Chapter 25

When things were just starting to look bad

 

All days come from one day
That much you must know

 

Aragorn pulled his body closer to himself when he reached consciousness again.  He had forgotten how cold it became in Mirkwood.  He closed his eyes, concentrating on anything to keep his mind off the cold and his growling stomach.

              “ Helch (Cold)?”

A tattered blanket was thrown in.  Aragorn glanced up.  A new guard had come on shift.  He nodded his thanks.

              “ Thank you.”

              “ I,” the Elf paused, uncertain of the Westron word.

              “ Le pedch Sindarin (You speak Sindarin)?”

The Elf nodded; obviously relieved the man spoke his language.  Aragorn shrugged, looking up at him.

              “ Lothron Elbereth galu danna erin le (May Varda’s blessing fall on you).”

The Elf touched his chest in a thankful gesture before disappearing back out the door. Aragorn pulled the blanket close before falling asleep to troubled dreams.

~*~

              Legolas strode into the Mirkwood court, causing a hush to fall.  The Prince’s face was flushed with outrage.  Thranduil’s shoulders slumped in relief seeing his son safe, while Airóma’s face fell visibly.

              “ My son, you are safe.”

Thranduil rose to hug his son, but Legolas refused the embrace.  Thranduil raised an eyebrow at the insubordinate behavior from his own son.  Legolas’ eyes were hard.

              “ I have been safe in Imladris, Adar, unless you have a reason to think Elrond’s fortress is not safe.  Of course, mortals are welcome there so you may find it a threat.”

              “ Where is this going, Legolas?  I am a busy Elf,” Thranduil’s voice held a too-calm note.

              Legolas breathed in, grinding his teeth slightly.

              “ You are holding lord Elrond’s son in your dungeon.  You should be glad I heard before he did.  I order you to release him.”

              “ You order me?”

              “Aye, I do.  I will have no part in your selling of slaves. If you will not free him, then you will have to chain me because I will free him myself.”

              Thranduil marched forward until he was eye to eye with his son.  Twin dark gray eyes stared at each other.  Elrohir drew in a breath, his face trying not to betray the alarm he felt for his friend.  An encouraging hand squeezed his and Elrohir tried not to glance down, knowing well who it was. 

              “ Ada is in an ornery mood as of late.”

Elrohir nodded. Thranduil was known to have a fiery temper, unaccustomed to Elves. 

              Thranduil finally backed away, surprisingly enough, crossing his arms coolly over his forest green robes edged with gold and silver.  Airóma stood.

              “ Why do you burden Ada with such lies?  He does not sell slaves.”

Legolas glared.

              “ He is not selling the slaves, you are.  Halbarad, the man you tortured to near death confirmed that.”

Airóma moved forward, hand on his brother’s chest.

              “ Why do you care so much for this mortal?” Airóma turned, “ I ask my brother now to explain to the court why we should release his alleged kidnapper.”

              “ First, I owe my allegiance to Elrond and his family.  Estel or Strider is of his family.  Second, I trained him myself along with Elladan and Glorfindel.”

Airóma shook his head with a gleam in his eyes.

              “ I believe you are bluffing.  It has been a long time since I have had good entertainment.  Bring out the mortal and two swords.  I am in the mood to fence.”

~*~

              The mean-looking guard opened the dungeon door.

              “ Come.”

Aragorn stood and followed.

*I doubt this is so they can feed me.

~*~

Airóma smiled at his brother, a sick smile to Legolas.

              “ We will see if your story is true, if that is fine with you, Adar.”

              “ Go ahead.  It is just a mortal.  He has most likely killed someone or something close to that.”

Legolas said nothing and Elrohir was glad.  The flushed Prince looked as if he could slaughter his brother and father with words.  The court doors opened and Elrohir’s breath caught.

              Aragorn was pale and had lost many pounds.

              “ You starved him?” Legolas’ voice showed he was about to find a sword himself to challenge his brother.

              “ He was your kidnapper,” Airóma shrugged.

Airóma turned towards Aragorn.

              “ Release his bonds.”

~*~

              “ You are ever tormenting me.  Do you find perverse pleasure in this?” Aragorn rubbed his aching wrist.

He glanced up at the throne, tilting a head when he saw the blonde head.  Sure enough, Legolas turned his head, walking away from his brother.  Airóma drew closer.  Aragorn glanced at the sword in the prince’s hand and drew himself up higher.  He would die proudly.  The prince chuckled.

              “ Legolas and Elrohir came here to save you, but I have a different idea.”

Aragorn glanced at his two friends, sitting between guards.

              “ You are a trainee of my brothers, and he is far better than I, so,” Airóma paused, looking up from his blade with a sick smile, “ You should be better than I also.  If I disarm you, you die.”

~*~

              Arwen rode into Imladris.

              “ Ada.”

Elrond hugged her.

              “ I am glad you arrived safely.  It has been far too long Undómiel.”

Arwen hugged him back.

              “ I know, Ada.  I have missed you terribly,” she looked up at him, “ I know what you told Estel.”

Elrond nodded.

              “ It seems fair to me.”

Arwen sighed.

              “ I know, but I fear he will not take the crown when it is offered to him.”

              “ The days are long before he has that choice to make.  Leastways, he would not have survived all he has to-”

              Thundering hooves made him trail off.  The escorts of Arwen immediately drew their bows on the group of men.  Elrond descended.

              “ Ada,” Elladan pushed forward, “ We need your help.  Thranduil is enslaving those that cross within his boarders and selling them to the dwarves.”

              Elrond worriedly joined the dismounting men.  Arwen came as close as her escorts permitted.

              “ Why?  How do you know this?”

A man, badly bruised and bandaged, stepped forward.

              “ A man named Strider and I-”

              “ Strider?” Arwen interjected, earning a silencing look from her father as she pushed forward, “ Estel?”

              The man nodded.

              “ He and I saw it, but we were captured.  They believe Strider kidnapped the Prince of Mirkwood.  They let me go, but kept him.  I came as fast as I could, but I fear…” he trailed off.

Elrond’s face bore an overly stern look.  He motioned the escorts over.

              “ Tell Erestor and Glorfindel to oversee Imladris until my return.  I will return in a moment.  It seems as if I will have to bear Ereinion’s crown for a moment and speak to Thranduil.”

Elladan grinned.  He knew his father would not let them down.

~*~

              Legolas approached his father.

              “ May we talk, Ada?”

Thranduil glanced at him and then motioned to the cushion by his chair.

              “ What is it you wish, my son?  You shall receive it.”

Legolas smiled smugly.  He was the youngest, which meant he was the most doted on.

              “ Ada, Airóma wrongly imprisoned the man there.  I was safe in Imladris and that man is really Elrond’s foster son.”

Thranduil shook his head.

              “ Airóma oversees my affairs mostly now.”

Legolas sighed, mind racing as to a way to earn him more time.

              “ Ada, will it not be rude to murder in front of the women?”

Thranduil nodded.

              “ Airóma, desist.”

Airóma’s eyes narrowed.  He approached his brother.

              “ Just because you can-”

              “Excuse me, but I have guest.”

Airóma stopped him.

              “Kalaina sees to him.  Watch yourself, Legolas.  This court is mine.”

Thranduil approached them.

              “ I am glad to see you two together.”

The two brothers smiled sweetly at each other.  Thranduil pushed Legolas off.

              “ Now go back to your friend.  He is a guest.”

Legolas nodded.  He nodded politely in his brother’s direction, before leaving with Elrohir.  Airóma clenched the sword.

*You are the first one to go, brother.  I do not need any mistakes now.

~*~

              Legolas leaned in, lowering his voice.

              “ He controls most of father’s affairs now.  He can do anything practically.  I am powerless.”

Elrohir shook his head, eyes darting from Legolas to his beloved, Kalaina.  Legolas finally shook his head.

              “ You two are so sickening.”

Elrohir turned his head.

              “ Pardon?  I did not hear you.”

              “ Nothing,” Legolas shook his head.

              Kalaina leaned over.

              “ Legolas, tell me one time Adar has not granted you your wishes.”

Legolas was silent.

              “ That is my point.  Adar never says no to you.  It will take you maybe a couple of minutes to convince him to free Estel.”

Legolas shook his head.

              “ I believe there is evil growing here.”

              “ It has been growing for a long time,” Kalaina replied, “ Now go.  You are his only hope unless Elrond arrives.”

Legolas nodded.

~*~

              Elrond sat at the camp.  They would arrive at the palace by the morning.  He sighed, laying his hands on his knees.  He dreaded talking to Thranduil.  He turned his head, hearing his son’s not too quiet steps.

              “ Ada, someone draws near,” Elladan whispered, “ We can handle it, but, did you have to let Arwen come?”

Elrond shrugged, glancing at his daughter a few meters away.

              “ She can handle whatever comes her way.  She always has.  Take as many as you need to meet them.”

A yell came.  Elrond rose, drawing his sword.  He ran over to Arwen, seeing the many and suddenly filled with fear for his precious daughter.

              “ Get up,” he helped her onto the horse, “ Now go.  Go to Mirkwood.”

Arwen kicked the horse’s sides, leaping away.  Elrond turned, meeting the sword positioned to disarm him.  The Elf was surprised.  Elrond had had his back to him.

              “ You mortal.  You shall join your likes soon,” the Elf hissed.

Elrond shook his head.  They thought him a man.  He disarmed the man.

              “ Where-” he got no further.

Pain surged through him.  Elrond looked at the arrow almost as if he could not believe it.  His sword fell from his hand, the other one clutching the arrow as memories flew past his eyes.  Elladan saw his father fall to his knees.

              “ Ada?”

Elladan pushed through.  He shook his father’s shoulders.

“ Ada?  Come now, Ada.”

A knife was placed at his throat, stilling his motions.

              “ Put down your weapons.”

Elladan nodded to the other rangers.

              “ Do as he says.”

Elladan was busily assessing the wound.  The knife pricked into his neck.

              “ What are you doing?”

Elladan looked up.

              “ I am preparing to remove an arrow.  Have you any problems with that?”

The Elf nodded.

              “ Yes, I do.  Now stand up.  We are walking to your new homes.”

~*~

              Legolas sat in front of his father.  Thranduil finally looked up.

              “ I did not hear you come in.”

Legolas looked at his father strangely.

              “ Are you well, Ada?”

Thranduil nodded.

              “ Aye, I am fine.  I am joyful now.  All my children are safe at home.”

Legolas leaned over the desk.

              “ Ada, I want something.”

Thranduil looked up with a smile.

              “ Will it keep you at home for at least a couple decades?”

Legolas sighed. 

*Stay home or let someone die?  They had better appreciate this.

              “ I will stay home at least,” Legolas paused, “ Two decades.”

Thranduil’s visage brightened.

              “ Good, now, what is it?”

              “ I want the mortal freed.”

Thranduil made a contemplating face.

              “ Three decades.”

Legolas nodded.

              “ Three, just, he does not deserve to die yet.”

Thranduil nodded with a smile.

              “ You always were the kind one of the family.  Come now.  I will free him myself.”

~*~

              Aragorn could hear many footsteps.  He glanced out.

              “ Ada?”

Elrond was supported by two Elves.

              “ Let me out,” Aragorn pounded on the door.

The guard glared at him.

              “ Be quiet.”

Aragorn’s eyes were glued to the Elf they threw in.  His eyes met Elladan’s.

*They refuse to let me treat him.  We need a miracle.

~*~

              Elrohir walked beside Kalaina out among the trees.  They heard the hooves and paused.

              “ Arwen?” Elrohir rushed forward.

              “ They, they killed him,” Arwen collapsed off the horse.

              “ Who?”

              “ Ada.”

~*~

              Legolas walked beside his father.  Elrohir rushed in with Kalaina and the Evenstar.

              “ Your brother has killed my father,” Elrohir was seething.

Arwen held out the high-king crown, her voice vacant of all musical quality and all the hardness of anger.

              “ We were attacked within Mirkwood’s borders by Elves.  They thought we were just a band of Mortals.  Ada made me leave, but I turned back to look and he was on his knees.  They had shot him,” Arwen swallowed, her eyes fiery, “ And Elrohir is now lord of Imladris because guess who else was there?  Elladan.  You best start praying for mercy because I wish you dead and I always get what I want.”

Arwen buried her face into her brother’s shoulder.

              Thranduil rubbed his head, before it lifted, eyes aflame.

              “ Airóma.”

Legolas touched his father’s shoulder.

              “ Let us go free Estel first.”

Thranduil nodded, but he stopped.

              “ Justice will be done if I find your father truly dead or wounded.”

~*~

              Aragorn kicked at the hard dungeon door.  The guards were increasingly becoming irritated.  One stood, unsheathing his sword. The other stopped him.  They both bowed.

              “ Your majesty.”

The door opened. 

              “ Come out, Estel son of Elrond.”

Aragorn nodded his thanks.

              “ Majesty, you must help them.  Elrond is in that one there.”

Thranduil gave an angry cry, pushing by and flinging the door open.  He glanced at the guards.

              “ Get that man to the healing rooms right away and be hasty.  If he dies, his blood is on your hands.”

The guards moved quickly.  Elladan exited, hugging his little sister.

              “ Thank you.”

Thranduil shook his head.

              “ I deserve no thanks.  This has just made me realize I cannot give any of my duties to another person,” Thranduil looked at Legolas as he turned to follow the guards, “ And I still expect your promise to be good.”

Legolas nodded.

              “ It is.”

Eyes stared at him questioningly.  Legolas shrugged.

              “ We had to do a little bartering to free Estel.”

Elrohir and Elladan exchanged glances.

              “  What is the bargain?” Aragorn asked.

Legolas shook his head.

              “ It is nothing large.  I just will not be leaving here for a while.”

              “ What?  You gave up your freedom to travel?” Aragorn shook his head, “ Why?”

              “ If I had not done that, you would be dead,” Legolas answered, “ I can go thirty years here.  I spent my first few centuries here.”

Aragorn held out his hand.

              “ Thank you.”

Legolas caught the mid-arm.

              “ Now, come upstairs.  There will be fresh clothing and a good meal for you, as well as rooms,” Legolas motioned to the Rangers also, “ That goes for you also.”

              “ We are in your debt,” Elladan said softly.

Legolas waved a hand dismissively.

              “ Consider it nothing.  You would have done the same.”

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