Legolas silently stood next to the window. He was looking at Bjarte, down below, while he was practicing with his companions.

In the meeting room, the table was full. The big council was called. Aragorn was leaned against his chair and he was playing with his fingers. They were all waiting for their missing members.

The men in the meeting room wore formal, strict robes with high collars. Their bodies were wrapped in expensive material. Apart from two ladies, they were all whispering with each other.

Legolas heard one old man speaking: "Not even now I cannot understand why he is allowed to be a part of our council. Where is he?"

"Probably in some inn, drunk as hell with his happy fellowship, gambling. Who has been sent to find him?"

"Some lad."

Legolas sighed. Small intrigues were part of his life now but he still didn't like to hear them talking like this. Scandals were more than present in the palace and he wondered how much did Aragorn really know. He turned around and throw a look on the man's back.

Next to him, as always, sat Borghild. He leaned over and whispered something in Aragorn's ear. Aragorn shifted a bit towards Borghild and sighed. He patted the man's tensed shoulder.

"My lord, shall we start?"- the lady with red hair asked.

"Salin is not here."- someone mumbled and everyone sighed.

"Same like Argo."- another voice was heard.

"They will appear in any moment, I assure you, my king."- the golden haired woman spoke and glared at small party in the corner of the table who grinned at each other.

Aragorn rubbed his eyelids.

"We shall wait few minutes."- he spoke in stern voice.

Legolas smiled sadly. Aragorn was attending this kind of meetings almost daily. It didn't help that most of his advisors were digging a hole in ground for each other. Small clans, small lies and small charges.

As always, they were ignoring the King's Elf who was standing leaned against the marble wall and looking at them with no interest in his cerulean eyes.

Legolas had no intention to stick nose in their business. He didn't like those people much, but he couldn't deny that they were of great help to Aragorn.

The Elf walked to the next window and absently caressed the stone frame.

The door flung open and hard wing touched the wall with a loud blow. Legolas lifted his gaze.

Old chubby Salin was walking on very unsure legs. The lad dressed in armor was half holding him with his hand and his face was painted in desperation. Salin's shirt was buttoned in hurry and few buttons were missing. The council rolled its eyes.

The lad guided the man towards his seat and with noise Salin nearly fell down on his chair. He hissed some curse.

"Good day, my good lords. And ladies."- he added and his eyes roamed over the table.

"Pardon my delay."- he said and leaned against the chair in annoyed manner.

Aragorn only shook his head.

"Argo is still missing."- the man with huge book in front of him spoke.

"I heard he is not in the castle."- the redhead spoke.

"Well, I called the council. Someone will appear instead of him."- Aragorn spoke.

They silently nodded and Legolas removed his eyes back on Bjarte. The boy was very good in fencing.

More whispers and rustling of paper. The door were again pushed.

"Pardon me."- someone spoke and Legolas' eyes went wide. He jerked his head up and nearly growled like a wolf when he saw who came.

The rest of the council joined his reaction. Most of them uncomfortably shifted in their seats and coughed.

"Devon."- the man with the book said in low voice but he continued to turn the pages of his book, pretending that he is very busy.

"Argo is absent. I am here to replace him."- Devon spoke and looked over the room. His eyes darkened when he saw the blond creature staring at him.

"Legolas."- he said and people blinked in confusion. They traced Devon's gaze and looked at the silent form of the Elf they forgot about.

Legolas nodded his head with no trace of sympathy on his beautiful face. Again that smell of something that is rotten. He swallowed hard and nailed his eyes on Devon as he sat in his chair.

"Forgive me for I ask my boy, but why did Argo ordered you to come?"- one old man asked. He was caressing his long beard and visible sign of confusion was glistening in his eyes.

"When he comes back, feel free to ask him, Brennan."- Devon spoke in uninterested tone.

"I am in the council of Eleven and any necromancer can replace Argo. It happens that I am that necromancer."- he added and Brennan's face went sour.

Borghild coughed.

"We are wasting our time."

Aragorn opened his mouth but the redhead was faster.

"It is odd time for calling the council, my king. Forgive us for we are unprepaired."- she said and her gaze roamed towards almost sleeping Salin. Her pleading eyes were gently piercing Aragorn's heart.

"Yes, I know but I have something to tell."- Aragorn said and straightened himself up.

"About the upcoming festival, my lord?"- the man with the book asked.

Aragorn seemed a little surprised.

"What about it?"

"Well, we have problems."- the man in armor who sat next to Salin spoke. Legolas recognized him. Commander of the city guard, lord Aldric.

Legolas was listening to all of this with one ear. His full attention belonged to Devon. He was piercing the necromancer with deadly gaze but Devon seemed he didn't feel them on his face He was staring at the table.

Aragorn narrowed his eyebrows.

"What problems?"

The golden-haired beauty spoke: "My king, every year people get very… excited about this festival. Minas Tirith is crowded by strangers of every kind. They all look forward the competition in our palace. Fencing, archery and what not. Some of they practice on the streets and there is the beginning of our troubles."

Lord Aldric nodded.

"Yes, we have had four fires, three murders, two rapes and over thirty street fights in past five days. The more they wait, the more they drink and they get very belligerent when they drink."

Brennan shook his head in disbelief.

"But that is good for the city. I mean, the inns are full, traders are happier than ever, blacksmiths are overhead busy. Minas Tirith is profiting. "- the man who was called Alvar said.

"And whores from brothels can barely walk."- Salin suddenly declared and laughed. The council went gravely silent. Salin captured the reaction and coughed. He fell back in his slumber.

"Salin, please."- Borghild spoke in annoyed tone.

"Those people eat only when they stop to drink! They are ripping eachother heads, healers don't know where to head first and you tell me that the city is profiting!"- another man nearly stood up and shouted.

Aragorn raised his hand.

"Kallias, please, sit down."- he sighed.

"My king, I don't have enough of men. They were hurted in those fights and now they are recovering. I need more people."- lord Aldric spoke.

Aragorn nodded and turned around to Borghild.

"Take the most worthy men of your army and send them in the City guard. They will be there as long as this madness last. You will get you needed men, lord Aldric."- Aragorn said and Aldric bowed.

The golden- haired woman said: "With due respect, my king Elessar, I have a suggestion. The festival starts next week. We cannot wait that long. Please, move it to this week. May the festival begin in two days."

"Charis, we are losing gold!"- Alvar jumped.

"We are losing people!"- Kallias stood again.

Legolas was still staring at Devon. The man finally lifted his gaze and smiled with something evil in his black eyes. Legolas unconsciously shivered and bit his tongue hard.

Ruction was becoming wilder and wilder. Advisors started to shout and yell. Salin yawned. Kallias' face went red and he was shouting from the top of his lungs.

"SILENCE!"- Aragorn lost his nerve. He stood up and struck the table with his fist. Legolas jumped back and covered his sensitive ears with hand, losing Devon for a second.

Aragorn leaned over the table and took few deep breaths. At last, he swallowed and sat carefully back down. The rest of the council followed his example and silently sat. Some of them sheated their swords back in their casing.

"I know you are all on the edge of your very nerves but I cannot rule this damned city when my advisors jump on each other in order to slay throats!"

"Here is my decision. You will obey unquestioningly."- Aragorn said with relief.

"The festival is going to be the day after tomorrow. No word about it. Lord Aldric, you will get you people. Kallias and Charis, find more healers. Alvar, our priority are people now, not gold. I hope I am clear enough."- Aragorn said in low tone.

All of them nodded.

"And if we are done with this, I would like to declare something."- Aragorn coughed.

"Just one question, my lord. At what time will you open the festival?"- the redhead asked.

"I won't. Steward Faramir will."- Aragorn peacefully explained.

She crooked her head on side.

"I am leaving the city tomorrow. I thought about doing in in two days, but this change of plan.. Well, there will be no way of getting away on the first day of festival. Is this fine, Legolas?"- Aragorn turned around and people went slightly dizzy when they again remembered the Elf.

Legolas needed few minutes.

"Yes."- he spoke and felt few strict looks on him because he didn't address Aragorn by his title.

Legolas was looking how Devon went pale as sheet in second. His full attention was devoted to Aragorn's words now. He jumped in his seat and swallowed hard. Legolas raised his eyebrows.

"With my due respect, my liege, where are you going?"- lord Aldric asked.

"I am going to meet my father."- he spoke, not wanting to get into another mess of explanations.

Lord Aldric lifted his chin and opened his mouth to ask something but Brennan was faster: "Lord Elrond?"

Aragorn nodded.

"Yes."

Devon started to sweat.

"And who is going with you if I may ask, my king?"- Devon tried to ask in plain tone but fear in his words was more than obvious. Few people, including Legolas, throw a shocked look at him.

"And why do you ask, Devon?"- Aragorn asked in confusion.

"Out of curiosity, my liege."- Devon gave a shaky smile.

"Legolas."- Aragorn said and Devon grabbed the frame of his chair with his pale hand. Some people coughed and whispered something but most of them showed no reaction.

"This meeting is over."- the Man declared and people started to get up.

"I have a request!"- Devon suddenly spoke and everyone stopped.

"Yes?"- Aragorn asked and Legolas had a bad felling. He moved towards Aragorn's chair and visible line of worry was formed on his face.

"I require you to take me with yourself, my king. If you go to Rivendell, you shall pass by Rohan. And Rohan is not fond of necromancers, as everyone knows. I have some work near Rohan and I would ask for the Crown's protection."- he finished in fast tone.

"Hmmm.. You can have one of the lords with you and their soldiers."- Aragorn offered but Devon shook his head.

"They are needed in the city, my king. The festival is about to start."

The man with the book spoke.: "According to the rules of Minas Tirith, the necromancer has full right on his request, my king."

"No."- Legolas suddenly spoke and all eyes were on him. More whispers.

Aragorn shifted and looked at the Elf with visible shock in his eyes.

"Legolas, that is his right."- the man explained in low and confused tone.

Legolas looked down at Aragorn, not really seeing him. Hotness crept under his skin and he swallowed. He wasn't able to utter any word.

"Your request will be fulfilled, Devon. Tomorrow you are going with us. You are all free to go."- Aragorn turned back on them.

Devon nodded his head and nearly ran out.

When the room was empty, Aragorn unbuttoned his high collar.

"Almost every day like this, for over 200 years.. I am quite surprised I didn't go mad."- Aragorn sighed.

Legolas was standing above the man with rising rage in his body. The last thing Legolas wanted is Devon going with them. He didn't like him. Legolas was almost sure that the man was hiding something and visible hostility the others showed towards the black-haired man was enough for him to see that he wasn't alone in this.

He moved and sat on Aragorn's lap. The man opened his eyes in surprise but either way he smiled and pulled the Elf nearer by his waist.

He pulled Legolas by his long hair and kissed his lips.

"I am glad this is over."- he said and caressed the silver hair.

"Aragorn, why he has to go with us?"- Legolas asked.

"I don't know why you make such a problem out of this. He will travel with us only to Rohan. I am his king and my duty is to protect him if protection in needed. I know you cannot stand black magic and that's why you don't like him but put that aside. He won't do any harm."- Aragorn explained with a sigh.

Legolas rolled his eyes and moved nearer. Aragorn looked at the white face, gently kissed by the silver hair, deep blue eyes looking at him in adoration. He moved his calloused hand down Legolas' face and over his neck.

"Don't look at me like that."- he mumbled in wary tone.

"Like what?"- the Elf said in voice that was too innocent for Aragorn's likings. His eyes darkened and now burned almost like obsidian, piercing the human's soul with power of a child who wanted something.

Legolas laughed at Aragorn's frustrated face and kissed a part of his exposed skin under throat.

"If you can take Devon with us.."- the Elf started but Aragorn narrowed his eyes.

"Legolas, that is not my.."- a hand over his mouth stopped him from talking more.

"If you can take Devon with us, then I can take someone as well."- Legolas finished and removed his hand on the man's shoulder.

Aragorn suspiciously glared.

"And who would that be?"

Legolas curled his lips and took hands off his waist. He stood up and walked to the door. There he stopped and moved his head aside, but he didn't look around. Aragorn only caught the Elf's straight profile.

"I have a bad feeling about that necromancer whatever you say. And about our companion.."- he smiled- "Wait and see."

He continued outside and quietly shut the heavy door.