Chapter 31

"Spiders!"

The call came almost at the instant the creatures attacked. Aragorn stared open mouthed as Legolas shot up from the litter, somersaulted over his head then whirled to face the huge black monstrosity that had appeared from above naught but a short knife in his hand wielded against it. In what appeared to be a suicidal move the elf then rushed towards the creature, vaulted its gaping jaw and landed lightly upon its back where he swiftly pushed his knife into the soft tissue between its head and thorax then leapt free as it's legs collapsed from under it, rolled away as it threshed about in agony, narrowly avoiding being caught by a flailing limb, then turned and thrust his knife into one multifaceted eye, twisting it so deeply his hand disappeared from view. The beasts dying shriek of agony split the air and at last the elf withdrew the blade and wiped it on the cloth of his breeches before turning his eyes to survey the canopy above.

"They come."

The trees were suddenly filled with huge black bodies, long, hairy legs and a cacophony of hissing, clicking noises which sent shivers down Aragorn's spine. He had always hated the huge creatures, ever since a particularly close encounter whilst out hunting with his friend for the first time in what he had heard was once called Greenwood the Great but was now widely known as Mirkwood. There was no time to think before he came face to face with one of the menacing beasts and instinct took over as he thrust, spun and hacked away at the giant spider, amputating two of its forelegs before dealing it a fatal blow up into its abdomen as it reared back in pain. Whirling around he ducked as another of the monsters lunged with its mouth wide open, fangs glistening with poison and felt a rush of air as he barely evaded its bite. Swiftly he straightened up with his sword held high, pushing its tip up through the soft tissue under the spiders lower jaw, continuing up through the palate and into its brain grimacing at the flow of warm ichor than ran down his arm as the creature spasmed in its death throes.

Looking round he spotted his brothers fighting together as usual, their speed and grace, a deadly combination as they hacked away at a trio of spiders with grim determination. A loud hiss behind him then took his attention and he turned just in time to see Legolas leap up onto the back of the beast that had been creeping up behind him, drive his knife into its skull then somersault backwards as the spider crumpled into a twitching heap to land beside Elladan, pushing him down and out of the way of a large hairy leg bent on smashing into his skull.

The wood elf appeared to be everywhere at once as the spiders kept coming. Aragorn's sword grew heavier in his arm as he kept it moving, hack, slash, chop. There was no finesse, no time to think or plan just a mindless fight for survival. His ears were filled with the sounds of metal slicing through flesh and the initial communicative clicks and hisses of the spiders had given way to high pitched shrieks and squeals of pain and death. He could hear his own breathing now as he began to pant with exertion but of the elves he heard nothing, as ever they fought in silence.

It seemed like an age before the last of the great creatures had been overcome and Aragorn could lower his sword to stare around at the mass of dead bodies that littered the ground between the trees. He smiled as Elladan and Elrohir picked their way towards him, noticing that the elder was rubbing his left shoulder but relieved to see no trace of bleeding from either of the staunch warriors.

"What happened?" Aragorn enquired inclining his head with a nod towards the shoulder.

"A wood elf." Elladan replied ruefully looking over to where Legolas stood staring at nothing with a distant, slightly puzzled expression.

"It was a good thing he was there, mundor." Elrohir said slowly. "That leg came too close for comfort."

"Aye." Aragorn agreed. "I saw him push you out of the way, I'd say at least he saved you from a nasty headache."

"I'd say he saved me from more than that."

Elladan gave them a small smile then walked cautiously over to where Legolas still stood, motionless as if deep in thought, stopping before him to stand just out of arms reach.

"Legolas." He kept his voice soft and low as if afraid to spook the young elf. "Hannon le, mellon nin."

For a moment the only movement was the feeble twitching of a few spider legs whose nerves had not realized they were dead yet and Elladan was just about to take a step closer when Legolas turned his head to meet his gaze a faint, nervous smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

"'Tis naught," his voice sounded small and uncertain. "You… Would have done the same." He paused, eyes filled with confusion. "Elladan?"

Aragorn thought Legolas had never looked so young and vulnerable as at that moment, he could almost have believed him to be his own junior by more than a few years. He stood, golden hair blowing around his head in the slight breeze, the tatters of a once white bandage barely wrapped around porcelain skin, with his hand half outstretched towards the elder twin almost in supplication looking so lost and forlorn that it was difficult to equate him with the lust filled killer he had appeared but a few days before.

"I…I'm…"

As Legolas' voice faltered Elladan closed the gap between them in a single stride and pulled him close into a tight embrace.

"'Tis fine, Legolas, 'tis fine."

Looking over the top of the younger elf's head Elladan's eyes met those of his brothers, compassion shining forth from their chocolate depths as he smiled hopefully when he felt Legolas relax into his arms.

~o~

Orcs! Stupid, ignorant, faithless, dull witted creatures!

The witch king fumed as he looked over the remains of the band he had sent after his elf. He had forgotten just how useless they really were! He had gone to great lengths to emphasize his wishes, had expressly told their leader to stay out of sight, to not allow the elf to become aware of their presence unless he had failed in his mission but it would appear they had ignored his commands and paid the price. He snarled and kicked out with an armoured foot, his temper slightly assuaged by the crunch of bone as it connected with the skull of one of the deformed creatures laying in a pool of its own dried, black blood and sent it spinning into the trees.

Cursing under his breath he walked through the mass of bodies, his eyes searching relentlessly for any signs of the orcs attacker but finding none, although, in truth he had not expected any different. He knew too well who it was they had taken on. Sniffing the air he could smell the heavy, cloying tang of blood and death amongst those of the forest but another scent also lingered, faint yet unmistakable, the unique, green and pure scent of his elf. He reached the huge war horse that had waited patiently at the edge of the carnage for him to make his inspection, then hauled himself back into its saddle. Sniffing the air again he swung the horse around and urged it forwards, separating out the various smells in his mind, to follow that of the elf into the trees.

~o~

Aragorn sat and gazed at the slender figure seated on the other side of the small fire hardly daring to believe his eyes. After the fight with the spiders the small group of friends had walked through the forest, seeking a place to stop and rest away from the stench of death, Elladan supporting the clearly dazed and confused wood elf as they went. Legolas had changed so much, the hatred and darkness seemingly gone, to be replaced by a hesitant, uncertain friendliness that made the young man's heart ache. It was clear that the elf did not really remember what had happened but had a vague perception of his past closeness to the twins. What really hurt though was the fact that Legolas seemed to have no recollection of his own friendship, indeed, he was completely unaware of ever meeting him before at all. He smiled warmly as the elf looked his way, a puzzled frown upon his face, then tried to mask his pain at the wary, distrustful nod he received in response. Forcing his weary eyes to stay open he turned them away to stare disconsolately into the flames

"Get some sleep, Estel."

Elrohir had noticed the simple exchange and knew just how difficult it must be for his adoptive brother to be unrecognized and rebuffed by the one he held closest to his heart in friendship.

"No, arguments," holding up his hand he cut off the young man's reply abruptly, before it had even formed in his mind. "You need to replenish your strength."

"Aye, Estel." Elladan broke in to reinforce his brother's words. "We still have far to go and may face many more dangers yet."

Although he really wished to contradict his brothers and protest that he was in no way tired enough to sleep Aragorn's body was telling him otherwise and he knew he had no choice but to listen if they wanted to get his friend home and under the healers care as soon as possible. Reluctantly pulling his blanket from his pack he rolled himself within its coarse embrace and curling up like a babe, swiftly fell into a deep sleep, safe in the knowledge that he was guarded by three of the best warriors in middle earth.

"You may benefit from reverie also, pen neth." Elladan turned concerned eyes to the wood elf. "It is a while since you rested peacefully I'll warrant." He smiled wryly as Legolas opened his mouth to complain. "You have yet to completely heal from your injuries also, gwador. It is plain that shoulder still pains you to an extent 'though the skin is healed."

Legolas flinched slightly, raising his hand sharply from the place where the arrow Aragorn had loosed upon him had struck and that he had been rubbing unconsciously as Elladan walked over to remove the remains of the bandage, and inspect the still, inflamed scar critically.

"Please, Gwador." Elrohir added to his brothers words. "We will keep you safe." He smiled encouragingly as the elf looked his way with a wary expression on his face.

"We promise, Legolas." Elladan broke in again, his words, soft and calm. "No harm will come to you whilst we are here."

For a few moments it appeared as if their words were going to be in vain as the wood elf stared at the pair in silence his face mirroring an internal struggle they could do naught to defray but then after a sigh and quick nod of acceptance he rose, walked swiftly to a tall alder, and lithely leapt up to make himself comfortable within its branches, then rested back, face raised towards the faint glow of starlight that managed to filter down through the canopy.

Sharing a smile the twins settled down to keep watch for the rest of the night. Elladan rummaged in his pack and drew out a pack of gaming cards which he proceeded to shuffle and deal out whilst Elrohir fed the fire a few sticks to keep it going before picking up one pile of cards and seating himself with a predatory grin at his brother.

"How lucky do you feel muindor?"

Companiable silence fell, broken only by the occasional murmured comment or mild protest as one or the other reached out to claim the small pile of stones they were using as tokens.

The night closed in around the wood elf as he lay staring at the canopy, feeling the comfort of the sturdy branch beneath him, the strong trunk at his back. He allowed his mind to wander, picking over recent events, playing back all that had happened since meeting up with the dark haired Noldo and their human friend. He hated the gap in his memory but try as he might, he could come up with no explanation for the sense of familiarity he felt whenever he looked at, or thought of, the young man. Even the name, Estel, though he knew he had heard it before, meant nothing to his restless mind. Eventually deciding to leave the matter for the moment to focus on more pleasant things with which to encourage reverie, he cast his mind back to the fight with the spiders, he had not been able to enjoy it as he wished at the time, everything had happened so quickly and there were others to consider but here in this leafy haven he could allow himself the luxury. With a contented sigh his eyes glazed as he began to work through the fight from the beginning in slow motion, reveling in each strike of his blade, each spurt of ichor and allowed himself to sink into the pleasure it brought.

A/N

Well, you just don't know how hard it is for me to write Spiders unless you are an arachnaphobe yourself! Sorry if it was a bit too rushed but I did my best :)

Now, the boys just have to get our elf home and everything will be just peachy... ahem... you don't think I'm going to let them all off that lightly do you..!?

Thanks, as ever to my wonderful reviewers - bettsam0731, Estaron, Obsidianglasses, NirCele and welcome into the fold Beagoldi :)

To Kaye (guest) Sorry I can't reply to you directly but I can assure you that I will not be abandoning this story. Updates may be infrequent due to work and other commitments but I promise I will finish it. :)