Disclaimer: You recognise it, Tolkien owns it! So that leaves me with Rómen, Lómë, Tirmor and Nimlothnen. Oh, and the Malteasers.
A/N: Well I quite honestly say that you are the luckiest bunch of readers I have ever had – I never usually update this quick. Just ask Enny – yes, Second Star to the Right will be coming at some point! So I don't think there's too much to say for this one – oh, I forgot to tell you last chapter that the tune for the lullaby is 'LondonBridge', the nursery rhyme. As for this chapter -
berionin – protect me
And I'm going to assume that the others you know or at least recognise. An assumption I am bound to regret, but there you go! Oh and this hasn't been beta-d, so, if there are any typos, just yell at me!
Reviewer replies as the end!
Enjoy
Chapter Four – The Wind is Rising
'Follow your heart, little child of the west wind
Follow the voice that's calling you home
Follow your dreams but always remember me
You are my brother under the sun.'
-- Bryan Adams, My Brother Under the Sun
"Are you well, Estel?" Legolas asked quietly, his fair face masked with concern. He kept his voice low so as not to attract the attention of others at the table, though had he spoken normally the words would have been drowned out.
"Estel, are you well?" he repeated, when the young man made no answer. The elf Prince frowned; his own plate was mostly empty but for a few unwanted items –the Ranger's on the other hand was all but untouched, a very unusual occurrence at the man's meals the elf had come to realise, and while the cooks might simply feel put out, he himself could not help but to be worried.
"Estel? Are you alright?" Elladan echoed the Prince, leaning cross the table to peer into his human brother's eyes; but they were glazed grey and far away from the dinner table in the Palace of Mirkwood. He reached out and took his brother's hand, stirring him back into the waking world. Estel started slightly, his face holding a puzzled expression. Elrohir nudged his twin gently in the ribs; something was troubling the Ranger anyone could see, but the Noldor elves knew he was usually far better at hiding it than this.
"Hmn?" Estel murmured questioningly, his eyes betraying the feeling that he wasn't completely focused on them.
"Are you alright?" Elladan asked again, squeezing the young man's hand a little.
"Oh – yes, yes I am fine," he assured them, forcing a meek smile to his lips.
"You look rather pale," Elrohir told him, unconvinced. "You haven't eaten a proper meal for three days."
"Perhaps you are tired?" Lómë suggested unexpectedly from Legolas' other side. Estel's eyes lit up and he seized the idea like a life-line – something that the young twin did not miss.
"Yes, I believe that must be it. The air has been very crisp lately; I think it has worn me out."
Legolas raised an elegant eyebrow, knowing full well that the Ranger had put up with far more than crisp air and been none the worse for wear.
"It would do you well to eat something then, my friend," he commented lightly.
"I think I'll just get some rest actually," he replied hastily, glancing at his intact meal with near regret, and rose to his feet, pulling away from his brother's touch.
The twins were by no means persuaded by a single thing Estel had just said, but decided not the push the matter – not yet anyway – and consented to let him go. He bowed stiffly and exited the hall as quickly as possible without seeming too rude; then as soon as he as out of eye shot he broke into a run, speeding through the empty corridors and scaling the flights of stairs as swiftly as any elf could boast, before bursting into his room, and closing the door behind him he flung himself down on his bed, praying to Eru that the twins would not follow.
For several minutes, he just lay like that on the bed, unmoving, breathing in the sweet scent of the fresh sheets and thinking of nothing else; but soon there was no more he could preoccupy himself with and he sat up, kicking off his boots and leaning against the headboard, pulling his knees up to his chin. Elrohir was right; he hadn't eaten a proper meal in three days, but his stomach was in too much turmoil to be able to handle anything heavy right now. Not since –
He knew he was in all likelihood over-reacting. He knew that there was without a doubt some sort of logical explanation that would mean the whole situation made sense – he just couldn't find it was all.
Leaning over, he open the bed side draw and pulled out the delicate white flower. The velvety petals had lost none of their lustre being shut in the dark, nor the faint glow that seemed to emanate from them. Three or four rings of brilliant white petals flushed with pale green beamed up at him, as fresh and alive as the day the blossom had been picked. Sitting back against the head board, he laid it in his open palms, the soft cool feel of it as sweet as its fragrance. It was a beautiful thing he could not deny, nor did he have any desire to do so – yet for some reason, its very being made him uneasy, unsettling his stomach and leading to the inadvertent fast.
The fire in the grate had been lit late that afternoon and now it cackled happily, warming the room like a busy kitchen. Still holding the lily in his hands, he felt himself growing drowsy as the warmth sunk deep into his bones, filling him with a heavy leaden sleepiness. Bit by bit, his weakened body succumbed to the inevitability of sleep…
…"My Lady, I speak to you only from the heart and in light only of your best interests! Can you not see that? Will you not listen?" an exasperated voice near shouted.
"Do not raise your voice to me!" a woman replied, her words strong and unfaltering. "I have told you, I am very much aware of my best interests! Wish all due respect sir, I cannot give you what you seek, for it is not mine to give."
"Well if not yours, then whose my Lady?!" the male voice bellowed now, his shadow raging against the fire lit wall.
"I am married with a son, the Crown Prince of the Kingdom no less. I love my husband, and I will not so lightly throw my vows away, and I would bid you do the same." The woman's shadow turned to leave when the other caught he arm tightly.
"I have made my vows, and by standing here I keep them!"
"Unhand me!" The woman's shadow struggled against his grip. "How can you say you love me and yet hurt me? Unhand me I say!" The faintest trace of fear laced her words now, though the voice did not yet shake.
"Love works in mysterious ways my lady; you cannot say that is untrue."
"I can say that a love that would cause harm is untrue!" she hissed, pulling her arms clear but remaining where she stood.
"You know not of what you speak," the male muttered in disgust.
"I think I understand my own meanings," she answered boldly. "What would you have me do? Abandon here all that I love and hold dear? All that I have worked so hard to build within these walls, simply on a whim of yours? I will not, I cannot do it!"
Quick as a flash, he had spun on his heels and slapped her sharply across the face. Her own shadow reeled backwards, clutching her cheek as she cried out in pain.
"You feel that?" he roared, "That is pure, undying love! Do you deny that?"
She did not answer, but her shadow turned to face him once more, her hand still to her cheek.
"Do – you – deny it!" he roared, towering over her. Yet still she stood tall, looking him straight in the eye even as he yanked her hand from her face.
"You are very sick, sir, very sick if you believe I could ever love any one like you."
Growling in anger, he grasped her face with both hands and forced a kiss onto her, a desperate urgent kiss that knocked her back; but with all her strength, she pulled back just far enough to slap him hard and turned to run; but she was not fast enough. With a half scream that died in her throat, he lunged for her and sent them both tumbling to the floor. Their shadows scrabbled and kicked out at one another, but she was quickly overcome, and she shuddered visibly at the sound of a dagger being drawn. She struggled to no avail, pounding at every bit of free flesh he had, trying with all her will to save her life.
His shadow loomed over her, the dagger long and deadly in the light.
"I hereby fulfil my oaths my Lady," he breathed hoarsely, "If I may not love Nimlothnen, Queen of Mirkwood, then none may."
With a last, echoing scream that seemed to rip apart the very fabric of the world, the long knife swept into her beating heart and stopped it forever. Her final breath caught in her exposed lungs as her soul fled, but her last words haunted her murderer for ever…
"Amin estel…"
Estel…
…Estel…
"Estel!"
With a shuddering, gasping breath, Estel sprang awake, his eyes wide as he struggled with some unseen foe, knocking futilely against them with everything he had, but with his body weakened by lack of energy that was not much.
"Law!" he sobbed. "Law, berionin, berionin!"
"Estel! Lasto beth nîn!" Strong arms grasped his shoulders, holding the squirming man down beneath them. "Listen to me Estel, its Elrohir, calm yourself, you are safe, you were dreaming young one…"
Slowly, steadily, Estel's breathing came back under control though his chest still rose and fell deeply. His vision swam into focus to reveal the anxious timeless grey of his brother's eyes poring into his own, and closed his own, finally separating dream from reality.
"It is well young one, you are safe," Elrohir whispered gently, releasing his hold on Estel's shoulders.
Estel nodded slowly, the soothing sound of his brother's voice stilling his stampeding heart. When he opened his eyes again, Elrohir was sitting on the bed with one leg folded underneath him, the other dangling to the floor. He smiled weakly and levered himself up on his elbows, knowing with dread that Elrohir had come here with a purpose.
"You were calling in your sleep," Elrohir said softly, making the Ranger jump. He hadn't talked in his sleep for a long time.
"What did I say?" he replied, trying to keep his face neutral.
Elrohir stayed silent, watching Estel closely. "Not a lot that made any sense to be honest," he admitted, "Though I know not what is running through that mind of yours; perhaps if I did, I could understand."
Estel looked everywhere but his brother.
"You cannot keep your peace forever Estel," he said wisely, not pushing the young man too hard.
"I can try," came the muttered reply.
"Nay, for you will die of starvation first I fear," Elrohir said, slipping him a wry grin, "And then what would father say?"
Estel chuckled softly, imagining his father's face if the twins brought him back half alive through lack of food. "It would not do much for relations with Mirkwood I think," he smiled.
Elrohir nodded, waiting for Estel to speak first.
"Do you believe in ghosts, Ro?" he asked finally. The question startled the twin.
"I could not say – the souls of mortals are said to linger in unrest upon Middle Earth, some seeking vengeance, others solace."
"What of Elves?" Aragorn asked carefully.
"Elves do not remain as ghosts, Estel. Our souls all go to the Halls of Mandos, whether we will or we nill. There is no remaining here for us, unless we are sent back."
"Like Glorfindel?"
Elrohir nodded. "But that is a rare thing indeed."
Silence again, as Estel frowned in confusion.
"Then I do not know," he sighed in frustration. "I cannot explain it. I do not know where to start."
"The beginning is a popular place, I'm told," Elrohir mocked gently.
"You would not believe me even were I to tell you," Estel said, shaking his head.
"How can you know if you do not try me first?"
To this Estel had no reply, and sighed again in resignation. "I know it sounds… strange. Insane – as though I am insane… Perhaps I am." He had not pondered this option before.
"I shall be the judge of that when I have heard your tale, brother," Elrohir said, settling himself more comfortably. "Now pray leave your excuses aside."
"It began our first night here I think," he started, a frown creasing his brow. "When King Thranduil ordered me from the hall… I came up here and I heard – someone singing." It sounded lame somehow, he knew, but Elrohir merely gazed at him, quietly prompting him to continue. "I did not pay it much heed then, for my mind was troubled with other things. Then the next day, when I went to collect my sword and bow from Legolas' chambers, I heard it again; a child's lullaby I decided and I heard also the laughter of a woman and a child and… the perfume of lilies was in the air. I assumed it was a nurse or mother and thought no more of it, until Legolas informed me no child had been born in Mirkwood for five hundred years."
Elrohir nodded silently, acknowledging the fact, but did not speak; nor did his face reveal any of his thoughts. Taking strength from his, he carried on.
"That was the last I heard of it… Until three days ago. I was using Legolas' bathing room, because you and Dan were using the one on our floor and Legolas said he did not mind. It's a very grand room – all marble and creamy white, flecked with green and dark shades of grey. And the tub is a small pool in the floor, the water level came up to my chest – quite deep, don't you think? I am tall enough and it"-
"Estel," Elrohir interrupted gently. "You are avoiding something."
"Yes," he agreed faintly, "I suppose I am, aren't I?" He swallowed, fiddling with the sheets on his bed. The lily he noticed was discarded on the floor, as yet unseen by his brother. He wondered why.
"It was very misty – I could have been seeing things, I was very tired that day – or perhaps my eyes were just playing tricks…" He trailed off into silence.
"What did you see?" breathed Elrohir.
"A – woman," Estel croaked. "All in white with golden tresses and lilies were in her hair. She – she was washing a child, her child I think, and they were laughing – but – but then the child was gone and her dress was slashed, stained with blood. There was blood on her face, on her hands… And she whispered at me; then she was gone."
Elrohir sat unmoving and unspeaking, for he sensed there was yet something his brother had not spoken.
"When I could move again – for I was frozen even as I stared, I could not even breathe – when I could move again, I went to where she had been. There was a smaller bath, a child's bath, and a lily was floating upon the water."
It seemed to Estel then that the following silence lasted an eternity. His brother did not stir, but sat perfectly still, his face masking his thoughts as his grey eyes narrowed.
"Do you think I am insane?" Estel whispered.
The smallest of noises that the human could not detect caught the Elf's attention. He span around and onto his face, facing the door and froze to listen again, before taking three sprinted steps towards it and pulling it open to reveal – nothing. There was no one there.
"Hello?" he called down the corridor, but it was empty, and all the doors were closed. His brow knotted uneasily, and after a final futile check, he closed the door and turned back to his brother who was watching him with earnest anxiety.
"What did you hear?" he asked quietly.
"I thought… but it does not matter," Elrohir shook it off, resuming his position on the bed. "And in answer to your question, no; I do not believe you are insane."
"You don't?" Estel said incredulously, hardly daring to trust his ears. "Truly?"
"Truly," he nodded in reply, "I have heard many stranger things in my time that what you have just told me, though perhaps none so disturbing. Do you know who she was, this woman that you saw?"
Secretly, Estel had his own ideas, but he decided to keep that to himself for now. "I know not, only that she was very, most likely Silvan."
"Do you have the flower now?"
"Yes I brought it back, its there." Estel pointed to the lily on the floor.
Elrohir followed his gaze, but did not seem to latch onto it. "Where?"
"There – look, by the table," Estel motioned with his hand, but still it seemed the elf could not see it.
"Could you pick it up and show me?" he said finally, an idea coming to mind.
Bewildered and in serious doubt again as to his own mental state, Estel leant off of the bed and scooped the lily up in his hands, bringing it up to rest on the sheets. A soft "Oh!" of surprise escaped Elrohir.
"By Eru," he whispered, near speechless with wide eyes.
"What? What is it?" Estel asked suddenly worried, checking the lily over.
"And you could always see it? As plain as daylight?" Elrohir made sure.
"What do you mean? Of course I can see it – Ro, what's going on?"
"I could not tell you Estel – I am as lost as you," answered the twin, staring at the lily as though he'd never seen one before. "But until you picked it up, I could see nothing but the bare floor."
"Perhaps it was hidden in shadow?" suggested Estel.
"Perhaps…" Elrohir murmured to himself, but he didn't sound convinced. "Estel, I would speak to Elladan about this – do you mind?"
"You will tell no other?"
"You have my word," Elrohir assured him.
"Then I trust you," the Ranger smiled. The twin had gotten up to leave when he remembered something. "Ro, what did you hear me saying in my sleep?"
Elrohir studied him long and hard, as though decided whether or not he was ready to hear what he was about to be told.
"You said nothing coherent; only 'listen', 'to' and 'these walls'."
"Listen to these walls?" echoed Estel, completely confused.
"And maybe that is exactly what we should be doing," Elrohir sighed, passing a hand over his eyes. "Get some rest Estel; on the morrow, I want you to eat three full meals, understood?" he said in incredible likeness of his father.
Estel nodded, and Elrohir kissed him lightly on the forehead. "Goodnight Estel," he bid and left the room to find Elladan.
Estel placed the flower carefully on the side table before changing out of his clothes. Outside, a steady wind was rising and whistling through the autumn trees.
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Morning dawned grey and bleary; heavy ashen storm clouds suffocated the Palace and forest, threatening at any moment to unleash an unforgiving torrent of pounding steel. Legolas gazed out at the despondent day, a sense of foreboding in his heart. He knew why – firstly, the weather meant he would be forced to sit on his father's Council meeting this morning, something his heart did not rejoice in; and secondly, because it meant Estel could not go into the forest to avoid the King. He would have to make sure Rómen kept him busy today, for both their sakes.
A soft knock at the door broke him from his reverie.
"My Prince?" Tirmor called.
"Enter," Legolas answered, quickly throwing a shirt over his head.
The door clicked open as Tirmor entered with a silver tray laden with bread and honey and fruits, along with a jug of water.
"Your father requested I bring your breakfast to you this morning," he explained, setting it down on a table and pouring the water into a glass. "I believe he wishes to speak with you before the Council."
Legolas took the glass with a grateful smile. "Do you have any idea what he wants to speak to me about?"
"I could not hazard such a guess at my Lord's mind," Tirmor smiled, making Legolas grin.
"Tirmor, you have known him all of his life; you could predict his very breathing pattern if you put your mind to it, I do not doubt."
"You're very kind," Tirmor said, rolling his eyes. "I believe it may be about your human friend, though I may be wrong."
"Estel? What has he done now to offend Mirkwood's King?" Legolas set down his glass, his father's temper flaring through him.
"Nothing to my knowledge, so do not worry yourself my Prince," Tirmor assured him. "Oh, but Lord Elladan requested I inform you that Strider has just devoured half of our kitchens for breakfast, and hopes you will not mind overly."
"Has he indeed?" Legolas smiled again, "Well I am glad he is eating again at least. I thought it would pass."
"Most things with mortals do, my Prince," agreed Tirmor, before turning to the wardrobe. "Will you be wearing your regal tunic for the Council today?"
"Yes, someone saw to it yesterday; freshly cleaned and pressed, do not worry," Legolas told him. Tirmor bowed his head and turned to go. "Tirmor, could you pass a message to Rómen for me if you are passing that way?"
"No doubt I will find reason to do so, my Prince; what is the message?"
"Tell him to keep Strider busy with him today, and that the twins many accompany them too if he so wishes. My mind would rest the easier for knowing he is not inadvertently offending anyone else."
"It is done my Prince."
"Thank you Tirmor," Legolas called as the elf shut the door.
He was half way through his breakfast when another knock sounded on the door, sharp and demanding.
"Legolas?"
"Come in Adar," Legolas called, brushing crumbs from his clothes.
The door swung open and Thranduil stepped in, a new crown of autumn leave and berries upon his golden hair.
"I trust you slept well?" enquired the King as he seated himself opposite his son.
"Very much so Adar," Legolas told him, pouring his father a glass of water. "Tirmor said you wanted to speak to me?"
"Yes – it's about the human," Thranduil began, and inwardly Legolas smiled. "He has not crossed me as you vowed, since the feast. I would lift the burden of him from your shoulders my son, on the basis that perhaps my first judgement was clouded by emotion. He is free to stay within Mirkwood, so long as he keeps his place."
"Hannon lle, Adar," Legolas grinned as he pushed his plate from him.
"Good; well, are you prepared for the Council?" Thranduil surveyed his son with approval; he looked every bit the Royal Prince that he should.
Legolas nodded, taking a deep sigh at the thought of four hours locked in a chamber room with the bickering Councillors. "As well as I will ever be Adar."
"That is well; we shall need to be well prepared, with today's agendas."
"And what would they be Adar?"
"The price of wine, the affairs of the gardeners and a squabble over a path of brambles to name but a few," the King replied, keeping a dead straight face as Legolas snorted most un-prince like into his water. "I do not know why you're laughing Legolas; they are very important topics, the sort that keep the Kingdom going." Yet there was a merry twinkle in his eye.
"Oh of course, I have no doubt about that Adar," he nodded in mock earnest.
"Eru only knows where you picked up that stubborn streak, Legolas," he said as he rose to his feet and headed for the door. "It certainly didn't come from my side of the family."
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Dark eyes glinted malevolently under a hood as leather gloved hands gripped vice like at the stormy grey mane of his mount, the hoof falls falling like thunder on the frozen ground. The rider cursed continuously under his breath, kicking his steed ruthlessly for more speed than the animal could give, making it foam at the mouth though it bore no bit. Hundreds and hundreds of years he had kept this deadly secret and now some good-for-nothing, busy-body mortal was about it ruin it all! A plague on them all, on all men in Middle Earth! He didn't know how, but the boy within Thranduil's halls knew too much, more than anyone should, and he needed to stop it before things got out of hand. He had already told one of those infernal twins, who knew what he'd do next? No, he needed to check first; a sudden death would be too suspicious. He needed to follow him for a while yet, to make sure… Then when he was, he would know what to do. He had vowed no one would ever break his oath – if it took innocent blood to keep it, then innocent blood was the price. One less man in the world would do no one any harm.
Over head, the rising wind howled and shrieked, heralding the coming of the first major autumn storm.
Quite a dark chapter that wasn't it? Not much humour at all. I promise I shall make up for that in the next chapter, but I needed to get this out of the way first. So if you enjoyed, or if you didn't, or if you're just bored, please press that pretty review button! Thank you!
Reviewer Replies
Star-Stallion – Aww, flowers are perrdy! Lol brilliant idea! Deceptive and dark – just what we need! Ahahahaha! Yeeessssss well if someone would be so kind as to start one of them off I would gladly add to it, but I've not the time to start anything extra myself atm! Chemistry coursework, Geography coursework, English coursework... Grrrr coursework. So yeah, if you wanted to start either I'd add. I KNOW! CAN YO BELIEVE THE PAIR OF THEM?! Amy gave Thraniel 'the talk' but I can't help but feel that perhaps it was a little late!
sielge – Yay addictiveness! Hopefully the sort that won't kill you, like smoking… Ergh… Anyways, glad you liked it!
HarryEstel – Evil? Moi? Ah, but you are too kind! Teehee, hope you enjoyed this!
silvertoekee – Lol know what you mean about the whole changing fic thing. I usually don't actually decide on a story plot entirely until it's written! Probably not healthy, but there you go. Yeah I liked the leaf fight, I wanted to make sure the fic didn't get too heavy and with the twins and Rómen I've got a good few scapegoats. Glad you enjoyed it!
Tori – Yay! Nice long review! Lol you're not being silly, I know just what you mean about the substance thing. And I'm so glad you liked the characters! I've tried really hard to keep them true and not change them, so I'm glad it hasn't gone unnoticed! Oh I hate those horrid Thranduil stories – pray tell, how exactly can Legolas have turned out so nice a person if his father is a butchering maniac? I ask you… lol. Yay believable is good! I like that film, but the inspiration for this actually came from seeing a production in the West End in London called 'The Woman in Black'. It was absolutely terrifying! I loved it! No, luckily, it won't bite off Estel's hand, but its not entirely normal either… Wait and see! Glad you enjoyed it!
Mellaithwen – Grr with the rain. Lol yay for the fleeting angst!!! Oh I'm blushing. Teehee thankeeeee! Lol if I had a pound for every reviewer who said 'scary flowers'… I'd have about a fiver. Lol, enjoy!
Lindele – Strange happenings indeed! Hope you liked this.
Encaitarince – SING, SIIINNNNGGG! SING, SING, SING, SING!!!!!! Ah Travis, good song… Anyways! EEEK! Lol the only time I'll be able to get that one done will probably be half term, so another two or three weeks of waiting I due I'm afraid! I know its terrible but I've got so much school work at the moment… Grrr damned stuff. Lol, glad you like it!
Joshua Nenya – Yay new fave person! I'm glad you liked the flower touch, but suddenly everyone seems to have a fear of flowers… Oops. Ah wel! I know what you mean, reading a language is much easier than actually forming a reply to it. Yeah the South East is alright, got plenty going for it I suppose, but to be honest I really love the north and west, because there is so much open space; you don't really git it down in the south, its all cut up and owned. Wow you look daily? I feel bad now, I update like every week and a half… Sorry! Hope you enjoyed this!
grumpy – I shall never enter a bather tub again without checking first whose it is me thinks. Lol glad you liked the leaf fight, hope you enjoyed this too!
Loadsa love, Estel xxx