Disclaimer: Not mine!! :(
Title: To New Mutiny
Rating: PG-13
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Chapter 9
Gimli led them through the caves of the Lonely Mountain, gushing about the work that was in progress in one place, or the new extension of an old cave. Aragorn tried to look interested, but he was quickly losing the battle.
He glanced over at Legolas and nearly laughed out loud. The Elf was regarding the Dwarf with a mixture of bemused curiosity and barely contained frustration. He was no longer used to this bizarre creature and it showed clearly.
Aragorn's smile faded, as the thought came to him that Legolas might never truly remember everything and the merry Elf that they both knew and treasured would be lost.
Legolas caught his serious expression and quirked an eyebrow in silent question. Aragorn simply shook his head. If he told his worries to Legolas, the Elf would most likely lose what faith he had in ever regaining his memory. The Elf looked suspicious, but shrugged, going back to trying not to listen to Gimli, lest he fall asleep on is feet.
The Dwarf finally led them to his chambers and they sat down as Gimli poured them drinks. They sat gratefully, sinking into the chairs. The walk through the mines had seemed endless. Legolas watched Gimli, seeing familiarity in a few of the little things that the small being did, and smiled to himself. Maybe this had been a good idea after all.
Gimli handed them their drinks and took his own before turning back to them. "So you have no idea who did this to you, Elf?"
Legolas shook his head; "I have few memories of anything that happened before I was brought to Lake Town."
The Dwarf sighed, "Have you tried going back to where you were found?"
Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other, disbelieving that neither of them had thought of it before. Gimli picked up on their silence and raised an eyebrow at the expressions on their faces. "You have not tried that?"
They shook their heads. Aragorn smiled, "An excellent idea, Master Dwarf. We shall leave tomorrow morning." Legolas nodded reluctantly.
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The next morning, the three friends set out for Mirkwood once again, with Gimli riding with Legolas as usual.
As night fell, they paused to make camp, reluctant to travel after dark. While Gimli and Aragorn gathered firewood and hunted for their meal, Legolas stood at the edge of the light from the fire, gazing out over the dark landscape around them, a troubled look in his cobalt eyes.
Aragorn kept a close eye on the Elf as they set up the rabbits to cook over the fire, but said nothing, not wanting to disturb his thoughts. When the meal was ready, however, he decided to rouse him.
"Legolas?" he called. The Elf did not move, nor give any indication that he had heard Aragorn at all. The Ranger sighed, getting to his feet and moving over to Legolas' side. He put a hand on Legolas' shoulder, "Legolas? It is time to eat, my friend." Legolas blinked, turning his gaze on the man beside him.
"Something is not right, Aragorn." he said softly, "We should not stay here."
Aragorn looked at him in confusion, "What are you talking about, Legolas? If orcs approached the horses would have noticed long ago, even if you yourself had not!"
Legolas shook his head restlessly, his blond hair whipping around his face, "It is not orcs, it is…something else." He frowned at his own inability to express his concerns, "I cannot explain it! A shadow haunts my mind. We should leave, now."
Aragorn glanced uneasily at the dark terrain that surrounded their campsite, then shook his head slowly.
"You are tired, Legolas. You need to rest, and so do we. I see no threat here, we can rest a while."
Legolas looked at him disbelievingly before a flame of anger kindled in his eyes as his rare temper flared. "You think that just because I have lost my memories that I do not know danger when I sense it? Is that what you are saying, that I have lost my mind as well as my past?!"
Aragorn's mouth hung open, unused to such a display of raw emotion from his normally reserved and laid back friend. "That is not what I meant at all, Legolas! I was merely saying— "
"That the dread I feel now is nothing but hunger pains? Fatigue maybe?" the Elf snapped, "You may not feel what I do, but I am going to make sure." Legolas turned on his heel, collecting his bow and quiver before storming out of the camp.
Gimli saw him leave and turned an accusing gaze on Aragorn. "What did you say to him?! Blasted Humans…" the Dwarf grabbed his axe from the ground beside him and stood up to follow Legolas, closely shadowed by Aragorn.
They stepped outside the ring of light cast by their campfire and could just make out the Elf through the gloom of the growing twilight. Suddenly, Legolas gave a startled shout as a group of Wild Men jumped from the scattered bushes and surrounded the Elf.
Legolas unsheathed his knives, looking from one to the other, trying to determine who was going to make the first move. Aragorn and Gimli kept to outside of the circle of men, hoping to keep the element of surprise with them.
All three tensed, waiting.
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