This chapter is dedicated to the lovely reviewer Aragorn and Arwen for being so gosh darn cool and giving me a great idea ::wink::wink:: !!
Gaaaaah!!!! Ok….I lost this whole freakin chapter b/c of stupid stupid Microsoft and I had to write it all over again and it was nearly 3 in the morning and I nearly cried….so please review…I put like twice to work into it and it would just make me feel loads better…
PS I'm gonna be in Ukraine for about 2 weeks so I won't be able to update till I get back!!
Chapter 14
An odd prickling sensation at the nape of his neck was Harry's first indication that all was not well in the Leaky Cauldron. The young wizard's breath caught in his throat and his world froze as he turned and saw a tall, broad man seemingly charging directly for him, a short blade glittering dangerously in his right hand. It was exactly at this point that Harry saw the idea of one's life flashing before his or her eyes when they perceive death to be imminent to be the gross misconception it truly is. Rather than briskly strolling down memory lane, at this moment Harry knew only two facts: that his foe was far larger than he, and that in his petrified state, he was utterly powerless against the grown wizard, or whatever else he might be.
Clenching his jaw tightly and resigning himself to fate, Harry attempted to prepare himself for a painful and likely bloody impact, hoping only that the end would be swift.
Understandably, Harry was stunned as he merely felt a small gust of wind brush against his face followed by a sharp whip from the tail end of the man's billowing cloak as he ran quickly past. Both relieved and confused, Harry quickly swiveled around in time to see the man leap at Legolas' exposed back, weapon raised ever higher.
Before Harry, or any of the large number of people who had been drawn to the commotion at the bar, could shout a warning to the ancient elf Legolas had pivoted on his heel and grabbed the man by both wrists. Not losing a beat, the trained warrior used his foe's momentum against him, flipping him easily onto the crowded counter so that his face was smashed quite uncomfortably into a dirty rag.
Deftly ignoring the crashing of dishware and mugs as they fell to the ground, in addition to the gasps of the spectators, Legolas easily mounted the bar, grinding his knee into the small of the man's back while crushing his blade wielding wrist in a vice like grip, forcing the man to drop the weapon.
All those watching from the sidelines agreed that the good-looking blonde fellow had this scrap wrapped up quite nicely, but they did not realize that simply having the gall to physically attack one of the firstborn was achieved with no small amount of power.
Fighting back the pain pulsing down his right arm, the man noticed that while focused on his right wrist Legolas applied slightly less force on his left arm. Quickly giving in and dropping his weapon to the counter, the man took advantage of the brief moment during which his opponent was distracted and sharply jabbed the prince in the delicate spot between his ribs with his left elbow.
Hissing his pain between tight lips while simultaneously berating himself for making such a foolish mistake, Legolas involuntarily loosened his hold on the man. Taking full advantage of the opportunity, the wizard jerked back his head and rapped it sharply against Legolas'. The crowd gasped as the force of the blow sent Legolas flying back, landing on all fours.
Sheer giddiness that his move against the elf had been successful led to the man to make the mistake of rising to his feet atop the bar.
In the time it took for him to realize his mistake the man found himself back down on the counter, his hair grasped tightly in the elf's left hand, his right hand pressing the flat side of an ornately decorated long knife into the soft flesh of his neck.
The elf stared intently into the man's eyes, his churning silver-blue eyes expressionless. The pair remained thusly, to the amazement of the others, until the man grunted resignedly, rolled his eyes and muttered in a frustrated tone, "Fine, you win…again."
Laughing musically while re-sheathing his knife, Legolas extended his hand to the man and hauled him to his feet, saying " My friend, that is exactly what I wish to hear."
Seeing that the short brawl would provide no further entertainment, especially considering that such displays were not especially unusual in establishments such as the Cauldron, the crowd turned back to their own arguments and refreshments.
The man clumsily jumped to the floor, straightening his clothing as Legolas nimbly alighted, as though the considerable distance between bar and floor was naught more than a small step.
"Same old prince," chuckled the man, who apparently wasn't as much of a stranger as he appeared to be, clapping the elf on the shoulder warmly, "always the show off."
To the astonishment of Harry and Ron, Legolas merely laughed at the slight to his character and shook his head slightly.
"What the hell is happening?" asked Ron angrily, his face as red as his hair. "Do you realize how worried you made us? What a stupid thing to do…What if I had used this?" whispered Ron harshly as he shook his wand in demonstration, "I could have been expelled, someone could have been hurt! And I don't even know what exactly happened."
"Peace, please Ron," said Legolas, holding up both hands defensively, "In explanation, please allow me to introduce to you young gentleman, my old friend and utter rapscallion, Darion Elessa."
"You honor me with your kind words, your rudeness," cried Darion with an exaggerated bow. "But please, boys, don't blame our dear elf for the confusion. You see," Darion dropped his voice to a hushed whisper, "It has been my goal since the carefree days of my childhood to best this odd fellow in a scrap" Straightening himself and leaning dejectedly against the counter top, Darion sighed, "And, as you might have guessed, I have not as yet seen this goal become reality."
Legolas smirked and said with inborn elven arrogance, "That, young one, is one dream which shall not be seen to fruition."
"Though you do actually deserve to be soundly beat this time," said Darion, "You do realize that I was expecting you days ago."
Sharing a wide grin with Ron and Harry, who was still quite solemn, Legolas replie "Unfortunately, young Ronald and I had quite a time finding the exact location of Harry Potter's home…"
"I told you, all those new houses look the same!"
"…and then we had a rather interesting confrontation with Harry's guardians, a tale of which I will share much."
"And I look forward to hearing the hilarious details, elf-prince. However, we really must be going," said Darion as he led the group through the crowded pub and toward the entrance to Diagon Alley. "The Weasley twins have been expecting you for a while now."
"You know my brothers?" asked Ron as Darion whipped out his wand and opened the passageway between the pub and the alley.
"Who doesn't know the twins?" replied Darion, "Everyone says their prank shop is the best we've seen in ages. Wouldn't you agree, old one?"
Ron glowed with pride as Legolas agreed that the establishment was indeed excellent and that the twins were exceedingly talented wizards. Ron sidled up beside the grown wizard and began pestering him with questions, fascinated with a man who would be so bold as to attack an ancient elf-prince like Legolas, who frightened even the greasy Professor Severus Snape.
Leaving the young man to his pestering, Legolas fell in step with Harry. Not having been to this particular area of the wizarding world since before the public announcement of the dark lord's return, Harry was astonished at the differences found in Diagon Alley. The normally bustling streets were practically barren, and those few witches and wizards who braved the outside world hurried quickly by; no strolling couples, squawking children or arguing elderly wizards crowded the streets this day, nor had for months. Many of the shops were even closed tightly.
"Why does this have to happen?" muttered Harry finally, his hands clenched tightly at this sides. "It isn't fair. I hate watching the only world I've ever loved fall into darkness. What did any of us do to deserve a life lived in fear?" Gesturing about at the emptiness of the street, Harry said, "Being afraid to even come out for a day of shopping, being afraid to sell your wares…afraid of everything that goes bump in the night," added Harry softly, thinking of the paralyzing fear that had clutched his heart at the first sight of Darion, fearing that he had been a tool of Voldemort.
After several moments of quiet Legolas said thoughtfully, "Harry, we are very much alike, you and I."
Rolling his eyes, Harry smirked and said sarcastically, "Of course, we're both tall, handsome immortal elven-princes who leave paths of giggling love-struck girls in our wake. I totally understand what you're saying. Please Legolas, you can't understand what I've been going through. No one can."
Reminding himself that eye-rolling is solely a human practice and utterly unbefitting of a royal born elf, Legolas simply said, "Perhaps it is due to the fact that elves are not naturally solitary beings that I cannot understand your need to alienate yourself from others who would help you find your place in this world."
All sullenness forgotten, Harry cried hotly, "I alienate myself? Hardly! Everyone else alienates me! Keeping secrets from me, forcing me to spend all of my time being mistreated by my stupid family…"
Seeing that they had reached the Weasley's joke shop, Legolas grabbed the boy by his shoulders and turned to face him. "Harry, I have told you repeatedly that, despite what you believe to be true, I am here to help you through this difficult period in your life. I understand far more than you might think. I was forced to watch as the brilliant green forests of my childhood were polluted and blackened by the efforts of a dark lord to take for himself a power to which he had no right. My beloved mother too was murdered before my very eyes, ravaged and devoured by creatures which can only be described as the very worst of your childhood nightmares modeled into physical form. When the time arrived I took my place and did my very best to take a stand against the tide of evil, aided and at the aide of a group of others, a fellowship. Harry Potter, I ask that you remember this if nothing else," Legolas released the quiet young wizard and moved to enter the shop, "By itself a seedling is just that, but when fostered by soil, water, sunlight and time, it has the potential to become the mightiest tree in the forest."
Oooo sappy, no? he he he…I thought it was cute…umm to anyone who thinks that the Harry angst was out of place, please go read the order of the phoenix, its abounding with lovely angst!!
Mmm….yeah im not gnna be in town for a few weeks but please please review!!! Ill totally appreciate it!!
Nimloth- hey there! Many thanks for your great review!! I love when people give me ideas! And I will most definitely consider them, though I cant make any promises….but know they're always appreciated!!! Woo hoo!! Im glad you finally reviewed! If you've been reading my fic you know I love to hear from readers and respond to anything they have to say…thanks again and I hope you enjoy!!
Little-Hobbit85- why thank you! 'refreshingly original' wow I love that!
Arye- short, sweet and to the point…he he he thanks!
Twilight Canel- whoop whoop many thanks for taking the time out to give a great review! He he he….you'll see, you'll see…
Aragorn and Arwen- mwahaha oh the suspense! Tee he he…thanks again for giving me such an interesting idea!! You so totally rock!!
Pearl- I most certainly will continue…thanks for the review!
Idiosyncrasy515- im glad you approve!! Yes, im working on getting these guys into some more action…got any ideas?
Rose- sorry I took a while to update…thanks for the super awesome review!! Wheeeee
Chocolate Monkey- woo hoo 6 reviews?! You rock!! He he he im one of those folks who waits till the last chappie to review…horrible…so many, many thanks!
Emma- yes, horrible things those evil finals…thanks for reviewing and sorry I took so long to update!! He he he I finally got an I Love Orlando shirt!!! Woo hoo!!! (even though a lot of guys especially think its referring to the city, not the super hot guy…oh well…;)
Raisha Bregail- yay I'm glad my little fic was a pleasant surprise!! Thanks for the great review!
Sovushka- ::sigh:: I guess your suspicions were correct, sorry I took so long!! Yes, poor legolas being followed around by women (though personally I think he likes it, he he he) Yeah, I did kinda mean to introduce him in a strider-esc way…glad u picked it up…aww come on I like long reviews!! He he he thanks!!
Eruve tinwen- sounds like, but isn't…he he he…sorry!
Digi-bonds- Lets see…nope not Aragorn…he he he the guy's dead buddy!