erestor's neck. Glorfindel saw that her other paw was holding down Erestor's sword hand and his fingers had released their grip on the hilt automatically, and it had slid to the ground. Erestor's breath was coming fast and the adviser seemed to be contemplating all the normal ways of death and thinking of which one he would have preferred compared to this.
If he let Erestor get eaten Elrond would never forgive him. The Gondolin Elf picked up some snow and flung it at the warg's head. It hit its mark and the creature growled as the white power fluttered into its eyes and ears. It slowly got off of Erestor and stalked towards Glorfindel. Erestor rose up slowly to a sitting position and he watched as the beast went to devour the blonde immortal.
It suddenly went for Glorfindel and even as the Gondolin Elf-lord yanked his sword out, it slammed into him, driving him into the side of the ledge. He succeeded in slicing the animal's paw so it was no longer useable, but his body was completely crushed against the rock and pain shot down his left side. He slid to the ground and the warg slammed him against the wall of rock again with her other fore paw. The shear force of it caused a vibration up the side.
Glorfindel saw spots and looked at Erestor who was crawling over and picking up his sword again. The warg followed Glorfindel's eyes and was not ready to allow the dark-haired Elf to kill her from behind. She turned about and snarled at the counselor, who grabbed his sword and stood up. Taking a defensive stance, he prepared to do battle with her.
But she hardly considered him a threat now, for she could smell the fear scent strong upon him and she saw it reflecting in his eyes. She spun her bulk back around to face the Elf she thought to be fiercer. Glorfindel was dazed and he stumbled up to fight again. But she banged him back against the rock. He felt pain score his body a second third time. But this time the vibration shook hard enough and his quiver along with his bow slide from the lip of the precipice and fell at his side.
The beast was too close and he could not use it properly with her hampering every move he made. He looked past her at Erestor and mouthed, "distract her."
Surprisingly, the raven-haired Elf nodded and taking his sword he swung it at her flank. It bit into her flesh and she howled. Spinning around she leaped at the Elf that had dared to strike at her and spill her blood. Erestor ducked her jaws and ended up beneath her, only to be ready himself to be crushed alive.
The stench of her made him sick and he cowered to the ground, not in terror (though he was frightened) but in illness and fatigue.
Glorfindel had his bow notched and ready. He was just grateful that it did not break when it fell. Aiming for the back of the she-warg's head, he drew it back until the feathers were aligned with his cheek and then he let it fly.
It killed her swiftly but to his dismay, she fell on top of Erestor. He heard the dark-haired Elf give a cry and then Glorfindel saw a pair of leg and feet sticking out from beneath her body. They were thrashing about furiously and Glorfindel ran over to the warg's carcass.
With horror, he realized Erestor was suffocating. Yes, he had loathed this Elf, but not enough to see him die this way. As he tried to lift the creature, he wondered how long Erestor could last without air. Three minutes? Four? Or maybe two?
He noticed that the struggles Erestor was making were becoming less and less strong. He was dying. Glorfindel gripped the animal's hair in his hands, desperately pulling at it and putting all his strength into trying to move the creature. But his body was beginning to tremble from his effort and he was making little progress. Erestor was hardly moving now and the golden-haired Elf-lord knew that time was running out.
He suddenly heard a mumbled voice on the other side call out, "Glorfindel? Where are you, you golden-haired lummox!" Glorfindel drew a quick breath and raced to the other side of the creature and he saw Erestor's head sticking out from beneath the creature. His shoulders and arms were free as well. He had managed to wiggle beneath the she-warg's neck and twist his head out to get air. But the fact that he was panting meant that he had only been able to breathe a few seconds ago.
Glorfindel said mordantly, "having fun yet?"
Erestor glared up at him, "if you know what is good for you, you will pull me out and not say another word!" He began to struggle a bit more and Glorfindel smiled broadly as he watched Erestor wriggling around.
Gripping the raven-haired Elf's arms, he said, "you smell like warg!" Erestor's face contorted to one of annoyance and slight anger. He rolled his dark eyes and gave Glorfindel the coldest look that the golden-haired Elf had even seen on him. That only served to make the Gondolin Elf laugh more as he dragged the counselor from beneath the Hound of Sauron.
The dark-haired Elf gritted his teeth and whispered, "could you be a bit more gentle? It feels like I had a giant boulder on me." Glorfindel dug some of the snow away and smoothed it to make it more slick and easier to drag out Erestor. Erestor's scowl darkened and he growled, "wipe that smirk off your face this minute!"
Glorfindel just rolled his eyes, "if you keep up all that complaining I will leave you right here!" He began to let go of Erestor's arms.
Erestor growled, "you wouldn't!" His dark eyes flashed.
Glorfindel looked at the sky and said almost to himself, "actually, I would, but Elrond would kill me and Mandos can be rather grumpy. I do not fancy to see him again so soon." He shrugged and looked back down at Erestor. "Are you going to help me or lay there like a dead thing?" The answer he received was one he had expected.
"I was just nearly mashed by a warg and you think that I can move?" he barked at the Elf staring down at him with a derisive grin on his fair face.
Glorfindel took a moment to sweep some strands of blond hair away from his face. He felt slightly dazed still, but he was well for the most part. One more good pull and Erestor was out from under the warg except for his feet.
The absolutely irate and totally relieved counselor drew a deep breath and sighed. His lungs could rise and fall so much easier now. Air had never tasted so sweet or felt so wonderful before.
As he looked up at Glorfindel's face he said between deep breaths, "I honestly have never been more happy to see you in my life!"
"You say that now, but I bet you will say it again some other day," answered the Gondolin Elf as he tugged the rest of Erestor from beneath the warg.
The black-haired counselor looked up at the sky and then his eyes narrowed as they saw the steep edge of the precipice that both of the Elves had tumbled own. He snorted air through his nose and said, "how are we going to get out of here?"
TBC...PLEASE review! Please? Pretty please with a cherry on top? And sprinkles? And...and...well you know! We want to know what you think now. Erestor and a warg...Valar help them! LOL
And the story is far from over btw. We have arround fifteen more chapters:) But please drop in a consoling little review before Thursday, which is when our next post will be.
Thanks a lot to all who have reviewed and all who are going to!
Review responses:
Snow Glory: You love Elf hurtsies more? Yes1 We aren't alone! But both are fine with us! LOL Rothinzil? Fade? -looks at aching Elf- he's fine...really. Legolas' doom? Perhaps. You never know...muahahahaha! Thanks for the cool review:)
Marie Delcore: Hmmmmmm...interesting review...how do we respond to something like this mellon nin? We must consider this very carefully. LOL But yes, Just wait utnil alter...your ranger will wish he had never been born...and so will everybody else...but that is not the point. Hey, we don't mind...took us long enough to be allowed to post! LOL And that whole chipmunk thing was wrong...hilarious...but sooooooooo...WRONG! Thanks for the rview:)
Nefhiriel Hey! Awwww.. thanks for the review!Of course there is more to come...it is US! -Holds resisting ranger in a big hug- but too bad for him! Glad you seem to enjoy the long chapters! We like writing them for you to enjoy! LOL And as we were saying in another review response there are roughly fifteen more chapters to go or more. Thanks for the review:)
Hmmmmmmmmm...to who ever sent this one (hmmmmm...nameless?)...we know it was really our fault...but the 'blame game' is such fun! LOL But honestly, we know we asked for that one and more than had it coming. thanks for the reivew:) Hehehehe. But please leave a name. It is very hard to repond otherwise and we aren't going to be angry or anything. :)
Sabrina: Awww.. thanks for the review. We just got it before we decided to post. LOL But it was a wonderful thing nonetheless. LOL Yes, they should have known! Silly Elvesess! We have to leve now as we are rather pressed:) Thanks!