~*~Chapter 12~*~
Aragorn shook his head, "Raenan, what I mean… is that we did nothing to try to get rid of her… except Legolas shot her… would have killed her if not for me…"
The guilt the man felt about that still bothered him. He suspected the dragon knew but hadn't said… thought anything about it.
"If not for you? What does that mean?" Raenan asked skeptically.
"I saved her. That's what it means."
Raenan heard only the first half of that; he stared open mouthed at the man.
Aragorn sighed and turned away to hide his smile, "You'll see soon my friend."
Raenan shook his head.
Aragorn smiled and pointed to the bend, in which just around it sat Raenan's *Evil dragon*, "Race you!"
Raenan let the previous matter drop and grinned pulling his horse to a stop. Aragorn stopped beside him.
"Maybe I should give you a head-start?" the elf asked with a smirk, glancing at the mare.
Aragorn mock glared at him, then leaned over the mare's head, "You hear that? He's mocking us!"
Erethrintin snorted.
Aragorn turned back to Raenan, "Will you be okay with Legolas's horse following you?"
"Oh he can keep up with my horse no problem, he only seconds the King's mount."
"Okay good… but… are you sure *you* don't want a head start?"
Raenan snorted, "Not in the least."
"Alright ready?"
The elf nodded, "Go!"
The two horses shot forward; Ruim took off just after Erethrintin. Aragorn held the mare back so that they were racing neck and neck until just over half way through where he released any restraints he had put on the mare and with a joyful snort she shot forward like one of Legolas's arrows.
Raenan gaped before pushing his horse on faster.
Aragorn laughed as he kept his grip tight on the mare's mane. He only wished he could have seen Raenan's face! He spun around the corner, barely slowing, and circled around the great dragon once before slowing down and stopping… just in time to see Raenan turn the corner and freeze.
Aragorn could have sworn that if the elf stayed in that position he would fall off his horse and onto the ground without flinching.
As it were the elf blinked and his jaw dropped, "Uh… Strider?"
Aragorn snickered, "Aye Raenan?"
"What happened, while you were out there?"
"I met a new friend!" he said, purposely acting like a child who was just given a box of candy.
Raenan hesitantly bade his horse to move forward but it whinnied shrilly, it's eyes huge.
Raenan sighed and dismounted, "It will not hurt him?"
"She Raenan."
"She wont hurt my horse?"
"Nay, she won't."
Raenan whispered into his horse's ear who snorted, but, seeing the other horse standing so fearlessly by it, walked forward. Legolas's horse following. Aragorn smiled.
He glanced at the dragon, - Talk to him. Calm him down a bit. I promise he'll like you once he gets to know you… at least he didn't hold a blade to your throat! – He thought cheerfully.
The dragon blinked but nodded before turning back to Raenan.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Aragorn ran through the house looking for Legolas. He wanted to hurry so as to be there once the other three arrived.
Well, Aragorn found the elf all right… they kind of found each other.
Legolas groaned as he picked himself up off the floor before reaching down to help the man off the floor as well.
The man winced slightly as his headache began to return but pulled the elf back in the direction he had come.
"What's the rush?" Legolas asked as he was dragged down the hallway.
"Raenan, Adaron, Tyryn and Anarion are here… well, Raenan's here, the other three are coming."
Aragorn found and grabbed Halbarad on the way out as well.
The three of them had gotten there only just in time to see the other three round the corner.
Tyryn came up and clapped Aragorn on the back, "Raenan met us part way and told us what he knew about the dragon."
Elrond watched them from the door of the stables, unknowing to the others.
Aragorn winced slightly at the jolt, causing Legolas to narrow his eyes and the dragon to keep the mirth-filled light out of her eyes. From what she had seen and heard… the elf was… well… he 'mothered' the man… in his own words.
"Are you okay Strider?" Legolas asked.
"Fine," The man replied all-to-quickly.
Elrond noticed the way he had winced and sighed, - Likely another headache, - he thought. He straightened and walked over to them.
Aragorn saw his approach and his eyes widened, - Uh oh… -
He glanced at the dragon for help, she simply shook her head, showing she did *not* intend to help him ruin his health.
Aragorn quickly glanced at his horse who, noticing she had his attention, trotted over eagerly.
Elrond groaned; this would take a while. He saw the twins heading out and motioned for them to catch their brother. Yes. They needed to do so, so often, that they had a motion for it.
The twins caught this immediately and grinned, 'twas like a big game to them. They snuck around either side of the dragon and jumped out just before the man managed to mount his horse.
Elladan grabbed the man's shirt and pulled him back quickly, causing Aragorn to start in surprise then turned a glare on Elrohir who had come over and was helping his twin restrain their younger brother.
The human only stopped struggling when Elrond took his wrist and led him inside.
Aragorn cast one more futile pleading glance back at the group before being led to his room.
Once he was inside Halbarad and the other rangers burst out laughing while the twins, who were fighting desperately not to laugh, struggled to lead the man's mare back into the stables.
Legolas and Halbarad just grinned, shaking their heads while the dragon shook her head slightly, mirth showing clearly in her eyes.
All was well… until Aikhila broke free of her cage and ran into the Last Homely House and fled through the hallways in the direction of the man's room… three rangers and two elves right on her heals but she managed to keep just out of reach.
From the dragon's viewpoint, everything was quiet and silent after the group went through the door.
That is until she heard the muffled gasp of surprise coming from Aragorn's window…
The End
A/N
Okayses!!! All done this book! I speak more after, will get onto reviews 4 now…
SilverKnight7- Sorry 4 making u sad! I didn't mean too! I'm also sorry I didn't up-date as soon as I would have liked to. Hope u read the sequel!
mascara freak- Is okay… and I know what u mean… I just had a bad cold… they suck… not the revengeful type? I wouldn't have guessed! ^_^ glad u'll be reading the sequel!
Aut-of-Mandos- U revieweded! ^_^ yayses! Glad 'tis still funny. Here's more and there will be EVEN more in the sequel! All-out prank war in Valinor? THAT would be funny! ^_^ I'll have to think about that one… it wouldn't come 4 quite a while tho… ^_^ but no, the sequel takes place RIGHT after this one.
leggylover03- Lemme guess, u like Estel fics more because it seems every single one of them has some form of angst and/or pain in it? ^_^ anywho, there will be plenty of angst and pain in the next one… there will likely be Estel pain but most of it will probably b 4 Elrond… 'tis his turn 2 b in pain! (Don't warn him! He'll run away!) ^_^
I goted 4… well, 5 reviews but 2 were from the same person. ^_^ well, please review! Anywho… I know I've already said this but I'm gonna say it again,
There will be a sequel! (This is 4 the people who didn't c the last 1… What? W/e… ^_^) 'Alagos o Kuil Storm of Life' I hope you'll all like it! I didn't really like the first chapter but I think I'm gonna like where it's going… so it u don't like the first chapter or 2, don't give up on me! It'll get better! ^_^ well, c y'all later! Enjoy!
~Elenmeoi