Missing

Chapter two: The beginning

By: SageWriting

Email: Set in the time after the War of the ring. King Aragorn has traveled to Mirkwood to surprise his old friend. It's not until after he gets there does he learn something is terribly, terribly wrong. Legolas is gone, and with the Mouth of Sauron trying desperately to break the prince, Aragorn may have less time than he realizes to save him.

Rating: PG-13, for angst and torture in later scenes. Maybe pushing at R, though.

Disclaimer: see chapter one

Foreword: Nothing much to say here. I am so sorry for the long wait. I was grounded...Heheh.. Which is also why this chapter will seem very rushed, again, sorry. OH! There is a flashback in here, and its set off with 0-0-0 and hopefully will be in italics. ALSO, Elrond's character will be off and that is intentional, you will see why in late chapters, I promise!

IMPORTANT: This is a reviewer run story, you MUST review if you want an update. Reviews make me happy and make me work harder to get you your update, kay? .

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

"ADA!" Aragorn bolted upright, his knife drawn and pointed, quivering, at a small, fuzzy animal, which immediately bolted as if chased by the very hounds of hell. The king blinked, sheathing his knife with a raised eyebrow. The squirrel, now a safe distance away, sniffed and left the cave, passing by Atlin who snickered as if to say, 'A squirrel. You were scared of a squirrel.' (Father)

Aragorn ran a hand through his hair, dislodging a stray leaf that had somehow attached itself to his head. Stretching on his way outside of the small cave, the man blinked when he stood outside in full sunlight. Realizing that it was too late to really make any headway, plus he wanted to spend some time by himself, before he got to Eryn Lasgalen, he plopped down on one of the rocks that littered the area around the falls and just reclined, thinking.

0-0-0

It was a beautiful day. Evil had been vanquished, the lands were safe, and the people were celebrating. However for me the sun held no warmth, the peace held no true joy. He stood in front of me, his eyes downcast, his mind frantically searching for a way to make this less painful. But there was no way.

"Estel," He began slowly, his feet crunching the dry leaves that settled along the ground. "I have come to say goodbye."

"I figured that." I muttered, refusing to meet his gaze. Instead I focused on the cobblestone road that made up the entrance to Minas Tirith. Horses were tied nearby, only one without a rider. "What took you so long?"

"I-I'm sorry, Estel, I really am. I meant to stay longer, until you passed, but truly I must go. I have already stayed far too long. Sauron is gone, and I revel in that, but Arda was not saved for me."

"Of course not, it was selfish of me to think otherwise. I would have you leave. Now." I was stunned, never had I said anything like that, to anyone. I waited for the sharp rebuke, but none came. I looked up, opening my own mouth to apologize, but there was no one there. I heard hoof beats and realized too late what had happened. He was going to leave, and I hadn't apologized, hadn't told him how much he meant to me.

I rushed out the gate and watched in horror as the horses galloped farther away, each step taking him away from me forever. "ADA!" I cried, startling a few of the people as they relaxed in the peaceful atmosphere. I stumbled forward, a tear trailing down my cheek. My cloak slipped a little, and I pulled it back. For now I was playing the commoner, mustn't forget that. A king wouldn't be chasing after a horse. (Father)

He wheeled his mount around, and the elven stallion reared. He lifted one hand and a flash of blue caught my eye. Vilya. I didn't need to apologize or tell him anything. He knew. He always knew.

0-0-0

"My king, is everything all right?" A voice cut through the stupor surrounding the blonde archer. Legolas blinked, his gaze roaming around the hall, seemingly empty except for him and another female elf. He flushed, straightening his gold-edged robes of crimson, a gift from Aragorn, Elrohir, and Elladan as a joke, for they knew he hated such things. He sat on the throne of his fathers, tried to appear dignified and respectable, but, as Gimli had so gracefully pointed out a season or so ago, it was a fruitless hope. It probably was, but the proud elf would almost never admit that.

At least not out loud.

"Lelith, what is it?" He asked, rubbing his face slowly. He was so out of it he almost didn't hear the sobbing words until the end. "What?" He asked, sitting up straighter. "What was that?"

"My fiance never returned home, my lord, and only ten warriors from the hunting party returned, the other half is missing!" She sobbed, her hair hiding her face from view.

"Who told you thus?" Legolas thundered, on his feet. He had slipped into his father's regal way of talking, one that he hated, but had to live with right now. "Lelith, who?"

"Elros, my lord." She stammered, not quite understanding what she had said. She started to ask exactly what was wrong when her king tore out of the hall, his bow and quiver slung over his back.

Elros, with his darker shade of blonde hair, actually stood out from the rest as if he had a sign hung above his head. He was the captain of the guard and the king's own personal bodyguard, not to mention the greatest warrior in Mirkwood at the moment. Besides Legolas, of course, but as king, his skill was always looked over. However, right now...He wasn't going to be playing king.

"Elros!" He called, anger rising. His warrior looked over and excused himself from the others. He swiftly came toward the king and knelt, "My lord?"

"The hunting party returned?" Legolas asked, fingering his bowstring absently, "Why was I not informed?"

"I did not think you needed to know." Elros stated, and immediately regretted it.

"WHEN HALF OF THE PARTY IS MISSING I BELIEVE I NEED TO KNOW!" The archer thundered, his breathing harsh. "Elros, you are a smart elf, Eru knows. Why would you do such a thing?"

Elros looked away shamefully, and a loud shriek echoed through the area. Legolas spun, face devoid of all color. Yrchs...here? But, how could they possible get past the defenses...? The king's face, if possible, went paler, half of the hunting party never returned...half...The hunting parties only consist of seven...If ten warriors came back and half were missing...

Legolas spun, an arrow notched and ready to fly. Lelith's fiancee was none other than Koren, a good friend, and a loyal guard. How could he have missed that? Besides Elros, Koren was his chief bodyguard. He would never have gone out without a word. No, Koren was dead, and Legolas had an idea of what happened. His sights went from the orcs to where an elf was furiously slashing at the oncoming forces. Good act, but, unfortunately, there was more to Legolas Greenleaf than he let on. There was a traitor, and he was about to end that person's miserable life.

He sighted in on Elros, and let the arrow go.

Nothing moved within the quiet haven. The marble floors were spotless, the rooms clean and in order. Everything had looked just like it had the day he had left forever. The day Lord Elrond of Rivendell had knowingly lost a daughter, and, unknowingly, three sons.

In a room that nearly overflowed with books, both on the glittering oak desk and the surrounding floor, sat an elf. His dark mahogany hair fell down his back like a glittering waterfall, contrasting to the russet red robes he wore. His head was in his hands, a frown pulling at the corner's of his mouth.

"Your face is going to get stuck like that, muindor." A quiet voice stated from the door.

"I fear it already has, Ro. I thought coming here, might help." He sighed, closing his eyes wearily. "It made things worse." His sharp hearing picked up his twin's footsteps, but he made no move to pull away as his younger brother enveloped him in a tender, yet fierce, hug.

"El, Im sorry, sorry for everything. I had no right to drag you into my mess, you should have just left me-" He was cut off when Elladan's fist connected with his cheek and he stumbled backwards, surprise etched onto his face. "El!" He sputtered, his already mussed braid lying over his shoulder and nearly falling to his waist.

"If you even say that one more time, muindor, I will be sure to hit you harder next time." The elder twin vowed, silver eyes flashing. "The past is over, it is done, we cannot change it. We have to get over it and move onward, together." He held out his hand and drew his twin closer, inspecting the rather serious bruise blossoming on Elrohir's cheek. "I-I-Ro..." He stammered, startled. Elves did not get a bruise from a punch, and yet his brother had one. Oh, oh no...No...No, not now...!

Next time: The person responsible for the attack on Eryn Lasgalen...(sort of) . Some Legolas angst, and a more insightful venture back into what Elladan actually did and why Ro feels like he needs to apologize. Points and a chapter dedication to anyone who can figure it out! Also, more Aragorn and even a small section about a certain hobbit with a daughter who will have a fairly important part in this story! Oh, yeah, there are two other hobbits as well. Awwww..

Cliffy again, eh? chuckle Sorry? No? Okay then...Points to anyone who can, of course figure out what's up with the twins, (that's pretty easy and gets you a chapter dedication), who the hobbit and his daughter are,(again, easy, but no dedication) and finally, there is a hidden secret within the title that I will not disclose until, either someone figures it out, (which I doubt anyone will, at least not until later) or I tell you myself at the end of the story. Here is a clue: the person whom you think is the one 'missing' is actually not the one the story is talking about. And yes, the summary doesn't say ANYTHING about it. . Alright then, enough! In order for me to put this up, there will be no reviewer responses, but I thank every single one of you for your reviews. I was actually stuck there for a minute, but you guys pulled me through. Thanx! See ya next time!

Reviews

Iccle Fairy: Wee! Gotta love it all. Especially Arwen chasing around poor Eomer and Eldarion! Make sure you take a jab at the mysteries! Thanx

Mornflower: Why do you make me feel like sitting down and rushing out the next chapter for you? Check out the clues!

Hypatia: I am only fifteen! So my dialogue might be childish, but it is also meant to be lighthearted, but thank you for your...um...pointers.

Deana: Yay! Next chappy!