A/N: Yay for an EXTRA long chappie! By far the longest chapter yet…. go me! Also, there will be an NC-17 version of this chapter available for those who would like it. It is quite a bit different than the chapter going up here, and things go a bit differently…more the way I wanted them to. Just mail me with the request and don't be shy! ;) Lord knows I'm not…X-D
I get to be sad now. Over two hundred of you read…but only five reviews? sad sniffles ah well. It is for lack of reviews that I get the sadistic pleasure of putting up the following warning:
WARNING! CANON CHARACTER DEATH!
Had you going for a second there didn't I? Bwahahahahahahaha! But there is a death. More supporting character than Canon, so no fear right? Ehehe…
Yesh. It was going to happen anyway so yeah…. XD Made me sad to write it. But it must be done so that the better things can happen. wink wink nudge nudge
But please don't kill me! (hides behind desk for safety.) My Muses are already threatening death! So I promise extra (and much needed) fluff in 18! ;;
Big Thanks To:
Aralas- He kept it. Yay!
Pointy-eared-elfs-He's just worried for poor Legolas...you'll find out in this ch. ;)
Megs-glad you liked!
Shadow41- O.o Don't Die! Here!
UDream- Why thank you.
Chapter 17
A Temporary Safety
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Legolas entered the stable, armed to the teeth and ready to start a mission that might as well be suicide. He was ready to face down the dreaded Shadow Walkers of the King…his twisted Elven spies…even though he felt guilt about doing so.
But if he could protect a place he had lost once in the past…he would do so without a second thought. Memories of the last haven flooded his mind as he strapped the halter on his horse, memories of a beautiful place much like the one he had left so many years ago. He thought it strange, the despite all his trying, he could never quiet remember what had happened to make the city fall.
He could recall the fighting…he could remember being captured…but not why. That last night…it was all just a blur to him.
He was roused from his thoughts by the sound of his name, and turned to see Elrohir and Elladan walking up to him, both in scouting garb and both looking ready to fight.
(We are going with you.) Said Elladan as they drew up next to him.
Legolas stared at them in shock for a moment, and then shook his head. (I will not have you risk your lives. I would have you stay here.)
(We were not asking…) began Elladan.
(We were telling you.) Elrohir said smiling slyly.
(We are coming.) They finished together.
Legolas looked at them both for a moment, then threw up his arms in defeat.
(I guess there is no point in arguing with you is there?)
(Not really.) Smiled Elladan. (Besides, we can't let you have all the fun now can we?)
Legolas laughed good-naturedly and nodded. Despite his uncertainties about having the twins along, he felt it would be good to have someone come along with him. He swung up onto his horse, and turned his mount around to see both of his companions following suite. Yes. It would be better than going on alone.
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The Walkers were growing angry. While they had been searching, all the patrols had withdrawn, leaving them empty handed and irate. The trails were a few days cold, the clues long scattered. Unless more were sent out, and soon, there would be no returning to the White City. For that was a rule of their lives. Catch the quarry or die trying…and if you are unsuccessful, don't bother coming back.
Four of the five sent out sat huddled around a low fire, absorbing what warmth they could. Not a word was spoken between them. None were needed. They had long since learned to speak without words, how to communicate without a sound in the grand halls of Minas Tirith. There, silence had been a way of life…of safety…
The fifth dropped back into the light of the camp, his grey eyes twinkling with utter, malicious delight.
"A set of three. All on horseback. They have not been in the forest long…but they must be headed home…" he hissed, smiling coldly.
Without further prompting the fire was doused and countenances masked once more as they melted into the shadows…
Their prey was close once more.
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Faramir paced around his room a couple more times until he finally could stand it no more. He had to get out…had to walk somewhere.
It was early in the morning, the day after the three Generals had rode out to try and drive off the Walkers. Faramir had not been told of the happenings of the elves, mostly because they did not trust him. To them, he was just a prisoner with privileges. Luckily, Eomer had taken an instant liking to him, and told him everything that the Elven people would not.
He found himself fiddling with the edge of his sleeve as he walked, subconsciously thinking it strange for Elrond to want him wearing the garb of the Elves. It was finery by his standards, in its silken weave and feather light feel. But to them it seemed commonplace summer wear.
He sighed as his feet took him towards his favorite haunt in all of Haven. It was a small vine drenched outlook, where one could watch the whole city go by without notice. He could see the houses with their grand, open-air halls that lay under the towering trees in which sat hundreds of houses different yet. And if he looked closely, he could just make out the entrance to what appeared to be underground dwellings of some sort.
He stopped short however, when he saw someone standing in his alcove.
He slowed his pace, approaching slowly as he realized that the vision before him was the woman who resided in the apartments beside his. Her long red blonde hair was tied loosely at the nape of her neck, sending it cascading down her pale shoulders. Her dark green dress provided the perfect contrast, and it brought out the color in her eyes…a grey blue that would rival that of the far off oceans.
He mentally shook himself. He did not even know this woman's name, so he felt as if he had no right to look at her…like that.
She turned to face him and he felt a small smile appear on his face despite himself.
Her eyes widened for a moment, before she herself smiled, and she spoke in a voice that put him immediately at ease.
"Am I in your place my Lord?"
"No." he said, coming to stand next to her. "By all means no, my Lady. And please call me Faramir."
She smiled again as he turned to look out at the city, leaning on the balcony rail.
" 'Tis a beautiful place, is it not?"
"Yes. It is rather enchanting. Almost like something from a dream."
Faramir looked over at her, a sly smile on his face.
"And what does a Lady from the Rohan dream of?"
She blushed slightly, making the freckles across her cheeks stand out even more. "And what would it matter to you? Besides, Isn't that improper talk coming from a Lord of Gondor?"
He laughed at this, and was glad to hear her laughing with him.
"I don't know my Lady." He said with a smile. "Perhaps."
They stood in silence for a moment, each with a secretive smile on their face.
"I had best be going." She said, turning back in the direction of her apartments.
"It was lovely meeting you…what did you say you name was?" he asked as she left the alcove.
"I didn't." she said slyly. "Good bye…Faramir."
He watched her walk away; mesmerized by the woman he had just met…this apparent Ainur that had dropped from the sky to grace his life with her presence…
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"Faramir, Faramir, Faramir…" thought Eowyn happily. It was all she could do not to skip as she started away from the enchanting Gondorian…she felt as if she could sing his name all day and never grow tired of it.
For the first time in years, Eowyn felt truly content.
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Aragorn walked through the halls of Haven quietly, a secretive smile on his face. He was quite pleased with himself, and his progress in his lessons so far. Arwen had agreed to teach him the Elvish language after he had realized that Legolas would be unable to. Though his lessons had been interrupted by their trip to Rohan, he had stared right back up again. And Arwen was amazed at the progress he was making…
"It's as if you already know it, somehow." She had said with a smile.
He planned on surprising Legolas upon his return by speaking his own language to him.
But thoughts of Legolas brought him back to brooding. He thought of the dreams that Legolas had mentioned…how he didn't want them to come true again. He had seemed truly frightened by the prospect. Aragorn found himself stopping outside of the Lord Elrond's study. He had subconsciously wound a path to this place, because somewhere in the back of his mind, despite all the reasons to the contrary, he felt he trusted the old elf. Under different circumstances he felt that perhaps they could have been great friends, perhaps advisors to each other…
He sighed, standing in front of the door, staring reluctantly at it. He did, after all, need someone to talk over his problems with…
Aragorn sighed, gathering the last of his resolve, and reached out to open the door. As soon as his hand was upon the handle it swung open gently, to reveal the now familiar book-cluttered study inside.
Elrond sat at his desk, papers and books strewn all about.
(Yes? What do you need?) he asked, not even looking up.
(I am sorry to bother you my lord, but I was wondering if I might talk to you?)
Elrond looked up at the unfamiliar voice, his eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Aragorn standing in front of him.
(You speak the language of the elves?)
Aragorn smiled slightly at the look on his face.
(Very little.)
"Then we shall speak in a tongue you can most certainly understand then?" said Elrond with a smile. The smile made Aragorn feel at ease, as if Elrond didn't mind the fact that he was human anymore.
"What is it that you would like to speak with me about?" he asked, clearing a spot on his desk as Aragorn sat down across from him.
"I am concerned for Legolas's well being. It is that that has guided me here, to speak with someone I believe I can trust." He said quietly.
Elrond's brow furrowed a moment, and he cleared further space on his desk so he could lean his elbows up onto it, fingers forming a temple in front of his face.
"And what is it that has made you feel such concern over one of my greatest generals?"
Aragorn sat quietly for a moment, then spoke, every fiber of him feeling as if he was betraying his beloved.
"He has been having dreams my lord. Horrible dreams that haunt him almost every night. Sometimes they are so bad that he will emerge from them drenched in a cold sweat, yet he will be burning with fever. It is when he burns that he can also not keep the contents of his stomach down…then he will become delusional, sink into sleep again hours later, only to awaken with little or no recollection of what has happened." He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing.
"Before he left, he said something about not wanting the dreams to come true again. Like this has happened before. And the fact that he is falling so ill, and rather often when I have heard that the Elven kind cannot become sick…" he trailed off, not wanting to betray the mounting concern in his voice.
Elrond sighed, sitting back in his chair as he did. After a moment he got up and replaced two of the many books back up on their shelves. Aragorn watched him forlornly as he paced around the study for a few moments, before finally settling back down into his chair.
"To explain to you what exactly is happening," he began, his fierce gaze settling on Aragorn, "I must tell you of the first fall of Haven, over two millennia ago."
Aragorn made himself comfortable in his chair as Elrond gathered his thoughts and began to speak again.
"The first Haven was much like this one. It was a large, bright city that showed the cultural meshing of the many different kinds of elves. But unlike this Haven, which is a refuge for runaways and rebels, the last Haven was a gathering point…a safe place if you will, where the courts of the many different countries could reside until they could safely return to their own lands. The Haven was watched over by the Elders, elves who had lived through the glories of years gone by. Each Elder had a section of our grand army to watch over, as well as an appointed general to command them.
'Legolas was one such general. The men, people and elders alike, loved him and he watched over his beloved city, his home, like a hawk. He was seemingly perfect, never coming out of battle defeated, triumph seemed to follow him wherever he trod. But he had one weakness."
Elrond raised his gaze to look Aragorn directly in the eyes.
"He was blind to the actions of those he loved."
Aragorn blinked in surprise. "What?"
Elrond leaned back in his chair, making himself comfortable before continuing his story.
"Legolas cannot remember what happened to make the city fall. His memory will not allow it. The Valar have graced him with that. But the rest of us can.
'He took a human lover, a male much like yourself. He brought him into his trust, took him as a confidante. The man swore to him his undying love and devotion, and his unwavering support in the fight against our people's slow enslavement. But not long after he was shown the inside of our city, he began to betray Legolas. At first we thought that his winning streak was over…but after the loss of two generals and the Elders they protected…we knew it not to be so. There had to be someone inside Haven giving information to the Men. Those of us left suspected his lover might have something to do with it, but Legolas would hear none of it. It was not until the walls of the city were breached, and the buildings began to burn did he realize his "lover's" treachery. Legolas ended up fighting the man he loved above all in the square, striking him down as the city fell all around them. It was naught but a few minutes afterward that the men found him, disorientedly hacking at his attackers, and overwhelmed him. He was thrown into slavery, and into nearly an eternities worth of living hell…all because of this humans betrayal.
'And it is this that is making him ill. Because somewhere, deep inside him, he remembers the betrayal still. So he is beginning to fade away…he is dying. And it is killing him from the inside out because in that same deep place, he fears the same might happen with you."
Aragorn sat in shock. Not only was Legolas afraid he would betray him…it was killing him. His love was dying…And Elrond knew…Aragorn's head jolted back up from staring at his hands as he realized that Elrond knew about "them".
Elrond, however, merely smiled.
"You think I am blind young one? I see the way you two look at each other. But have no fear. Unlike the last Man Legolas fell for, I trust you."
"Why is that my Lord?" asked Aragorn, puzzled. He had done nothing he knew worth being trusted over…
"He was with our people over a year…" said Elrond, standing and crossing to the door. "And yet he never bothered to learn our language."
And with a slight nod, he was out the door, leaving a very confused Aragorn to his thoughts.
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Elladan crashed through the underbrush, Elrohir not far behind him. He had no idea where Legolas had disappeared off to, but there was no way he would ever be able to find him again. The Shadow Walkers were to close. He could hear them running in the forest as he did, right on the heels of the twins.
They had done well on the first part of their mission, making it seem as if they had entered the forest from the mountains and were headed unknowingly back to Haven. They knew they were being watched. They could tell the Walker's were following them. They had all expected that.
But they had not expected to be attacked so soon.
The first night they had stopped to camp they had been ambushed. It was then, as the fire went out and the night clad Walker's dropped in on them from the trees, that the twins had lost track of Legolas. They had scrambled up to fight only to find their weapons had been stolen, frittered away much earlier in the evening. It was then that Elrohir had grabbed Elladan's cloak and pulled him into a flat run after him. He could hear Legolas fighting with one of them as they ran.
He and Elrohir had managed to avoid the Walkers for most of the day, running when they got to close, and resting when they could.
But it was obvious now, as night was rapidly falling all around them, that they were just toying with them, waiting for the pair to tire…
Elladan stopped, clutching a stitch in his side in a moonlight clearing, trying to regain what little breath he had.
(Don't stop!) hissed Elrohir breathlessly from behind, and he felt a strong pair of hands shove him into the undergrowth that surrounded the clearing. As he tumbled he heard a noise that made his heart stop.
He sat up and whipped around to face the clearing, feeling as if his own heart was being ripped to shreds. His brother stood in the clearing, blood trailing down his chin as he coughed, his eyes pleading with his breathing reflection to not move, to stay hidden…
He fell onto his knees, revealing the dagger buried deep in between his shoulders. Four cloaked figures emerged from the shadows behind, approaching their wounded prey cautiously.
(Where is it?) asked one in an icy voice, its tattered cloak billowing slightly as it walked towards Elrohir's prostrate form. (Where is the Haven that shelters the Human Traitors?)
Elrohir heard his brother's slight gasp and looked up slowly, and straight into his shocked blue eyes, and gave him a blood soaked grin. A grin that reminded him of a promise he had made not to long ago…
Elladan looked up slowly into the familiar face of his brother, his missing half.
(It's good to see you Elladan.)
He walked up to him, still in slight disbelief, and studied him for a moment. Then he threw his arms around him, holding his brother close.
(I thought I would never see you again as long as I lived Elrohir. I never thought I would see you again…)
(But we are together again…)
Elrohir pushed him back a bit so he could look him in the eye.
(…And I will make sure that we are never apart again.)
Never again…
(No.) mouthed Elladan, and tears filled his eyes as his brother's grin grew wider.
(You made a mistake…) chocked Elrohir as the Walker drew up behind him, (In giving me a weapon.)
Elladan almost cried as in one fluid motion his brother reached behind him, pulling the dagger from his back and twisted around and up to slash at the creature's chest. It stumbled back as Elrohir stood shakily, dagger at the ready. Blood flowed freely from his back, creating a rivulet of crimson down his back to the forest floor below. The creature stared down at the line of deep red welling up from its now exposed pale skin.
It hissed angrily and made one swift move, faster than the eye could follow. Elrohir jolted a bit, then looked down at the dagger now sticking from the front of his chest. He looked back up, blood now practically gushing from his mouth, and fell to his knees with a splutter, before falling sideways to the ground, dead.
Elladan felt as if he had a gaping hole in his chest as well; an empty space that his brother had left behind. Hid other half was gone, and there was no hope of his return.
He watched the Walkers closing in on his brother's lifeless form and came to his senses, realizing he now had an opportunity to run. It was some sick, twisted sense of morality that would make the Walkers stop and bury their lone victim.
He turned and ran silently back towards Haven. There was no doubt in his mind that they had failed…and that both Legolas and Elrohir were…were…
Elladan blocked the thought from his mind best he could and kept running, not wanting to leave this earth without giving Haven warning.
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Faramir fidgeted in front of the door. He was surprised how nervous he was about simply knocking at door. It was, after all, just a door. Perhaps it was the woman who resided behind it that was making him nervous.
He silently berated himself. He shouldn't be so nervous. He didn't even know if she was there…he hadn't seen her since the day he had stumbled across her in the alcove. Granted that had only been yesterday…maybe it was just the inclement weather…the thunder overhead…yes, that must be it…
"Faramir?" said a quiet voice behind him.
He felt his heart flutter slightly as he turned to see the lady standing behind him, a smile lighting her face.
"Why yes milady. I was just wonder…"
"Please. It's Eowyn." She interrupted, her smile growing as she took a step closer.
"Well…yes…ummm…Eowyn…I was just wondering…if maybe you'd like to join me for a walk?" he asked, flustered at her sudden change of attitude.
"I'd love to." She said, threading her arm through his.
He was a bit surprised by her forwardness, but he smiled anyway. It was refreshing to be around a woman who wouldn't giggle and act shy when he had made his request.
They walked around the city in comfortable silence, both just enjoying the others company. After a while they made their way back to the alcove where they had first met.
They both leaned up onto the railing enjoying the view of the city below, the grey clouds threatening rain at any moment.
"It's so sad that people could want to put the creators of such beauty into slavery." Said Eowyn quietly.
Faramir laughed slightly and turned around to lean up against the railing.
"If you had said that not a month ago, I would have been forced to disagree with you."
"Why?" she asked curiously, her brow furrowing slightly.
"I was raised to think that it was okay…that the Elven people had been made to serve us…but now I know differently. And I am quite glad I do." He said with a smile as he settled back further onto the rail.
Eowyn sighed, and then to his great surprise, hugged him.
"That's good. I don't know what I'd do if you did."
Faramir couldn't think of a reply, so he just hugged her close, despite the awkward feeling he got.
"What is it like in Gondor?" she asked as a light pattering of rain began to fall on them.
"It is a beautiful city. All of white stone, graying with heavy age…it was looks to be carved right from the mountainside, with seven tiered levels, each one rising higher than the last. The rolling plains all around until you reach the great forests…" he said looking down at her as the rain began to fall in earnest, drenching them both in a matter of seconds. "I think you would like it there."
"I think I might…it sounds beautiful."
Lightning cracked overhead, sending the pair dashing inside, laughing. They stopped in front of Eowyn's door, sopping wet and still laughing almost breathlessly.
"You shall have to tell me all about Rohan the next time we meet." Said Faramir, brushing his wet hair out of his eyes.
Eowyn smiled and nodded, and then, with a small laugh, disappeared into her room.
Faramir merely smiled and proceeded down the hall to his own chambers, feeling foolishly giddy.
Neither would have been so happy, however, if they had known what was taking place not to far away.
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Aragorn walked through the light rain as if it were not there. He was still too concentrated on trying to figure out exactly how he could prove to Legolas how he would never betray him to notice. Ever since he had spoken to Elrond the day before he had been mulling the problem over in his head, unsure of what to do if a solution did not present itself, and soon.
What did bring him out of his stupor was the large gathering near the entrance to Elrond's halls. And more people seemed to be stopping to see what was going on every moment.
Aragorn could hear raised voices coming from the center of the crowd as he pushed his way through. When he reached the center he was stunned to see Haldir standing, running a shaky hand through his hair, over Elrond, who was on his knees, clutching his sobbing child, his son Elladan, to him as if the world was ending. Aragorn looked around quickly to try and see where Elrohir and Legolas were, only to have his heart begin slowly sinking to the bottom of his toes.
(I'm so sorry F…F…Father!) Elladan choked out.
(Shhhh…It is okay my son, Elladan, its alright…everything is going to be okay…) said Elrond gently, who looked as if he himself were desperately holding back tears.
(But they're dead! How can everything be okay when they're dead!) sobbed Elladan.
Aragorn felt as if the bottom of his world had just dropped out.
It was not possible…just not possible…
He wasn't sure if he had made any audible noise or not, but when he looked up he saw Haldir's tear filled eyes looking at him in surprise. Aragorn merely blinked at him, as if too stunned for words, turned on his heel and walked away.
He heard Haldir calling to him, but he ignored him. None of it could be true. There was just no way…He quickly found himself inside the room he and Legolas shared, staring around as if it would all dissolve away like some horrid dream.
He crossed the room and plopped down on the bed, rubbing his face in his hands as if trying to wake himself. When there was no change he simply sat and stared into the distance, losing track of time and life as swiftly as the rain fell.
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It was over an hour later when Haldir finally managed to break away from the thronging crowd that had gathered outside the room he had herded Elrond and Elladan into.
He went directly to the quarters that Aragorn and Legolas had shared, knowing that that was the most likely spot for Aragorn to be in. He wasn't exactly sure of how Aragorn had taken the news; he was one of Legolas's greatest friends, and he was reacting badly enough, he hated to think of how Aragorn must be responding.
He opened the door slowly after a slight warning knock to see Aragorn sitting on the edge of the bed, staring off into some unknown place, as if the world had ended with out him knowing it.
He sat down on the edge of the bed delicately, his back partially to Aragorn, trying not to disturb his friend too much. For that was what he counted him as now. A friend.
"Elladan is quite hysterical…" he started quietly, "But we managed to get him to tell us what happened."
Aragorn seemed unfazed, so he continued; trying the best he could to break the news gently to him.
"Apparently they were ambushed. Their weapons had been stolen, leaving them completely defenseless…both Elrohir and Elladan bolted, realizing they had no chance against the Walkers without any weapons…it took some time for them to realize that Legolas had never followed. They were nearly back to Haven when they caught up to Elrohir, and killed him. It was only because they always bury their lone victims that Elladan managed to escape…"
"From what I gather, Legolas refused to run, but tried to fight off their attackers…"
Aragorn smiled slightly at this, still staring straight ahead.
"That sounds like something Legolas would do. Never liked to go down quietly…"
"And you are okay? You're not upset by this?" asked Haldir incredulously.
Aragorn turned to smile at him slightly, but Haldir could see the contrast to his expression in his eyes. They looked dead, devoid of all emotion, as if he had died along with his heart.
"I miss him terribly already…but I don't think he would have wanted me to sit and mope about…" he said his voice strong, despite the look in his eyes. "So I'm going to carry on with my life. I mean after all, he may be gone from this Earth," he said pausing to gather a steadying breath, "but he will always be in my heart."
"You are a brave man Aragorn." Said Haldir, rising and crossing to the door. "You posses one of the things that few of us do in such dark times."
"And what is that?"
"Hope."
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Legolas wiped the blood and rain from his eyes, staring down at the darkly clad, and lifeless form in front of him.
Four down, one to go.
He had been tracking the Walkers since they had first attacked him and the twins. The hunters had quickly become the hunted. He knew by the looks on their identical faces that the twins had been left defenseless. He too would have been if not for the blade hidden in his boot, and the dagger up his sleeve. It was the latter of the two weapons he had opted for when he took on his opponent in the dark of that first night, striking out at a black clad figure and sending it reeling back, blood gushing from it's gashed forehead. The two had clashed briefly until Legolas had finally struck the Walker down with a well-placed dagger to the neck.
He had emerged from his skirmish to find the others gone, the Walkers in hot pursuit.
It had been with a horrid sinking feeling in his heart that he had found four of them gathered around a haphazard burial mound, setting in the last bits of dirt. He had dropped on of them where it stood, a stolen dagger in it's back, and caught another in a brief, but deadly fray, as the last two fled, running in the direction of Haven.
It was today that he had caught up with the last two…the rain creating a slightly hazy fog over the ground, and the inky blackness being shattered only momentarily by lighting. He had managed to take this one down rather easily…but he had a feeling it was due to the large, angry looking cut to its chest. He had a feeling that whoever they had buried yesterday had given it that cut.
He felt his forehead again, right under his hairline, where this Walker had managed to nick him, nearly blinding him with his own blood. But it hadn't given it any real advantage…
He heard a rustling of branches behind him as thunder began to rumble, letting him know the last Walker had not gone far away. If he could just kill this last one, he could go home to Aragorn. Just one more.
(Who are you, that you can kill my brothers and sisters with such ease?) asked a chilling voice, seemingly coming from nowhere. Legolas did not respond as a tall figure with a torn mask entered his line of vision, then flitted out again. (Who are you that can kill us all without a second thought?) said the voice in his ear. (Who are you that have made it so I can never go home?)
He felt the tip of a blade pressing slowly into the center of his back…and he didn't give the Walker a chance. The still exposed dagger in his hand was flipped around and thrust backwards with a sickening thud into the chest of the last Walker.
He whipped around to see the pale blue eyes and icy Elven features smile slightly as it fell over, death not far away. And as he turned his back on it, breaking into a run for Haven, he could have sworn he heard it whisper thanks.
He swept his rain soaked hair from his face and continued to run, the lighting cracking overhead, lighting his path home.
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Aragorn had finally emerged from his rooms after a long night and day of solidarity, feeling as if he needed some to talk to. He normally would have just talked to Legolas…but now that was an impossibility. The rain had cleared up slightly, and night had begun to fall again, so that a misty drizzle embraced all of Haven. Summer was swiftly fading into what promised to be a brilliant autumn.
The sun was just beginning to reach noon as he emerged, tinting the clouds with brilliant colors. He stopped for a moment outside the door and gathered his breath, before deciding to talk to Faramir before seeing about taking up lodging in what was quickly becoming known as 'the human quarter' of Haven, though it took up only a stretch of quarters in one small, and rather isolated area of the city.
He reached Faramir's room in good time, but only to find that he was gone, probably in the dinning hall, or for a walk with others…something he was not yet ready to face. He knew one person was going to be bad enough, what with the news of Elrohir and Legolas's deaths circulating around the city like wildfire.
He walked to the end of the row, and found an empty set of rooms just to his taste down the hall from Eowyn's chambers. He paused, resting his head on the door he had just shut, whishing that things had not turned out the way they had…
He sighed heavily, and then turned to go back to the room, taking the long way around and sinking into thought, when the sound of a rather familiar voice called his name.
He turned slowly, almost as if some jerky puppeteer were controlling him, to face the sweetest sight he had seen in many a long year.
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Legolas's stumbled into the stable, quietly thankful that there were other entrances to the city besides the main gate. He did not feel like talking to anyone right now…he just wanted to go to his rooms and fall into Aragorn's sweet embrace. The sun was beginning to set as he brushed his rain soaked hair from his eyes, trying to ignore the mist that was chilling him to the bone.
He tromped through the halls, not meeting a single person along the way, which surprised him greatly. There was usually somebody about, even in this kind of foul weather. He stopped by his rooms first, only to find them empty. He frowned slightly, but quickly cast aside his disappointment at finding their room empty. He unfastened his cloak, then sat for a moment to remove his boots.
He got up, sighed, then turned around, and walked right back out of the room, leaving the door open, and his cast aside cloak on the floor. He just wanted to find Aragorn, so he could tell him everything that had happened…
Legolas decided to head for the "human quarter" as it was the only other likely spot for him to be in. He was not disappointed as he turned the last corner to see Aragorn turned towards the other end of the hall just beginning to walk away…
"Aragorn!" he called happily, and began to run towards him, a huge smile on his face. Aragorn turned around slowly, his eyes widening at the sight of him for a moment before Legolas collided with him, enveloping him in a huge hug, the force of which sent them both to the floor. He sat up on top of his lover, pressing his mouth firmly against Aragorn's before finally rising up to look at him properly.
There were tears in Aragorn's eyes. Tears of what, Legolas could not tell, but there were most definitely tears in his lover's eyes. All thought of his accomplishments died as he looked confusedly down at Aragorn.
"Aragorn? Are you okay? What happened?"
At these words the man broke out in tears completely, further confusing the poor elf atop him.
"Aragorn?" he asked again, now ready to begin panicking.
"Th…the…they…Elladan…Oh Gods! They said that the Walkers had killed you, and it was all I could do just to keep it together, but now you're here…" he dried his eyes and looked up at Legolas, a look beyond hope in his eyes. "This can't be real…I'm just dreaming…" he whispered, reaching up to brush a strand of Legolas's hair from his face.
Legolas smiled and leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on his lips, and then hovering not an inch away, whispered in return, "I'm real, I'm alive, and I've missed you desperately." He kissed him again, then got up, and offered his hand to help him up. Aragorn stared at his hand for a second, and then accepted it, letting Legolas help him to his feet.
Legolas smiled, and turned away, only to be whipped back around and kissed fiercely by Aragorn. His kisses of desperation quickly became hungrier, more wanting than ever before. Legolas moaned into Aragorn's mouth, remembering his now long suppressed desire…he broke away as Aragorn pushed him back against a door, and began his own ravenous attacks on Aragorn's throat, tracing his way from his jaw to his collar and back.
"I still can't believe your real…that this isn't some dream." Aragorn moaned as Legolas continued to attack his neck as if to prove his reality to him even further. He felt the slight stubble under his lips, and looked up for a moment. The man's face was covered in a slight shadow, and somehow, it made the man look even more sensual than before…he smiled and kissed him again, bringing Aragorn closer…
Legolas felt behind him until his hand found the door handle, and he temporarily stopped his assault to let them in.
He shut the door behind them, and turned back around to face Aragorn, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
He didn't wait for an invitation, but stripped his shirt off as he crossed to Legolas, casting it to the side as he did. He claimed his lips with his own in a rather chaste kiss for a few moments, before breaking away and beginning to kiss down Legolas's neck, until he reached the collar of his still sopping clothing.
"You're soaking wet. What happened?" he asked, a flicker of concern coming into his eyes. Legolas merely laid a slender hand across his lips, preventing any further questions coming from them.
"Later." He muttered, pressing as close to Aragorn as he could get.
He ran his hand back through Aragorn's hair, pulling him in for yet another heated kiss. He felt the man's hands pulling at the bottom of his tunic, undoing the ties that held it together. He smiled slightly and pulled back, letting Aragorn finish with the ties, and slip the garment from his shoulders, making him suck in a breath as the cold air hit his already cold skin. His breeches soon followed his shirt, cast in a discarded heap to the side.
Aragorn didn't pause as he began a slow, tortuous path across his shoulders, and down his chest, stopping to swirl his tongue around his pert nipples, mimicking to movements of his tongue with his other hand, making Legolas cry out in a sweet mixture of pain and pleasure. He gasped as Aragorn pushed closer, his thigh brushing against his growing arousal…
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Eowyn smiled as Faramir bid her good night at her door, and entered his own rooms, casting a sheepish grin in her direction as he did.
She had spent practically the whole day with the Gondorian man, and had loved every moment of it. It seemed as if every moment she spent with him she grew more attracted to him. Because she was falling for him, and she knew it. And she didn't mind at all.
She opened the door to her room, and proceeded to go in when she stopped dead. She dropped the cloak she had been carrying, then gathered it back up and shut the door as quietly as she could, her eyes wide.
She silently thanked the Gods that Legolas was alive, and that he and the Lord Aragorn had been to engaged with each other to notice her presence, as brief as it was. She also thanked them that the two had ended up in her room, because out of all of the people in this row of quarters, she did not mind in the least. In fact it gave her a wonderful opportunity…
She walked down the hall to Faramir's door and knocked on it lightly.
The door opened after a few moments, and a smiling, but puzzled looking Faramir stood in the doorway.
"Eowyn?"
She smiled shyly. He was clad in only a shirt and breeches, and his longish sandy red hair, which he normally kept tied back, was loose about his shoulders. She fought to keep the blush from rising in her cheeks.
"I was wondering if I might be able to stay the night in your quarters?" she asked quietly, looking timidly at him.
Faramir looked at her shocked for a moment, which prompted her to provide further explanation.
"My rooms are otherwise occupied, and I…"
"Of course. Yes, come in." he aid, snapping out of his stupor and standing back so she could come into his rooms. She stopped not far in, taking in his surroundings…the room was very tidy, not a thing out of place. His clothes, which he had worn today, were folded neatly in a stack next to his wardrobe, on top of the breakfront.
She heard him close the door, and felt him pause for a moment before coming toward her.
"I'll sleep on the couch, you can have the bed he said, indicating the large bed across the room, next to the open window. It was mussed with a few warm looking blankets, and pillows that created a very comfortable looking spot to sleep…
"The wash room is through that door there, if you need to use it."
Eowyn smiled brightly at him, gave him her thanks and entered the washroom to ready herself for bed.
When she came back out Faramir had arranged himself on the couch, and was reading a small book of some sort. He looked up at her, and blinked several times, obviously trying not to blush at the sight of Eowyn in just a shift.
"Well. Goodnight then." She said, and crossed to the bed, and climbed in, covering herself in one of the blankets as she did, her back to Faramir.
"Yes. Sweet Dreams." she heard him say softly, and blow out his candle, leaving them both to their dreams.
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Aragorn smiled at his reaction, but did not pause as he began to nip at Legolas's fair skin, leaving the faintest traces of flushed red behind… he wanted those gratifying sounds to keep coming. He stopped his ministrations for a moment, pulling the elf close to him, capturing his lips in a kiss, pressing their bodies close. He groaned slightly as Legolas bucked his hips against his, momentarily pressing their erections together.
Suddenly Legolas broke away, and began pulling Aragorn to the bed, a sly smile on his face. They paused at the edge of the bed, both savoring the moment…Aragorn looked into Legolas's fierce blue eyes, at the fire in them…a fire that was just for him…Legolas smiled at him, and Aragorn felt his slender hands unbuckle the belt of his breeches, felt him beginning to pull away the last barriers between them…He didn't give him time to react properly as they fell away, but instead pulled the elf into a deep kiss, using his advantage to begin exploring his lover's mouth, tasting the sweet flavor that he found so intoxicating.
His breath hitched momentarily, and he moaned into Legolas's mouth as he felt his slim hand wrap around his now firm shaft. He felt his body relax slightly, and Legolas used the moment to push him back onto the bed, and to straddle him. He leaned in and kissed him slowly, leaving Aragorn wanting more as he began a tantalizingly slow path down his chest, trailing soft circles with his tongue as he worked his way down, onto his stomach….it was all he could do to keep from crying out.
"Don't stop…"
Legolas just smiled and climbed, catlike, over his body, and gave him another slow and sensuous kiss. When he pulled away he leaned down and whispered into Aragorn's ear throatily.
"I want you inside of me…I want to feel all of you inside of me…"
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The couple lay there for a few moments, in blissful silence, their panted breaths making the only sound.
Legolas began running his fingers through Aragorn's hair, softly, as if he were afraid the moment would end…Aragorn looked up at him softly, a blissful smile on his face.
(I love you Legolas.) He said earnestly.
Legolas smiled delightedly.
(As I love you.)
Aragorn smiled slightly, and then laid his head back down on his Love's chest, letting the exhaustion take him into a blissful sleep…
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Yay! I think it turned out pretty good….whudda' you think? It's even better if you ask for the 'unrated directors cut' chapter…! Waves it tantalizingly in front of readers' noses….