The Wisdom and Folly of Chaos and Confusion

Disclaimer: see chapter 1

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Fun With Legolas chapter 4

"Legolas, why don't we just blame this outing on me? Then your Adar can be angry with me and not you."

Estel was now feeling guilty about having talked his friend into coming when it was obviously bothering him so much.

"Estel, it does not work that way with my father, he knows me too well. He would not believe that it was your fault or that you talked me into it."

"Legolas, I did talk." ... Estel began.

"No, Estel, you did not. How long did it take you to 'convince' me to come with you?"

"Oh, about three seconds," Estel replied, smiling.

"Exactly. I was planning on leaving myself, anyway, with or without you. But it is so much more fun with you."

"Well, we could say I kidnapped you and forced you to come with me, tied you up, threw you over my saddle and rode off with you," Estel mused. "Perhaps I needed companionship."

Legolas looked amused. "Companionship? An interesting way to get it. But remember, Estel. My father would not believe that for a second."

"Well, I could do it for real, and then it would not be a lie." The ranger smiled at him mysteriously.

"Estel?"

"Yes?"

"I have a bow and I know how to use it."

"Oh, Legolas, you always ruin all my fun."

"I know .. .it is my life's ambition ... "

They both laughed as they rode on.

Legolas and Aragorn were riding silently along, their horses making very little noise as they softly plodded over the wet leaves on the path. The stallions occasionally stumbled and tripped from time to time over some hidden, unseen rock, branch or root in the road. Estel noticed how quiet and sullen Legolas had become. He was getting very worried about him. The elf wasn't usually like this. A light rain was still falling, which he was sure could not be helping Legolas' mood any.

It was always dark in Mirkwood Forest, but at night it was almost impossible to see anything. They could see just well enough to stay on the road. They were grateful when the lightning flashed and temporarily illuminated the area around them, so they could see what was in the immediate vicinity. However, even the light from that had to struggle to get through the thick, mossy canopy which draped over the trees above their heads. In the dark, they had to be very cautious and constantly on the lookout for Orcs, giant spiders, and wild animals.

They rode for a while longer, and Estel finally broke the silence, "I am still very tired and I need a rest. A good night's sleep would be better, yet."

"You will find no restful sleep in Mirkwood, my friend. I am very tired, also, but we must continue on until we are further into the forest. We must avoid the spiders which are common to this area," Legolas sighed.

Aragorn was getting very grumpy by this time. "I hope I can make it that long without falling off my horse," he complained. He knew he had to do something to keep his mind off of sleep. Something to keep his mind active. And then he remembered. He still needed to get even with Legolas for the 'room arrest' episode. He could not let him get away with that without consequences. He would show Legolas a thing or two about how dangerous it could be messing with a ranger. Then he came up with what he thought was a brilliant idea, although he was quite sure that Legolas would not think so.

"Legolas, I really do need a rest. Do you mind if we stop for just a short break?"

"No, not at all. But it will have to be short. We cannot stay in this area for too long for it may be dangerous. There are too many potential perils around here. But you know that."

As they dismounted and quickly looked around the area for signs of any possible threats, Estel was trying to think up a reason to get Legolas out of the way for a few minutes. "You know, Legolas, I thought I saw some athelas growing along the west side of the path a short ways back, and I really did not bring all that much. I checked my pack a while ago and I have less than I thought I did. We really could use some more, just in case, you know."

"Really? You saw some athelas in Mirkwood? That is interesting. Why did you not bring more with you? Or stop back there and get it yourself?"

"Legolas, I was just planning on going home, not out on another 'adventure' with you, remember? Would you mind going back and checking to see if there is some there, I need to rest my aching back and legs for a bit." He knew this scenario was lame, but he was desperate, and he knew the Elf would probably take the bait. He could be very gullible, sometimes. And Estel really wanted to do this. He leaned against a tree, moaning, his back actually hurting.

"All right Estel, you rest your weary legs and back," Legolas replied with mock sympathy. I will be back in a minute. Do not leave without me."

'Do not worry, mellon nin. I will not leave without you,' Estel thought with a devious smile on his face.

When he was sure Legolas was out of hearing range, he walked quickly over to Legolas' horse, took him by the reins, walked him over to his own horse and gently tied him to his mount. Then he took some manacles, with chains attached, out of his pack. He had a big grin on his face, as he quickly ran over to the tree again and sat at the base of it, waiting.

A few minutes later Legolas returned. "I am not sure what it is that you saw back there, but I do not think it was athelas. I did find a few other herbs that I believe might be of use to us, though. Perhaps. Later. Much later, I hope." Legolas looked down at Estel who was looking up at him, grinning.

"Did you have a nice rest, Estel?"

"Yes, but a very short one, Legolas."

"Are you ready to leave or are there any other errands you would like to send me on, Sir?" Legolas asked his friend very sarcastically.

Estel ignored the sarcasm. "No, Your Highness, that will be all at this time. You may get ready to leave, now." Estel got up and went over to his horse. "Oh, yes, Legolas, there is one more thing. Could you come here for a moment? I want to show you something."

Legolas walked slowly over to Aragorn to see what he wanted. "What is it, Estel?" Legolas looked at him curiously.

The ranger suddenly grabbed Legolas, spun him around, and quickly shackled his hands behind his back. "Oh, whoops, I guess I cannot show them to you now because they are behind you."

"Estel," Legolas smiled a little nervously, "what are you doing?"

'''What do you think I am doing?" Estel was almost beaming.

"Legolas was getting anxious. "This is not funny, Estel."

"Yes it is," Estel chuckled. "The look on your face is priceless! I cannot believe how gullible and trusting you were; you just walked right into that."

"Well, it is you, Estel. If I cannot trust you, who can I trust?"

"Oh, come on, Legolas, after what you did to me, I do not even want to hear it."

"Yes, but I just kept you in my room for what; maybe thirty minutes? And I did not tie you up," Legolas countered apprehensively.

You are not tied up, Legolas, you are shackled up; there is a big difference. And it is a good thing that you did not tie me up, because if you had, I would have had to come up with something even worse than this for you. Thirty minutes, huh? Was that all? It seemed longer to me. I guess that this will have to be for a few hours then. Many times the time you tormented me," Estel quietly chuckled.

"I did not torment you, Estel, I..."

Well, It did not help my pride any when those guards dragged me back to your room," Estel ranted as Legolas smiled.

Now that was funny," Legolas laughed, amused at the memory of that moment.

"No actually, I think this is going to be funny!" Legolas almost shuddered when he saw a gleam of delight in his friend's eyes.

"I thought Wood Elves were supposed to be difficult to catch. I had always heard that rumor, anyway. You are a Wood Elf, Legolas, I thought you would be smarter than that. I really cannot believe you did not see this coming."

Legolas just glared at him. "Ranger, unshackle me now. Take these off!!"

Estel smiled very cheerfully. "Well, come on, let's go. Oh, wait, you probably cannot get on your horse by yourself. Do you want to walk, or shall I help you up?"

Legolas was extremely irate by this time. "I think I will walk home now, thank you!"

Estel smiled and looked at him quizzically. "Why would you want to do that? We are going hunting, remember? Here, I will help you up. He grabbed Legolas and hauled him up onto his horse. Legolas tried to kick his horse into a run back home, only to realize the horse was not going anywhere. "Oh, Legolas, what are you doing? We are heading west, not east; have you lost your sense of direction, today? That is not like you.." Aragorn was getting a fiendish delight from this. Legolas was frustrated. Life was good.

"Estel, this has gone on long enough. Let me go. You have made your point. Now you have had your revenge. I get it. I was bad. Now, let me go."

"Um ... no."

"No!?"

"No."

"Estel, this is ridiculous!!" Legolas was getting angrier by the moment.

"Where have 1 heard that before? Oh yes, I was standing at your doorway with two armed guards holding me at your leisure, Legolas."

"But why won't you let me go now, Estel? You've had your fun ..."

"Because I am afraid of what you will have in store for me when I do let you go, and I want to put it off as long as possible. Not to mention that it has not even been anywhere near an hour, yet. Much yet several. Only a few minutes. That's not good enough, Legolas. Sorry."

"You should be afraid, Estel, very afraid," Legolas grinned evily. "You have no idea how much you are going to regret this little episode. I will come up with something good, just you wait, ranger ... "

"Ergo," Estel replied very seriously, but with a humorous twinkle in his eyes, "your continued predicament. Let's go. Oh, yes, first. .. " Estel grabbed a rope from his pack, walked over to Legolas and quickly tied his feet around the belly of the elf's horse. "For safety's sake, you see. I do not want my best friend falling off his horse and hurting himself. But you will not fall off. You are too good a rider for that," Estel grinned.

"Do you realize how much I could hurt myself if I did fall off bound like this?"

Legolas was livid at this point. "Estel, I cannot ride all the way through Mirkwood like this. Supposing there is some trouble along the way!?"

"Then I would let you go, of course. And it will not be all the way through Mirkwood; perhaps only partway…or halfway?" Estel chuckled.

"Suppose we get in serious trouble before you can untie me, Estel? Then what do we do?"

Well, then I guess I would have to fight for the both of us, wouldn't I? I would never let anything happen to you, Legolas.. But I honestly do not think anything will happen along the way. So do not worry, my friend." Estel looked at the elf thoughtfully. "Would you really want to go home like that? Would it not be a little embarrassing?"

Legolas had had just about enough of this. "And this is not!?" he yelled.

"You go home and remember…your Adar's wrath. With me ... freedom."

"Some freedom!" Legolas mumbled irately.

"Oh come on, Legolas, we are going to have fun."

"So, you are not letting me go?"

"No, not yet."

Legolas sighed heavily. "Fine! We never finished having that conversation about your lovely, beguiling sister, did we? Oh, yes, pardon me, your stepsister Arwen, Estel." The ranger looked impassively at him so Legolas continued. "There was probably a good reason Lord Elrond chose not to tell you about his daughter for all those years. He was probably afraid you would fall in love with her and marry into your own family. He has great insight, you know. You cannot marry a relative, Estel, it is just not done. I am sure your father feels the same way and would say the same thing."

"She is not my sister,Legolas!" Aragorn growled at him, trying not to yell. "My fiftieth cousin, perhaps, but that does not count."

"It is still family, Estel." Legolas was enjoying getting the upper hand of him like this, even if it was only for a moment.

"You do not want to tread these waters again, Legolas, believe me," Estel mumbled in a surly voice.

"I already have. What are you going to do about it.?"

"Nothing at the moment. Please just be quiet, Legolas, you are starting to annoy me."

"Well," Legolas unwisely continued, "That is just fine with me. You know, these manacles are starting to hurt, and I would really like to get them off so I can come over there and strangle you. So, how about it, huh?"

"Legolas?"

"Yes, Estel?"

"Shut up!!"

The ranger then took a couple of clean bandages from his pack. He walked beside Legolas' horse, jumped on, and gagged Legolas securely. He hopped down, got on his own mount, looked at Legolas and cringed. His friend was staring daggers at him, with his almost frightening icy blue eyes. "Sorry, Legolas ... No, I am not, actually," he smiled. "But it is for your own good, you know. You don't want to make me too angry, because you never know what I may do to my 'helpless' elven friend," Estel grinned. "Do not worry Legolas. I won't leave you like that forever ... I mean for too long. This is really a lot of fun, though, don't you think?" Estel chanced another quick glance at Legolas, and almost wished he had not. Legolas still had that evil look in his eyes. Estel knew he was going to be in real trouble when he let Legolas go. He would have to get him in a better mood before then; try to cheer him up somehow, maybe. But how do you cheer up someone who is tied up and gagged?

"Well, look at it this way, Legolas. At least I didn't throw you over my saddle, right?"

Daggers

"And this is taking your mind off of the guilt you have about your father and the council meeting, right?"

Daggers.

"So, you should thank me, right?"

Evil daggers.

Ok, he knew this line of tactics was getting him nowhere.

"All right, maybe we should go, now." Estel was afraid to look at Legolas, again. So he just moved on down the path bringing Legolas along with him. They rode like that for a while in complete silence. When next Estel glanced at him, he noticed that Legolas' angry look had been replaced by a very sad, sullen expression once again. He was wrapped up in his thoughts about home. The ranger felt a sudden pang of guilt for what he was doing to his friend. But he really felt the elf deserved this for being such a Royal Pain. This would have to end soon, though, as much as he did not want it to.

In the meantime, Estel was so sleepy that he had a hard time even keeping his eyes open much less staying a straight course on the pathway. His head was starting to droop over and over again. Finally he just fell off his horse and laid there, sound asleep.

Legolas panicked. "Estel!" he tried to yell at him, but it was too muffled for Estel to hear. Legolas sat there for a little while wondering what to do about his friend who was lying on the ground snoring. Then he just started to laugh through his gag and could not stop. This was such a ridiculous situation they were in. How were they going to get out of it? Wait until his friend woke up? That could be hours. He could not sit like this for hours. So Legolas nudged his horse, trying to coax him over to Estel. It did not work very well, though, because Estel's stallion kept shying away from the horse moving behind him and going in the opposite direction from the ranger. Well, this was getting him nowhere fast. Legolas was feeling very discouraged and helpless about now. What a silly predicament they were in. Legolas tried once more, moving the horses around as much as he could. Legolas' horse ran into Estel, kicking him.

"Mmm?" was all Legolas got out of Estel. He tried to get the horse to kick him once again. "Arwen, I am tired, let me sleep," he mumbled.

Oh, this was good. Arwen? More fuel for the fire, there.. "Estel, wake up!" Legolas tried yelling; but once again all he could manage was a muffled moan.

He got the horse to kick the ranger once more and finally the human woke up. He stretched, yawned, sat up and looked around him. "Where am I?" Then he looked up at Legolas. "Oh, yes, now I remember. What happened?" He looked up at Legolas again, groaned as he got up off the wet ground and walked over to his friend. "Would you like me to remove that gag for you? It would probably be easier to talk, don't you think?" No answer. "Legolas?" Still no answer. "Not even a moan or nod?" Legolas just glared at him. Aragorn sighed, walked over to the elf's horse, reached up and removed the gag. "Legolas?" Still no answer. "Are you really angry with me? That is a stupid question, of course you are. What happened?" the ranger asked, agaIn.

Legolas finally looked at Estel with a sly grin on his face. "You went to sleep and fell off your horse."

"How long have I been asleep? How long have we been here?" The ranger was feeling uneasy.

"Oh, for a few hours I should think. You were very difficult to wake up." Legolas was softly chuckling.

"How did you manage that by the way?" Aragorn asked curiously.

"My horse kept kicking you," Legolas snickered.

"Oh, thank you, Legolas."

"Anytime, Estel."

Estel looked at Legolas suspiciously. "It has not really been hours, now, has it?"

"Well, no, but I thought it was worth a try," Legolas retorted.

Then it occurred to Estel that for the short time he had been asleep, Legolas had been completely defenseless. How irresponsible he had been concerning his friend's safety, and possibly even his life. "I left you in danger, Legolas. I am so sorry. Please forgive me, mellon nin."

Legolas nodded his head and smiled. "Of course I forgive you that. You meant no harm, and I am well."

"Hey, I never even thought about a collar for you. I think you would look rather nice in a collar, Legolas. Unfortunately I didn't bring any with me in my pack. Maybe next time."

"Next time?" Legolas asked him with fear and panic in his voice. Estel, you would never do this again, would you? Right? Aragorn?"

Right?" Estel gave him an evil smile. No ranger, you would not!"

"Oh, wouldn't I? Why not? You are lucky I am in a good mood right now. If I was in a bad mood, I would probably leave you like that most of the way to Imladris."

Legolas had that frightened look on his face, again.

"What?" Legolas asked. "What are you normally like in a bad mood? You are really starting to scare me, Estel. And what are you doing carrying around shackles, rope, gags, and collars for anyway? Do you have a very disobedient dog, I hope?"

"No, I have ether, too." Estel said gaily. That wouldn't be nice to use on dogs...But unfortunately, I forgot to bring that with me as well."

"Is there something I should know about you, ranger?" This conversation was making Legolas uneasy. Especially since he was the one tied up.

"I just carry those items around for emergencies. Such as this emergency for instance." Then there was a long pause. " I am just teasing you, Legolas," The young ranger laughed as he looked at the panicked expression in Legolas' eyes. You should see yourself now, Legolas. I love that expression on your face! You are so funny!!"

Legolas had that evil look in his eyes once again, which Estel still did not like the look of. So what now would Legolas do to him? That thought made him very uneasy. "I do actually keep that stuff in my pack for emergencies. But not for you. Unless you want me to do it again. I would be more than willing. We could try that collar if you like. But then again, maybe that is a bad idea."

More glares from Legolas.

Estel pulled a knife out, reached out to cut the ropes, and hesitated. "Now, you are going to be nice to me, right? You are not going to hurt me or something are you?" No answer. The elf simply raised an eyebrow and looked at him. "Legolas, I am not doing this until you promise to be nice."

" I would never hurt you, Estel, you know that," Legolas answered very sincerely and a little hesitantly.

Estel cut the rope under the belly of the horse then helped Legolas down. He then removed the shackles. "Are you all right, Legolas? I did not hurt you at all, did I?" The ranger took Legolas' hands in his own and inspected them. There were no wounds at all. "The manacles were hurting you? There is not a mark on you, you little liar!" Legolas just smiled at him once again with that one raised eyebrow.

"You know, they were actually not that tight. You probably could have gotten out of them yourself if you had just tried harder." Legolas glared at him again as he untied the ropes from around his ankles. "You didn't really try, did you!?" Silence. "I knew it," Estel teased. Maybe we should call a truce, Legolas. We are getting a little carried away here, aren't we? So how about it?" Estel held his hand out for Legolas to shake, praying that he would, but the Elf just looked at his hand.

"I did not say I forgave all yet, did I? A truce, you wish! There will be no truce today."

Estel paused, stared anxiously at his friend and replied, "Maybe I should have left you tied up, Legolas." He knew retaliation would come sooner or later, but it was the 'not knowing when' that made him uneasy. Well, and of course 'the what.' But Estel did not want to think about that.

"Maybe you should have," Legolas purred very mysteriously, as he leered and grinned at his friend. Then he broke eye contact, walked over to his horse, untied it from Estel's, mounted up and slowly started riding on again.

"Legolas, wait up a minute!" Estel yelled as he quickly packed up his belongings and threw them onto his horse. "Wait!" he yelled again, as Legolas rode off into the distance. 'Well, at least he is heading west;' Estel realized as he got on his horse and raced off after him.

It was drizzling again and the two of them were wet and miserable. They rode along in silence for a while, as Estel pondered what Legolas was thinking about. This quiet was making him very nervous. Then Estel finally broke the silence. "I am very tired, Legolas and I desperately need some sleep."

"We shall be at a reasonably safe place where we can stop for awhile, in perhaps another hour or so. Then we can rest."

"I hope I can make it that long," Estel grumbled.

"'Without falling off of your horse again, do you mean, Estel?" Legolas just had to say. "You know, if you do fall asleep again, Arwen will not be there to wake you up this time."

"What are you talking about?" Estel asked very cautiously.

"I am saying you talk in your sleep, Estel. You mumbled something about not wanting Arwen to wake you up, yet. What, was your sister with you all night, or just in the morning? It makes for more interesting discussion, do you not think so?" Legolas was grinning from ear to ear.

Estel stopped his horse, seething with anger at this comment. "Legolas, if you must know, it just so happens that when I am staying at Imladris, and Arwen is visiting, she just likes to wake me up, Mister Wood-Elf. It is nothing more than that. Don't make more out of it than there is, Legolas."

"I know, Mister Human. You don't need to convince me," Legolas said, smiling.

"No, you just enjoy making me angry, don't you Estel snarled.

"Whatever works, Estel," Legolas returned, now grinning from ear to ear.

"Well, if you know that, then what is all this about?" Estel was very confused.

"The usual, Estel, I am just trying to make your life difficult and frustrating. And I am so very good at it, do you not think?"

Legolas was going to enjoy this day after all.