(-)Chapter 4(-)
Elrond's eyes widened slightly at this news, "Four years? I knew there was something wrong but I had not realised it was that serious!" he shook his head, "stubborn human child... he's become much to good at hiding his emotions! Come now Legolas, I wish to speak with him, if we are dismissed?"
"Of course! Go then," Ecthelion nodded.
As soon as the door closed the man frowned, "Is it just me or is there something they're hiding?"
"Of course they are hiding something," Denethor muttered, walking up to his father from where he had stood at the back of the room.
Ecthelion glanced sharply over at his son, "Nothing in a bad way," he said, sounding slightly annoyed before shaking his head, "twice have they stumbled over their words... Thorongil had almost said 'father' instead of 'friends' during his rant at you, and just now Prince Legolas had nearly said my friend instead of our... and Lord Elrond had said 'stubborn human child'... surely a friend does not call his friend a child?" the human frowned, "Do you think it possible Lord Elrond is his father is some such way? He does seem more elvish than human at most times..."
"I would not doubt that he has their blood, he is too arrogant... and seems so sure of himself," the young Steward-to-be growled.
Ecthelion stared at him a moment angrily, "I have had enough of this Denethor. You must stop judging people in this way and looking for reasons to hate them. Thorongil is neither of those and I think he worries you. You can not stand having another better than you in nigh all that you do."
The man's eyes flashed, "He does not worry me in the least."
A knock at the door interupted them.
"Enter."
The large doors were pushed up and Teralin entered slowly, "Lord Ecthelion."
"Captain Teralin? What brings you here?"
"I simply need to be sure you will not need me, for if I have your consent I wish to join Captain Thorongil this time."
"Nay, you will not be needed, go with your friend," he smiled, "I think the more friends... and family... he has with him right now will do him good."
Teralin blinked and nodded slowly, "I thank you," he muttered before closing the doors behind him and fleeing down the halls in order to catch up with the other man.
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Aragorn glanced over at the two elves beside him, "What brought you two here together in the first place?"
Elrond arched one eyebrow, "To see you again."
"Silly human," Legolas snickered, "why else would we be here."
Aragorn just glared at them.
Elrond smiled, "I stopped in Mirkwood for a while after some... difficulties... and Legolas insisted upon joining me when he discovered where I was headed."
Legolas shrugged, "He should have known better than to get anywhere near me what with where he was headed."
Elrond nodded, "I should have..."
Aragorn shook his head slightly and spun as he heard his name being called, "Teralin?"
"Thorongil," he smiled slightly, "I'm coming with you today if you don't mind."
"Of course not Teralin, it will be nice to have you along."
Legolas smiled brightly at the man, "Mae govannen Teralin!"
The man smiled, "Well met to you as well Legolas! It has been far too long."
Elrond nodded to the man, "Teralin," he smiled, "you have been well?"
"Well enough," he chuckled.
The elven lord nodded, smiling again.
Aragorn glanced at them a moment, "I'll be right back, I need to get your horses."
The two nodded.
"Indeed, why do you not come with us, I'll need to get mine as well."
Aragorn nodded, "Aye, come then," he shook his head slightly.
Within moments they were ready to go, the four horses simply wanting to run but being unable to do so in the city.
The men were already gathered when they reached them and Aragorn had given them a quick apology for being late.
The men just smiled, nodded and mounted, ready to ride out and start their job.
Aragorn lead them out and the day went by rather uneventfully, well... at least until just before sundown, when they were supposed to head back.
Just as they turned to head back to the city a group of seven wargs that seemed to come out of nowhere attacked them.
Legolas shifted slightly nervously as the creatures approached, a while ago he would have had his bow out by now and without it he wasn't entirely sure how to start, he was unused to waiting.
Aragorn sat, perfectly balanced with his sword out to the side slightly. His father in the same position.
Legolas had no more time to look though for by then the creatures were upon them.
Legolas was the second of the four to be knocked off his horse by a large warg who had swiped him right off the creatures back.
Teralin had already been on the ground.
Aragorn jumped off his horse as soon as he noticed what had happened to his friend. He carefully pulled the dazed elf to his feet and in half a moment they were both fighting again, falling back to back.
Both of them moved sluggishly, Aragorn from his weariness, Legolas from the lingering effects of the fading he had fought out of.
Soon enough it was down to one last warg, the largest in the group, any man that advanced on it was quickly thrown back.
Legolas threw one of his blades at it, but the creature had seen the movement and moved just enough to keep it from killing it. The blade imbedded itself in the wargs shoulder and the creature snarled, advancing quickly on the two.
The elf growled in annoyance and the two just barely ducked the creature as if pounced at them.
Aragorn managed to slice it's side but not deep enough to stop the thing.
It wheeled around and came back at them, this time managing to hit them bothjas it passed.
Elrond growled and grabbed a bow and two arrows from the man standing next to him and noched it, watching the creature carefully.
Aragorn caught the movement out of the corner of his eye and stood, the second the creature came to attack them again, angered by the wounds the two beings had inflicted upon it, the man pushed his sword into its side, jumping to the side at the last second.
The creature howled in pain and slowed.
The second it paused the elven lord released the first arrow and shot the second immediately after.
The two arrows hit the creature, one in the neck and one in the eye.
Aragorn panted slightly, his weariness mixed with this rather drawn out battle had taken its toll on him and he slumped back to the ground, sitting back to back with Legolas.
Everything was silent a moment as Elrond handed the bow back to the man and was quickly grabbed from either side by the men who had finally come out of their shock at what had happened.
During the last little battle many of the men had gone in to help their captain and had been thrown back by the angered warg. Altogether though there were not that many men, only 15 had come. Including Aragorn, the two elves and the second captain.
Aragorn and Legolas both sat there, the blood running down their sides where the creature had scratched them both at the same time.
They were silent a moment before glancing over their shoulders at each other and smirked slightly. After a moment they were both laughing, leaning against each other in weariness and to keep from falling over as they laughed.
Elrond blinked but didn't move, knowing full well the men holding him wouldn't let him go. He couldn't help but be slightly amused at the number of men holding him back. Seven of them were surrounding him.
Though the men wouldn't admit it they were partially afraid of the elf, especially after seeing him fight, he had been the only being to come out of this unscathed.
Teralin shook his head in shock, forcing it back for long enough to make sure no one was seriously injured before staring at the two laughing friends in front of them.
The two finally managed to get their laughter out of control.
"Thorongil," he joked, "what were we laughing about?"
"About the fact that something like this happens every time we're together! That's what I'm laughing about anyhow," he grinned, "or to me at least..."
Legolas snickered.
"Oh be quiet."
"Make me," the elf smirked.
Aragorn eyed him then sighed, "I'm too tired to make you elf," he half joked.
The human glanced over at the group and after blinked started sniggering again, "Come now! Let him go," he laughed.
The men slowly allowed the other elf to go.
Elrond rolled his eyes slightly and made his way over to his son and Legolas, "You two are okay? You took a rather heavy hit there..." he turned and stared at Aragorn, "that was a foolish move Estel..."
The human smiled innocently, "But it worked didn't it?"
The elf gave his son that which the man and the twins had creatively dubbed 'the look'.
Aragorn shifted and stared up at his father wide-eyed, making the most sorry expression possible for a guilty human. Which is apparently fairly good.
Elrond sighed, "Please don't do that again."
Aragorn smiled, "Of course not! What do you take me for?"
"A very stubborn, dirty human!" Legolas grinned.
Aragorn snorted, "Prissy elf."
A/N
Elven Kitten: Hilo! hides I'm sorry it took so long! I ish sick... I was away Wednesday and I was pretty bad yesterday and forgot... XP so here it is! XP I don't wanna take a lot of time though so I'll do reviews and go. Hope you all enjoyed:)
Deana - Sorry it took so long! XP I'm glad ya' like:)
sielge - Cha, poor Estel:) Hope you enjoyed it!
IwishChan - Lol, fun much:P confusing peoplez is fun... evil grin
Bubble-Sheep - Really? I didn't get any reviews from you... O.O... meh, thanks tho:) I'm glad you're enjoying it:)
Kalayna - Lol, and yeah, about the names, but with my odd little take on it Aragorn kinda introduced himself as Strider and it always seems to me that a person will always call you by the name you first introduce yourself by. Shrugs :) I love Elvish too, it really is a beautiful language :)
MicroChips - O.o... Ish cunfuzled... and is loving the idea of hardhats at the moment XP
grumpy - Yupses, 't is a very good thing... :)
Aranna Undomiel - Cha! Friends are great, they don't even have to say anything to make ya' feel better. :) Or to annoy you for that matter... :P Lol, somehow I doubt many would mind if Denethor were punched as well... :P
marbienl - It's mostly Sindarin, but when I can't find the word I'm looking for in Sindarin I kinda compromise and use Quenyan... XP lol. Yesh, Ecthelion was nice... Denethor was ebil... XP. Your chicken story suddenly scares me... O.O... Is in fear :P is slightly weird... lol, I'm sure Thranduil's reaction would be very worth seeing! But he wont be shown in this one, probably in the next though, that could be fun... :P
E.K.: Okay then! Namarie!
Elenmeoi
