Author's note: Here you are, my new update. I hope you enjoy it. Leave a review, tell how do you like it. My special thanks to Bindi-fox, Hana Heart, Elvenprincess and purpledragon6 who seem to track my story carefully. I appreciate your time, you don't know how much it means to me. :D Stay awesome. p.s: Rachielle, here you are! ;)
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Legolas was quietly standing and looking before himself.
"Master."- a thought passed through his mind like a blaze. He blinked few times and his heart raced and bursted softly. He sighed out as he felt pressure over his sternum. The elf gently rubbed his chest in order to ease some pain.
"Can I help you?"- the question was repeated by hoarse male voice and Legolas heard that the man made few steps towards him. Legolas gave an indifferent smile although he was looking at the dry earth beneath his feet.
"No."- he quetly uttered and coughed, determined not to look back. Instead he acted like he was enjoying the view before himself although it was dark and the woods were empty. He forgot about Devon.
"Are you sure, sir?"- a voice sounded worried and Legolas shuddered in both disgust and astonishment when he heard how the man adressed him. Legolas briefly smiled.
"Yes."- he spoke in stern voice and paid attention to his breathing for it went too short and fast.
"It is cold outside. With due respect, I think you should go inside before you freeze."- the man said carefully.
Legolas couldn't suppress a shocked laugh.
"And what will you do if I get cold?"- he asked in poisonous voice and clenched his teeth, still staring before himself.
"Well.. There are many servants, they can set.."- the confused man started to explain, feeling nervous for he had to be in the stables, not here. And his master could get angry if he notices that he is absent. But unusual looking of the blond guest enticed him.
"No, I asked what will you do If I get cold."- the elf cut him off and stressed the word "you".
The man raised his eyebrows and stared at the guest's narrow back with confusion and a hint of fear.
"I.. I would lead you to your room, give you some warm clothing, set a fire, I.."- the man tried in uncertain tone and removed his weight on the other, healthy leg.
"Why?"- Legolas was growing impatient.
The man crooked his head on side.
"I am here to serve you, sir."- he said and Legolas almost bursted into laughter of pure disbelief and frustration.
"Serve me? You? Since when does Karnil Eventas serve anyone?"- Legolas breathed out through his nose and bit his tongue hard, almost making himself bleed.
Karnil's jaw dropped dead on the ground. He blinked few times in shock.
Legolas turned around but the man couldn't see his features properly for they were wrapped in darkness. He only saw shadowed contures of a white face that showed no sympathy.
Legolas eyed his aching leg.
"A stableman. Life knows how to play games with us."- he thought and looked over the man's skinny face with no feelings from his side. His cheeks were slightly sunked and his eyes were confused, blind to Legolas' face but it was still him. He was very young, although there were more marks of times that passed left on his face and his hands that used to be gentle, were crude from the rough ropes and work he had to endure.
"Do I know you, sir?"- Karnil whispered fearfully and the elf felt how the hair in the back of his neck cowered with disgust when he heard the man's submissive voice.
"I wish you don't. I wish."- Legolas thought heavily.
"Stay away from me."- was all the elf whispered and he almost ran beside the confused man.
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Bjarte was sitting in the dining hall with slightly drunk Agard who had his hand tightly wrapped around his slender neck.
"And then I said to her.."- he burped- "It is fine if you think I am a pig with no manners.. But this pig will stay alive once when dark riders pass through this remote spot and... kill every walking thing."- Agard laughed and struck the boy's cheek with a calloused palm.
Bjarte frowned.
"Well.. It had nothing to do with her, you know. Dark riders are rare so you couldn't expect that she will turn you affections back only because you are good with a sword."- the boy said and Agard creased his face and took a sip of beer.
"Shut up, boy. Like you know anything about women. They all want some prissy, fat lords with asses wrapped up in silk."- he cursed and hugged Bjarte tighter.
Bjarte squirmed in his crude embrace and opened his mouth like a fish on dry earth.
"It wasn't about the lords! It was about you! You said she has some nice eyes like a cow!"- Bjarte protested.
"Cows are nice animals!"- Agard went angry.
"Don't compare women to them, for the love of god!"- Bjarte shrieked and gave up when drunken Agard pressed him even tighter.
"I love cows.."- Agard whispered sorrowfully.
Bjarte took a frustrated sigh.
"And I loved her. Not like a cow, but like a maiden, you know what I mean."- he finished his story and took another sip.
"So you want to be a protector. The King's personal soldier. No women though."- Agard continued and shook his head.
"I don't..."- Bjarte started to defend himself but his breath left his body in a ragged sigh when Agard landed a blow over his back.
"Yes, yes, you children are always burdened with honor, pride.. Butcher, kill, slay, save the king's ass.. You are quite lucky that Aragorn is your king. If you were born when Denethor was in charge.."- Agard laughed.
"Of course you cannot understand the meaning of a wife in your life.. And tell me, what is more precious to you: holding a sword in your hand or your newborn son?"- Agard asked seriously and Bjarte frowned.
"And then why didn't you put aside your sword, wedded a woman and had children?"- and Agard had no answer. He only stared in front of himself.
"It wasn't meant to be. Those above us are some humoristic fellows, let me tell you that."- Agard pointed a finger above his head, thinking about Valars and then laughed again.
"Maybe it is your fate to serve and die for your king. I know I would die for Aragorn."- his voice was suddenly serious.
"So would I."- the boy spoke with passion in his voice and when Agard glared at his green eyes, he saw only pure decision, without a hint of hesitation. He patted to boy on his head and removed his arm around his neck.
"And maybe you just will."- he whispered darkly and turned back to his almost emptied cup.
"Bjarte!"- Legolas called out, loud enough for the boy to lift his head and stare at the elven moving figure.
"Oh, Legolas!"- he waved happily at the elf that approached their table.
"I would advise you to go upstairs and take some sleep. We are leaving tomorrow."- Legolas said in one breath.
"What? Why? Did Elessa.."- Bjarte asked in startled tone.
"We are leaving tomorrow."- Legolas stated again in voice that left no space for any further discusion.
Bjarte hesitating stood up and eyed the elf with careful eyes.
When Legolas caught the boy's fearful expression, he sighed and rubbed Bjarte's shoulder.
"I am sorry. Just.. Take some rest."- he said in gentle voice and the boy silently nodded. He walked away from them on uncertain legs, stopping to throw few confused looks at Legolas.
"Aragorn won't be happy. He is not a man who likes surprises."- Agard told absently and went back to drinking, not looking the elf in the eyes.
Legolas only smiled and took a step back.
"I know what he is planning to do, Legolas."- the voice stopped him and the elf turned his eyes back on Agard. He had no strength to argue now.
"And you think that is wrong."- the elf sighed with no anger in his voice. That was a fact and there was nothing he could do change it.
Agard looked up at the elf and he looked sober. His eyes were clear. He smiled.
"I think he loves you. And love between an elf and a man is always wrong."- Agard spoke quietly and caressed his emptied glass.
Legolas lowered his eyes down and continued to walk.
"Nothing good will come out of it."- he heard Agard's whispered words when he disappeard behind the corner.
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Legolas quietly walked in his chamber and closed the door. He rested his forhead against the wooden frame and sighed.
Aragorn lifted his head when he ordered his healing plants in the bag and eyed the elf's back.
"What is it?"- he asked and raised his eyebrows. Legolas finally turned around and walked towards the bed. He carefully sat on it and gazed before himself. His shoulders were lowered down, same like his eyes.
Aragorn slightly frowned and strapped the bag.
"Legolas?"- he started in confused tone and stood above the sitting and silent figure.
The elf's eyes seemed empty and lifeless. Aragorn's wrinkle of worry on his forhead cut deeper into his skin.
"We are leaving tomorrow, Aragorn."- Legolas stated tiredly and rubbed his eyes.
Aragorn was startled at first and he blinked few times, in order to accept this sudden, and more than everything else, unexpected fact.
"What did you say?"- he uttered- "Why?"
"I..."- Legolas put his palms over knees- "I used to live here when I was a child."- he quietly spoke and swallowed when river of unpleasant memories filled his mind.
Aragorn crooked his head on side and Legolas looked up. Blue waters were filled with desperation and a bit of fear.
"This house belonged to Frey Eventas. He bought me. I think the main reason for it was that he was quite surprised to see an elven child on sale."- Aragorn shuddered.
"He brought me here and I was given to his son. I was supposed to be his personal servant and friend for play also. But he grew tired of me for I did not understand his games that were rather humiliating and painful, same like the rest of the staff. He would enjoy in giving us his books, forcing us to read but he knew well that most of the staff was uneducated and he acted like that was a huge sin and our mistake. And then he would require from his father to beat his stupid staff. And he had nothing against it"- Legolas took a deep sigh.
"But after some time I beated him in his own game. I learnt to read the hard way, but I did. And then his behaviour became worse. Other young children and I were not his bought friends, but toys. The worst period in my life."- Legolas couldn't keep this inside of himself anymore. He broke down and started to talk, with no goal or order. He only wanted to tell someone.
The elf took a shaky breath.
"But after one long winter, Frey Eventas died and the house saw its final days. Everything was ruined. Karnil, his son and my master, was too young and too wild to be able to run it and all the slaves after the death of their master were freed, for he left no last letter in which he handed his slaves down to his son. And then, in that mad time, the new master has brought with himself new slaves and we were forced to leave although we had nowhere to go. That's when Meanor found me and carried me away to South Road."- Legolas gave a bitter smile.
"And tonight I saw Karnil. He is a stableman here. He has probably become a slave. He asked me if I'm cold."- the elf laughed but his heart bled.
"I wanted to kill him, Aragorn. I swear to you, I wanted to kill him for everything he has ever done to those doomed souls and me."- Legolas glared at the silent man with fierce in his eyes and Aragorn found himself stunned when he saw pure hate in Legolas' eyes that were always tamed and filled with love.
Legolas swallowed one tear made of rage and shivered. He lowered his eyes on the floor and tried to calm himself down.
Aragorn sat next to the elf slowly and wrapped his arms around the straight form and gently pulled him on his chest.
"Aye, shhh.."- he whispered in the pointed ear and kissed silver hair when Legolas rested head on his shoulder.
"I am sorry my heart, I didn't know.."- he started to mumble and caress Legolas' tensed shoulders, curled back and long hair.
The elf was quiet and he let the man to comfort him, although the burning hate inside of his body was still present.
"We'll leave tomorrow, it is fine now. We'll leave and never come back, my sun."- Aragorn was whispering while he was holding the elf that was still a child and he clenched his heart and forced it to be of steel now for he didn't want to mourn now over Legolas' terrible past.
"Just an elfing.."- he thought to himself and closed his eyes when tears started to burn inside of his eyes.
But one part of his mind noticed one very important thing. Aragorn caught one new, strange look in Legolas' eyes. He remembered the day when he first saw him. There was nothing except fear and desperation. But as the time was passing, he understood that Legolas had no intention to lower his gaze in front of anyone. And his aching need to be comforted and safe was slowly fading away.
Aragorn thoughtfully rested his chin on the blond hair and absently looked at the floor. The elf didn't ran away from Karnil for he was afraid for himself- more like he was afraid of what he might do to the man.
The man lowered his gaze and carefully took gentle elven palm in his hand. Was Legolas truly able to kill with his own hands?
It seemed absurd to Aragorn's mind that those smooth and careful fingers could do such a thing. The elf purred in joy in his hug and nuzzled the man's neck.
"Legolas.."- he said in low tone and moved back, cupping Legolas' chin but it wasn't necessary for the elf almost immediately gazed at his face with wonder.
Aragorn studied his fair features with his arms resting on the elf's shoulders. His skin was subtly gleaming with its own light and blue eyes darkened a bit, like silent waters under the black sky.
Legolas hesitating smiled and his beauty was unquestionable, only more confident and bald and before everything else, it was unusual. He gently pulled the man by his sleeve.
"You've changed, Legolas."- he said honestly and caressed one high cheek.
Legolas frowned slightly but Aragorn's tone showed no worry, only wonder.
He caught the hand with his palm and pressed it tighter on his face.
"And whatever I become one day, whatever we find out at the end of our journey, will your love remain to be unchanged for I already love the way you are loving me?"- he asked in serious tone and eyed Aragorn closely.
"Love is love, Legolas. This way or another."- he man uttered calmly and offered his shoulder willingly when Legolas lowered himself down on it.
"This wasn't supposed to be about my past but about my future. And here I am, battling with it."- Legolas sighed bitterly and closed his eyes.
"I wish I could share that burden with you but I am afraid it is yours and yours alone to carry."- Aragorn whispered and his eyes went empty when images of his own past started to run before his eyes. He hugged the elf tighter.
"We are going to leave tomorrow and we shall forget about this place. Like we have never been here."- the elf stated firmly and let himself to fully enjoy in the man's possessive hug, misunderstanding it for Aragorn's care for his feelings.
But the man needed support for he feared that Legolas could turn into ash in his hands and slip down. Same like everything he ever knew of has been turning over the years and fading away.
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Devon came back to the inn and carefully turned around himself. He uncomfortably glared at the darkness.
"Master..."- there was a quiet whisper from his servant's mouth.
"What is it?"- he asked but he didn't look at the ugly creature. Instead he rubbed his aching chest and sighed in pain.
"I saw the Elf.. He was talking with the stableman, I think they know each other.. The Elf was stressed, he told the boy that we are leaving tomorrow."- the creature started in scared voice and tried to hide under the stairs in front of the inn for he was terrified of what his master can do in rage.
But Devon, it seemed, pain no attention. He was worried about something and he sniffed the air.
"Yes, maybe they do. Legolas was stressed, you say? Hard to believe though.."- he said in wonder.
"Yes, master, I swear on my life, he looked even sacred for a moment! I swear!"- he shivered in fear and jumped.
Devon was looking into the black sky.
"Your life means nothing to me. That man.. Did he tried to to anything? Strike the elf or something?"- Devon asked and frowned. Something was wrong.
"No, master, the elf only said "stay away from me" and ran inside. I heard him well, I was in the bushes as you have ordered. I spied, he didn't see me."- the creature started to sway.
Devon nodded and coughed.
"It is good we are leaving tomorrow. There is something in the air that makes me feel uneasy.."- Devon whispered. He was almost sure that there was someone in the forest.
"About that stableman.. If he approaches the elf once more and if Legolas seem to be stressed with his presence, kill him."- he said peacefully.
The creature nodded.
"And if a single hair misses from Legolas' head, I am going to skin you alive."- Devon spoke in sinister voice and finally eyed the creature with his gaze. He ran back to the stables, to sleep with the horses and try to get his master's cruel eyes out of his mind, just for a one night.
Once again, Devon casted his eyes on the forest. He frowned.
"I better be wrong about this."- the necromancer uttered and looked up at the inn.
"May your dream be serene tonight, Legolas, for I shall stay awake"- he whispered quietly and looked back at the forest.