The Haunting
by Bethuviel
Disclaimer: I do not own Middle Earth, J.R.R. Tolkien's Estate does. I do not recieve any compensation for my work, other than the pure enjoyment of writing.
Please r & r. All reviews are appreciated and taken under advisement. I will do my best to answer each.
Chapter One
It was a quiet pre-dawn morning in the palace of King Thranduil. Even the servents did not yet stir. Outside on the palace grounds, a misty fog lay over the land, dampening the grass, statues, benches, and walkways. Not a bird could be heard calling the morning to it's start. The fog brought with it a sort of chill that would sneak up on you, and before conscious of the fact, one would be shivering from the cold. The trees stood like silent sentinels, ghostly and still, their branches stooping to the ground. The hedges that wrapped the walk ways were dark and uninviting. The flowers and herbs, so meticulously tended in their gardens, sadly sagged, bent from the weight of the fog. The outer walls, a defense of the palace, stood high, massive and covered with the wet of the fog that had caressed it's tendrils over the surfaces. The inner and outer gates of Mirkwood Palace, held the grounds secure with their formidable height and width. The fog thickened, unknown to all who slept snuggly in their beds.
The palace doors stood closed and locked, sealing the entry way air tight. The massive hardwood doors, curved at the top, and had steel bars reinforcing the doors running from the top to the bottom, with a massive beam barring the doors from opening that lay crosswise.
The windows of the Palace were a marvel in and of themselves. King Thranduil recogizing the need for security, had entered into a secret pact with the dwarves. The glass of each window had mixed into it at it's creation, pure mithril, rendering the glass unbreakable, yet clear to allow for natural light.
The fog slowly crept over the walls of Mirkwood Palatial grounds, thickening at a steady pace. Just at the breaking of the dawn, all of Mirkwood sat under a thick white blanket.
From nowhere in particular, and everywhere indeed, a low rumbling and wicked laugh rolled across the land.
Thranduil awoke with a start and sat straight up in his bed. He raised his hand and touched his forehead. He looked at the same hand and raised his eyebrows in wonder when he saw the sweat glistening on his skin.
"AAAAAAAAA" A scream, strong at first, then fading at the end cut into the air. Thranduil eyes went wide as he spun around in the direction of the scream.
"AAAAAAAA" Another scream and Thranduil twisted his head and cocked his ear. His breathing became shallow as another, then another, and yet more screams from outside the palace ripped through the morning silence. Thranduil ran to his summoning bell and hit it hard so that it echoed in his chambers. Within a few seconds a disheveled servant appeared.
"My Battle Dress and Armor! Quickly! And sound the.." His words were cut off as the alarms sounded throughout the palace.
Thranduil almost fell backward from shock as Legolas burst through his doors, shouting, "Ada! Ada! We are under attack! Ada!"
The servant reappeared with others, bearing the battle dress and armor of the king. They swarmed around him in quiet efficiency, assisting him with his preparations and dress.
"Good Legolas! It was you who sounded the alarms?" He shouted over the clamoring, noticing that his son and heir was already dressed and prepared for battle.
The personal royal guard rushed into the rooms and formed a barrier around their king and prince, swords and bows drawn. Guards formed outside the chambers and down the hallways.
"Aye, Ada. I did so when I heard the first scream."
The captain of the guard, Uraile, a battle seasoned warrior who had stood with Thranduil at the battle of the five armies, stepped foward, bowed short and quick, "My Lord and King"
Thranduil addressed Uraile, "What information do you have concerning this? Who attacks us?"
"AAA AAA IIII!" More screams.
Uraile looked his king in the eye and stated truthfully, "We know not. The land is covered with a thick fog and we are unable to see through it. Shall I send a runner to the gates, my lord?"
Thranduil adjusted his helm and strode forth, the guard moving with him, "Make it so, and let us go to the Omnate and discover what we may."
Uraile gave orders to his company and walked two steps behind the King.
The Omnate was a circular war room of sorts, built directly on top of the palace of solid granite with mithril windows around the circumferance of the room. It was a fortress in and of itself, allowing the King and his captains a clear view of Mirkwood from which to direct the defences of the elven armies. The Omnate always kept two guards on watch, one for running any necessary messages and one on watch.
In the main foyer of the palace, an elven body of swordsmen and archers stood ready in front of the main entryway doors. Their muscles were tensed and faces hard with steely jawlines, ready to attack whoever or whatever waited on the other side of the doors.
A lieutenant, marked by a scarlet plume rising from his helm parted the company and stood in front. "By order of the King, a runner and five guard are to be sent to the gates and guardhouses for information, and to return without delay with word to be given directly to the King."
"EEEIIIIAAAA" More screams pierced the doors and walls of the palace and ran down the ear canals of the swordsmen and archers to play upon their eardrums and dance into their memories. "AAAAIIIII"
The lieutenant stood firm, but squinted his eyes hard at the new screams.
A young private, stepped forward. "I will go and obey my King."
Within moments five more volunteers also stepped forward to act as an escort to the runner.
The great bar was removed from the doors and other elves silently unlocked the steel mechanisms at the top and bottom of the doors. The doors were pulled slowly open, and archers waited with arrows nocked, while swordsmen stood in stance ready to attack and defend.
The lieutenant had both his sword and short sword drawn, and stood at the front, ready to lead the company in battle. When the doors were partially opened enough to allow the six elves to exit, the lieutenant stepped back and drew his breath. The other elves looked on in curious awe.
The doors opened and were brought to a halt, revealing a wall of white. Within it, fog swirled in all directions. The wall of white fog held thick condensation that could be smelled as strongly as rain before gray thunderclouds break open. The fog did not dissipate at the doors, but remained a wall.
The lieutenant gathered his senses and whispered, "Steady forward, elves."
The private and the escort stepped cautiously into the wall of white and disappeared.
The guardsmen quickly closed the doors, locked, resealed, and barred them. There was an immediate feeling of relief wash over the elves in the foyar.
Part of the royal guard preceded the king and his son into the Omnate. They quickly circled the room and stood between the royals and the two Omnate guards.
The guards saw the King and prince quickly bowed exclaiming, "My Liege and King, my Lord."
Thranduil gave the signal for them to stand upright. "Tell me, what news, and why was no message sent from the Omnate of this oncoming attack?" Thranduil eyed the two elves sharply.
The two elves, both young and just out of training, frowned and looked questionly at the captain of the guard. Uraile stepped towards the elves and sharply demanded, "Answer!"
The older of the two, a silver haired elf named Caleb stammered, "My Lords, we have saw naught of an attack or threat of any kind. The night has been quiet, and two hours before dawn this fog began to form over the lands. There has been nothing amiss, else we would have with diligence have reported so. My Lords." Caleb's neck was bent as he gave his report.
Uraile looked at the guard askew, "And what of the screams? Have you not heard? Did you see nothing?"
Caleb answered, "We have heard them, but knew not the source nor the reason. Then the alarms sounded, and we knew that his Majesty would soon arrive, so we waited, as we knew no information to report."
Legolas leaned to his father and whispered so that none else would hear, "Ada, I find it hard to believe that from this position which shows all of Greenwood the Great and the palatial grounds, that these two guards saw nor heard nothing. I fear they may be conspirators. I suggest sending them to the vaults below until their innocense or guilt can be divined. I would not have you to recieve a dagger in your back at an inopportune moment."
Thranduil listened intently to his son and most trusted advisor. He knew that Legolas was not only acting as his son, but also in his official capacity as protector of the King. Thranduil also doubted there would be any daggers in his back as Legolas was a trained assassin and more than capable of thwarting any attack on his person. Not to mention all the royal guards.
Acting on his son's advice, Thranduil commanded Uraile, "Detain them until further notice." Uraile motioned to three royal guards and the two Omnate guards were led away.
Thranduil walked around the outer edges of the room, looking out the windows. His pace was slow, as he tried to discern any images through the fog that blanketed his land.
"EEEIIIAAAA" "AAAAIIII" More screams were heard. Thranduil felt chills shiver his spine. He bent and looked at the skies directly overhead of the Omnate. The skies were dark with thick gray cloud coverage which blocked out the sun. Thranduil looked at the skies over his kingdom and noticed that all was under the thick gray cloud cover.
Legolas followed his father around the room, noting all the positions of the royal guard, and Uraile, his captain. Legolas also saw the clouded skies. "If the skies were to only break and allow the sun to shine, perhaps this fog would burn away."
"Aye son, but it stands to reason, if we cannot see through it, then our enemy cannot either."
"I cannot even see the great walls nor the gates Ada. I don't like it."
"Yet what can we do? We await word from the runner we sent."
Chapter Two
The private stepped into the white wall. He knew without question that his escort followed him. He felt the fog envelope him. He did not like the way it felt on his skin. It felt unnatural, heavy, dank, and somehow not right. Private Azureil knew that his path lay straight before him and would lead him to the gates. But knowing that bit of information did not ease his mind. The 200 steps to the gates could have been three leagues in this fog. He held his hand before him and could not see it. Azureil bent and prowled along the walk like a cat. He could sense the guards to the right, left, and behind him. He picked up his pace, unwilling to be out in the open any longer than he had to be.
His eyesight was useless and he felt somewhat vunerable. Azureil felt his head become congested and opened his mouth to try and 'pop' his ears. It was useless. Now he could not see further than the nose on his face, but he could not hear either. Azureil began to feel betrayed by his senses. He twisted his head and tried to see the guards around him. All he could interpret was white. That's how he felt. With the exception of feeling the walkway under his feet, he felt surrounded by white, devoid of sensations. Alone.
"Janire, can you hear me?" He asked of the guards.
"I hear you, although I can see nothing."
"I am here also." The others began whispering around Azureil, assuring each other of their presence.
"Let us come closer to one another, lest we become lost and seperated from one another." Azureil and the other guards felt like that was a good idea. Soon they were all pressed together, moving as one body instead of six. They crept along the cobblestone walkway, silent and wary of an enemy unseen.
"AAAAWWWW!" Another scream echoed around the small group. Azureil immediately crouched to the ground and the guards stood up and took a step outward. Azureil watched the guards faint outline. He raised his hand and wiped at his nose. He silently spat upon the ground and wiped his mouth.
Azureil found his nose to be stopped up, and his tongue drenched with the taste of the fog. He scrapped his tongue on his front teeth, trying to remove the putrid flavor from his mouth. His chest pulled hard on his lungs, vying for air.
Suddenly, on his right he heard one of the guards scream. "WAAA!" Azureil twisted his neck but saw nothing, only swirling fog where the guard had stood. "AAAWWW!" behind him. "AAAWWWAA!" in front of him. Azureil crawled on all fours, scrambling in the direction of the gates. He could hear the feet of the other two guards coming after him.
"Azureil! Wait!"
Azureil did not slow but got onto his feet and ran. He held his hands out before him as he ran and begged the Valar for mercy.
"AAAAIIII" came from just behind him. It gave him a start, and he jumped foward and doubled his speed. His feet felt heavy, and his heart raced inside his chest. Azureil felt as if he were suffocating in the heavy fog. But he did not stop running. Onward he forced himself, fear overcoming shame, the instinct to live outweighing all reason.
He felt something grab him under his left arm and began flailing his arms in an attempt to escape.
"Peace! It is I, Janire."
Azureil pushed his face towards the voice, relief shadowing his features. Together they ran forward until they crashed into the bars of the inner gates and fell backward onto the wet ground.
They did not lay there, but rolled over and crawled beside the gates and walls until they at last came to the door of the guardhouse. Frantically they beat upon it with their fists.
"Let us in! Let us in! It is me, Azureil and Janire. Let us in! Let us in!"
The door to the guardhouse opened slowly. Azureil and Janire felt the tips of swords and arrows upon their faces.
"It is, I recognize them. Quickly, quickly! Get in!"
Azureil and Janire scrambled inside and the door was shut behind them. They were immediately set upon with several questions.
"What is it? Did you see?"
"What attacks us?"
"How long were you outside?"
"Do you hear the screams? Who are they?"
"Why do they scream?"
Azureil and Janire dusted themselves off and peered about them in the guardhouse. It was Private Azureil who broke into the barrage first.
"We know as little as you. Yes we heard the screams and know not why they scream, nor do we know who or what attacks us. We are from the palace, sent by the king himself. Who is in charge here?"
A dark haired elf stepped forward and looked at the private. "You are a runner from the King?" he asked.
"Yes I am. I am private Azureil."
"I am seargent Daniwel. We may speak openly here, for I can not tell you anything that everyone here does not already know." Azureil nodded his head.
Daniwel continued, "This morning, before the break of the day, we were awakened by screaming. Then we heard the alarms from the palace. Then more screams. At once we were to arms and went to leave this guardhouse and to the gates and walls. When we opened the door, there was a private, I do not know his name except that he was a new graduate, and then there was no private but only his screams. He stood about center of the door, and then as if he were pulled up and away, he disappeared. Then his screams. We heard others screaming. We gathered our wits and ventured out into this cursed fog and found we could not see further than our own noses." Daniwel stopped and was lost in memory.
Daniwel gasped and looked at Azureil. "Forgive me. We could not see further than our noses and so decided to touch each others shoulders so as not to become lost and wondering in this white soup. I led the company to the gates and found them still secure. Then we heard different sounds. Elves were falling and grabbing their necks. They could not breathe, but were as drowning in water. One I saved. And I tell you that they were drowning for it was water I expelled from his lungs. He is in back recovering. Although he cries out alot, as if in pain and mortal fear." Daniwel grew paler and continued his story.
"Once we realized that we could drown in this fog, we returned to the guardhouse. There have been a few who...who...who have began shrieking and clawing at their faces, their heads, and ran out back into the fog. We tried to restrain them, but they were as if mad, but more so than mad. More like possessed and shrieking insane..." Daniwel fell silent.
Azureil and Janire stood staring at the seargent.
Janire hung his head ad began, "I felt something out there. Something that I did not recognize. Something foreign to me. I felt it, like it was scraping my mind. It was a small thing at first. Barely noticeable, and with the other guards disappearing into thin air, I paid it no heed. Then it grew stronger and more insistant. I ran until I came to Azureil and grabbed him by his arm. And together we made our way here."
Azureil told his tale, "I felt my head become congested and could not breathe. I could not hear, and what I did manage to catch, seemed far away and distant, even though the guards were screaming right beside me. I felt blind, and alone. With only the cobblestone under my feet and hands. I was afraid. I admit it. I was so afraid all I could do was crawl on the ground as fast as I could go. Then I was running. But though in slow motion. Then I felt the heaviness in my chest, and could not get enough air to breath. Every breath was a struggle and I was panicking, suffocating. It was then that Janire caught me by my arm and we ran here together."
Daniwel considered their words. "It is plain to me that this fog is in of itself a danger to us all. Never the less," he clapped Azureil on the shoulder, "the king must be told of this. You are the appointed runner and after a short rest you must return to the palace." Daniwel was never so glad in his life that it was not he that had such duty.
Azureil mouth fell open and he grew paler. "You mean back out there? In that! I can not. I will not. Though on pain of my life, I will not go back out there!"
Daniwel and Janire looked with pity on Azureil. Daniwel said, "But you must, Azureil. This duty is yours, and you took it on voluntarily. It is ok to be afraid, but to be a coward, no."
"I am no coward. I am just smart enough to know not to go back out it that white death. And death it is for any caught in it. I will not go!"
Janire stepped in front of Azureil, "Then who would you appoint this task, Azureil?"
Azureil looked about the guardhouse and hung his head. He knew he could not ask or demand anyone else go outside in his place. He knew he would have to face the white fog again, and whatever else was inside of it. He stood straighter, held his head up, squared his shoulders and answered with all the courage he could muster, "Forgive me, I was not myself. I will complete my appointed task, or die in the attempting."
Janire joined him, "And I will go with you. To the palace, or to death. We shall face our fates together."
Azureil looked gratefully at Janire. They joined their hands and drew a deep breath. The guards opened the door, and the two elves bent over and ran to the inner gates, then turned and ran for the palace.
Tighter their hands held as faster their feet ran. Janire and Azureil could feel the fear beginning to take hold on their minds but they did not give in to that fear, but continued to run. They took strength from one another and the contact of their clasped hands.
Fifty steps out, then one hundred steps. Azureil could feel his head stopping up again. With his free hand he grabbed his cloak and brought it to his face. He breathed through the cloak holding tighter still to Janire.
Janire matched Azureil's grip. He could feel the spectres scrapping over his mind, and could begin to see figures with his eyes. Not knowing what else to do, he closed his eyes and ran harder, pulling Azureil to match his speed.
Azureil could feel his heart beginning to pound inside his chest. "The water can't get through the cloak" he kept repeating inside his head. "Lots of air to breath. Plenty of air."
One hundred seventy five steps out and Azureil felt Janire stumble down onto the cobblestones. He pulled on Janire's arm. Azureil looked up and around them, knowing that whatever was out there would be close to them. He pulled harder but Janire did not respond. Azureil bent over and scooped the elf up in his arms. Janire was holding his head, shaking it back and forth, whimpering. Azureil did not waste any more time but sprinted the last twenty five steps and kicked on the palace doors.
"Let us in. Quickly, it is almost upon us. Let us in!" He shouted. Azureil spun around, sure he had felt a whisp of something on his shoulder. He began shrieking at the top of his lungs. He beat upon the palace doors with his back. He could hear the clicks of the locks being released, the bar scraping across the metal holders.
"Hurry! Hurry!" he screamed. Then he felt a presence. He felt something unseen wrap itself around Janire even as he held him in his arms. He pulled Janire tighter to his chest and bent over him protectively. He could hear himself shrieking again. He felt his throat start to become raspy, but still he screamed. He felt Janire being pulled away from him, and he leaned back, digging his heels into cobblestones. Then he felt hands on him from behind, pulling him into the palace.
Azureil felt Janire leaving his chest and being pulled upwards away from him. Using strength he did not until now know he possessed, he tightened his grip onto Janires wrists, and pushed himself backwards through the doors of the palace.
The guards had opened the doors and could not believe what they were seeing. There stood the private, clinging to another elf fighting some unseen force. They immediately grabbed onto the private and began pulling him inside the doorway. Some of the guards stepped in front of Azureil and began slashing at the fog with their swords. Archers loosed their arrows into the white wall and watched them disappear. One swordsman, seeing Azureil losing the battle with the fog and watching Janire's body being pulled upwards, jumped and grabbed onto Janire's chest. It was then that Azureil fell backwards into the palace. The other elves began dragging Azureil and Janire further inside, as the wardens pushed desperately at the doors to close them.
Once Azureil and Janire were safely inside, the swordsmen and archers threw themselves at the doors, straining agaisnt the whiteness, until at last the doors were shut and sealed again. The wardens and guards quickly slid the bar into place and locked the steel mechanisms.
The elves breathed heavy and looked at each other, not understanding what had just happened. The lieutenant stood and walked over to where Azureil and Janire lay on the floor.
Azureil was pale, hyperventilating and clutched his own chest. Janire lay beside him, holding his head and whimpering. The lieutenant stared at Janire. He could have sworn that Janire had dark thick raven colored hair. Janire's hair had turned white and stringy.
The lieutenant turned to his seargent and said, "Get these two elves to the halls of healing, and send a messenger to the King to meet them there." The lieutenant turned to the rest of his company and ordered, "On your feet, Elves. Stand your post and fight to the last."
His company of elves stood quickly and again resumed their posts at ready to fight and defend to the last elf. There burned in their eyes, a fire, hatred, and a little fear. But they obeyed.
Chapter Three
Inside the Omnate, an irritated king and prince stood over a simple wooden table in the center of the room plotting the where abouts of their various companies and the strength of each on a detailed map of the kingdom. The royal guard encircled the two, and the captain stood off to the side of the royals, grunting when appropriate.
Legolas noticed the grunts of the captain and stared at him frowning. "Is that all you can offer, a few grunts here and there, um um?"
Uraile looked at his prince, surprized. "No my Lord, I am simply paying attention to all that is being said, am in total agreement thus far, and did not wish to interupt."
Legolas squinted his eyes at Uraile's answer. "This is serious, Uraile, the kingdom is under attack, elves are dying, we do not know anything about the enemy we face, the runner has been gone for over an hour with still no word, and that blasted fog obscures everything."
"Yes, my Lord." Simply stated Uraile.
There was a knocking at the door. Thranduil, Legolas, and Uraile watched as a soldier was permitted entry.
The soldier walked a few steps more and bowed low to the royals, "My Leige and King, Prince Legolas, I have a message. The runner has returned with one of the guards sent and awaits you in the halls of healing."
Thranduil raised his eyebrows and looked at Legolas. He dismissed the messanger and sighed. "Uraile, you will take command here until our return. Legolas and I shall go to the halls of healing."
"Yes, my Lord."
Thranduil and Legolas, as well as all the royal guard except the two left with Uraile, decended the Omnate and made their way to the halls of healing. They passed a mirror on the way and Thranduil caught a glimpse of himself out of the corner of his eye.
He paused for a moment. It had been many years since he had seen himself in his battle dress and armor.
"Ada?" Legolas called to him
"Yes, yes, let us go." Thranduil continued down the hall towards the halls of healing. He had forgotten what he looked like dressed so. The armor of the Mirkwood Elves was a dark silver, made of mithril. The helms were close fitting, covering the entire head, leaving a slanted opening for the eyes to sight. The helm curved and covered the necks of her soldiers. The armor covering the body was fitted to the individual characteristics of the soldier, and at the joints the armor was connected by mithril mail. Thranduil had insisted that in the design of the armor, that each soldier wear a kilt and cape the color of Thranduil's banner. Wrapped around the kilt at the waist, was a scarf of non-descrip color, that tied on the side, allowing the excess ends to hang. Thranduil knew it was vanity, but decided that as king, he was allowed a little of such. That, and he believed it looked smart.
Thraduil secretly smiled at his image, proud of how he looked. He was proud of his men as well. The only difference between the uniforms were the plumes on the helms, designating rank. His and Legolas' plumes were the only black ones, with black waist scarves.
"Ada we are here.." said Legolas, pulling his father out of his thoughts once more.
They were greeted by the master healer, Urenas, an elf who had sailed from the undying lands in the beginning.
"Your runner is here Sire," said Urenas stopping by the bed of Azureil, "and his guard is here beside him." Urenas pointed at the bed beside Azureil. "But I caution you both, my Lords, not too long, and not too close."
Thranduil and Legolas looked at the patients and frowned. They were both bound to the beds by thick leather straps.
"Why are these elves strapped to their beds?" asked Legolas.
"My lord, madness has overtaken Janire," he pointed to the white haired elf, "and this one begins shrieking at the top of his lungs and having spasms. I assure you, it is for their own safety and ours, that we have done so."
Legolas and Thranduil stepped closer to the bed of Azureil. Thranduil glanced about, found a wooden stool, pulled it close and sat down upon it.
Thranduil looked up at his son with a question in his eyes.
"Azureil, Ada."
Thranduil nodded his head at turned back to the elf laying on the bed before him.
"Azureil." Thranduil called out. "Azureil, hearken to my voice, Azureil."
Azureil slowly opened his eyes and let them focus. When he saw who sat beside him, his eyes flew wide. "My Lord!"
"It's alright, Azureil." Thranduil reached out and patted him on his shoulder, "It's alright. You are safe now."
Azureil eyes flickered for a moment, remembering his journey to the guardhouse and back again. He breathed heavily and sighed.
"Tell me, Azureil, what news? Tell me all that you know and remember. It is important." Urged Thranduil.
"Yes my Lord. First I apologise for the delay in returning. It was not our doing, but that of another. We left the palace, intent on our mission. The fog...the fog..." Azureil closed his eyes shut, and his back arched unseemingly agaisnt the leather straps. "The Fog!" He shrieked. He twisted his head to the left, then to the right. "The Fog!" He twisted his body and tried to break free from the bonds that held him tight. "AAA! The fog!" He shrieked over and over.
Legolas put his hands on his daggers and stepped closer to his father and king.
At that moment Janire started screaming aloud, "Death! Death rides a pale horse! He comes! Death! He comes for us all!" Janire twisted and arched against his leather bonds, but they continued to hold fast.
Legolas grabbed his father up from the stool and pulled him back away from the screaming bound elves. He drew his daggers and put himself between his father and the beds of the two patients.
The royal guard, upon hearing the noise, rushed into the room with swords drawn and arrows nocked. Thranduil held his hand up and stayed them where they stood a few feet away.
Urenas rushed past the royal guards and over between the beds of the two elves. "My Lords, you must leave now."
"Master Healer, I will do no such thing," replied Thranduil. "We are being attack by an unknown enemy and those two possess the only information currently available and I will have that information."
The two stood looking at one another. Thranduil continued, "I want you to sedate them, but not to the point of unconsciousness. Just enough to calm them so that I may question them and get a coherant answer!"
Urenas nodded his head. He left and returned a few moments later with two cups of steaming liquid. He set the cups on a table between the two heads of the beds and bent over Janire. Urenas cradled his head and offered the cup to the lips. Janire drank the liquid greedily.
Urenas turned and did the same to Azureil. Azureil pulled away from Urenas, who had to call an assistant over to help. Together, they forced the liquid into the mouth and down the throat of the elf.
"It is done as you have commanded, my Lord. Wait a few moments, before attempting to question them again." Urenas stood, excused himself and went to stand close to the royal guard. Curiousity had gotten him. He too wanted to know what had caused these elves to behave so wildly.
Legolas turned to his father and spoke in a whisper, "Ada, if I may. You are King here, and such is not becoming to your station. That and I do not trust those straps to hold them down. If they were to free themselves, you would be at the mercy of madness. Let me question them. You stay here, well away from their reach."
Thranduil nodded his head and remained where he stood. He watched the elves closely. Legolas was still his son and he did not like him being so close the to mad elves either.
Legolas stepped forward and scooted the stool with his foot back towards his father. He squatted, kept a dagger in his right hand, sheathed the other and placed the free hand on Azureil's forehead.
"Azureil, it is I, Legolas. Hear my voice, awaken unto me." He spoke softly.
Azureil opened his drugged eyes and looked upon his Prince. "My lord, forgive me. I am not myself."
"There is nothing to forgive, Azureil. I must ask you some questions, and I need you to answer them truthfully, Azureil." Legolas stroked the elf's forehead gently, trying to reassure him. Legolas fingered his dagger handle just out of Azureil's sight.
Thranduil and the others listened intently, and waited for answers they all sought.
"Azureil," began Legolas,"tell me, what happened to you when you left the palace? Can you remember?"
Azureil blinked and shook his head that he did remember. "The fog stood like a wall at the doors. I stepped into it, and the five guards followed me. Once inside the fog, I could not see, my lord, past my own nose. It was thick, and clung to my skin, clothing and armor. And it smelled of water. Droplets were all over me. I could not see the others, but rather faintly sensed their presence." He breathed heavily, caught back in the memory of his foray outside the palace.
Legolas stroked his forehead again and spoke to him,"Continue Azureil."
Azureil looked up at his prince and sweat broke out on his brow. "It was not natural, you could feel it. But onward we strode, cautious like cats. About fifty steps out I called to the others. They were as uncomfortable as I. We agreed to walk touching one another, so as not to get lost or seperated from one another. We went on another few feet and that's when it began." Azureil drifted out to another memory.
"Azureil, what began?" asked Legolas, becoming wary of the elf.
"It began." Said Azureil, his eyes were wide and his lower lip trembled. "It began with a scream somewhere off in the distance. I could not tell from where. My head had filled up with congestion, I could not hear anything clearly, and what I did hear seemed leagues and leagues away, even though right beside me. And I was having difficulty breathing. As if my lungs were filling up, but not with air. Like I was suffocating. And you could not see anything but white. Everywhere white, swirling white. Then the guards sent with me were screaming. Such horrid screaming. In agony, screaming. I knew not what to do, I ran. Blindly. I ran, my prince. As fast as I could go...but my feet and legs were dragging as if caught in mire where there was none. But still I ran." Azureil's breathing became ragged and short. His eyes darted about the ceiling and he ran his tongue over his lips.
"Calm Azureil. Calm, it is over, only a memory and it cannot harm you. See I am here, I will protect you, Azureil. You are safe," assured Legolas.
Azureil eyes pleaded with Legolas. "Do you promise? Promise you will protect me, Prince Legolas?"
Shocked, Legolas nodded his head, "From all your demons. I will protect you, Azureil. You are safe here, none will harm you."
Silently, Uraile joined them in the room. He nodded at his king and stood with the royal guard. Thranduil knew that Uraile had left a trusted leuitenant in charge of the Omnate, and accepted it. He knew that Uraile would never be found more than ten steps from his side. He turned his head back and observed his beloved son with the two patients.
Azureil sniffled and continued with trembling lips, "Somehow Janire caught up with me. Together we ran until we hit the gates. We got up and went right, touching the walls until we came to the guardhouse. They let us in. I spoke to Seargent Daniwel. He reports nothing foreign on our soil, except this fog. They went out to investigate when members of their company simply disappeared screaming just like my guards. He said they made it back to the guardhouse, only to have some of their company run shrieking back into the fog." Azureil twisted his head away from Legolas.
"Some, my Prince, drowned. Daniwel said he managed to save one and it was water that he expelled from the lungs."
Legolas let the elf lay in silence for a few minutes then asked, "So no one has seen anyone or anything upon our land except this fog?"
Azureil looked again at Legolas. "Nothing except this fog."
"And your return trip?" asked Legolas.
Azureil swallowed. "I did not wish to go back into the fog, but in the end I do so. Janire came with me. We held hands and ran for our lives. It all began again. The deafness, the difficultly breathing, loss of senses. Then just before we reached the palace doors, Janire fell. I tried to pull him up but it was useless and I wound up carrying him. He was clutching his head, and crying. Then I felt it. I don't know what it was, but I felt it touch me. It wanted Janire. It tried to pull him from my arms, and were it not for the door wardens and guards at the entry doors, it would have succeeded. We barely made it back inside alive." Azureil closed his eyes and sighed.
"I don't know what's in that fog outside of here, but when it touched me, Prince Legolas, for just a flash, I could see a glimpse. I cannot describe what I saw, except that it chilled my heart and I knew a fear that I have never experienced before. I do not wish to ever go back out there again. I will forfeit my life before I do so."
Legolas stared at Azureil. He knew the elf was not lying, and would not be made to go back out again. Legolas let his hand drop to his side and looked down at the floor, considering all that Azureil had told him. It made no sence and sounded like the ramblings of a paranoid claustrophobic elf with an overactive imagination.
Janire began laughing insanely, interupting Legolas from his thoughts. Thranduil looked on aghast.
Legolas spun around on his haunches and stared at the laughing elf.
"Death comes for us Prince."
Legolas pulled his other dagger from its sheath.
"He rides a pale horse, and comes for us all!"
Legolas crept close to Janir's bed and looked the elf in the eyes. "What is this you speak? Explain yourself, Janire." He demanded.
Janire laughed and said "Dear dear Prince. You know nothing, yet seek all." He laughed again and then stopped suddenly, "Death rides a pale horse. I have seen him. Yes! Yes! It is Death that comes for us." Janire fell silent for the moment.
"I saw him, in the fog Prince Legolas," stated Janire forcefully. "It was he who attacked us and tried to pull me into his gaping maw." Janire started shrieking loudly, "Rows and rows of teeth. Endless. Always chewing. Chew chew chew! And he was pulling me into that maw. I heard the screams of the others. I saw them. Yes I did. I saw them." Janire cackled more.
Legolas jumped up and stared on at Janire in horror. Somehow he knew that Janire spoke the truth. His mouth was agape, and he his breathing was quick, heavy and short.
"I saw them!" Shrieked Janire. "Over and over they tumbled on and inbetween the jagged razor teeth. Screaming, always screaming. But they died not! Endless agony! Torture!" Janire shut his eyes and pulled agaisn't the straps. He began screaming more and more shrill.
"Death comes for the elves. Death! Death! Death!"
Legolas stumbled back until he fell into his father. Thranduil wrapped his arms about him. Legolas could not tear his eyes and ears away from Janire.
Janire pulled his head up and stared back at Legolas, "Death rides his pale horse and he wants you too, Legolas!" Janire collapsed onto his pillow and was silent.
Chapter Four
Legolas had withdrew both his daggers and stood leaning agaisnt his father, enveloped in his strong arms.
No one in the room moved, but stood staring at Janire.
Thranduil held his son, daring any to threaten his Greenleaf's life. Thranduil moved his son behind him and withdrew his sword. He eyed Janire, Azureil, then the others in the room.
"Know now," Thranduil bellowed throughout the room, "should any move agaisnt my son, I will personally cut off his or her head and mount it above my throne!"
Uraile stepped foward quickly, brought his right hand to his chest and swore, "And we would aide you, Sire!"
The elven company followed suit with a salute to show their loyalty.
Legolas stepped around his father and return the salute.
"Urenas, can any truth be trusted in what those two elves reported?" Asked Thranduil.
"Aye my Lord. They spoke truthfully," he answered.
"Come Legolas, Uraile, we will take counsel in my office," Thranduil said.
Thranduil, Legolas, Uraile, and the royal guard left the halls of healing and walked at a brisk pace to Thranduils personal office, just to the left of his recieving and throne room.
Legolas felt uneasy. His eyes darted over the walls, the floors, and windows. He knew not for what he searched. But he did know that he felt like a trapped rat and it unsettled him.
Thranduils brow was heavy and burrowed. He kept his thoughts turned to the report of the two elves in the halls of healing. He had never heard anything so fantastic, yet he wondered a big 'what if?'
Uraile followed his lords. He was silent, and felt a sour mood rising in himself. He remembered Janire's words directed at his lord Legolas. He was a young prince, sometimes impertinant and impatient, but made of a good heart and would someday make a good king for the people. Uraile did not like the threat agaisnt his prince, and would gladly fight to the death to protect him.
Thranduil led them across the marble floor of his throne room to his office, opened the door and went in and sat down behind his desk. Legolas and Uraile sat down in chairs opposite of Thranduil. A royal guard shut the door behind them. It was Thranduil who spoke first.
"Well, I for one am astonished at the reports of Azureil and Janire."
"And Ada, did not Janire used to have dark hair?"
Uraile answered Legolas, "Yes, my Lord, Janire's hair was a dark, dark raven color and thick too..."
Thranduil looked at his desk, and Legolas who had put away his daggers, sat tapping his slender fingertips together.
"What could turn his hair all gray and stringy?" Murmured Thranduil.
"And in the space of little more than an hour..." added Legolas.
Uraile cleared his throat. "My lords, I do not think we have much choice but to accept what they say, however wild it may sound."
"But if then their words are true, then that would mean the spectare within the fog is real." Legolas mumbled. Uraile swallowed hard, envisioning the words of Janire.
"And that their torment and suffering are real." Thranduil supposed.
"Ada, I have never heard of such a thing, nor read it in all my studies. How can such a thing exist? How would the Valar allow such a thing?"
"Son, the Valar allow Sauron to exist do they not? Not to mention the Balrog a most dreadful bane of elves, dragons and other horrid creatures on and in Arda. Mithrander used to say there were older and more evil things than that which I have mentioned dwelling in the deeps of the earth. Perhaps this is one of those things."
"A most dreadful evil," sighed Uraile.
They sat in silence for a good while, not sure of what to say or do next.
Legolas stood, unable to sit any longer and went over to the wall of books. He let his fingers play over the spines.
"Well, this is a foe beyond any of us, we must have help." Said Thranduil leaning back in his chair.
"But who can help us Ada? And how will we send word? Any who go out there in that fog, either die or go insane."
Thranduil looked at his decanter of wine. Suddenly he smiled, and knew the answer before him. "The same way we recieve my wine and send out for more, Legolas."
Legolas' eyes went wide as he spun around. "The river!"
Hope grew in their hearts.
"Where shall we seek the aide Ada, Imladris or Lothlorien?"
Thranduil chewed his lips a few seconds before answering, "I think Imladris and Lord Elrond. He is keeper of the ancient wisdoms and heirlooms. I think if any knowledge exists of our attacker, it will be found there. And if not, Lord Elrond will surely be able to summon Mithrandir, and other Lords and Ladies as might be able to aide us in our hour of need."
Legolas strode over to his father, "Ada, who will we send?"
Uraile shot up out of his chair, "I will go!"
Thranduil stood slowly and smoothed his kilt. "Yes Uraile, you will go also. But I will send Legolas. He is my official ambassor to the other elven realms. He is also my heir. Should things go badly here, my bloodline will continue in him. And you, Uraile, are witness to my words, and guard to my son." Uraile nodded his obediance.
"Nay Ada. I would stay, and fight by your side, till the end. I will not leave you Ada!" Legolas growled the last part.
"Peace son. Lord Elrond would not suspect your word, and hold them true. Time is precious, and we have none to waste. And should the worst of fates be upon us, I would have you live on, that the memory of my house and people die not also. Promise me son, that you will live on."
Legolas swallowed and rushed into his father's embrace. Tears slid down his face and he choked out, "I promise Ada. I will return with help. You and your house shall live, our people shall live."
Thranduil held his son closely, aware that this could be the last time he would have the precious gift. "I love you son. I always have, and I always will love you." He layed his face on the top of Legolas' head and breathed his scent.
"I love you Ada." Legolas squeezed his Father tighter and buried his head in his chest. "I love you Ada" he repeated again and again.
Uraile turned away, giving them as much privacy as he could. After a good while, Thranduil released his son and looked at him. He brought up his hand and using his fingers, wiped away the tears staining Legolas' face.
"Cry not my son. Save your tears for what may be ahead," Thranduil gently said.
Legolas pulled himself together, and hardened his heart.
"Let us be about the saving of our Kingdom. To the vaults!" Commanded Thranduil.
Authors note: Long has this story been tumbling around in my head and here is the beginning of it. I will update regular and often. Please review and let me know what you think.