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Chapter 14
It was the low moan of another injured elf that seeped Aragorn back into the realm of reality. Furrowing his brows as if reluctant to arise, he uncontentedly pulled off a cloak some kind elf had placed on him during the night. When the man's eyes had flickered over, a waiting Soleith moved over to him, whispering as to not wake the wounded Legolas that lay not a foot from Aragorn.
"They sent a small party of men but could not find us here. There are only a dozen injuries among us, the prince's being the most severe by far." Eyeing the elf of whom she spoke her heart filled with unspoken anger and grief.
Already checking over Legolas while he slept, Aragorn listened intently, not wasting a second of the time allotted them all. Silently he cursed himself for sleeping so long, especially after seeing elves still healing the wounded that Aragorn knew had been awake all night. One question still echoed in his mind, and the elf's report hadn't done much to quell his query. "What of Elladan?"
Soleith smirked slightly, and made as if to punch Aragorn, but stopped midway as if jokingly thinking better of it. "You doubt Anen and I so much?" Aragorn's shaking head did little to stop her mirth. "Your brother is fine. He was brought to the healers in more than adequate time."
Knowing healing himself allowed Aragorn to know it was worse and closer an incident than Soleith let on, but he allowed her her pride with a straight face. None of the elves here would lie to him about the state of his brother. "Can we move out now?"
Soleith seemed to consider this for a while, but vetoed the option none the less. "I would not suggest it. The elves are weary- from fighting and healing wounded, and while elves have greater endurance, it is not ordained that we should be able to go weeks without rest. Let us stay until tomorrow."
With a slight nod of acceptance Aragorn took her advice. Had Elladan been well it would have been he that Aragorn would have asked, but the advice seemed well founded. "We shall move out tomorrow. Can you get more bandages for Legolas please?" Soleith excused herself quickly to comply, leaving Aragorn alone with Legolas. Up now, Aragorn could also see Elladan across the room sleeping with his eyes open. The sight was certainly enough to satisfy Aragorn who noted that his brother's face was still slightly ashen, but nothing to be considerably concerned about.
When Aragorn felt a slight shift at his hands, he looked down confused, and saw Legolas awakening. The elf's eyes opened suddenly, and jauntily flew every which way, as if to take in where he was. Pushing himself back in surprise at the elf's quick movements, Aragorn was taken aback from the sudden alertness of Legolas's. Before the prince could try and get up in his fear, Aragorn laid his hand back on the elf's quickly moving chest. Aragorn had to check himself before he wondered aloud about this near hyperventilation.
"Legolas, Legolas calm- I am right here." While Aragorn's voice was soft as if to not trouble the other occupants of this strange building, it was quite loud enough to attract Legolas's attention and hold it on the man long enough to start remembering where he was.
His hands still shaking and his body feeling pained but not nearly as much as when he last remembered, Legolas began to remember what happened and allow himself to breath slower. "Aragorn, where..." Legolas's voice cracked from misuse and taughtness, even after his small drink in the prison his throat longed for water. Aragorn raised a hand to stop Legolas and handed the elf his water skin, which had been filled for him during the night. Legolas accepted it, full well expecting to question Aragorn after he had some more liquid in his system. Aragorn gently lifted the elf up to aid him in drinking.
Before he was able to take a sip though, Soleith came into view carrying bandages and Legolas nearly started out of his skin, suddenly shifting backwards into Aragorn, almost as if throwing himself back and away from the meaning-well elf. Aragorn, totally taken off guard, had troubles making sure the two remained upright. A small stifled cry from Legolas gave Aragorn reason enough to dismiss the she elf for the moment. Once she had worriedly left, Aragorn felt safe to query Legolas without interference. "Legolas- Soleith only meant you well. What is wrong my friend?"
Legolas, who was shaking lightly, had some trouble responding, so just shut his eyes as if trying to put together an answer. "I... I am sorry my friend. It has been a while since I have awoken to see so many around. Forgive me if I gave you a start." Aragorn shook his head mutely, though still hovering around Legolas as if the elf was going to jump again. Almost timidly Aragorn aided Legolas in drinking the water he had before, holding tightly to the elf as if he might break if not in his care... which very well might have happened.
Legolas felt his friend's eyes burrowing into him and so caught his gaze once he had guzzled as much water as his pride would allow. "Estel? Was anyone hurt?" Feeling troubled about putting his friends in such jeopardy to begin with, he had no idea how he would take it if someone was injured...
"A few elves have injuries. Minor most. Elladan... he broke his leg rather badly." Continuing to stare unabashedly at his friend, he looked for some response to this message. The elf he held winced visibly, remembering now the actions leading up to now rather clearer. No words were needed; the guilt in Legolas's eyes radiated around him and Aragorn shook his head mutely a bit, wondering how on Arda his friend could translate this ordeal as his fault. "Legolas, they will heal. And you are back with us, so we have accomplished what we have set out to do, which we surely raise the others' mora..."
"...I? I was your objective?" Downcast were the elf's eyes as he realized what he caused. "You should not have come. It was too dangerous. Too much for too little."
"Tell me truly Legolas, do you really think so? If so- check yourself now, because I don't want to hear it. I love you as a brother and would never leave you in a place of torment and despair. The elves here, whether from Rivendell or Mirkwood are here because they love you as a person, their friend. Not their prince, their friend. I do believe you would have done as I if it were indeed I that needed saving."
Legolas gave a tearful half-smile up to Aragorn, before laying a strained hand on the rangers shoulder as if to pull him closer. The elf, though, had not the strength to do so at the time. The man aided him and wrapped his arms around Legolas in a tight embrace, feeling pain himself when the elf had not the strength to hug him back. Legolas's wounds were serious and had it been any other time, the ranger would have tied the elf down to make him lie flat. However, right now Aragorn needed this just as much as Legolas did, and even more so when Legolas started to weakly sob the past months away on Aragorn's shoulder. The others in t he room had turned away politely to give the prince some privacy.
It was nothing shameable, nothing to be embarrassed over. It was two friends in each others arms, each that needed the comfort of the other, albeit for different reasons. The tears shed remained between the two, and always there were incidents between them that each did not want anyone to see. Yet each was always comforted by the other, no matter the circumstance. It always got better when the elf and ranger were side by side.
As soon as Legolas had calmed himself and allowed Aragorn to lie him down again, he questioned the ranger as a way to keep his mind off the pain the ranger caused with his gentle bandage wrappings. "What of my father, Strider? What of Mirkwood?" Inwardly he did feel ashamed that he did not ask of them earlier, but he kept that well masked.
Aragorn continued with a sigh. What he wouldn't give to not hear Legolas questioning of his father's health when the ranger knew the king was not asking about his son's. "King Thranduil is well and in my father's care Legolas. You need not worry for him." Aragorn waited for a nod before continuing. "Your people have returned muchly to normal, cleaning anything that needs it and righting the wrongs of the marauders. Other than that, there is little wrong." Stopped by a sharp hiss of pain from Legolas as the ranger checked over the elf's back, Aragorn left the report there. Legolas was slowly feeling worse, more drawn to pain- in no small part to the internal bleeding and the elf's body attempting to fight it. Aragorn watched the elf nervously and quietly continued to talk to him. "We move out dawn tomorrow, are you well enough to travel my friend?"
"Of course Strider. Anytime you're ready." The ranger could see Legolas was lying through his teeth, but allowed the elf his pride.
"Then you are ready to hear my rants and lectures. How dare you hide your injuries behind my cloak and then..."
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The wizard looked over his troops dispassionately. It would all come to naught if it could not be accomplished.
No matter- he might as well have the army ready when the time was right. The time would be right.
He would not fail.
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As the group started off towards Mirkwood, light hearts continued to rise, and soft laughter could be heard around the marching groups. Scouts had, of course, been sent off in all directions, yet most knew there was little to fear now. The fortress's inhabitants had not pursued, but stayed hidden to lick their wounds. The prince was in their hands again, and while not healed, he was no longer enduring the harsh treatment of his captors. Since Aragorn hadn't told anyone about Legolas's worst injuries that were growing more despairing by the day, none were all too worried for Legolas's life though they all mourned his pain.
Litters had been created to carry the injured, two in a row with two people between them, a hand on each, and then two on the outside of each litter. This ensured not only that no injured elf would be dropped, but it also made the procession shorter and everything move quicker. Aragorn stood not in the very lead, but right behind, in the middle of the two stretchers carrying Legolas and Elladan, a hand on each. Elladan was quite awake, but only complained a little about being carried. As a healer he knew how slow he'd be with the shattered leg. Legolas was silent most the way, not asleep but trying to control any feelings of pain as they moved. He knew that two of the best healers in Arda were constantly peering down or over at him, so he had to be convincing.
The group only stopped when necessary; the elves, having rested well the day they did not move on, were slow to tire and so it was not mandatory to stop at night. From every direction a scout would run in if just to warn about slightly muddy path- nothing evil lurked around now. Nothing more than a spider had come within a days run, or so the scouts were joking. With the rate they were marching, they would make Mirkwood in a little less than two weeks.
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The now more-healed Elrohir was up and out of bed occasionally, under the protective eye of his father and Gandalf. After long arguments with Elrohir and Gandalf, Elrond had finally allowed that Elrohir would be taught some of the ways to fight against a maiar; And only that because Gandalf insisted that the more to their number, no matter how weak, could help in the end. Elrohir was currently resting from practice, lying in the bed of his father's guest room while Gandalf checked his bandages. Suddenly, a question arose in Elrohir's mind. "Gandalf? Why do we not try against whatever is controlling Thranduil now? Weaken him a bit?"
The wizard smiled and patted the 'young' elf on the shoulder. "My dear boy- a wizard's magic is not so worn from a fight as a man or elf is from days of travel. Not unless you are fighting his physical body, the state of the magic shouldn't lessen. Strengthen, even... perhaps... because of the resistance it would build to our attacks. As to attacking now, I do hope to wait until Estel returns back with his group before we do much. Though I fear for the timing..."
Continually confused, Elrohir peered back up at the wizard and then his father entering the room again with a clean tunic. "Mithrandir, we do not know IF Estel will come back, let alone when. If father has sensed pain around him, how do we know it is not his? Or Legolas's? Or Elladan's? What if... what if it is too great, and I'm stuck here doing nothing to help them. Maybe they won't even find Legolas, let alone rescue him. And what if..." Elrohir's next words were mere whispers. "...What if Legolas is already dead? Or if the other's die? What then?"
Elrond had stopped mid stride while entering upon hearing his son's troubled and grief-wrought words. Swallowing his own fears, the elven lord moved next to his son and put a hand on the younger one's shoulder while Gandalf continued to work and smiled to himself. "Oh Elrohir, you know I would tell you if I thought any of them were gone. I'd be able to feel it... Any father can feel the loss of his child. Besides, you oh joyful one know as well as any third's no reason to give up hope. For now- trust they are alright and pray to Elbereth for their continued safety." Elrohir nodded, and watched the wizard intently.
"How much time do we have Gandalf?" Elrohir would not lose hope just yet, but he needed to know how much worry he was supposed to be staving off...
"Not enough, not nearly enough I fear. Now that the wizard sees what we are doing, he works harder on Thranduil. Once it is complete and he has permanent control of the King, there will be no way to return him." Mumbling almost unemotionally, Gandalf was swearing an oath to all the elves involved in this that he would not let such a thing happen. "If your Estel doesn't come within a few weeks, I fear we shall have to try by ourselves."
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Reviews: (Passes out Dr. Pepper) Thank you all! 99 reviews! Just one more!!!!
Deana: Hehe, I'll go ASAP if it means As soon as pleasing ~_^ lol. Sorry- I've had quite the hectic week. But hey- finals are over whoooo! lol
elfmage: LMAO! nice accident there! That's ok, once I was sledding down my grandmothers mountain of aback yard with my cousin and one of my glasses lenses popped out! In the snow! In the dark! I was like 'let's leave it, will find it in March!' But then my cousin ruined it and found it -_-. LOL. And no, you dont read too much into things, there was that kind of implicationt here ^_^ Glad you picked up on it- and you can think I'm an impressive author if you want. -_-. Go read some Manders1953 and some mirrordance. Oh yes- a little bird told me that HaloGatomon is working on another chapter! YAY! LOL, or you could always check Deadly Chakram, Hobbit Killer, and of course Cassia when Tears liek Rain comes out! Please Cassia!!!!
LegolasLover2004: And to think you're one of my best reviewers! Not to liek Dr. Pepper- I'm ashamed! ASHAMED!!! How many more chapters? Urm... as long as it takes me to finish this up? ^_^
Naur: That is different! lol. I love torture too! I'm bad at writing it- but love reading it! It's wonderful! Just not character death... oh well. Update your stories soon! PLEASE!!!!!
Deadly Chakram: Only once to RotK?! I'd die! I'm up to 8 now, but no where close to where I wanted to be :(. Oh well. Found a job yet? Hope so. Long absenses could never scare me off! LOL, yes it would be weird to see Agent Smith kickin Thrandy butt 0.o;; And yes- Legolas does need to get to Elrond ~_^ Thanks for reviewing! Yay!
Snow-Glory: What did you think I'd do, leave Thranduil in a wizard's clutches just because Elrond became Legolas's foster father? Oh shards no! Heh, Thranduil's one of my fave characters. Oh yes, the world would stop rotating if we had no Legolas and Aragorn angst to happily munch on ^_^ Glad you liked!
wolfwind: ............-hugs!!!- Lol, I don't know about any other authors- but I love it when people recognize some of my attempts to stay closer to the book! Yay! and yes... your idea of Thranduil does explain that ~_^ I agree- we need a lot more Aragorn and Legolas previous to the war of the ring! It's funnnn! lol. Hehe? Bad places to stop? Cliffhangers? Who? -looks around- Moi?! Never!!! -sweet face-
Aly K: I have some of that same idea in my mind that haunts me Aly, actuall ythats the way the story was first suppossed to go- I do really love it. Perchance someone will right a story like that? -nudge nudge- But for this one- It'll probably go differently if I dont have a huge change of heart. Well, while I would have loved more info about Legolas (or Galdor as Tolkein was actually going to name him! LOL! Bless 'Treason of Isengard'), I do love that we authors have great room for literary license with our lack of information. It's fun to push the boundaries a bit, eh? heh. And yes... I knwo exactly what you're going for with the hurt/comfort thing ~_^ heh. Love the story? Eeekk, thats weird. 0.o; Go read more Lady V or something. heh, thanks for review.
Theresa: Ah well, short chapters breed inquisitiveness! Or so is my excuse for never writing fast enough -_- lol, glad you still like!
whitewater-spirit: Hehehehe! Sounds exactly like what I do! I'll hide myself int he computer room until crazy hours just reading a new story I found! It's so fun! LOL
God's Child 27: Hmmm? Please dont kill anyone? What fun would that be? LOL. Kill Thranduil? :( That wouldn't be nice! Poor elf- under a wizards control for the past 2000 years and all yall cna say is: kill him!
lulu bell: Wheee! Long review! Yay!!!!!! Anywho- from the top! PARTY!!!!!! -Grabs Legolas running from Dr. Pepper chugging reviewer- Nuh uh sweetums, if theres a party you're MINE! -Evil grin- -Legolas looks very scared- ^_^. Injured elves are the BEST! I mean, you can beat them and torture them, but they still bounce right back! It's like those wobbelina things that you can hit and hit but they never fall over XD!!! Wow- those are a lot of reasons why you haven't read the books... but still! C'mon now- it doesn't matter how long or who hasnt read them! They still need read! Every word is a masterpiece!!! Treebeard boring?!?! Long, but never boring! Come now! All the books of tolkein? Ack- that can eb good and bad. I'm just imaginign how badly PJ will ruin the books just for good reviews -_- It hurts us my preciousss, it doesss! C&S?!?! Lady V?!?!? My dear, you are fairly clueless!!! C&S are the infamous Cassia and Siobhan, queens of the LotR fanfiction, owners of the Mellon Chronicles! (www.aragorn-legolas.5u.com) I'm a loyal member of their group as well. -waves to all of them who may be reading story- Lady V would be the great 'Lisseyelen aka Lady V' writer of Captives of Isengard! The queen of During- LotR fanfiction! If you haven't read those it's understandable why you endure this!
Mythomythus: niiice name. You're very polite ^_^ lol. Is this fast enough? Hope you liked it!
Whooo! Done! C'mon guys- Over 100! You can do it! Review!!!
Chapter 14
It was the low moan of another injured elf that seeped Aragorn back into the realm of reality. Furrowing his brows as if reluctant to arise, he uncontentedly pulled off a cloak some kind elf had placed on him during the night. When the man's eyes had flickered over, a waiting Soleith moved over to him, whispering as to not wake the wounded Legolas that lay not a foot from Aragorn.
"They sent a small party of men but could not find us here. There are only a dozen injuries among us, the prince's being the most severe by far." Eyeing the elf of whom she spoke her heart filled with unspoken anger and grief.
Already checking over Legolas while he slept, Aragorn listened intently, not wasting a second of the time allotted them all. Silently he cursed himself for sleeping so long, especially after seeing elves still healing the wounded that Aragorn knew had been awake all night. One question still echoed in his mind, and the elf's report hadn't done much to quell his query. "What of Elladan?"
Soleith smirked slightly, and made as if to punch Aragorn, but stopped midway as if jokingly thinking better of it. "You doubt Anen and I so much?" Aragorn's shaking head did little to stop her mirth. "Your brother is fine. He was brought to the healers in more than adequate time."
Knowing healing himself allowed Aragorn to know it was worse and closer an incident than Soleith let on, but he allowed her her pride with a straight face. None of the elves here would lie to him about the state of his brother. "Can we move out now?"
Soleith seemed to consider this for a while, but vetoed the option none the less. "I would not suggest it. The elves are weary- from fighting and healing wounded, and while elves have greater endurance, it is not ordained that we should be able to go weeks without rest. Let us stay until tomorrow."
With a slight nod of acceptance Aragorn took her advice. Had Elladan been well it would have been he that Aragorn would have asked, but the advice seemed well founded. "We shall move out tomorrow. Can you get more bandages for Legolas please?" Soleith excused herself quickly to comply, leaving Aragorn alone with Legolas. Up now, Aragorn could also see Elladan across the room sleeping with his eyes open. The sight was certainly enough to satisfy Aragorn who noted that his brother's face was still slightly ashen, but nothing to be considerably concerned about.
When Aragorn felt a slight shift at his hands, he looked down confused, and saw Legolas awakening. The elf's eyes opened suddenly, and jauntily flew every which way, as if to take in where he was. Pushing himself back in surprise at the elf's quick movements, Aragorn was taken aback from the sudden alertness of Legolas's. Before the prince could try and get up in his fear, Aragorn laid his hand back on the elf's quickly moving chest. Aragorn had to check himself before he wondered aloud about this near hyperventilation.
"Legolas, Legolas calm- I am right here." While Aragorn's voice was soft as if to not trouble the other occupants of this strange building, it was quite loud enough to attract Legolas's attention and hold it on the man long enough to start remembering where he was.
His hands still shaking and his body feeling pained but not nearly as much as when he last remembered, Legolas began to remember what happened and allow himself to breath slower. "Aragorn, where..." Legolas's voice cracked from misuse and taughtness, even after his small drink in the prison his throat longed for water. Aragorn raised a hand to stop Legolas and handed the elf his water skin, which had been filled for him during the night. Legolas accepted it, full well expecting to question Aragorn after he had some more liquid in his system. Aragorn gently lifted the elf up to aid him in drinking.
Before he was able to take a sip though, Soleith came into view carrying bandages and Legolas nearly started out of his skin, suddenly shifting backwards into Aragorn, almost as if throwing himself back and away from the meaning-well elf. Aragorn, totally taken off guard, had troubles making sure the two remained upright. A small stifled cry from Legolas gave Aragorn reason enough to dismiss the she elf for the moment. Once she had worriedly left, Aragorn felt safe to query Legolas without interference. "Legolas- Soleith only meant you well. What is wrong my friend?"
Legolas, who was shaking lightly, had some trouble responding, so just shut his eyes as if trying to put together an answer. "I... I am sorry my friend. It has been a while since I have awoken to see so many around. Forgive me if I gave you a start." Aragorn shook his head mutely, though still hovering around Legolas as if the elf was going to jump again. Almost timidly Aragorn aided Legolas in drinking the water he had before, holding tightly to the elf as if he might break if not in his care... which very well might have happened.
Legolas felt his friend's eyes burrowing into him and so caught his gaze once he had guzzled as much water as his pride would allow. "Estel? Was anyone hurt?" Feeling troubled about putting his friends in such jeopardy to begin with, he had no idea how he would take it if someone was injured...
"A few elves have injuries. Minor most. Elladan... he broke his leg rather badly." Continuing to stare unabashedly at his friend, he looked for some response to this message. The elf he held winced visibly, remembering now the actions leading up to now rather clearer. No words were needed; the guilt in Legolas's eyes radiated around him and Aragorn shook his head mutely a bit, wondering how on Arda his friend could translate this ordeal as his fault. "Legolas, they will heal. And you are back with us, so we have accomplished what we have set out to do, which we surely raise the others' mora..."
"...I? I was your objective?" Downcast were the elf's eyes as he realized what he caused. "You should not have come. It was too dangerous. Too much for too little."
"Tell me truly Legolas, do you really think so? If so- check yourself now, because I don't want to hear it. I love you as a brother and would never leave you in a place of torment and despair. The elves here, whether from Rivendell or Mirkwood are here because they love you as a person, their friend. Not their prince, their friend. I do believe you would have done as I if it were indeed I that needed saving."
Legolas gave a tearful half-smile up to Aragorn, before laying a strained hand on the rangers shoulder as if to pull him closer. The elf, though, had not the strength to do so at the time. The man aided him and wrapped his arms around Legolas in a tight embrace, feeling pain himself when the elf had not the strength to hug him back. Legolas's wounds were serious and had it been any other time, the ranger would have tied the elf down to make him lie flat. However, right now Aragorn needed this just as much as Legolas did, and even more so when Legolas started to weakly sob the past months away on Aragorn's shoulder. The others in t he room had turned away politely to give the prince some privacy.
It was nothing shameable, nothing to be embarrassed over. It was two friends in each others arms, each that needed the comfort of the other, albeit for different reasons. The tears shed remained between the two, and always there were incidents between them that each did not want anyone to see. Yet each was always comforted by the other, no matter the circumstance. It always got better when the elf and ranger were side by side.
As soon as Legolas had calmed himself and allowed Aragorn to lie him down again, he questioned the ranger as a way to keep his mind off the pain the ranger caused with his gentle bandage wrappings. "What of my father, Strider? What of Mirkwood?" Inwardly he did feel ashamed that he did not ask of them earlier, but he kept that well masked.
Aragorn continued with a sigh. What he wouldn't give to not hear Legolas questioning of his father's health when the ranger knew the king was not asking about his son's. "King Thranduil is well and in my father's care Legolas. You need not worry for him." Aragorn waited for a nod before continuing. "Your people have returned muchly to normal, cleaning anything that needs it and righting the wrongs of the marauders. Other than that, there is little wrong." Stopped by a sharp hiss of pain from Legolas as the ranger checked over the elf's back, Aragorn left the report there. Legolas was slowly feeling worse, more drawn to pain- in no small part to the internal bleeding and the elf's body attempting to fight it. Aragorn watched the elf nervously and quietly continued to talk to him. "We move out dawn tomorrow, are you well enough to travel my friend?"
"Of course Strider. Anytime you're ready." The ranger could see Legolas was lying through his teeth, but allowed the elf his pride.
"Then you are ready to hear my rants and lectures. How dare you hide your injuries behind my cloak and then..."
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The wizard looked over his troops dispassionately. It would all come to naught if it could not be accomplished.
No matter- he might as well have the army ready when the time was right. The time would be right.
He would not fail.
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As the group started off towards Mirkwood, light hearts continued to rise, and soft laughter could be heard around the marching groups. Scouts had, of course, been sent off in all directions, yet most knew there was little to fear now. The fortress's inhabitants had not pursued, but stayed hidden to lick their wounds. The prince was in their hands again, and while not healed, he was no longer enduring the harsh treatment of his captors. Since Aragorn hadn't told anyone about Legolas's worst injuries that were growing more despairing by the day, none were all too worried for Legolas's life though they all mourned his pain.
Litters had been created to carry the injured, two in a row with two people between them, a hand on each, and then two on the outside of each litter. This ensured not only that no injured elf would be dropped, but it also made the procession shorter and everything move quicker. Aragorn stood not in the very lead, but right behind, in the middle of the two stretchers carrying Legolas and Elladan, a hand on each. Elladan was quite awake, but only complained a little about being carried. As a healer he knew how slow he'd be with the shattered leg. Legolas was silent most the way, not asleep but trying to control any feelings of pain as they moved. He knew that two of the best healers in Arda were constantly peering down or over at him, so he had to be convincing.
The group only stopped when necessary; the elves, having rested well the day they did not move on, were slow to tire and so it was not mandatory to stop at night. From every direction a scout would run in if just to warn about slightly muddy path- nothing evil lurked around now. Nothing more than a spider had come within a days run, or so the scouts were joking. With the rate they were marching, they would make Mirkwood in a little less than two weeks.
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The now more-healed Elrohir was up and out of bed occasionally, under the protective eye of his father and Gandalf. After long arguments with Elrohir and Gandalf, Elrond had finally allowed that Elrohir would be taught some of the ways to fight against a maiar; And only that because Gandalf insisted that the more to their number, no matter how weak, could help in the end. Elrohir was currently resting from practice, lying in the bed of his father's guest room while Gandalf checked his bandages. Suddenly, a question arose in Elrohir's mind. "Gandalf? Why do we not try against whatever is controlling Thranduil now? Weaken him a bit?"
The wizard smiled and patted the 'young' elf on the shoulder. "My dear boy- a wizard's magic is not so worn from a fight as a man or elf is from days of travel. Not unless you are fighting his physical body, the state of the magic shouldn't lessen. Strengthen, even... perhaps... because of the resistance it would build to our attacks. As to attacking now, I do hope to wait until Estel returns back with his group before we do much. Though I fear for the timing..."
Continually confused, Elrohir peered back up at the wizard and then his father entering the room again with a clean tunic. "Mithrandir, we do not know IF Estel will come back, let alone when. If father has sensed pain around him, how do we know it is not his? Or Legolas's? Or Elladan's? What if... what if it is too great, and I'm stuck here doing nothing to help them. Maybe they won't even find Legolas, let alone rescue him. And what if..." Elrohir's next words were mere whispers. "...What if Legolas is already dead? Or if the other's die? What then?"
Elrond had stopped mid stride while entering upon hearing his son's troubled and grief-wrought words. Swallowing his own fears, the elven lord moved next to his son and put a hand on the younger one's shoulder while Gandalf continued to work and smiled to himself. "Oh Elrohir, you know I would tell you if I thought any of them were gone. I'd be able to feel it... Any father can feel the loss of his child. Besides, you oh joyful one know as well as any third's no reason to give up hope. For now- trust they are alright and pray to Elbereth for their continued safety." Elrohir nodded, and watched the wizard intently.
"How much time do we have Gandalf?" Elrohir would not lose hope just yet, but he needed to know how much worry he was supposed to be staving off...
"Not enough, not nearly enough I fear. Now that the wizard sees what we are doing, he works harder on Thranduil. Once it is complete and he has permanent control of the King, there will be no way to return him." Mumbling almost unemotionally, Gandalf was swearing an oath to all the elves involved in this that he would not let such a thing happen. "If your Estel doesn't come within a few weeks, I fear we shall have to try by ourselves."
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Reviews: (Passes out Dr. Pepper) Thank you all! 99 reviews! Just one more!!!!
Deana: Hehe, I'll go ASAP if it means As soon as pleasing ~_^ lol. Sorry- I've had quite the hectic week. But hey- finals are over whoooo! lol
elfmage: LMAO! nice accident there! That's ok, once I was sledding down my grandmothers mountain of aback yard with my cousin and one of my glasses lenses popped out! In the snow! In the dark! I was like 'let's leave it, will find it in March!' But then my cousin ruined it and found it -_-. LOL. And no, you dont read too much into things, there was that kind of implicationt here ^_^ Glad you picked up on it- and you can think I'm an impressive author if you want. -_-. Go read some Manders1953 and some mirrordance. Oh yes- a little bird told me that HaloGatomon is working on another chapter! YAY! LOL, or you could always check Deadly Chakram, Hobbit Killer, and of course Cassia when Tears liek Rain comes out! Please Cassia!!!!
LegolasLover2004: And to think you're one of my best reviewers! Not to liek Dr. Pepper- I'm ashamed! ASHAMED!!! How many more chapters? Urm... as long as it takes me to finish this up? ^_^
Naur: That is different! lol. I love torture too! I'm bad at writing it- but love reading it! It's wonderful! Just not character death... oh well. Update your stories soon! PLEASE!!!!!
Deadly Chakram: Only once to RotK?! I'd die! I'm up to 8 now, but no where close to where I wanted to be :(. Oh well. Found a job yet? Hope so. Long absenses could never scare me off! LOL, yes it would be weird to see Agent Smith kickin Thrandy butt 0.o;; And yes- Legolas does need to get to Elrond ~_^ Thanks for reviewing! Yay!
Snow-Glory: What did you think I'd do, leave Thranduil in a wizard's clutches just because Elrond became Legolas's foster father? Oh shards no! Heh, Thranduil's one of my fave characters. Oh yes, the world would stop rotating if we had no Legolas and Aragorn angst to happily munch on ^_^ Glad you liked!
wolfwind: ............-hugs!!!- Lol, I don't know about any other authors- but I love it when people recognize some of my attempts to stay closer to the book! Yay! and yes... your idea of Thranduil does explain that ~_^ I agree- we need a lot more Aragorn and Legolas previous to the war of the ring! It's funnnn! lol. Hehe? Bad places to stop? Cliffhangers? Who? -looks around- Moi?! Never!!! -sweet face-
Aly K: I have some of that same idea in my mind that haunts me Aly, actuall ythats the way the story was first suppossed to go- I do really love it. Perchance someone will right a story like that? -nudge nudge- But for this one- It'll probably go differently if I dont have a huge change of heart. Well, while I would have loved more info about Legolas (or Galdor as Tolkein was actually going to name him! LOL! Bless 'Treason of Isengard'), I do love that we authors have great room for literary license with our lack of information. It's fun to push the boundaries a bit, eh? heh. And yes... I knwo exactly what you're going for with the hurt/comfort thing ~_^ heh. Love the story? Eeekk, thats weird. 0.o; Go read more Lady V or something. heh, thanks for review.
Theresa: Ah well, short chapters breed inquisitiveness! Or so is my excuse for never writing fast enough -_- lol, glad you still like!
whitewater-spirit: Hehehehe! Sounds exactly like what I do! I'll hide myself int he computer room until crazy hours just reading a new story I found! It's so fun! LOL
God's Child 27: Hmmm? Please dont kill anyone? What fun would that be? LOL. Kill Thranduil? :( That wouldn't be nice! Poor elf- under a wizards control for the past 2000 years and all yall cna say is: kill him!
lulu bell: Wheee! Long review! Yay!!!!!! Anywho- from the top! PARTY!!!!!! -Grabs Legolas running from Dr. Pepper chugging reviewer- Nuh uh sweetums, if theres a party you're MINE! -Evil grin- -Legolas looks very scared- ^_^. Injured elves are the BEST! I mean, you can beat them and torture them, but they still bounce right back! It's like those wobbelina things that you can hit and hit but they never fall over XD!!! Wow- those are a lot of reasons why you haven't read the books... but still! C'mon now- it doesn't matter how long or who hasnt read them! They still need read! Every word is a masterpiece!!! Treebeard boring?!?! Long, but never boring! Come now! All the books of tolkein? Ack- that can eb good and bad. I'm just imaginign how badly PJ will ruin the books just for good reviews -_- It hurts us my preciousss, it doesss! C&S?!?! Lady V?!?!? My dear, you are fairly clueless!!! C&S are the infamous Cassia and Siobhan, queens of the LotR fanfiction, owners of the Mellon Chronicles! (www.aragorn-legolas.5u.com) I'm a loyal member of their group as well. -waves to all of them who may be reading story- Lady V would be the great 'Lisseyelen aka Lady V' writer of Captives of Isengard! The queen of During- LotR fanfiction! If you haven't read those it's understandable why you endure this!
Mythomythus: niiice name. You're very polite ^_^ lol. Is this fast enough? Hope you liked it!
Whooo! Done! C'mon guys- Over 100! You can do it! Review!!!