For Disclaimer and other notes see prologue
Hey all sorry for the long wait, but we have had a few things come up that are too hard to ignore. The next chapter should be up this weekend. (hopefully)
Note: This chapter has not been betaed word for word or sentence for sentence, though it has been read over. Our beta was caught up in a few things and was unable to look it over.
-0-0-0-0-0-0-
Strangers in Shadows
By: Amanda & Shelby
Chapter 6
For Better or For Worse
Aragorn awoke to the sound of rustling in the bushes across the camp. He sat up quickly when he remembered where he was. His head turned and his gaze fell on the blond being beside him as he pieced together last night's events.
He remembered discovering that Frimond had captured Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. His head fell and sadness covered his face at an elf like the Prince of Mirkwood being imprisoned by men.
Aragorn had once briefly met Legolas along time ago as a child. Legolas and his father, Thranduil, had come by for a short council meeting with Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. Elladan and Elrohir, his older brothers, knew the Prince as well and they talked about him sometimes back at home.
He snapped out of his thought as he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up and saw Frimond coming his way. He quickly remembered Legolas' tunic that was on the ground beside him. The ranger quickly shoved it into his healing bag with all the rest of his herbs. The last thing he needed was one of the elf's captives to find out he was Prince.
"So how is the stinking beast?" The man's voice grumbled like thunder.
Aragorn looked up at the man from pulling the strings of his healing pack closed. The look in Frimonds eyes was of pure loathing and hatred, but yet, Aragorn had caught a glimpse of sadness and loneliness.
Aragorn looked back at the elf, getting on his knees to check the bandages again. "He lives," The ranger finally replied. "But he is still unconscious and wont be able to move about for quite a while, least of all walk, due to the extended amount of injury. "
Frimond scowled and started to stalk off, but turned abruptly back toward the ranger. "We need to be heading off, get yourself and the elf ready to leave. You are welcome to come with us if you will keep an eye on the stupid creature. We need a healer any way."
Aragorn was struck by the sudden offer to come with them as their healer. This might be a good opportunity to get the elf to safety. He thought. But the idea of them leaving now and traveling to wherever they were going made him hate the man more and more. He could feel his anger building. They couldn't leave now, not with the Prince in his current condition.
Aragorn quickly fought back his response like a soldier ready for battle. "We can't travel now! It will only make his condition worse!" The ranger somehow found himself on his feet, though he didn't remember getting there.
Frimond pivoted back around, facing the now standing ranger, he moved so his face was nearly touching Aragorn's. The ranger felt a hand grab a hold of his tunic as Frimond tried to make his point.
"I thought that you should have realized that I don't give a damn about those blasted elves! Least of all this one! "Aragorn stared at him. Had Frimond figured out that the elf he had in his custody was the prince? The way he was speaking, Aragorn feared he had. "This one was just dimwitted enough to walk into a mantrap, that I dought that he would have realized he had killed a man! So if traveling would 'make his condition worse' I could care less for the beast."
The entire camp froze as if winter had come early and froze the men like the icy lake. Even Nolan that seemed to be emotionless save for his anger seemed to be struck senseless by their leader's statement. Was this why he wanted revenge on the elves? He thinks that they killed someone he knew?
'Well,' Aragorn thought.' Legolas' identity is still secret then…for now anyways.'
Frimond let go of Aragorn while pushing him down to the ground. Aragorn watched as Frimond started stuffing his belongings angrily into his saddle bag and jump atop his horse.
"Get the elf." Frimond said without looking back at the others. He began to ride off through the trees with out waiting for the men.
Aragorn pushed himself up off the forest floor. He grabbed his pack and hastily and started shoving supplies into the bag.. Frimond looked around at the ranger, who was holding up everyone else, with a questioning glare.
"I'm coming." The ranger said as he got his mount.
"I know you are, you idiot!" Frimond yelled back at Aragorn who in return gave him a questioning glare. "I told you before didn't I? That I would not let you go. Hurry! Your holding us all up!"
Aragorn's glare quickly became of one of a confused look. "Where are we heading to?"
"Emyn Muil." He answered
Frimond started walking ahead again before turning and looking at Nolan. "You can take the elf, Nolan." He said.
Fear struck the insides of Aragorn's chest; Nolan without a second thought would harm Legolas. He didn't know the man well, but the look he gave the Prince whenever he glanced over at him; Strider knew that Nolan hated elves as much as the trees hated fire. "But do not harm him any more than he needs to be." The leader added in a mimicking tone, glancing toward Aragorn.
Aragorn breathed a small sigh as Frimond subconsciously defended his fears.
He watched as one other man, he guessed was named Gullyn, helped set Legolas in front of Nolan after he had mounted his horse and made sure that his arms were bound tight enough that if he awoke, his arms being behind his back would keep him from doing much harm. Aragorn wished he could just take the Prince and get him to safety, but he had a feeling that with himself and an injured companion atop the same horse, it would slow them down enough to be recaptured. That would only lead them to more trouble.
"What is your name?" Aragorn jumped. He didn't expect someone to speak to him right then.
"What?" He looked over at Abdul, who spoke.
Abdul looked at him thoughtfully. "I asked your name. We can't just call you 'Healer'."
Aragorn looked Abdul over. He was a really small man, and had a young face. Almost like the face of a boy. Aragorn only wondered how a man this young could have gotten into a violent group like this one. The boy looked like anyone could easily make him do anything. He sighed
"My name is Strider. Or that's what everyone calls me." He looked back over at Legolas, feeling guilty that he could not help the Prince more.
Abdul raised his eyebrows, his young face looking curious. "Strider? I did not think that was a name of any sort. What kind of name is 'Strider'?"
"The kind I go by." Aragorn answered.. His face lit up in a smile and then went serious. "What kind of name is 'Abdul'? It sounds like some kind of name I would give to a dim mule."
Abdul looked at him a little hurt, taking the joke seriously. Until Aragorn started snickering at his offended face. The young man finally caught on and started to laugh himself.
They started toward the direction of Emyn Muil and Aragorn prayed that fate would be good to them and to keep them from getting to their destination, and maybe, just maybe this will all turn out for the better.
He again looked back to Legolas. His face was ashen; they had only gone a few steps into the trip and the bandages were again stained crimson. He wanted to say something so they would stop and he can change the bandages but he was afraid his call would go on unheard. Frimond didn't care about his condition and most certainly would not stop to help him either
Looking forward once more, he hoped the better would not end here.
Sorry, no time for review responses today. So sorry! Thank you to all who have kept up and reviewed!
Until next time
Shelby & Amanda
