A/N: Okay guys…new chapter! Yay! I just wanted to clarify a few things I might have left fuzzy on the last chapter. Legolas, though displaying no true outward signs of drunkenness, is totally smashed. It's just the way I always imagined Elves to be like when drunk…wasted, but still very graceful and seemingly in control. So the fact that Legolas is slightly slurring, stumbling around, and lapsing into Elvish unbeknownst to his own self…He's totally gone. Also, the timeline was a little messed up, so I'm going to explain before mass confusion ensues.

Boromir leaves Gondor. Haldir and Elrohir leave Haven. Legolas and Aragorn arrive in Rohan. Haldir and company arrives back in Haven. Boromir arrives in Rohan.

Hope that clears a few things up…the timeline should resume normal progression from here. Enjoy!

sigh - sorry this took so long, but I stupidly looked up my old stories and was all out of a writing mood, remembering the horrid tongues of the flamers…that and I have a ton-and-a-half of work to do…finals week, and extra end of the year assignments…

Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers! I hate to glomp thank you all, but I have to go soon...but i will thank you in the next chapter, no fear!

Chapter 15

Negotiations

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The city was burning, disintegrating into a thousand smoldering pieces. The men were everywhere, and no matter how hard he fought, he couldn't keep them at bay…

The screams of his people began to reach his ears, as one by one they began to die. There was no hope left, no reason to keep fighting; yet he did.

The blood began to flow like rivers, boiling in the heat of the fires. He thought he could bear it no more, the heat making his head spin, the ash making breathing difficult…

He felt himself stumble, fall to his knees…then there was darkness…

He opened his eyes to see the burning city fade behind, the inferno rising above the trees like a beacon in the night. He tried to fight, tried to go back to his burning home, only to find he could not…he listened to the screams of the innocent fade away. He closed his eyes for a moment wishing it would all be a dream, some horrible dream…

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Legolas sat bolt upright, his head spinning. Nausea permeated his body, and made him reel. He sat completely still for a moment, holding his pounding head, trying to steady himself.

He groaned after a moment, and stood, clutching the wall for support. The nausea grew, as did the pounding in his head. He stood for just a few more seconds, then slid down the wall, his head in his hands…

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Boromir entered the gates of the Golden City, glad that his journey was finally over. He nodded to the sentries at the top of the hill as he rode into the stable. He dismounted, found his horse a stall, and saw that it was in good care before he left, walking to the Golden Hall.

There were not many people about, this early in the morning. The hall was practically empty, save two guards and a few sleeping men.

"May I be of service to your lordship?" asked one of the guards, approaching him with a suspicious air.

"Yes…could you tell me if the Lord Aragorn is about?"

The guard smiled. "Why yes My Lord, he arrived only yesterday…"

Boromir's eyes widened slightly at the news, but he remained nonchalant.

"And could you tell me where I may find King Theoden? I have an urgent message from King Arathorn…"

The guard nodded and beckoned for Boromir to follow him. It was strange that Aragorn would have arrived only the day before…but maybe Theoden would have answers for him…

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Aragorn woke up slowly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He could tell by the soft light that it was still early morning, and he was puzzled as to why he had gotten up so early. He sat up, still rubbing the sleep away when he heard a groan from the direction of the bed.

He looked up, yawning as he did…and stopped short, shock spreading throughout his body.

Legolas was leaning up against the wall, his thin frame drenched in sweat. He shook slightly when he moved, and he kept muttering to him self as he ran a trembling hand through his hair.

Aragorn was by his side in an instant, gathering him up in his arms and setting him gently on the bed. He brushed a few strands of hair back form Legolas's eyes, which seemed so pale…he put his hand on his forehead, and nearly jumped. He was blazing hot to the touch, and the fever didn't seem to be going anywhere.

There was a gentle knock at the door and Aragorn paused for a moment before going to answer it.

Eowyn stood outside, clad in a pale blue nightdress, with a smile on her face.

"I was wondering how Legolas is doing this morning." She stated brightly, her smile growing. "I hope he isn't too ill from all his drinking…"

She faltered at Aragorn's look.

"…he is okay isn't he?" she asked, her smile slowly vanishing.

"Maybe you had better come in…"

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Faramir stood on the balcony of his "prison" in the hidden city of the elves, marveling at the beauty around him. He was lucky to be there alive, he knew. The ruling Elder, a tall dark elf called Elrond, had not seemed all that pleased at his arrival. He had raged at his captor, Haldir with sever punishment if he should ever bring another human here again.

"One is already to much…two might be a disaster waiting to happen." He had growled.

Faramir was curios to learn that there was another human somewhere in this city, but when he had asked whom it was, he was met with only cold silence.

He sighed. His captivity was not a normal one. He could wander about freely inside the city, where everyone but the guards and the leaders ignored him. His room was beautiful, and offered comforts the human world could not. But he was a prisoner nonetheless. A warrior followed him wherever he went, like a silent shadow.

There were guards posted in the hallway to make sure he did not try to run…

And always there were the cold stares of his captors. He knew he did not belong in Haven. They made sure of that.

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Eowyn entered the room, unsure of what she was going to find on the other side of the door. What she did find nearly made her heart stop.

The Elven General lay on the bed, a thin layer of sweat covering his lithe frame. His eyes were slightly glazed, and did not shine. He was pale and looked not a moment from death.

"What happened?" she gasped, rushing to Legolas's side.

"I don't know. Elves are not supposed to fall ill, ever. Yet this is the second time he has fallen to this strange sickness since I have known him. I am at a loss."

Eowyn brushed a few stray strands of his blonde hair from his eyes, and marveled at the fever that was consuming him. Any human would have died from it long ago…

She stood and faced Aragorn, who looked just as lost as she.

"How did you quell the fever last time?"

"We didn't."

Eowyn looked up at Aragorn with a shocked look, then back down at Legolas, a grim determination coming over her. He was her only way out of here, and despite her intentions, she found herself beginning to care for the Elf.

She stood up and turned to Aragorn. "I'm going to fetch my uncle. He may be able to help with this…"

She almost ran out of the room, leaving a stunned Aragorn behind. She had to make sure that Legolas would be okay. She had to.

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Elrond began pacing his study again. He had been doing this almost constantly since Haldir had brought the human back to Haven. He couldn't blame him really. If he'd been put into Elrond's position, he'd have been pacing too. But Haldir was curious as to why they had been summoned again. They had already spoken upon the party's return…

(I want you to tell me why, exactly, you brought him here.) he said, stopping his pacing and turning to Haldir and the Twins, who stood beside him.

(As I said before my Lord, we had no other choice…)

(You could have killed him…hidden the body…no one would have found him for days…And yet you insist on bringing him back here! I want to know why!)

Haldir had taken all this in with a frustrated nod. Had he not told him a dozen times when they first arrived…?

(Father, please.) said Elladan, stepping forward. (It was by my request that the Lord Faramir be allowed to live and return with us.)

Haldir stared at him for a moment, then looked at the floor. He had been trying to keep him out of this, but to obviously no avail.

(He had taken me in when none in the palace would, and he always treated me fairly. Haldir was about to kill him when I made my request, and even then he was reluctant to keep him alive. It was only at my persuasion that he was allowed to live, and accompany us back here.)

Elrond stared at his son for a moment before sighing and collapsing into a nearby chair.

(I suppose it does not matter what I say now does it? WE shall just have to ensure no more humans are allowed inside Haven.)

He waved a hand of dismissal and the three bowed, and walked out of the room. Haldir wished Legolas were there…maybe he could have smoothed things over a bit better than he had when he returned.

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Boromir was dismayed. He had traveled all this way, under orders for negotiation from the King…only to be rejected by this Horseman.

"But my lord, his majesty greatly wishes to extend the trade agreements to your people in they most beneficial of ways. Are you sure you will not even consider the proposition?"

Theoden glared at him a moment before saying anything.

"My people have no interest in the trading of slaves. It is an abominable practice, and why a great kingdom like yours should ever consider it is beyond my comprehension. But…" he continued waving off Boromir's stuttering, "If you need a reason why, let it suffice you to know that I have another treaty I am negotiating that would forbid the practice anyway."

Boromir stared in open-mouthed shock. If there was another contract saying that there could be no slave trade, it could only mean it was with the…

"Uncle! Come Quickly!" cried a woman dressed in pale blue bursting through the door.

"The General has fallen terribly ill, and neither I, nor Lord Aragorn know what to do…"

Aragorn?- thought Boromir. -What is he up to now…?-

Theoden nodded and rose.

"I am sorry to be leaving like this." He began, but Boromir cut him off.

"I will accompany you my lord, I have need to speak with the Lord Aragorn."

Theoden merely nodded, and hurried out after the woman, who had already raced out ahead of him.

He rose and followed after the pair, thinking all the way what an interesting conversation he was going to have with Aragorn…

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Aragorn watched over Legolas nervously. His fever had reduced greatly already, in the few minutes that Eowyn had been gone, but now his eyes were closed as he slept, which could never be a good sign…

"Aragorn," said Eowyn, rushing up to his side, "Theoden is coming…is he doing any better?"

Aragorn just shook his head as Theoden strode in, followed by…

"Boromir." Hissed Aragorn, his eyes going wide at the sight of him.

"My Lord Aragorn." He stated, a smug smile crossing his features, and it was a smile that unnerved Aragorn. He drew up beside Aragorn, who stepped back so Theoden could inspect Legolas.

"So where is this great General that has fallen so dreadfully ill? I see no others in this room."

Theoden straightened up and glowered at Boromir. Then he turned to Aragorn, pointedly ignoring the other Gondorian.

"I see no way to help General Greenleaf…he'll just have to come out of this on his own."

Aragorn nodded, and looked to Boromir, who stood in shock, as Theoden left the room. Eowyn waited for a moment, then walked into the bathroom adjacent to their apartments.

"You mean that slave is a gener…"

"He is not a slave!" growled Aragorn.

Boromir glowered at him. "So that's it is it? You've thrown in your lot with these Rebel Scum?"

Aragorn simply gritted his teeth. He knew he'd get caught in the middle someday…but not by this pretentious little…

"I have no choice but to inform the King of your treachery then." Said Boromir snidely. "And I doubt he will be very pleased with his son's decision."

He chortled as he began to walk out the door.

"Tell him anything you want Boromir. I no longer care for what his majesty thinks of me." He snarled fiercely.

Boromir just laughed and waved over his shoulder as he walked away, sending cold shivers of dread down his spine. Aragorn did not know what his father's reaction would be, but he knew that it would not be good.

He was pulled from his thoughts by a soft groan behind him, and he turned to see Legolas sitting up, rubbing his temples as if he had a headache. He muttered something in Elvish before he looked up and saw Aragorn staring at him.

"It has been quite a morning, hasn't it?" he said smiling and getting up slowly.

Aragorn was about to say something when Eowyn walked back in, saw Legolas, and dropped the basin she was carrying with a clatter.

"You are alright!" she cried, and enveloped Legolas in a bone crushing hug. "I was so worried about you," she said softly, letting him go. She tucked a piece of his loose hair gently behind his ear. "I am glad to see that you are doing so much better."

She looked at Legolas shyly for a moment.

"I guess I should inform Uncle about your recovery…" she said, gathering up the basin from the floor, gave him a light kiss on the cheek and swiftly retreated out the door.

Legolas stared inquisitively after her while Aragorn looked curiously at him.

After a moment Legolas turned back to him, an almost apprehensive look in his eyes.

"Just what exactly did I do last night?"

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He could tell Aragorn was trying not to laugh, which only made him fear the answer more. After a moment, he seemed to gain his composure and said, smiling slightly,

"I don't know what you did with her…but I know what you did with me." He added with a roguish wink. Legolas felt his eyes go wide and what little color there was in his skin drain away.

"But…I…You…How…I…I…" he stammered, not exactly sure of what to say. Valar knew what he had done the night before…he had been so drunk that he very well couldn't.

He was pulled from his frightening thoughts by Aragorn's laughter.

"Oh my Love." He chuckled, puling the still stunned Legolas into his gentle embrace. "You don't really think I'd do anything like that to you do you?" he pulled back, still smiling, and placed a light kiss on his lips. "I was very much the gentleman, have no fear." He said.

Legolas glared at him a moment then sighed. "You make it awfully difficult to be mad at you, you know that right?"

Aragorn smiled again, and kissed him again, lingering a moment longer than the last. "Good. I would hate to have to angry with me." He said with a smile. He let go of Legolas and crossed to the wardrobe, and pulled out a clean shirt. "I would hate to see what you'd do if you were angry."

"Oh, I'll get my revenge…have no fear." Said Legolas with an impish grin. "And you will be sorry."

Aragorn merely raised an eyebrow at him. "We shall see about that."

Legolas stared at him for a moment, then walked into the bathroom, a smile on his face. Despite the day's terrible beginning, it was turning out to be ok…

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Yesh…anyway…off I go to write more…:P Btw...earlier chappies are fixed, and I think the wierd Elvish problem has been fixed too...hopefully...+P