A/N: Hey everyone. Here is the second installment of Good Eye Sniper. As always I hope you enjoy and look foreward to your comments. I have included review responses at the bottom so don't forget to check those out. And the third installment was also posted today as a special surprise. I wanted to post mid-week, but my clinicals kept me so busy I didn't have time. So you get two chapters to enjoy for the weekend. So get at it. )
A/N: I also needed to give credit to the composer of the lyrics used in this chapter. I took lyrics from the song One Way or Another by Blonde. I'm sure many of you are familiar with this song and I thought it would be fitting for this chapter.
Chapter Two: The War Is On
One way or another I'm gonna find ya
I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha
One way or another I'm gonna win ya
I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha
One way or another I'm gonna see ya
I'm gonna meetcha meetcha meetcha meetcha
One day, maybe next week
I'm gonna meetcha, I'm gonna meetcha, I'll meetcha
I will drive past your house
And if the lights are all down
I'll see who's around
(Blonde)
Legolas walked outside the palace doors, immediately feeling a great weight lifted from his shoulders.
The palace seemed so foreboding at times.
He longed for the escape of the trees.
The prince was a free spirit and could not be contained so in these walls of stone, not without becoming unsettled.
Sometimes his father accused him of wandering around the palace like a restless spirit, at night, scaring all the servants like some pale apparition, searching for some object that could never be found.
Legolas certainly couldn't refute the statement. He knew how very true it was. He could not find peace was he was bound inside a prison. A prison filled with gold, jewels, and servants to cater to his every whim, but a prison none the less.
But he could not help it. He felt so enclosed in this place. The elf prince needed open air and fresh trees. He could not stay confined in this…this cave!
Heaven forbid his father should hear him think that, but Legolas could not change his heart.
If he didn't get away soon, he would surely go mad.
"Prince Legolas, Prince Legolas. Is something amiss, my lord?" One of the elf's standing guard duty, in front of the palace doors, was staring at the prince's wandering gaze with curiosity and concern. The guard fidgeted nervously uncertain what to do, in the face of the prince's strange behavior.
"Come, Teleran when have we ever been stuck on such formality? My lord, indeed! I will have your tongue cut out if you do not choose your words more carefully." Legolas teased lightly, hoping to ease the guard's discomfort, unable to keep a smile from breaking his stern gaze.
Teleran gulped dramatically, rubbing his neck uncomfortably. However there was a playful glint in his eye that showed his fear was all in jest. "I should think I would very much like to keep my tongue right where it is, if you don't mind, your highness." Teleran chuckled as he grandiosely bowed to the prince.
"None of that…none of that." Legolas flapped, trying to pull his friend back up, to a standing position, as quickly as possible. "Someone may see you doing that and start to get ideas. And none of this highness stuff either. My name is Legolas, as well you know, and I expect you to use it. You will have people think me an arrogant royal."
"Aren't you?" Teleran asked with mock innocence.
Legolas smacked the young elf guard childishly, on the back of his head, sending Teleran staggering foreword a few paces. The elf turned accusing eyes on the prince, as he rubbed his sore head.
"Hey what was that for?"
"That was for insulting the prince. I could have you executed for that you know. But instead I chose to let you off with a light warning." Legolas laughed merrily, feeling warmed by the playful banter.
"If you call that a light warning I would be loath to find out what a harsh one entails." Teleran muttered darkly, nursing his wounded pride. It was never pleasant to be bested, even if it was by one of the greatest warriors in Mirkwood.
"If you really want to kno…" Legolas was instantly silenced, as an uncomfortable chill of warning ran up his spine. He became immediately tensed, as a deep sense of forbidden that came over the forest.
The birds were still and the trees seemed to whisper a half-hearted warning of danger, as though almost hesitant to betray this unknown threat. Legolas felt his stomach lurch. What were they hiding?
He slowly scanned the forest, straining his ears to hear what lurked beneath the green canopy of nature. The prince slowly reached for his bow, thankfully slung on his back, but was halted in mid-reach.
Words almost as gentle as a dove's cry wafted on the wind, nearly undetectable even to the elf's sensitive ears. He could not make out the words, but the pain and heartache underlying them nearly sent the elf staggering. The emotional pain was so strong it seemed to shroud the forest, in a dark blanket of unshedable tears.
So caught up in the mental distress the powerful feelings wrought in the young prince, he scarcely register the fluttering whisp of movement behind him, like the wings of a bird gliding through the air. But birds did not fly so low. That could only mean one thing. An arrow!
Legolas shouted a warning to Teleran even as he was automatically, jerking out of the way of the on-coming projection. As the prince fell to the ground, a flare of pain coursed through his arm, and he realized with adrenaline-bound clarity that he had been hit!
The blonde-haired arched lay on the ground stunned a few moments, as the air was knocked from his lungs. But this oxygen deprived stupor faded quickly, as his warrior skills took over commanding his body to level headedness.
The elf prince sat up with graceful ease, belaying the arrow sticking pointedly from just below his shoulder. He leaned himself against a decorative column, out of the line of sight of any other oncoming arrows…or so he hoped.
Legolas with detached interest gazed at the wound, realizing as arrow wounds went he really was quite lucky. If the unknown shooter had been a slightly better archer the arrow would easily have found his heart.
Legolas, with pride in his own skills, knew he would never have had such poor aim. Though he was certainly grateful, by all accounts his adversary did.
Small favors the prince sighed in resignation. He'd never admit it, but trouble did seem to have a special knack for finding him, it was inevitable.
"Legolas, prince Legolas. Are you well?" Teleran shouted in frantic concern as he shook his immobile companion. The prince was sitting almost completely motionless on the ground, and if his eyes had not been open Teleran would surely have thought him dead.
"I have an arrow sticking out of my shoulder. How do you think I am." Legolas replied dryly as Teleran helped him to his feet.
The elf guard chose to ignore the sarcastic comment, worry clouding his normally playful nature. "Come, my prince, we must get you back into the palace. It is not safe for you out here." The young elf replied as he cast wary glances at the surrounding forest.
Teleran's hand clasped open and closed unconsciously, as though shooting imaginary arrows, but the elf guard refrained from reaching for his bow.
He knew what his duty was.
He must see the prince to safety before engaging the enemy.
At least he could console himself with the fact, Jeniaran, the other guard on duty, was already firing delicately aimed arrows into the forest growth.
Teleran was uncertain if Jeniaran had located the intruder, but it was not the time for such contemplations. He would find out soon enough. But taking care of the prince was his first priority.
Teleran tugged insistently at the prince's arm, trying to pull him to the palace doors. However Legolas remained infuriatingly still, refusing to be moved, much to the young guards annoyance.
The prince had taken to scanning the surrounding forest, intent upon one thing----his failed assassin.
Legolas had no intention of hiding in the palace like a scared elfling, while others risked their lives for him.
He would face his enemy and fight him to the death if need be.
When Legolas was beginning to believe the unknown archer had already escaped into the forest, his vigilance was rewarded with just the briefest flicker of movement seen from the corner of his eyes.
The elf prince jerked around quickly, bow pulled in readiness for a repeat attack.
"Legolas, what are you doing? We must go, now! Stop being so stubborn and come along." Teleran insisted. "The guards will take care of this. It is not safe for you here my prince."
The prince continued to ignore his friend's attempts, to take him to safety, and watched the figure, with narrowed eyes, climbing down a tree quite some distance from their location.
The prince could not make out the creature, for he wore a long black cloak, with a hood that easily shrouded the archer's face in shadows.
Legolas had bow in hand and pulled his arm back to retrieve an arrow, when a flash of pain ran with a burning vengeance down his appendage.
The elf prince immediately dropped his arm unable to continue the motion. His appendage was nearly completely useless now thanks to the assassin's ill-placed arrow.
Legolas could not shoot his bow.
But the prince would not be deterred. Where many another elves may have given up the hunt, he was no ordinary elf. It only steeled his determination to catch this unknown sniper, with his bare hands if need be.
Legolas placed his hand over the arrow sticking from his arm, looking at the intricate designs carved in the base. The arrow was undoubtedly elvish, from which the prince could only draw one conclusion, there was a traitor afoot.
A rogue elf was bent on some misguided campaign of vengeance perhaps.
But what was most painful was that perhaps it had been someone Legolas had once considered a friend.
A wave of fury washed over the normally calm levelheaded prince, and he broke the arrow off with a defiant snap.
Legolas clenched the offending arrow, its jagged edge cutting into his palm, as he gripped it tightly. He did not register the blood slowly pudding in his palm.
A red river formed, and was slowly making its way down his hand, dripping silently to the forest floor.
A sacrifice to the earth, to the Valar himself, that this miscreant would be brought to justice, before more harm was inflicted.
One way or another I'm gonna see ya
I'm gonna meetcha meetcha meetcha meetcha
One day, maybe next week
I'm gonna meetcha, I'll meetcha
And if the lights are all out
I'll follow your bus downtown
See who's hanging out
(Blonde)
Teleran watched in shocked astonishment, as the prince with cold calculation snapped off the distal portion of the arrow lodged in his arm.
Scarcely moments later, drops of red tears appeared beneath the prince's tightly clenched fist, and the young guard felt undeterable fear send his heart to fluttering frantically for release.
Where Teleran had always known Legolas was an admirable warrior, in this moment the very tension of the air spoke that this was a fearsome creature before him, a force to be feared and reckoned with. The elf guard was grateful the prince's wraith was not directed at him.
The prince of Mirkwood was indeed a warrior of imposing power. No not just a warrior, but a prince with the noblest of blood. And he stood prepared to face his adversary, with the very strength of the Valar himself behind him.
Teleran's breath caught at the imposing figure before him, and if he had not paralyzed, by his own fear and awe, he would surely have bowed in reverence.
Legolas' eyes were unwaveringly focused on his prey, ignorant to his friend's thoughts nor the imposing impression he made.
Legolas' attention was focused darkly, on the creature slowly descended from his perch.
Legolas felt giddy and wanted nothing more than to go after this unknown foe, but he forced himself to patience. It was not yet the time.
The cloaked figure paid him no heed, continuing at an exhaustingly slow pace down the tree. The way the creature was going you would almost think him human Legolas sneered coldly.
There were few slurs as insulting, as comparing an elf to a human.
The assassin no doubt believed him dead, and Legolas had every intention of using this misperception to his advantage.
And that meant staying his movement until the anonymous figure was away from sight.
If the prince moved to intercept now this unknown elf could easily jump into the trees and escape, but if the young golden-haired archer merely waited till his foe was grounded, Legolas could simply enough sneak upon him unawares.
It seemed the hooded creature felt the prince's fiery gaze on his back, for at that moment the assassin turned quickly stilling his decent.
The prince could not see beyond the dark folds of the assailant's hood, but he was certain eyes stared back at him.
Legolas stared coldly back, his eyes afire with the promise of retribution.
The figure started descending faster, dropping the last few feet, Legolas' surprise thwarted, as the cloaked sniper sped into the forest.
The prince threw the broken arrow to the ground, crushing it distastefully beneath his feet, and headed stealthily after his prey.
The sniper had made his move, now it was Legolas' turn.
And the war was on!
One way or another I'm gonna find ya
I'm gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha
One way or another I'm gonna win ya
I'll getcha, I'll getcha
(Blonde)
Reviews:
As always I thank all the people who took the time to share their comments, questions, and criticism. It is your feedback that helps make my stories better. (At least I hope there getting better).
Sielge: I'm glad you picked up on our anonymous archer. I wanted to kinda add some mystery and intrigue to the beginning of the story by not directly naming the "bad guy," (notice bad guy is in quotations…wink wink), but I try to make it so people can figure out who it is at the same time. I suppose I prefer to kind of imply it so it makes it a bit more challenging. And I'm sure you can now guess the unfortunate target as well at this point, who is now become something of a victim since he did get hit by an arrow. I hope the chapter met up to your expectations and you will keep reading. I look foreward to your future responses. And just remember all is not always as it seems…. (oh mysterious ending to the response…)
Deana: Thank you so much for your praise. Coming from you it means a lot to me. You have always been one of my favorite Lord of the Rings authors. I've read all your works and even printed them out so I could save them in a binder to read whenever I want. I find you to be a particularly gifted writer and so your finding my own story to worthy of compliment truly makes me feel my story is worth the effort. (I bet you didn't expect me to praise you in my own review now did ya…lol). I hope you keep reading and I look foreward to you sharing your own expertise.
silvertears630: I'm afraid chapter two isn't too much of a cliff hanger. But I can promise chapter three which was also posted today is indeed going to keep you in suspense. I'm so evil…lol.
It will be a few more chapters before the whole story is revealed as to Estel's reasons for doing why he's doing, but it will all become clear after it becomes a bit muddier…lol. I did want to address one particular issue about by whom his family was killed. I'm tempted to blurt out all my secrets. I'm so bad at keeping things quiet. All I'm going to say though is that all is not as it seems and also that that there will be no character deaths in this story. I hope I haven't given too much away and I hope this doesn't disappoint you. There are definitely a lot of mysteries still ahead to keep you guessing I hope. And I make a solemn vow as a member of ALBW (Aragorn/Legolas Bashers of the World) that our heroes will not run short of angst in the coming chapters, but don't worry I'll give them both big hugs to make them feel better ).
sephiroth7: As "insightful" as your comments were I did find them a bit critical. I find it hard to believe firstly that I'm the worst writer you've ever written unless you have read only a limited number of works. I by no means think I'm anywhere near the best, but I should think I'm hopefully not the most atrocious writer on the planet. But if so I dutifully apologize for my remiss behavior for inflicting such disgusting drivel upon your tender eyes. I pray I have not permanently damaged you physically or mentally and discourage further reading of these works if they should cause any detrimental side-effects to your health. But I will be ever so grateful if you would share your insights and tell me how my story has displeased you. I'd be most gracious to receive suggestions for improvement. I would also be quite pleased and privileged to partake if your own works if you would be so kind as to give me their titles I shall read them avidly and partake of your vast amounts of knowledge and experience.
Notreallygutlesslurker: I thank you for your defense of my story. It always means a lot to have people willing to advocate another persons writing. It is surely the greatest form of flattery an author can expect. And I can assure you that such actions are the complete antipathy of gutless. I would be lying if I said that such base comments don't make me doubt myself, but I know they lack any true substance which makes it bearable. I consider such a review more of a challenging amusement than a true hindrance of my work so long as there are exceptional reviews like you to remind me of my own quality and skill. I hope you take the time to read my response to that reviewers comment and find as much amusement in reading it as I did in writing it. I do so like to be argumentative. ) I thank you again for your review and I hope you will continue to share your thoughts and comments in the future and that I continue to live up to your expectations.