Woohoo! I am posting, and I am on time! Yeah/ignores stunned looks from reviewers/ okay, when last we left our young ranger he had been pummeled into unconsciousness. Who wants to find out what happened to him…?
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Pain flared sharply through the darkness that wrapped itself around him. Aragorn groaned loudly. He felt horrible. Something scratchy was digging into his cheek, and he was lying on his stomach, on a stone floor. What had happened to him? Where was he?
With an effort, he wrenched his eyes open, but immediately wished he hadn't. Bright, hot, sunlight poured through a window, hitting him full in the face and making his head throb a little more, if that were possible.
Squinting against the sudden onslaught of light, the young ranger slowly put his hands underneath himself and pushed, rolling onto his back.
It was straw that had been scratching his face. The floor was covered with it.
Trying not to jar his aching head any more than was absolutely neccesary, the dark haired man gently manouvered himself into a sitting position, placing his back against a wall. With a sigh, he finally took stock of where he was.
It was a cell. Undoubtedly. The walls were thick stone, broken only by one window (barred, of course,) and one very solid looking door. His nose wrinkled slightly in distaste as he became aware of the stench permeating the air. It smelled like hundreds of unwashed bodies had been in this prison, using the same hay, over a period of months.
The ranger let out his breath in a long sigh as he tilted his head back, resting it against the wall. Silver eyes stared bleakly at the blank ceiling.
"Now what do I do?" he asked plaintively.
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Legolas' sharp eyes peered through the trees. He could see the buildings of a village, directly ahead. The prince bared his teeth in a brief moment of frustration. It looked the same as the other five or so they had passed through in the last two weeks. However, the fair prince did feel a slight leap of hope as he gazed at the rural community. Perhaps they would finally catch up to Aragorn…
He knew they were getting closer. They had cut days off the human's lead. In fact, when they had last stopped, one of the villagers had confessed to seeing someone who matched Aragorn's description only the day before.
With a sigh, Legolas turned back toward the twins. Not all that they had found was to his liking. Everywhere they found news of his friend, the people seemed to be frightened of the group Strider traveled with. Everywhere. Worry constantly preyed at the edges of his mind. His blue eyes flickered towards Elladan and Elrohir. If he was worried and upset, he could not imagine what they must be going through.
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Elrohir pulled the hood of his cloak low over his face, masking the delicate, elven features that made him stand out so horrible in a human crowd. Elladan had already done so himself, he was currently tucking his intricate braids underneath the thick wool. They had learned, to some extent, how to make their presence less noticable over the past two weeks.
Their cloaks hid their ears and hair, and disguised their faces. Elladan unbuckled the strap of his quiver and placed it carefully with his brother's. His bow and Elladan's were far too gracefully made to avoid detection. Even their swords stood out, but the cloaks helped to hide that as well.
Elladan looked up and sighed softly. "Legolas…"
The fair elf was in the process of tying back his blond hair. His bow was settled very firmly across his shoulders. Blue eyes glared at the elder twin. "No."
"Be reasonable…"
Elrohir thanked the Valar his hood was already in place, hiding the very obvious rolling eyes. "Legolas, come. You can not take the bow with you. Remember what happened last time?"
Mirkwood's heir blushed slightly. "That is not fair," he grumbled under his breath. "If it had not been for that party of dwarves…"
"Yes, yes," Elladan's tone was amused. "We know. If it hadn't been for the dwarves, they never would have noticed the 'fine elven crafstmanship', so they wouldn't have started hurling insults, so you wouldn't have retorted, and we wouldn't have ended up in a bar room brawl."
Legolas only grunted.
"Legolas," Elrohir was starting to sound perturbed. "Leave it."
The fair prince cast Elrohir a very dirty look before jerking the strap free from his shoulder and carefully laying his bow along with the twins'. Seizing the two, white handled knives from his quiver, he attached them to his belt and pulled his cloak around him closely, hiding the weapons. "Good enough?" he growled, facing Elrohir for inspection.
The young elf lord seized Legolas' hood and pulled it low over his face, effectively blotting out the scowl that was forming there. "Perfect," he said sweetly. "Let's go."
"See you back here by evening," Elladan waved, and then was gone into the trees. Elorhir nodded farewell to Legolas and set off in a different direction. They had also learned, that when entering a village, three cloaked men drew much more attention than one.
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Aragorn paced the stone cell nervously. What was going on? He had not seen a living being (except for the rats) since he had come to. What had happened last night? Where was Halith and the rest of his companions?
The young man pressed down the rising bubble of panic that increased with each passing hour. How long were they going to leave him here without telling him what was going on! In frustration, he pounded his fist against the heavy door. All he received in aknowledgment was bruised knuckles. He had already tried shouting for someone. His throat burned still, reminding him in its discomfort that he had not had anything to eat or drink.
To make matters worse, the cell was getting very warm. Judging by the angle of the sun, he assumed it to be midday, or something near it. Sweat beaded on his forehead and slowly slid down his face. The young ranger rubbed his chin thoughtfully, feeling the weeks worth of stubble scratch his skin. He had gone over the stone room inch by inch, and yet he could find no way to escape. Except through the very solid door. Silver eyes glared balefully at said door.
The door took no notice of it's captive's disdain and continued to be very solid.
Something outside the cell slammed. Aragorn immediately became alert. He could hear footsteps approaching. Three men at least. They were talking amongst themselve, but he could not make out the words.
A key grated in the door.
Two very brawny men with faces like trolls shouldered their way inside and roughly seized the young ranger by each arm. A third, slender, more dignified looking fellow followed them. Aragorn thought he looked almost rat lik in his dignity. In his hands, he held a piece of parchment and a stick of charcoal. He stopped in front of Aragorn and gave the man a look that suggested he had far more important things to be doing.
Aragorn felt his ire rise, but he couldn't exactly do anything about it.
"Your name?" the dignified man asked coldly.
For a moment, Aragorn contemplated not answering, just to aggravate the pompous rat. One of the men holding him encouraged him to speak with an unpleasant twist to his arm.
Facing having his shoulder dislocated, the dark haired man decided that silence was not the best choice. "Strider," he ground out through his teeth, silver eyes glaring.
With a sanctimonious nod, the man hastily scratched the name down onto his parchment. "All right. Bring him boys."
Immediately, Aragorn was forced to his knees, his arms twisted behind him. He could feel one of the burly men winding a thick rope around his wrists. "Wait!" the young ranger tried to pull free, but was easily subdued. "Where are you taking me!" As soon as his wrists were tied, he was hauled to his feet and pushed forward, out of the cell. "What's going on!"
The smirking man watched as Aragorn was pulled past him. "You're going to be hanged, of course."
Cold fear exploded in the pit of the young man's stomach. His jaw dropped open, nearly hitting his chest. For a moment, he could not truly comprehend what he had been told.
Finding him unresisting, the two brawny thugs took advantage of the lull and started to hustle him down the hall.
Everything was swirling around him in a dizzying haze. Hanged! He hadn't done anything! He had not even been given a chance to defend himself! It wasn't right! It wasn't just! And he would not submit without a fight!
Lashing out with his right leg, Aragorn caught the man who had twisted his arm behind the knee. With a bellow, the big man released his hold and hit the floor, his craggy face twisted in pain and anger. The man on his left cursed vilely and swung a fist, but Aragorn was prepared for that. Falling on his back, he allowed the punch to fly over him as he thrust both legs forward into the man's gut. With an 'ooof' the troll look alike doubled over, winded.
Unfortunately, troll number one had recovered sufficiently from Aragorn's kick to pounce on the young man as the ranger struggled to rise. They fell back to the floor, Aragorn on the bottom. His face connected with the stone floor. Stars swam in his vision. He was being hauled roughly to his feet. A blow to his face stunned him further. Through the haze that surrounded him, he saw a ham like fist being pulled back for another hit. Without thinking, he lashed out with his foot again. It connected with a most satisfying thud.
A blow from behind! Aragorn fell forward, but was caught before he hit the ground. The men were cursing and kicking him, but there was another voice in the background telling them to hurry up. The rat!
Thick fingers closed around his arms. He was being pulled forward once more. Aragorn braced his feet, trying to find purchase, anything that would slow the men down until his head was cleared.
Bright, hot sunlight washed over him. The stone beneath his feet turned abruptly to dirt. Noise assaulted his ears. There was a crowd surrounding a large wooden structure…
A gallows.
Aragorn kicked and struggled but it was no use. He was being hauled up the steps. The two trollish men pushed and shoved him into position. One held him as the other tried to put the noose around his neck. Aragorn ducked, twisted to the side, even tried biting at the massive arms that held him. Eventually, despite all his efforts, the heavy rope was dropped over his dark head. He could feel the roughness of the hemp against his skin.
Near panic fueled his struggles. The men were having a hard time holding him.
The rat-like official slowly stood before him and addressed the crowd. He unrolled the piece of parchment he had written Aragorn's alias on and began to read. "For the breaking and entering…"
Something was happening in the crowd. There was a disturbance. A cloaked figure was viciously elbowing his way towards the front. Shouts of outrage rose in his wake, but he paid them no heed.
"Failure to comply with the law…"
Aragorn gasped with the rest of the crowd as he saw the hood and cloak ripped away. Blond hair gleamed in the sunlight. Blue eyes blazed in a fair, elven face. An expression of absolute fury twisted Legolas' face.
"An elf...!"
Legolas! Aragorn felt his heart soar as he saw his friend. Legolas was here! His struggles increased exponentially. But the crowd's interest was turning from his death to the oddity of an elf in their midst. Legolas' face took on a panicked expression. "Get out of my way!" His long arms pushed ruthlessly through the seething mass of people. "MOVE!"
"And general intent of malice, it is the decree of this town that the man known as 'Strider' shall be…" the rat like man halted suddenly, noticing the elf for the first time. Aragorn swore vilely under his breath. He was frightened. Legolas could not reach him in time…
The prince's face was contorted with an expression that spoke of anger…and fear. He knew that he couldn't make it… "Strider!" His hands were moving as though for his bow, but Aragorn had already seen the empty space above his friend's shoulder. A bitter taste rose in the back of his throat.
The official signaled the hangman.
At once, Aragorn felt the trollish men release his arms. The platform dropped from beneath his booted feet.
He had one last view of Legolas' horrified face before he felt the rope draw tight across his throat…
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Saerwen- Don't worry, sweetie. A long pause between chapters only happens about once a year. I'm over it now. :) So here is your update…and not a minute too soon! I have saved the Wardwraiths from a fate worse than death. Being mauled by fanfic readers. Ouch. But I must ask, where did you get the Pickles of Doom? I've been looking for them everywhere, and doesn't stock them anymore. Anyway, thanks for the review! And see, reviewing the first chapter DID help:) I appreciate the feedback.
Stoneage Woman- Why thank you/blushes/ I'm VERY sorry about the long wait for the last chapter. I really try very hard not to let such long amounts of time pass between my posting cause I know how much I hate it when I'm reading a story that hasn't been updated in months. But that delay was unavoidable! I swear! However, since I'm out of school, it shouldn't happen again. Actually, I didn't mean to pirate the line from Disney /cast wary glance at the Disney lawyers approaching/ but I love that movie too, so my subconscious must have pulled it out.
Singingharp- Yeah, like I believe that you won't hurt Estel much. I'm sorry, I just can't trust you with those weapons of mass torture in your hands. And I KNOW how much you love to see the ranger wounded and in pain. Don't you touch him though! (Estel) wow, it's nice to see you sticking up for me for a change… (Me) I need him nice and fresh for my muse. (SM) Weehee! Torture! (Estel) mother…
Evergreene- /makes mental note/ for future reference, Evergreene doesn't like cliffhangers…/promptly forgets/ Oh you love cliffhangers? So do I! Writing them, that is. /evil laugh/ Thanks for the positive feedback. No, goblins really don't do all that much for any of our heros health, but I'm glad you liked the conversation they produced.:)
Aranna Undomiel- Don't worry. I really do try not to have month long waits during my posting. There shouldn't be another one of that length anytime soon. There IS a method to my madness, believe it or not. There IS a reason that Aragorn was betrayed and it will become obvious in about the next chapter or so. The black belt in ranting is much deserved. Congratulations. :)
Ithil-Valon- Woohoo! If anything could make me feel great, it is someone telling me my chapter was worth a month long wait! Thank you SOOOO much!
QueenofFlarmphqal- I know exactly what you mean. As much as I love all the LOTR characters (Legolas and Aragorn in particular) There is nothing I like more that reading about them getting beat up, whipped, flayed, and otherwise harmed in painful torture like ways. Weird, isn't it? Glad you understand about the teachers. I don't know what it was but suddenly it's like they all looked at the calendar and said 'holy cow! Only two weeks left! DUMP ON THE WORK!'
Deep Sorrow- Look! I'm posting again! On time, I might add! Isn't that awesome? Aren't you impressed/notices siblings stony look of beta nagging/ oh fine, be that way. I promise the rest of it will be out on time as well. It shouldn't be that hard now that school is over and all I have is hardly any hours at Cracker Hell. /cuddles half stripped Legolas to make herself feel better/ The torture is coming up soon too/Legolas tries frantically to get away, only to be squeezed tighter/
Okay, so that was an evil cliffie. And you know what makes it even more special? I already used it in chapter one! Recyclable cliffies, you gotta love it. The next chapter should actually be up by Monday, cause I'm going to try to make that my new posting day. So less than a week! Yay! Please review! You know you want to!