A/N Now we can see what happens! I have a really crazy schedule right now, so please forgive me about the lateness of this updat! You guys are the best for waiting!
Disclaimer: not mine
Chapter Fifteen
Elrond shoved Aragorn behind him, holding him back with one hand as the ranger tried to jump forward.
"Stay back," he ordered while motioning for Elladan and Elrohir, who where the best armed of them all, to go forward . A very quiet gasp had caught his attention and until he knew who was hiding behind the corner, he wasn't going to take any chances.
Moving noiselessly forward, the twins sprang around the corner, holding their swords at the ready. A blur of silver met the attack and the assassin lunged into their midst. For a second none of them attacked. Elrond and Elladan back up slowly watching the man with anger and curiosity.
The assassin meanwhile glared straight back, black eyes alive with surprise.
"So," he snarled. "He's Isildur's heir? Well guess what. I am going to kill him!" Anger and hate was making the man reckless and without a second thought he charged the group a second time, dagger held high.
He didn't stand a chance. Three elves and a human (even with his arm in a sling) against one man with just a dagger were horrible odds. He fought like a wild cat though, desperately trying to reach Aragorn, who was being held protectively behind his father despite his own efforts to escape and get at the man.
"Let me at him." He yelled at his father with anger as the assassin tried to weave around Elladan and Elrohir's flashing swords. Elrond shook his head, continuing to hold him back. The twins were holding back, not wanting to kill the man unless there was no option, as they knew their father wanted to get more answers from him.
Aragorn was still struggling all his attention turned forward when a sudden touch from behind caused him to spin around, knocking the person who had touched him sprawling. Only then did he realize that it was Legolas, who was now picking himself up unsteadily from the ground.
"Legolas!" he exclaimed in both surprise and anger. "I told you to stay put! What are you doing here?"
"I wasn't going to sit around doing nothing!" Legolas shot back, accepting the hand that Aragorn offered him. Elrond glanced back sharply, surprised to find Legolas there.
"Are you well, young one?" he asked, glancing quickly back to make sure that the assassin was still contained with the twins before grabbing the prince and helping Aragorn to steady him…Legolas was defiantly not strong enough to be up on his feet.
As soon as he had taken hold of Legolas, however, Aragorn shot off back towards the assassin.
"Estel NO!" Elrond shouted, tempted to lunge after him but Legolas was sinking to the ground and Elrond forced himself to take care of the younger elf and trust that the Valar would keep his sons safe.
Aragorn gripped his dagger hard, ducking under Elladan's sword and twirling around Elrohir he smacked into the man he wanted to kill. His dagger cut lightly into the man's chest and blood began to swell up.
Suddenly Elrohir's bright sword was in his face and the ring of metal on metal rang through the hallway and the assassin's dagger was deflected. Ducking under both mental and flesh, Aragorn emerged in the middle and within seconds he had dug his dagger deep into the man's heart.
"That was for Legolas!" he snarled, looking deep into the surprised eyes. "And for all the other people I'm sure you've killed!'
With that, the man fall back to the ground, blood quickly spilling onto the floor around him. He was dead within seconds of Aragorn's dagger touching his chest. It was over.
Panting heavily, Aragorn turned back around, anger still clear in his eyes."He didn't deserve to live." He whispered, wiping his hand on his breeches and lowering his eyes. "He wasn't going to answer any question anyway." He added pointedly, as Elladan Elrohir reseathed their swords with a scrape of metal.
Elrond only shook his head, a soft smile on his face. "It is well, Estel. You were right; we couldn't risk his escape again." He looked up at the man from where he knelt next to Legolas, keeping the elf steady with one hand.
Aragorn nodded, not a hint of regret in his eyes. Bending down he touch Legolas on the shoulder, causing him to look up, a smile on his face as well.
"You did well, Aragorn. I thank you for all you have done."
"There is no thanks need," Aragorn replied softly, wrapping his good hand around the elf's bicep and pulling him back up to his feet.
Elladan and Elrohir stepped closer, identical smiles on their faces, though a hint of worry could still be seen in their eyes.
"Estel, you will be the death of us yet!" Elladan exclaimed, whacking his brother on the head. "You scared me half to death when you suddenly appeared in front of my sword!"
"And how did Legolas get here?" Elrohir asked, looking with puzzlement at the elf who was leaning on Aragorn for support. "We thought that the assassin had you."
Aragorn shifted guiltily at that, giving them a weak smile. "I forced him to hide…" he said sheepishly, realizing the panic he must have caused when they found Legolas gone.
"WHAT? You got Legolas to hide?" Elladan and Elrohir exclaimed, eyebrows shooting up. They regarded Estel with a new sense of wonder and amazement, to be able to get Legolas to hide where trouble was about?
"I didn't hide." Legolas broke in this a glare at Aragorn." He dragged me off while I was half asleep, stuffed me in a closet then locked the door behind him." He growled, giving the man a playful shove.
"I did not lock the door!" Aragorn pouted, "And you obviously didn't stay put for long so it couldn't have been that bad" Legolas shrugged, allowing the man to pass his weight off to Elladan as the twin gently took the blonde elf's arm.
All five of them started off down the hallway, taking the pace slow so to accommodate Legolas's shuffling steps. When they did get to the prince of Mirkwood's room, they split up. The twins going to get guards to take care of the bodies while Aragorn and Elrond accompanied Legolas.
BYYOURSIDE
Aragorn and the twins sat happily in Legolas's room a few days later, laughing and talking. Legolas had slept like the dead ever since they had got him settled in after the assassins death, exhusted like never before. Currently, though, the prince was struggling to wakefulness.
"Legolas….Aragorn is going to do your hair for you if you don't wake up!" Elrohir teased, smirking at his brother as the elf on the bed frowned, and eyes flashing open as wakefulness came abruptly
"HEY!" Aragorn yelled, jabbing his finger into the elf's side. The twin glared at his brothers, turning it too Elladan as he burst out laughing.
"You think this is funny, don't you?" he asked.
"Yes!" Elladan snorted, reaching over and jabbing the twin himself.
"Do it again and I'll…" Elrohir threatened, advancing on his twin. Aragorn snickered, pleased with himself as he glanced down at Legolas, who was smiling weakly. Elladan did it one more time, causing his brother growl warningly before tackling his twin right off the bed.
Legolas's began to chuckle slightly at the sight but that quickly changed to a cough, his throat dry from lack of use. Aragorn's smile instantly dropped from his face.
"Let me get you so water." The man said worriedly, turning to pour some water into a glass. "Can you sit up by yourself?" was his next question With his arm still in the sling he would be unable to effectively support Legolas. The twins were still scuffling loudly on the floor, and did not come to the rescue.
Legolas nodded, still coughing, before pushing himself up with trembling arms. Half-way up, he elf's underused muscles cramped, and Legolas's hissed falling back against the pillows. Aragorn frowned, sitting next to his friend
"If you…just hold me up…I can do…the rest…" Legolas whispered hoarsely, trying to still the coughs still threatening to cause him pain. Aragorn nodded in agreement, sliding his good hand around Legolas's shoulders. Working together, they righted Legolas into a sitting position.
"Here you go." Aragorn said kindly, handing him a glass of cool water. They both wrapped their hands around it, the man keeping it steady. Putting the glass aside, Aragorn rested the back of his hand against the elf's forehead, testing his temperature.
When Legolas glared at him, he only smiled. Legolas's skin was defiantly not as cold as it once was.
"I warned you!" Elrohir shouted form the floor, causing Aragorn and Legolas to jump slightly.
"Only those two…" the prince said, shaking his head while reclining against his pillows. His body ached, though less than before, and he was already feeling tried.
"The exact same can be said for you two as well!" Elladan called, struggling to his knees. His hair was tangled and his tunic ruffled from this scuffle. "Only you two managed to be injured, poisoned, etc. as often as you can!"
"Amen!" Elrohir called, raising a hand in agreement..
"I don't know what you talking about!" Estel protesting, his eyes shining with mirth. Legolas burst out laughing, unable to contain his mirth when the saw the angelic expression his friend was wearing.
This proved to be a mistake. His lungs were still complaining of underuse and the sudden burst of laughter did not please them. Legolas began to cough again, clutching at his chest with one hand, while leaning forward as he coughed.
The twins and Aragorn acted calmly, pulling Legolas into an upright position while Elladan pounded the elf on the back. The prince waved them away with one hand, his eyes streaming as his hacking continued. The fit didn't last too long, and Aragorn was soon pressing the glass of water back into his hand.
"Don't make me laugh right now, it hurts." Legolas croaked, sipping from water before leaning back against his pillows.
"I don't suggest keeping the twins around then There not very good company without laughter." Aragorn stated.
"Estel!"
Just then a soft knock sounded on the door and they all looked up, grins lingering on their faces.
"Come in!" Elladan called, straightening his robes and brushing off some dust. Elrond entered, holding a letter in his hand.
"Good, you are up." he said cheerfully,studying Legolas carefully. "This is yours, Thranduilion." He handed over the letter, which was rather thick. Legolas frowned, looking at the letter. Suddenly his face paled,
"It's from Ada!" He said with apprehensive. "He doesn't know though, does he?" He asked, ripping it open with trembling fingers, though it may have been from the leftover weakness.
His father would have his hide when he knew all that transpired.
"Well, actually, he does." Elrond said calmly. "You see, I took the liberty writing to him so he knows all about it."
TBC...
*sighs dramatically* Only one more chapter left...and even more bad news. Next update I am going to be gone on vacation, but I will update as soon as I can! Warning it may be till the first week of July!
Wolfen Artist of Hatia: Wow, thanks so much! *grins evilly* evilness is a special hobby of mine! And the cliffies are so much fun to write that I can't give then up! :)
Pippinwho: No, hannon le to you! sorry about the wait, but I got this up as quick as I could! Thanks! :)
The Phantom Dragon: Lol! That would certainly work! Once again, we have frightened the poor elf senseless! *grins happily*
DragonElf: It's not exactly Thranduil finding out, but it is close as I can get and be happy with it!
world-classgeek: Your prediction was correct! Except he died. Hannon le, mellon-nin!
AmazingWriter123: I didn't torture him any more! (That took a lot of self control! ;) *evil chuckle* Leggy will get lots more torture in the next story! Thanks!
Crystle di Angelo: Very, very evil! It is my specialty and I love doing it. At least this one was not a cliffie! Thanks!
ShadowHawq35: Lol, next story I will try not to leave as many cliffies!...skip that, I love them far to much to give them up! Thanks!
animepercystyle: Defiantly an epic fail! They need to learn to keep their mouths shut! Thanks!
Eldariel: Don't do anything! I promise no more huge cliffies till next story! AndI would give the assassin to you, but Aragorn got to him first! Thanks!
Freddie23: Thanks! I am glad that you are enjoying it!
LOTR-HP-PJ: Lol! Yes, it is a very happy moment indeed when I get that response! but hey, this one didn't have a cliffie! No one is dying or being threatned! thank you very much mellon-nin!
LILEVILONE96: Lol! Mad-Eye would be proud of you! I should smack the twin for talking about it shouldn't I! Thanks, mellon-nin!