Disclaimer: Same as always.
A/N: Here is the next chapter. Thank you so much for the reviews. I really appreciate it. This chapter is a nice long one to make up for the long time it has taken to upload a new chapter. I have the next chapter ready so I'm hoping to upload it later this week. The more reviews I get the faster I will update. hint hint. Enjoy!
Chapter 27
It's not Worth the Risk
Wake me up
My inspiration seems
My mind is like a prison bound to hold me
Force it out
The damage has been done
We're Broken, departed
And we can hardly spend it here
I won't give up again
As tired as I am
With everything I can
I won't give up again
-JULIANA THEORY -DTM
As soon as Legolas heard of the night incident, he rushed to his father. Thranduil was busy talking with the guards, discussing what had occurred in the night. Legolas quickly pulled his father aside to speak with him
"Are you all right, Ada?" He asked, concerned.
"I am fine, my son." The king replied, though it was as if he was only reciting the words.
Legolas stared at him a moment. "I'm not fooled by your façade, Ada. I know you want to appear strong in front of your people, but I can see that this incident scared you more then you let on."
The king sighed and looked off down the hallway. "I have seen death many times before and I have been close to it more times than I can count. Yet in my own home, I have always believed myself to be safe. As I feared the war has not been secluded, but has entered the very doors of my palace."
Legolas sighed. "I'm sorry, Ada. We will find the person who did this."
Thranduil looked up at him. "I thought you heard. The murderer has already been found and imprisoned."
Legolas stared at him confused. "How?"
"It is obvious who did this, Legolas. I knew it was going to happen, yet I did nothing."
"You're not suggesting that Estel did this, are you?" Legolas asked concerned.
"Who else would have?"
"Adar, you have no proof. You can't accuse my friend of this just because he is human."
"Legolas, I know this is hard on you. But aside from being a human, your friend is under the control of the Nazgul. He is a traitor and a murderer." Thranduil's voice held a bitter edge.
"He did not do this!" Legolas argued. "I can prove it."
"This is no longer open for discussion. I made a mistake by allowing him into my home. I should have killed him the day you brought him here."
"Adar, please listen to me…"
"No, Legolas. Listen to me!" Thranduil said interrupting his son. "You made a mistake by bringing him here. He must be put to death."
"Adar, you can't!" Legolas pleaded.
"I can and will. Forget your feelings for the human, Legolas. It cost us once. Are you willing to let your feelings for him cost you your father's life?"
Legolas opened his mouth to speak but stopped short. He was at a loss for words.
"His execution is scheduled at noon. I suggest you don't interfere." Thranduil spat out harshly at his son.
Legolas stared coldly at his father. "I'm glad you're all right." Legolas said without any emotion. "Excuse me, I have work to do."
With that, Legolas turned and headed away. Thranduil noted the bitterness in his son's voice and the way his son acted towards him. It had been many years since he had seen that from his son. After his wife had died, Thranduil had secluded himself from his children and had become bitter towards them. He lost his relationship with both his children and had become an angry, bitter king. During that time, Legolas would treat him with the same emotionless attitude and respect that Thranduil had just seen.
When Thranduil had realized his mistakes, however, he had worked to change and rebuild his relationships with his children. He found them to be hurting just as much as he was over the loss of Islidiwen. In the past half century, he had become so much closer with his them and he was beginning to gain their trust and friendship. Yet now he feared he was on the verge of breaking that trust he had worked so hard to achieve. He knew that if he killed the human, Legolas would never forgive him. Their relationship would be ruined forever. Yet, he seemed to have no other choice.
With a sigh, the king, turned the other way. He had other matters to tend to now. Family would have to wait. The fate of Mirkwood and his kingdom was resting in his hands. This duty was more important.
Legolas walked as fast as he could towards the dungeon. A guard, however, stood in his way of going down the steps.
"I'm sorry, sir, but the King has ordered that no one goes in to see the prisoner." The guard said.
"I don't care. Let me see him." Legolas fumed, not in the mood to argue with the guard.
"I can't, sire. Forgive me."
Legolas glared at him. "Either you let me in or I swear I will make you and your family regret your actions."
The guard swallowed hard. It wasn't often that the prince threatened someone. "I have orders, my prince." The guard replied loyally, yet shakily.
Legolas glared venomously at the guard. Then he sighed and placed a hand on his head. His face softened and he gave the guard an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I respect your loyalty."
The guard sighed in relief. "Thank you for understanding, sir."
Legolas nodded with a sigh and turned to walk away. Then suddenly, he turned back and before the guard could react, Legolas punched him in the head, knocking him unconscious.
"Sorry, I had to do that." Legolas said as he grabbed the keys and stepped over the elf's body. He rushed quickly down the stairs and soon found his friend locked in one of the cells. His hands were chained to the wall and his face was slightly bruised.
"Estel!"
The human looked up and slight relief flooded his face. "What has happened?"
"You have been accused of murder." Legolas said as he unlocked the door to the cell.
"You're as helpful as the guards that took me." Aragorn jested dryly. "They grabbed me and blamed me for murdering someone. When I asked questions, they punished me for speaking out of turn. Then they threw me in here and said I would await my trial."
Legolas' face looked as if he was about to kill someone. His jaw was tense and his eyes burned with fire. "My father has accused you of murdering the guard posted by his door. He has ordered that you will be killed for your actions."
Aragorn looked stunned. "I did no such thing."
"Tell me everything you did last night."
Aragorn thought for a moment. "I stayed in the healing room the whole time. I walked around a bit, read the book you gave me, and went to bed. The next thing I knew I was being dragged here."
Legolas stared at him. "Do you know for sure, Estel, that you never left your room?"
"Yes!" Aragorn stated confidently.
"You have been under the control of the Nazgul. Do you think perhaps he controlled you into doing that, but erased your memory of it?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn sighed. "It is possible, but the Nazgul hasn't been able to control me since I have been here. It is like he lost power over me after I was brought here."
"It seems too easy for that." Legolas stated.
"What are you saying? That I'm being used by the Ringwraith and I killed that guard against my own knowledge?"
"I'm only looking at all the facts, Estel. I'm not accusing you of anything. In truth, I do not believe you killed the guard."
"What makes you believe that?" Aragorn asked curiously. He shifted slightly, cringing as the manacles on his wrists rubbed painfully against his flesh.
"The guard that was killed did not make any movement to fight or cry out. The corridor was lighted, so it wasn't like anyone could sneak up on him. It was as if someone he knew walked by and killed him as his defense was down." Legolas told the human.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "And how did you come to that assessment?"
"It's only a guess, but the crime scene seems to present that. Plus you had a guard watching your room the whole time. Now I just have to convince my father of that. In the meantime, I'm not leaving you in here." Legolas said as he unshackled his friend.
Aragorn rubbed his wrists tenderly as he tried to bring feeling back into his fingers. "Thank you, Legolas."
Legolas looked at him with a questioning gaze. "How did you know…"
Aragorn smiled. "Well for one you haven't been very discreet today about your father being the king and I've heard talk of the prince being named Legolas."
Legolas smiled, realizing that in his frustration, he had forgotten that he was still hiding his identity from Aragorn.
"For two," Aragorn continued, "Legolas just seems right."
Legolas smiled and helped his friend to his feet. "Come on, I'll hide you in one of the spare rooms." Legolas began to lead the way, watching for guards. Because most of the guards were out lending aid to the war in Mirkwood, and Legolas knew all the best ways around the palace, avoiding the guards was not terribly difficult. When he reached the room, he let Aragorn inside, telling him to wait there until he returned. Aragorn nodded and locked the door behind his friend.
Thranduil sat at his desk, trying to concentrate, but not being able to. Too much was troubling his mind. He massaged his temples gently, wishing for the umpteenth time that his wife were here with him. He needed someone he could talk to, someone that understood him. With a sigh, the king looked up as someone knocked on his door. He saw Legolas standing there and he groaned silently. The last person he wanted to deal with right now was his son.
"I'm quite busy, Legolas. I don't have time for your intrusions"
Legolas cringed inwardly at the reaction from his father, but he held his temper. He knew his father was busy, but above that, he knew his father probably did not wish to discuss anymore about Estel's execution.
"Father, please I must talk with you." Legolas said stepping inside the room.
"If this has to do with your friend, which I assume it does, then leave now because I will here no more." Thranduil told him.
Legolas took in a deep breath and kept his voice steady as he spoke. "Ada, do you know who the human is that you have sentenced to death?"
"I don't care who he is. He is a despicable, murdering human. He deserves death and don't want to hear anything…"
"That human is the young boy Lord Elrond adopted as his own son." Legolas said interrupting.
Thranduil stopped short and stared at Legolas. He was silent for a moment as he remembered hearing about the young human boy his long time friend had adopted. Silently, he stood and walked towards the window in his room. In his mind, it changed nothing knowing that his best friend had raised the human, but at the same time, it made him think about his actions. Could he possibly kill Elrond's son?
"That's not all, Ada." Legolas said. As Thranduil turned, Legolas continued. "Estel is also known as Aragorn son of Arathorn, only living heir of Isildur."
Thranduil stared at him. "Impossible. Arathorn's son was killed by orcs."
Legolas shook his head. "No, he wasn't. I was traveling with Elrond's twins when we found Gilraen barely alive clutching a two year old boy to her chest. We brought them both to Rivendell, but Gilraen died a few hours later. Her son, however, survived and Elrond raised him as his own, keeping his identity a secret."
Thranduil was silent for a moment. He turned to look out the window once again. "This doesn't prove anything, Legolas. Perhaps Elrond raised him, but that doesn't change what he did. He betrayed his family and he betrayed you."
"Ada, I don't think he did. Your guard was killed without a fight or struggle. Only someone known by him would have been able to get close enough to him to kill him so efficiently."
Thranduil turned around, having not considered that. "Are you saying I have a traitor in my own home?"
"I don't know for sure, but Estel doesn't even know his way around the palace. To be able to find your room without anyone noticing him walking around seems highly unlikely. Plus the guard stayed by his door the whole night. Estel would have never been able to escape from his watchful gaze."
"He could have escaped out the window and returned before anyone noticed he was gone. And even you said he was under the control of the Nazgul. Mayhap he is still being controlled."
Legolas sighed. "Perhaps, but when he was brought here, he had no memory of anything. I have been helping him try to remember and through the memories of his family and friends, I believe the Nazgul has lost his control. When I was captured, the Nazgul tried to tear away every memory of my family. The friendship between Estel and I is what kept us strong, and able to resist him for so long. I believe now that Estel's memory is returning, the Nazgul is loosing him."
Thranduil sighed and placed his hands in his head. "Legolas, I have too much to concern myself with. I will delay the execution for now. He will be locked up and if you are right, perhaps we can release him in a few days."
Legolas sighed. "I can't leave my friend in the prison, Ada."
Thranduil rolled his eyes. "I'm assuming you've already done something about that."Legolas shuffled his feet, giving Thranduil his answer. "Legolas, he must be restrained! I cannot trust him."
"You can't, but I can! He'll stay in my room to prove to you that he is not a traitor."
"He most certainly will not!" Thranduil fumed.
"Ada, I can't leave him in the dungeon."
Thranduil sighed. He was getting no where with his son and he was ready for this discussion to be over. "I want him to be tied up and a guard posted to watch him during the night. If he tries anything, the guard will be ordered to kill him without question." Legolas opened his mouth to speak, but the king held a hand up, stopping him. "If my rules are not exactly followed, he will be put in the dungeon and kept there until I decide to release him. Do I make myself clear?"
Legolas sighed, knowing that was the best he was going to get from his father. "I understand, Ada. Thank you."
With that, Legolas left the room and hurried to the spare room where his friend was waiting. He had the only key to the room and he quickly unlocked the door. He found Aragorn sitting in a chair, facing the window.
"You've been cleared with my father for now. He doesn't trust you, but I convinced him that you probably didn't do it." He announced happily.
Aragorn turned to face Legolas, but instead of relief, his face showed sorrow.
"What is it, my friend?"
"I'm not so sure I didn't do it."
"What?" Legolas asked in confusion.
"I remember now. I remember everything, my life, my childhood, meeting you, being captured by the Nazgul… I remember it all." Aragorn replied solemnly.
"That's great." Legolas said, confused as to why Aragorn was dismayed.
"Yes, but I now know the plan the Nazgul had for me." Aragorn looked down at the floor. "He wanted to use me against you and your family. I do not know his full plan, but it has to do with you father, King Thranduil." Aragorn looked up slightly and his voice shook as he spoke. "I fear he sent me to murder him."
Legolas' eyes widened. "It can't be true. You are no longer under the power of the Nazgul. His spell over you was broken."
Aragorn turned away from Legolas and walked towards the window. "That's what I thought, but like you said, it seems too easy for that. When I said it seems like he lost power over me when I was brought here, I wasn't being entirely truthful."
"What do you mean?"
Aragorn swallowed hard. "Every time I began to remember something of my past, it caused me great pain and it was as if someone was chastising me for remembering. The more I remembered, the more I could feel a dark presence trying to overcome my thoughts, yet as the memories returned, I began to feel stronger. Now that I remember everything and I remember his power over me, I understand it. And though my memory has returned, I can still feel his dark presence over me. It is as if he is calling me, drawing me to him. I can feel his evil coursing through every vein in my body. He wants me to go back to him and though I feel strong enough to resist him now, I don't know if I will be able to forever."
Legolas walked to Aragorn and placed a hand on his shoulder, turning him around. "Estel, listen to me! The Nazgul has no power over you any longer. You are free from that beast. Perhaps the Nazgul thought that he could control you, but what he doesn't realize is the power of family and friendship. That is what kept us strong for so long and that is what has brought you back from the shadows. He can only control you if you chose to forget that. Don't let him destroy you."
Aragorn was silent for a moment. "You're probably right, Legolas, but I'm not willing to take that chance. I can't risk destroying your family or your home."
"It's a risk we will have to take…"
"No, it isn't." Aragorn interrupted. "We don't have to risk it. If you lock me in prison until this war in Mirkwood is over than mayhap your father will stay safe."
"What? You can't be serious!"
"It's the only way, Legolas. I did horrible things under the control of the Nazgul, twice I almost killed you. I'm not going to let that happen again."
"But you aren't under his control now and you can fight against him." Legolas argued.
Aragorn shook his head. "I can't fight forever."
"What if I just keep you in restraints here in this room?" Legolas suggested, unable to comply with locking his friend in the dungeon after he had fought so hard to have him released.
Aragorn shook his head. "No, I considered that, but it wouldn't be secure enough. When I was a captive of the Nazgul, I was stronger than a normal human. If I am still under his power, than I might be able to break free. You have to put me some where I will stay restrained."
Legolas stared at him trying to consider his options. Aragorn was right. If the Nazgul still had some control of him or would be able to reestablish control, he couldn't risk Aragorn going back to him or doing something even worse. The jail would be the best place to keep him, for now. He swallowed hard. The very thought of locking his friend up tore his heart.
"Legolas, please! I do not want to hurt your father." Aragorn pleaded.
Legolas nodded solemnly. "I will release you then, when the war is over or sooner, if possible."
Aragorn nodded. He silently followed Legolas towards the dungeons. Legolas walked him to one of the cells and without question, Aragorn walked inside.
Legolas sighed and looked at his friend. He hated the thought of leaving his friend in this place.
"I will be fine, Legolas. Do not worry." Aragorn reassured, knowing what the elf was thinking.
Legolas made no response.
"You should chain my wrist to the wall, just to be safe." Aragorn said.
Legolas cringed. He had been thinking the same thing, but had hoped it would not be necessary. "Estel…"
"Legolas, don't make it harder than it is."
Legolas sighed, but agreed to do as Aragorn requested. As Aragorn sat on the cold, wet floor, Legolas prepared to fasten the chains. Before doing so, however he tore a piece of his cloak and then tore it in two pieces. Aragorn looked at him questioningly. Legolas smiled slightly as he took one piece and tied in lightly to his friend's wrist. He did the same to the other side.
"It is the least I can do." Legolas replied as he fasted the manacles over his friend's wrists.
Aragorn smiled. The piece of cloth kept the chains from chafing his wrists and provided a bit a comfort, if there was such a thing, for him. "Hannon le, mellon nin." (thank you, my friend)
Legolas nodded. "I will make sure you are fed and properly cared for."
Aragorn smiled. "Wow! I get to be served and waited on even in the prison."
Legolas glared at him for his jest. "Don't get too use to it." He said with a slight grin.
Aragorn chuckled. "Be safe, my friend. Don't get into any trouble while I'm not there to look out for you."
Legolas rolled his eyes. "I will be back soon." He promised.
"I'll hold you to it."
Legolas smiled and left, his heart burning at leaving his friend chained in the dungeon.
