Disclaimer: Not mine!! :(
Title: To New Mutiny
Rating: R
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I'm not sure if I'll get more out before Friday cos I have two assignments due in and I have to work on Friday, but if I don't; HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!! *cackle* I love this season…
404 reviews?!?! Wow!! Thanks everybody!! *huggles and candy for every single reader* =)
Huggles, .:Tithen Min
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Chapter 27
Herani rushed back into the room, her arms full of bandages and healing herbs and nearly tripping over the hunched form of Aragorn, who was binding the last of the enemy Elves.
The man looked up. "Herani, where is Legolas?"
"With his father." She replied sadly, "He sent me for bandages, but I fear they will do no good. The wound is fatal."
Aragorn sighed and stood, looking over the room. As his eyes fell on Legolas and Thranduil, his sword dropped from suddenly nerveless fingers and he strode across the room to their side.
Thranduil lay still where Legolas had placed him, one hand by the wound at his chest. His eyes were closed, but he did not appear to be near death's door yet.
Legolas was the one who had alarmed Aragorn so. He lay deathly still by Thranduil's side, one hand still resting limply on his father's forehead. His skin was an alarming shade of grey and his breathing was shallow.
Aragorn reached down to check his pulse when Herani's choked gasp caught his attention. He looked up at her and caught the fear and confusion on her face. "Herani?"
"This…cannot be possible…" She whispered, staring fixedly down at the king.
Aragorn stood and shook her gently. "Herani! What is it? Tell me!"
She pointed numbly down at Thranduil's still form. "His wound, Aragorn…I do not understand…"
Aragorn looked down, seeing the wound that the she Elf spoke of. It was bad, but it was far from being the life-threatening gash Aragorn had imagined. Aragorn was about to question her when he looked at Legolas and suddenly his mind registered what must have happened.
He dropped to his knees at Legolas' side, rolling him fully onto his back. The full extent of Legolas' injuries was revealed to him as he turned him. A deep wound at his shoulder still oozed blood, as did the re-opened gash on his face. His clothes stuck to him as the blood from the welts clotted and dried and bruises marred his face and throat.
Aragorn closed his eyes sadly, knowing what had come to pass. "Legolas…what have you done?" He whispered.
Herani eyed him suspiciously, "What do you mean 'what has he done'? Aragorn?"
"He possesses the power of healing, Herani."
Her eyes grew wide, "Legolas?"
Aragorn nodded. "He used it on both myself and Thranduil before, though he was not badly injured then, nor were our wounds as serious."
At her look of incomprehension, he continued, "It weakened him then, it could kill him now! We must do something!"
Herani paused, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "There was one other in Mirkwood who possessed such an ability as Legolas does…he may be able to help us, but I know not where he lives. He chose to exile himself to avoid Thranduil's wrath when he failed to save Lady Larien and the child."
"Legolas' mother?" Herani nodded. "Well we must find someone who knows where he stays, he is our only hope of saving Legolas!"
At that moment, Thranduil began to stir, coming out of the healing sleep that Legolas' power had placed on him. He shifted and winced slightly as his wound pulled and opened his eyes, seeing Aragorn and Herani kneeling over him.
As he registered where he was, everything came back to him. He remembered the last thing he heard before he lost awareness completely; 'It is your kingdom…so I shall go in your place…'
He bolted upright, "No! Legolas! Where— "
His exclamation was cut short when he looked down to see his son lying by his side, still and pale as death. "No…he did not…"
But one look at Aragorn's anguished face told him the truth.
"He is dying, king Thranduil." Herani said softly, "He sacrificed his life to save yours."
"No!" Thranduil cried, "This cannot be! I only just got him back…is there nothing we can do for him?"
Herani looked pensively at him. "My king…we need the help of another healer, one who is gifted as the prince is. My lord, I know of only one— "
"Tolren," Thranduil growled.
"My lord, it is for Legolas' sake!" Herani cried desperately, "Can you not let go of your resentment for your son's life?"
Thranduil dropped his head into his hands. "He could not save my wife…what if he cannot save Legolas? He is all I have…" A sob escaped him as he gathered his wounded son into his arms and held him close.
"Estel…" A voice came from behind them and Aragorn turned to see the twins approaching. "We could not find— " Elrohir started, but ended in a choked gasp as his eyes fell on the heart-wrenching sight of Thranduil clinging to his dying son.
The twins seemed frozen in disbelief as they tried to take in the sight. Elrohir dropped to his knees beside the king, reaching out tentatively to smooth Legolas' hair away from his bruised face.
"Las…" He whispered in a broken voice, tears streaming down his face.
Elladan dropped beside his twin to try and comfort him, but it helped little, as silent sobs were shaking his own body.
"What happened?" Elladan managed to choke out as he stared at the pale face of his long time friend.
Thranduil shook his head sadly. "He tried to save me…he would not leave without me. I told him to run but he would not listen! It should be me who is dying, not my son!" He lowered his head as a sob escaped him.
Herani put a gentle hand on the king's shoulder. "It will be alright, my king, we need only find Tolren, he can help Legolas, he is trained to— "
"What if he cannot?" Thranduil snapped, "He failed me when I needed him before, what if he fails again?"
"And what if he succeeds?" Aragorn snapped, "You will have your son back. If you wait and refuse to summon him, Legolas will definitely die! This way, at least you give your son a chance!"
Thranduil paused, uncertainty lining his ageless face and making him seem suddenly older. Aragorn and the others tensely awaited his decision, knowing that on the king lay Legolas' one hope of survival.
Finally, Thranduil nodded. "You are right. We must give Legolas a chance." He paused, "Send for Tolren, he abides in the Northernmost reaches of the forest with a group of others, near where the enchanted river flows."
One of the Elf warriors left to relay the message. As he left the room, Citahel entered, shaking his head wordlessly. Elladan stood shakily and went to him. After a hurried conversation, Elladan returned to the small group.
"King Thranduil…we are having difficulty locating the Elf who is responsible for all of this…"
Thranduil looked up sharply, focussing with difficulty on the elder twin's face. "What are you saying?"
"My Lord, Anamaer has disappeared." Elladan said softly, guilt edging his voice, "Captain Citahel and several others have been out searching for him, but have had little luck. I am sorry, my Lord."
Citahel drew closer, intending to apologise to his king himself, but as he saw who the king held, he faltered and staggered back a pace, as if struck.
"Legolas…?" He gasped, "Oh no,"
Thranduil sighed heavily. "Now, Captain, you see how important it is that we find that coward Anamaer. He will be punished severely for what he has inflicted upon my son."
Citahel nodded, still slightly dazed at seeing the supposed-dead prince alive, yet not so. "Aye, sire, we will go back out at once. We will not stop until he is found,"
Almost every member of Thranduil's Elven forces knew Legolas personally and liked him greatly, as he spent much time among them and made a point of knowing all his comrades by name. They would not rest until Legolas' tormenter had been found and brought to justice.
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So what do you think? Should I kill him?! *cackle* Ooh and for all of you reading Strike of the Serpent, I should have it out tomorrow evening, Thursday at the latest!! :)
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Review replies::
MoroTheWolfGod: Tee he he! Seems I'm always late these days…darn college work… Sorry!! Hope you're still enjoying it anyway!! I'll have some more out as soon as I have it written and typed I promise! Maybe Halloween will inspire me… *cackle* Did I mention I'm mad?? More soon!! :)
DXPrincess: 0_0 Wow…you really thought my fight scene was good?? Thank you! :) *blush* Sorry to get you so addicted to plot twists…but at least there's plenty of them to keep you going!! ;) Tee he! You seriously have to go easy on the compliments!! I'm about to explode again and we all know it wasn't pretty last time… Hehehe!! But thank you they're always well received! :) I haven't decided completely what's gonna happen yet, but I'll get bitten by something I'm sure!! *cackle* In the meantime hope you liked!! =)
Ivory Novelist: I'm afraid this chapter didn't really solve the mystery of whether he's gonna live or not… *cackle* But you know me! What do you think I'm gonna do?? ;) Ooh I'll make sure they kick his ass good! When they find him that is… 0_0 And indeed I am going to take the flaff option! You taught me very well! And you're welcome! It's a pleasure I assure you!! :) Your stories rule the flaff world!! Hope you liked this this okay!! =)
Lefty: Yup!! You're absolutely right, he did!! :) Guess I'm running out of original plotlines… Oh well!! He never learns!! *sigh* Aw you're being so patient with me and I'm being such a lazy sod with my updating… sorry!! College is mad!! I hope this chapter was okay cos the ending was kind of rushed…I'll have more out as soon as it's written and try not to make you wait too long!! =)
Lolita: Ah?? AH??! That's a very difficult review to reply to you know!! ;) Shall I take it you didn't see that coming?? *cough* Heh… Hope this one lessened your frustration!! I'll try and have more out soon!! :)
Sirith: *blush* Aw thank you!! I'm glad you feel I deserve it!! :) And I'm really glad you're still loving the fic even with my *ahem* incredibly tardy updating habits!! Sorry to make you wait so long!! I hope this chapter helped the curiosity a bit! I know not much happened, but I'm building to something!! I think… ;) More soon!! =)
randomramblings: I haven't decided yet… MWA HA HA!! Well… we'll see! It often depends on what mood I'm in when I'm writing!! Maybe I'll be in a good mood and I'll be good to him… ;) *giggle* Hope this was okay anyway! :)
ivorybrowneyes: Kicked ass?? Cool!! I'm glad it kicked ass cos I'm terrible at action scenes!! Heh… Aw you were sick?? Me too! Hope you're feeling better now cos, bad as school is, it gets really boring at home sometimes!! ;) *hands lozenges* Hope your cough clears up too!! Hehehehe!! Hope you liked and sorry for the wait!! :)
Black Hawk: Hmmm…not sure yet. It should end up well…but you know me and my incessant plot twists… *cackle* You're learning Ceili dancing?? It's so much fin isn't it?? They used to throw a big ceili every year at school it was really funny to see all the teachers at it… *giggle* Ooh and your squirrel sounds so cool!! Say hi to him for me!! I'm actually rather British myself cos I'm from Northern Ireland which is still considered part of Britain…my ancestors are Scottish!! Hehehe!! **blush** Aw I'm not that cool…but thanks! It boosts my ego!!! :) Hope you liked this and I'll have more out soon!! *many huggles* ;)
LegolasLover2003: 0_0 Eep!! *runs away and hides behind couch* *peeks out* Oh, it's not a flame!! Good! But I made you cry?? I'm sorry!!!! Totally didn't mean to!! Frik?? I like that word!! Tee he he!! *hands mega box of Kleenex* Feel better? I tried to update sooner, but a massive storm and college work (in that order) got in my way!! Heh… **blush** I'm glad you don't think the story sucks!! Your stories are great!! At least, the ones I've read!! Saw your review and I was like WOW… :) Sorry this took so long I'll try and have the next part up sooner!! Hope the Kleenex keeps you going and look, here's a chocolate squirrel!! *gives chocolate* Good?? Til next time!! =)
Tsugumiwolf: OMG what have I done?? I keep killing my reviewers!! Eep!! You're very right though it wouldn't be much of a story without him…but you never know with me! MWA HA HA HA!! ;) Oh good, you're alive!! *giggle* That's good, I was afraid I'd have to abandon the story and go into hiding! You wouldn't want me to have to do that, would you?? 0_0 Tee he he!! Hope you liked!! =)
wispykitty: Bad evil?? *gulp* I'm not really!! I'm good! Really!! See? *points to halo* okay, so maybe my horns are making it crooked… *ahem* Oh good, you're okay!! No damages!! But 3,000 trees?? Eep!! Legolas will not be happy… And Evil Smilie is helping? Good for it!! Yay!! Say hello for me!! ;) I didn't quite turn it around yet, but I will!! I think… Gotta run! Hope it was okay! =)
Sparrow Greenleaf: Deep breaths…there you go! Better? ;) And here you go *hands Kleenex* Hope that helps a bit! I haven't decided whether to kill him or not yet… any ideas?? ;) Hehehe!! This update wasn't exactly quick, I'm sorry!! Blame it on Grima!! Yay! Hope you liked!! :)
Deana: 0_0 You kidnapped him?? OMG!! I was wondering where he was… *gets out TTT DVD* Ah there's my inspiration! I don't need the real thing as long as I have my DVD, so I'll let you keep him for a while!! ;) Sorry I didn't post very quickly, but you know how things are! Enjoy Legolas!! :)
I-like-chickens: I'm sorry!! I'm always being lazy and abbreviating things! Bad writer!! BTW means 'by the way'. I'm always doing that!! (I don't know what half the abbreviations mean either, if it helps!) Glad you liked the chapter okay! :) I'm afraid it'll be a bit longer before I decide what to do with Legolas, but you know me!! *giggle* Anyway hope you liked this one too and I'll have more out soon!! ;)
Delph: Hi! Nice to hear from you again!! :) I'm afraid I can't really say what's gonna happen, cos that'd take away the suspense and we all know how much I love that!! And sorry for keeping you waiting so long things keep happening!! Grr… Hope you enjoyed anyway! More soon!! ;)
tamara: Tee he he!! Does that answer your question?? *evil laf* Ooh I'm really glad you liked the chapter!! :) But we'll have to wait a bit longer to see if Legolas is gonna be okay…cos I'm in a really evil mood at the moment!! ;) MWA HA HA HA!!!! Hope it was okay though and sorry for leaving you hanging!! =)
kawaiishinichan: You like evil?? GOOD!! Cos I can get worse! ;) No seriously, I can! *giggle* Aw I'm so glad you like the story so far! :) See? I didn't make him die!! I'm not evil! Well…not that evil…so you don't have to be sad!! Yay!! I'm glad you're enjoying it and hope this bit was okay too despite its lateness…heh… ;)
LiLeggs: Um…I'm sorry I'm using Las more as a nickname for Legolas cos typing Legolas all the time gets a bit tiring, so I'm being lazy and just using the last three letters! ;) It means 'leaf' in Elvish. I think! ;) I'm sorry for making you wait so long I'm bad like that!! And I can never resist teary puppy dog eyes!!! So hope you enjoyed this and more soon!! :)
Ryoko Lasgalen: Ah, sounds like Welsh weather is just like Irish weather…that can put anyone in a bad mood!! The other day we had a thunder storm that lasted 48 hours!! Eep!! Had to unplug everything in the house…heh…*blush* I'm really glad you like the fic!! It always makes me smile to hear that!! :) Hehehe! Ah you're better than me then I couldn't decide for ages whether to make him the bad guy or not!! You should've told me!! *giggle* Sorry I'm a little mad today…it's raining…or maybe it's a full moon… ;) Anyway thanks for the review and hope you liked this chappie too!! More soon! *huggles* =)
Conn JS1: *gulp* Oliphaunts?? Eep!! *runs away* I'm glad you like Herani!! I thought she was pretty cool but I'm not great with OCs really…thank you!! :) Mwa ha ha ha!! I guess I could do something that evil… but then people would come after me with sharp sticks and such…Eep!! Haven't decided what to do with Legolas yet, but I'll have to do it soon!! *looks at gathering mob* 0_0 I hope this chapter wasn't too bad!! I'll tell the Oliphaunt you said hi!! ;)
Passion Lover: How can I?? Hmmm…cos I'm evil!!! MWA HA HA HA!! *cough* *cringe* Don't hit me!! Cos then I'll have to hide under the computer table and I'll never be able to get the chapters done!! Eep!!! I didn't mean to leave you hanging so long! Got carried away with college work!! Sorry!! But I'll have the next chapter written and posted really soon okay?? *cringe* Hope you like!! :)
itarilde-elenastar: Washington huh?? Cool. Sounds like a lot more fun than I'm having!! (We're getting rained on again…) And of course I like you!! You're cool!! :) Yeah, poor Legolas…I almost feel sorry for him, but I have people to entertain!! ;) *cackle* Yeah, my parents are the same, my mam would hurt me, but dad would just be like 'ah let her stay up!' Tee he he!! Aw I'm really glad you still like it so much and I'll try and have some more out soon!! Hope you enjoy your trip!! :)
louise_oblique: Aw thanks!! I'm glad you liked it! Sorry to leave you hanging so long I promise I didn't mean to!! :) I'm sure he'll be fine!! I don't think I'm that evil…but at Halloween you never know… *cackle* Aw you think it's wonderful?? *blush* Thank you!! I'll try to get some more out soon and not leave you hanging again!! *hugs back* =)
Rath: Eep!!! *ducks tomatoes* I'm sorry!! And please don't bring the fruit!! ARGH!! *runs away* I'm sorry this took so long!! You can blame it on my college course co-ordinator cos everything else is his fault anyway!! Hehehe!! ;) I'll be good I promise!! Hope you liked!! =)
Kit Cloudkicker: Awh thank you!! :) I'm glad you like it!! Plot bunnies are pulling in several different directions at once, hence the plot twists! Glad they're not too confusing!! Hehehe!! I'll try to be good to Legolas, cos he really doesn't deserve to die, does he?? Hmmm…have to wait and see where the bunnies go next I guess!!! *cackle* Hope you liked!! =)