Disclaimer: Unfortunately, none of this is mine!! *sob*

Title: Strike of the Serpent

Rating: R (For some character torture)

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Chapter 2

Legolas' cry travelled through the still night air and Aragorn swung around in alarm. Seeing no visible sign of the archer, he ran in the direction Legolas had gone, looking around frantically.

"Legolas? Legolas! Answer me dammit! Legolas!"

A dark shape suddenly loomed several yards in front of him and Aragorn started. He blinked, realising it to be a horse. A figure mounted the horse before turning it to face the Ranger, having noticed his presence. Legolas' limp body was draped over the front of the saddle, bound tightly.

"You!" Aragorn snarled dangerously, recognising the rider and Legolas' attacker for who he was, "You were banished from these lands. Release him or I will summon Hama and Gamling to decide your fate for defying the decree of the king of Rohan." he drew his sword. "Unhand him, now."

Cold blue eyes glittered at Aragorn from under greasy black hair as the man sneered. "I do not think you will be doing that, Ranger." Grima spat, smirking knowingly as he pulled a dagger from beneath his black cloak and held it to Legolas' throat, "Not when a flick of my wrist could end your precious Elf's life forever."

Aragorn paled, but his sword arm did not waver, "I should have let Theoden kill you when he had the chance! Let him go!"

Grima cackled, grabbing a fistful of the Elf's hair and wrenching his head back so they could both see his face. "So beautiful…" Grima sighed, bending his head and licking the blood from the side of the Elf's face, "And now he is mine."

Aragorn roared in outrage and lunged towards the king's former advisor, sword raised. Grima wrenched the reigns, turning his mount, and kicked it into a gallop, fleeing the Ranger's wrath like the coward he was.

"No!" Aragorn cried, trying desperately to catch up to the fleet footed horse. "Come back here and face me, you cowardly snake!"

The horse vanished into the darkness and Aragorn fell to his knees, letting out a cry of anguish and fury. He dropped his sword to the ground and covered his face with shaking hands. "Legolas…"

As the hoof beats of the horse began to fade into the distance, Aragorn scrambled to his feet and whirled to run back to the city, nearly colliding with Gamling, who was running towards him.

"Is everything alright, Lord Aragorn? We heard you cry out."

Aragorn started to run towards the Golden Hall. "Ready my horse, Gamling!" He called over his shoulder, "I must ride out immediately."

Gamling kept pace with him, "At once, my Lord."

They parted ways at the stables and Aragorn all but flew up the stairs to the main hall, where his companions still rested. He burst through the doors, startling everyone inside. He rushed to the room where he had left his dagger and bow, feeling the need to have them with him.

Gandalf and Theoden hurried after him. "Lord Aragorn," Theoden spoke first, "What has happened?"

Aragorn silently continued his gathering and Gandalf grew impatient. "Aragorn! What has happened? Tell us!"

"Aye," a gruff voice sounded from the doorway, "And where is Legolas?" Aragorn turned his eyes to the Dwarf, knowing this would hit Gimli hard. Despite his bluster, the small being cared deeply for Legolas.

"Gimli, I— " He stopped, looking directly at Theoden, "Wormtongue did not leave." he said grimly, "He waited for a chance to catch us unawares and now he has taken Legolas!"

Gimli's head snapped up and his eyes darkened, "Taken?"

Aragorn nodded, "I am going after them. Gamling is readying my mount. I will ride out with all speed— "

"This is folly, Aragorn." Gandalf said, his voice soft, but insistant, "You cannot track them in this darkness. Wait for first light."

Aragorn rounded on him, his eyes flashing angrily, causing Theoden who was standing next to the Istar, to step back. "How can you ask that of me? Who knows what he could be doing to Legolas, even now— " his voice broke and he stopped talking, anguish and indecision shone clear in his eyes.

"What do you mean, Aragorn?" Gimli said impatiently, obviously having not picked up on Aragorn's meaning.

The man turned to him with sad eyes, "He — desires Legolas. I saw it in his eyes." he shuddered, "And in his actions. I must go after them! He cannot suffer such a fate, not while there is yet breath in my body."

Gimli hefted his axe, a murderous gleam in his dark eyes. "I am going with you, Aragorn. We will track them together, as we did the Hobbits and retrieve our crazy Elf."

Aragorn smiled. "Very well. Come Gimli. Let us go."

Gandalf blocked the doorway. "Wait for first light, young Ranger." He insisted, "You have yet taken no rest this night and what good will you be to Legolas if you reach them and collapse from exhaustion?"

Gimli started to protest, but the Istar cut him off. "That goes for you as well, son of Gló in." Aragorn walked forward and stood toe to toe with the ancient wizard.

"You would have us leave him there…while we take rest in our beds and think not on it until the morrow?" The accusation in his voice was unmistakable and Gandalf stiffened.

"I would pursue him also, but not in the dead of the night! You are not thinking, Aragorn! You are letting your panic blind you to the point where you can no longer see straight! If you were in my position, young king of Gondor, what would you do?"

Aragorn lowered his head, defeated. It was a low shot, but it had worked. "Very well, Gandalf. You have made your point. I will rest. But we leave as soon as the east brightens."

Gandalf agreed, watching Aragorn walk towards their chambers with Gimli, his shoulders slumped under the weight of worry for his friend.

Gimli closed the door to their chambers and Aragorn sank down on his bed, staring at the one the Elf normally occupied, next to the room's only window.

Gimli moved in front of him, gaining his attention. "What happened, Aragorn? I cannot see that slug defeating the Elf in combat."

Aragorn frowned, "Nor can I." he mused, "Legolas cried out…I think he was taken by surprise and struck over the head, for he had a wound at his temple." his eyes filled with guilt, "I should have stayed with him! I stopped to talk with Gamling…if only I had stayed by his side, this would not have happened!"

Gimli growled. "He would have found another way, Aragorn. You cannot blame yourself for this!"

Aragorn shook his head slowly, either ignoring or not hearing Gimli, "I drew my sword on him, but he threatened Legolas' life. If only I had been closer! He turned his mount and fled before I had a chance to do more than advance on him!"

"Coward," Gimli hissed, "He will get what he deserves."

Aragorn nodded grimly, a glint of barely suppressed rage in his blue eyes, "Yes. He will."

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Review replies::

Cheysuli: You always manage to be the first I don't know how you do it!! Yeah Legolas torture is fun isn't it?? *evil smile* and I get the feeling there's more torture to come… ;)

Elfie: *blush* Thank you!! Did you guess who it was who hurt him?? Legolas and Gimli are cool! I love their whole insulting friendship thing! Glad you liked the first bit, hope this one was okay too!! =)

Shandrial: Grr…you found me out!! And here was I thinking that no one would guess who it was!! Oh well… Ooh don't strangle him! I need him!! You could sic Grimnosh the gnat on him if you like… Poor you I hope the writing's going okay again and that your cursed writer's block is gone! ;)

Delph: Ooh another review! You're on a roll… ;) I updated this as quickly as I could and I hope it was okay and relieved the whole suspense element!! I couldn't very well go on holidays and leave everyone hanging now could I? That wouldn't be very nice! Hope you're still enjoying and thanks for the review! =)

Jenny: Aw thank you! *blush* I'm bringing my writing pad on holiday with me so I can write loads and relax at the same time! ;) I'll have the next one up as soon as I can! =)

DXPrincess: I'm sorry! I keep doing that don't I? Stupid me and my cliffhanger addictions…I'll keep writing I promise! Did you guess who was behind it? *snigger* I'm not very original but that's what happens when you're bitten by a plot bunny…I had to drop everything and write until I couldn't think of anymore cos it wouldn't let me alone!! Hope you like! =)

Kaimelieamin: Oh sorry! I didn't mean to bring an attack one everyone… ;) Sorry this took so long I'm a little addled at the moment! Ooh good guess!! Have a cookie! Hope you enjoyed this one!! :)

tamara: Ooh I'm glad you like it! It was a wayward plot bunny that bit me during writer's block and it wouldn't leave me be until I wrote it!! Hope this chapter was ok and did you know who it was?? ;)

Lady Jaina: I agree, poor Leggy!! I'm not very nice to him am I? Aha did you guess who was behind it?? He's evil I tell you!! Did you see him in TTT?? *shiver* ;)

Rabbit of Iron: It was a bit evil wasn't it?? I'm terrible for evil cliffhangers!! I'm glad you like it so far! Hahahaha!!! I never thought of it like that! Hi ho hi ho… Hehehe! That's the funniest thing I've heard all week!! :D

wispykitty: Ooh it's promising? GOOD!! I hope it's still promising! ;) Sorry I'm getting a little carried away there… Hehehe! Hope this chapter was ok! =)

Angel of Death: No not this time! It's a nice free standing story! Is that what you call them…No, stand alone!! That's what I meant!! Sorry… ;) Glad you like!

Alice: I'm sorry!! I'll never give out to you for cliffhangers again! You want me to kill him?? I would…but then I'd have no story! You dig? ;) Ah well constructive or not I appreciated the review! Yay!! =)

Goddess of Death: Agh! You found me out!! He told you didn't he?? *hit's Grima on head* Grr… ;) Sorry this took so long but here it is anyway and I'm working on more! =)

Gwilith: *blush* Oh thank you! That's such a nice compliment! Hope you didn't fall off your seat, cos I did that once!! Quite painful I think I couldn't sit for a week!! ;) Sorry it took so long and hope you enjoyed it! =)

Silmarien: Sorry, sorry!!! I'm so late on the whole update thing! I'm working on more and bringing my writing pad with me wherever I go in case I get inspired! ;) I'll have more up really soon I promise!! :)

Mcat: Promising? E! Thank you! Got this up as quick as I could and there's more in the works somewhere, I have vague ideas but nothing solid yet!! You'll be the first to know when it's ready! ;)

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Is that everyone?? Hope so! On holiday for a couple of weeks so I'll see you when I get back! Hugs to all; .:Tithen Min:.