Wow, guys! 108 reviews! I am shocked, truly and I want to thank you all. Warning, this is a long chapter! Very long, but I hope you like it all the same!
Overthrown
Chapter 9
Promises…Promises
"Legolas, go over again exactly what happened." Aragorn said gently. He was sitting beside the Elf's bed, expert hands tying black thread to the end of his needle. Legolas sighed and looked away, staring at the chair in the corner.
Lodrin had got him back to the castle a few hours ago. Aragorn had practically carried him up to his room and pulled off the two shirts Elrohir had given him. Arwen had asked a servant to take them down and get them washed but Legolas didn't think the dirt or blood would ever come out of them. For the most part, the bandage on his side had stopped his blood or any poison from leaking on to the shirt but the stitches had broken and the acrid smell of poison hung around them.
"I told you, I left Gimli and was near the tower when I saw three shapes down the alley." Legolas said, wincing as Aragorn's hand touched his side. Aragorn smiled at him apologetically and Legolas continued. "They were attacking Lodrin. I had to do something."
"Well, he's far better off then you are." Aragorn said. Carefully, he pushed the needle into Legolas' side. The Elf tensed as the cool metal moved through his body before he continued.
"It was one of the men. He wore the same tunic as those who attacked Mirkwood. He has Laren. He gave me that…" Legolas hissed as Aragorn prodded his sore side, near the ragged edges of the wound. Half-breathless he said, "Necklace."
"It was hers, your sure?" Legolas nodded. "Alright. And this archer. You didn't see his face?" Again Legolas shook his head. Aragorn finished the rest of his stitching in silence before cutting the end of the string and getting to his feet. He stared down at Legolas. "We'll wait another day."
Legolas shot up so fast the King stumbled a few steps back in surprise. "We can't!" Legolas cried. He got unsteadily to his feet and wobbled across the room, clutching his side. Grabbing the robe Aragorn had given him a while ago off the chair, he donned it and headed to the door.
"Where are you going?" Aragorn called. Legolas turned back, his hand on the doorknob.
"I'm going to look for that man. He can't have left the city. You lock the doors at night." Aragorn shook his head and held out a hand to his friend, walking slowly across the room. Legolas didn't want to be treated like a skittish horse. "Aragorn, I have to go."
"No, stay tonight. Tomorrow we leave. Believe me; he'll want to finish the job. Let him come to us." Legolas' hand fell and he stared at his friend with a mixture of alarm and humor.
"Use me as bait?" Legolas asked. Aragorn smiled slightly and nodded. "I would not want you as my enemy."
"No, you would not. You will be, however, if you don't lay down in that bed and go to sleep." Legolas sighed and nodded. He was a lot more tired then he'd ever let Aragorn know. Once he was in bed, Aragorn left, closing the door with a small click.
Moving through the halls, he made his way to the lower levels, intent on having something to eat when Gimli came pounding up the stairs. His hair and beard were more fly away then usual and there was alarm in his beetle black eyes.
"Where is he?" Gimli yelled. Aragorn held up a hand to try and halt the Dwarf but the small creature bowled him over. "I'll kill him! 'I'll be fine' he says, stubborn annoying creature!"
"Gimli!" Aragorn cried, grabbing his arm. Gimli pulled away and continued his loud crashing up the stone steps towards Legolas' room. He'd just got the Elf to lie down, the last thing he needed was to get him up again. "Gimli, he rests! Stop! You'll only hurt him more by stumping in there and carrying on so."
Gimli stopped and turned, eyeing Aragorn sadly. "He'll be alright?" He asked. Aragorn smiled and nodded.
"Yes, He will be just fine." Aragorn wrapped his arm around the dwarf's shoulders and began leading him back down the stairs. "Come with me, I am hungry and was on my way to the kitchens when you came barreling up the steps. Join me."
"I'm not hungry." Gimli said just as his stomach growled. Aragorn raised his eyebrows. "Maybe a little. Not too much though, I'm trying to cut back." Aragorn laughed.
"Promises." He muttered.
In his room, Legolas listened to the other two walking away down the stairs. When he was sure they were gone, he crawled out of bed and crossed the room, pulling open the balcony doors.
The city of Minas Tirith stretched endlessly below him, glittering silver in the moonlight. Guards walked the walls on all levels, little black shapes with shinning helms. People journeyed down the streets and disappeared behind buildings. Legolas leaned on the railing, his mind drifting to the alleyway below.
He was just nodding off when he noticed someone watching him from a rooftop, on the tier below him. The figure was an elf, definitely, quiver and bow lying beside it. Legolas squinted but the figure was too far and too dark to make out their face. It was the same one, however, who had saved him.
Clutching his robe tighter around his chest, he left the balcony, locked the doors and crawled back into the bed. He stayed awake for hours later, waiting and listening for any sounds outside the room but there was nothing. He drifted into frightful dreams.
The next morning dawned bright and clear. Legolas pulled on his freshly laundered clothes, braided his hair and packed away the enemy tunic, arrow, his bow and empty quiver. Staring into the full length mirror, he was slightly shocked to see the pale grey figure staring back at him. Only weeks ago he'd glowed with Elven light…
Shaking his head, he left the room for the last time and made his way down the stairs, passing two young female servants on the way. They giggled and eyed him as he passed but he paid them no mind.
The main hall was a torrent of activity. The delegates were grouped around the room with their men, talking in hushed voices that mixed with the babbles of others, filling the hall with a continuous rising and falling buzz.
Legolas eyed the group and noticed Aragorn and Gimli. They stood before the men of Gondor and Arnor, Aragorn speaking calmly to them, Gariel at his side. Pushing through the groups of men, the Elf picked up snatches of conversations and foreign languages.
"…No, Mirkwood first."
"Dark there, spiders and…"
"…dangerous."
"Prince Legolas…"
"…the elf."
"…my horse…"
Most seemed to be talking about the coming mission and many fell silent when he passed. There was no doubt in Legolas' mind what they were talking about. They didn't believe this was a worthy journey. They thought it was a land dispute and all this was too much for Mirkwood, a people who hated strangers in their land…the evil wood.
"Prince Legolas!" Lodrin's call halted him. Turning, he was met by the young, bruised, human face, still shining in excitement. Legolas smiled. "I'm glad to see you are all right."
Legolas nodded. "I for you as well." He answered. Over Lodrin's shoulder were a few young men, mostly nervous and twisting their hands together in fear. "These are your men?" He asked. Lodrin nodded.
"We may not look it but we are well trained." Lodrin said. Legolas doubted this somehow but said nothing. Bowing slightly, he moved off again through the crowd and came up beside Aragorn just as he was finishing his small speech.
"…the Mirkwood Elves at all costs. We will not desert them." The men nodded, eyeing Legolas over their King's shoulder. Aragorn waved a hand and the men dispersed, moving off through the crowd noisily. "I see you have joined us. We leave in a few minutes."
"I know." Legolas answered. He smiled at Gimli but the dwarf looked away and didn't return the gesture. "Is Pippin coming?"
"Yes." Said a voice at his side. Looking down, Legolas suddenly realized he hadn't even noticed the small Hobbit standing beside him. "Maralva is going home to tell the others. You didn't think I'd miss this did you?"
Legolas watched him for a second and then looked up at the others. "I'm going to prepare my horse. Gimli, if you wish to come…" Legolas stopped speaking as Gimli started shaking his head.
"I'm going to stay here for a little while longer." He answered. Legolas was confused but nodded and left the hall, pushing through the crowds with ease. Outside, he breathed hard and walked slowly down the road the next tier and the stables.
The barn was quiet. Ornate pillars as wide as three elves held up a high silver roof. Horses of every size, color and kind stood in the stalls and watched him as he passed. At least a thousand horses could have fit in this barn and he found his at the very end. Vaulting the low door, Legolas moved across the straw floor quietly and ran a hand down the animal's neck.
Speaking quietly to it, he began brushing it out in preparation for the long ride ahead. The sound of light feminine footfalls made him stop and turn. Eowyn was making her way slowly down the barn, running her hand along the pen doors.
When she spotted him, her face broke into a wide smile and she came over, leaning on the door. "Readying to leave?" She asked. Legolas nodded and held out a brush to her. Eowyn unlocked the door and came in, taking the brush from the elf. She gently ran it down the horse's neck.
"Are you coming?" He asked. Eowyn shook her head and smiled apologetically.
"Not this time. I'm staying here with Arwen." Legolas could see disappointment in her eyes. She was a warrior, not one to stay at home while the men fought. "I want to though, believe me."
"I do." Legolas said softly. He moved to the other side of the horse and watched her over its back. "Did you plan on it?"
"I did when I came." She answered. She sighed and leaned on the horse. "Things change, do they not?" Legolas made a weird noise in his throat and raised his eyebrows. They continued brushing for sometime in silence. After bridling the horse and leading it out of the barn, Legolas turned to Eowyn who was squinting in the morning light.
"I want you to be careful." She said quietly. "All of you." Legolas nodded. Suddenly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. Legolas didn't pull away but patted her lightly on the back until she let go and stepped back, tears running down her face. She wiped at them angrily. "I want you to bring my husband back to."
"I will." Legolas said. Many men had now come to get their horses. The time to leave was approaching. Eowyn laughed and wiped away a tear that ran down her cheek. Nodding, she turned and disappeared into the barn leaving Legolas standing alone outside.
An hour later they were off, parading through the streets past millions of people who had lined up, cheering. Aragorn led the way, as the leader of this expedition. Behind him rode Legolas with Gimli clutching his sides. The Dwarf had stayed completely silent and was holding onto Legolas' sides with a lighter grip then was necessary. His hand on the right was far too high up to hurt him at all.
Once outside of Minas Tirith, the party began a slow trot which jarred Legolas' side painfully. Aragorn called to him, saying they could slow down but he shook his head determinedly. The faster they got the Mirkwood the better. When he had raced to Minas Tirith he'd been far more injured, alone and arrived in a few days. They would be tripling the time it had taken on his journey. Any little bit of speed helped.
For hours they rode at that pace, cutting across fields and entering the cool shade of a small forest nearby. They made good time, better then Legolas had expected. When night fell, the men set up different colored tents across a large stretch of field, some rising up rolling hills, others in flatter land.
Aragorn's tent was one of the largest, pitched in the middle. His men surrounded him on every side, as was the case with every delegate, in case of an attack. Legolas and Gimli were a few tents away from his, mingling with the men of Arnor and Gondor. Legolas lay inside the tent Gimli and he shared, a small candle beside him on the floor. Two makeshift beds had been erected, Gimli's on the left and Legolas' on the right. They were made of light skins and blankets, all very light for the long travel. Most people would be three or four to a tent, as to save weight and room while traveling.
Legolas was busy reading an elvish book when Gimli came in and sat down on the other bed, facing him. The Dwarf stared at his hands which twisted in his lap and continually glanced at the Elf as though he desperately wanted to say something. Legolas ignored him for a while, knowing eventually he'd say what he was going to say and sure enough, after a few minutes of opening and closing his mouth like a fish, the Dwarf spoke.
"Legolas…" Gimli breathed. Legolas closed his book and laid it down on his lap, watching his friend with full attention. The Dwarf was clearly upset by something. "I will never drink again."
"Pardon me?" Legolas asked, not sure if he had heard right.
"I will never drink again." Gimli repeated. "I'm sorry. It put you in danger last night." Legolas raised an eyebrow. "I'll never, ever, touch that foul stuff again."
Legolas tried not to laugh but it burst from him before he could stop it. "Yes you will." He said. Gimli looked up, startled by his friend's reaction. Legolas tried to control his laughter and after a few moments he managed it, "Oh Gimli."
"No." Gimli puffed indignantly. "My new rule is I will stay sober." Legolas nodded, feigning seriousness and opened his book again, searching for his page.
"Forever?" He asked, eyeing his friend out of the corner of his eye. He saw Gimli's uncomfortable look.
"Forever sounds so long." He said. Legolas shook his head and scanned his page.
"For the rest of your life, then?" He asked. Gimli again squirmed where he sat.
"That sounds so long to." He answered with a soft whine. Legolas laughed and turned to look at him again.
"Let's take it one day at a time, then." He said. Gimli grinned at him but Legolas could see the unease in his eyes. His want for alcohol would eat him up inside. It might be worth watching. "Go, drink!" Legolas laughed. "I will be fine."
"That's what you said last night!" Gimli cried. Legolas' smile died. It seemed Gimli's vow of sobriety was not in concern for the Elf but a punishment for himself. "Now look at you!"
Legolas was slightly offended. He wasn't that bad! He could handle more then what the dwarf obviously thought he could. "I'm touched, Gimli, I really am but go on! You won't even last a week."
"I will last a week, if it means keeping you safe." Gimli pledged. Legolas shook his head and returned his eyes to his book.
"Promises…promises." He muttered. Gimli opened his mouth to reply when a young Arnor soldier stuck his head in through the tent flap.
"Hello, Master Legolas." He said, smiling. Legolas nodded to him before the young man turned to Gimli. "Master Gimli, come. We are having a drinking game at the other end of camp. I bet good on you for winning, you can't let me down."
Legolas grinned at Gimli whose eyes were shifting between the young soldier and Legolas. He looked so helplessly torn Legolas almost felt sorry for him…almost. "I can't…" He said finally, thoroughly shocking the young man. "I promised."
"Go on, Gimli." Legolas urged. "He bet on you. You mustn't disappoint him." Gimli's eyes lit up.
"No, I mustn't." He said, springing to his feet. He joined the young man at the tent flap and turned back to his friend, a look of fake sadness on his face. "A few can't hurt. I'll be back soon."
"I'm sure you will." Legolas answered. Gimli waved and disappeared. Legolas turned back to the book had had read half way down the page before Aragorn entered, looking out the way Gimli had gone.
"What was that about?" He asked. Legolas sighed and looked up at the man standing in the doorway. "Where is he going?"
"Drinking game." Legolas answered. Aragorn smiled and sat down on Gimli's bed.
"He told me he was going to give up drinking." Aragorn laughed. "I thought it would last a little longer then a day."
"You know Dwarves." Legolas said. Aragorn reached out and took the book from Legolas, reading the cover. "They are a weird people. I'll never understand them."
To My Reviewers:
Morph: It's okay, I know how busy you probably are. I tend to not review stories I read sometimes to. I don't recommend it but I do it so I can't complain, eh? LOL. I'm glad you like it.
CAD equals scondrl: (Chapter 6 and 8) It's okay about your spelling. I am a horrible speller! My teacher is surprised that I do so well in English and I want to be a writer because I am the worst speller in the class. My initials spell a guy's plural name. ALS so Al's. LOL. Yours is worse. Thanks for the reviews. I hope you stick with the story!
Zammy: LOL, thanks for the review. Keep reading please, it'll get better especially now that their underway.
Kelsey Estel I don't usually laugh at theories. I love hearing them because I want to see if I've hidden everything well enough. You were…I wont say. LOL. You put a lot of thought into it, that's for sure. More then I ever did. LOL. That makes me feel so proud. You actually gave me a little information about Middle Earth that I was lacking and I want to thank you for that. I love to hear your theories. Thank you.
MoonyashaOh no, she's coming here? Well, she can terrorize small town Saskatchewan all she wants, I moved here I never grew up here. I'm packing my stuff now. LOL.
Ilana Starr I like Pippin. He'll get them all in trouble, it kinda just follows him everywhere, doesn't it? The man's alive…but he got away. He really can't get out of the city that easily. Just keep that little thing in mind.
Elessar-Lover Yes, I loved writing action. It made me feel better. There will be more action, what kind of Lord of the Rings writer would I be with out it?
Flamesofthemo0nI'm tired to, though I'm sure your not anymore. I was up until 1:00 am watching LOTR extended version of Fellowship of the Ring. (My dad bought it and I was so happy) anyway, I hope you liked this chapter.
kurafoxgirlThanks! I'm glad you liked it.
FaerlasI'm glad you liked it. The plot is definitely thickening.
Dawn: Thank you. I was so happy with your comments on my writing. Thanks a lot. Keep reading, it'll get really intense.
IwishChanLOL. I don't know. Legolas is a very particular elf. He needs his clothing perfect and tight to show his cute little…never mind. LOL. Oh, Legolas' dad…yes well…as for that…no! I mustn't say anymore. It would give up the ending. Keep reading.
Jedi PadfootOh, Legolas will kick some ass, have no fear. He'll kick major bad guy ass in many different ways. LOL.
Legolas-gurl88I try to post every weekend but I'm legging behind on my other stories. I have to get writing on them! I have written this story a few chapters a head of this one so it'll take a while before I run out. I need more time! LOL. 45 times! Wow, I'm truly blessed! That's a lot! Weird, I was cheering for Legolas to! He must just be that kind of elf, eh? He was exciting. Yeah, I've heard a lot of different things about Orly and Kate. No idea whats going on. Have you posted that new story you were telling me about? Oh…elves are in my dreams, don't worry about that. LOL.
Snow-GloryLOL. I'm sorry to worry you but, yes, If Legolas lives. I have decided yes or no, which ever it may be but I cant tell you which. Yeah, it would be weird to see a friend you've known for so long looking so different. Keep reading and reviewing.
Slayer3: Do you really have a fan club for the twins? That's cool.
And to anyone I may have missed or isn't reviewing, thank you.