BAM! Back! Before the break was over! You all should give me a damn medal because that is hard for me! Any where, here is action and creepiness, just like this story is. So sit back, then sit forward because this is might actually be creepy...
"Such a silly girl hm?" The Jealous Man mused, turning to his elven men, "thinking she would be able to survive in the world without me there to protect her? Well don't worry, we'll get your queen back real soon, and maybe some new elves. Yes, I think it is high time the first borns meet their true god." With that he turned back to the forest, and with a kick of his horse he trotted onto the elven path that brought him in deeper in the woods. His men followed behind, their heads constantly twitching and fear surrounding their eyes. They stayed easily on the path, making swift time through in the new night. Soon they were approaching the elven gate, and they pulled their exhausted horses to a walk as the Jealous Man felt a presence among them. He stopped his horse completely, listening to his surroundings. Making a motion with his hand, his lost minded men dismounted, standing slanted as they waited for orders. Suddenly they were surrounded, ten elves with arrows drawn at them. However, when the patrol saw the drooling elves, and the crazy man atop his horse, they panicked.
"What's the matter?" The Jealous Man asked, "not used to seeing a true elf? Well don't flatter yourselves, you all are nothing more than scraps of skin I can use, or maybe some men, but I don't have use for any of you." Then with a flick of his wrist the drooling elves leaped forward, slashing and hacking at the elves until they were barely recognisable. The Jealous Man dismounted, dragging the horse along with the reins he crept along, his men following the exact same. They were soon upon the gates, two guards in heavy armor stood guard, but the Jealous Man simple stood and walked forward, his chin high. The guards drew their spears, but a scream escape one as they saw the horrid face of the patched man in the moonlight. Two of the Jealous Man's goons ran forward, running through the two guards with their swords before hitting them again and again with their swords. The Jealous Man stride past them, entering the palace. He glanced around the casim, taking in his surroundings before a scream was heard by him, turning he saw a women, hand over her mouth and nose as she backed away in fear. Not even a minute after the scream was heard guards came running, King Thranduil and Legolas with them as well. Legolas notched an arrow at the man, ready to release, but the Jealous Man stepped into the candle light and Legolas stepped back in dismay. The man was a mixture of skins, patches stitched onto his body with different colors and textures. His right eye was a dark brown while the left was a ghost green, both lazy and turning in odd directions. His hair was brown, neatly groomed and braided. His clothes were noble, but torn in many places. The other parts of his body were stitched together, and fingers unable to bend properly as he approached King Thranduil, gesturing to the kingdom.
"It is a lovely palace, underground, secluded from the outside world. However, when I got to find my love, none can stand in my path." He flicked his wrist, and some of his men left, going to find Kuil, but Thranduil's guards stopped them, extending their spears to them.
"You will turn you and your men around and leave." Thranduil ordered, voice hard and menacing, "you are not welcomed here!"
"And why am I not?" The Jealous Man lunged forward, inches away from the king, "because you're scared? Because you've never seen a true elf? I have worked hard king Thranduil, worked hard to become a true elf for you, to show what a true elf should look like, should act?"
"We should look like monsters?" Legolas spoke, voice mimicking his fathers, "like spawns of Morgoth?" The Jealous Man turned his head slowly towards the prince, and in an instant his was on Legolas, hand clutching the prince's jaw and eyes examining him. The guards drew their swords, and so did Thranduil, having it ready to attack. The Jealous Man studied Legolas, his mouth open to reveal his mixture of teeth.
"You have... beautiful eyes, so... bright. Like your father, but less... old. You've see less war, less death... so young." Legolas struggled against his grip, but the grip was too strong much to his surprise. The Jealous Man lifted his other hand, revealing his long curled fingers nails, slowly bringing it up to Legolas' face, but before he could touch him, Thranduil lifted his sword towards the Jealous Man. The metal rested against the neck of the Jealous Man, eyes burning with protection.
"You will not touch him!" Thranduil hissed, trying to reassure the fear in his son's eyes.
"Oh, the father protecting his scared little boy." The Jealous Man laughed, "what are you gonna do? Slice my throat? well do it!" The Jealous Man took the blade, his head dripping with blood from gripping the blade, he turned his body to Thranduil who now stood, stupefied. The Jealous Man took the sword and slowly driving it into his throat, blood oozing out. Everyone stood, shocked and feared again from this man stabbing himself. He kept driving the sword through him, eventually getting to the hilt and was inches away from the king again.
"You see false elf." He whispered, "you cannot kill me. No one can kill... the perfect elf." There was then a scream, a female scream, and Legolas turned towards the source. He saw the guards that stopped the insane elves dead, blood covering the floor. The insane elves appeared again though, dragging Kuil with them. The Jealous Man drew the sword out of his throat, turning towards Kuil, a smile wide on him.
"Ah, my beautiful wife! Thought you could slip away hm? Well don't worry my love, you'll come home safe and sound, and we'll just forget everything that happened. Wouldn't that be nice, Anwa?" Kuil looked at him, terror filled her blue orbs. He placed his bloody hand on her cheek, smearing the crimson liquid on her. Though as they locked eyes, Kuil saw Legolas and Thranduil, their eyes terrored, but heart broken, broken that they've failed her. As she studied them, she suddenly got a spark of courage, courage that she can escape, that Legolas and Thranduil will protect her, just like they said.
"No." She breathed, turning back to the Jealous Man who lifted his eyebrows, intrigued.
"No?" He questioned, a hint of anger in his voice.
"No, I will not return to you, to your dark cave where you s-skin elves! Skin them because you think they aren't worthy. My n-name is not Anwa, that was a name you gave me when you captured me! My name is Kuilestel, and I am not your wife!" Legolas stared in amazement at her, jaw wide, her courage is greater than anyone I have ever seen. The Jealous Man though did not admire her courage, he slapped her, she cupped her burning cheek. He lifted her chin, his nails digging into her soft skin.
"YOU ARE MY WIFE!" He hissed, so close to her that the blood from his neck began to drip onto her night gown. "YOu are my lovely wife, and you are one of the rare elves that is worthy to keep your soul. So you come back with my, sweet, sweet love." There was silence in the palace, no one knew what to do, the guards were too terrified to draw their swords, and Kuil's courage drained from her. The Jealous Man smiled, stroking her face he calmed.
"Good girl, good girl. You see, you belong with me." The guards approached, taking her and starting to drag her away. As they took her the Jealous Man turned back to Thranduil and Legolas, smiling and giving a slight bow.
"Thank you king Thranduil and prince Legolas, for taking care of my love. I shall be back to... show you the ways of what a true elf is like." He then turned and left, Kuil looked at Legolas one last time, her eyes watered, and Legolas could see the craziness already coming back to her. They left, guards quickly closing the gates behind her, and Legolas collapsed onto his knees. He stayed there, breathing heavily, his hands gripping his knees as he shook. Thranduil knelt next to his son, wrapping an arm around him and holding him close.
"... he's a monster..." Legolas exhaled, "how can he be alive! How... how can a mortal man become completely immortal?" Thranduil hushed his frightened son, trying to comfort him.
"He... is a monster like you said, and messed with the powers of the Valar against him. Kuil is probably the worst victim of this horrid creature. Fear not ion nin, for even dragons have their endings." Legolas looked up at his father, his breathing calming.
"What about Kuil?" Legolas questioned, "are we not going to help her?" Thranduil sighed, his frown long and hurt.
"We can try ion nin, we can try. I can contact Elrond and Celeborn, warning them about the Jealous Man" Legolas nodded, sighing as he stood, unsteadily making his way to his chambers. He sat on his bed, the memories coming back from what just happened. His body shook again, fear creeping in him like an elfling who can't find his parents. He was unable to sleep for the rest of the night, and so did Thranduil. Thranduil sat on his chair, drinking his wine to try and calm his nerves. I should check in on Legolas, see if he's asleep. Though Thranduil was unable to stand, the events of earlier still shocked him, and his sword still soaked with blood. Eventually he managed to lift from his chair, making his way to his sons room. Softly knocking on the door he opened and crept in, only to see his son asleep awkwardly on his bed, half on and half off. Thranduil smiled, walking in and carefully picking up his son and carried him to the bed, placing him down he carefully undressed his armor, leaving him in his under garments. Laying him down he brought the covers over his son. He kissed Legolas' forehead, carressing his hand he thought. The Jealous Man could go after him, take him and skin him. Or make him crazy like Kuil, making it beyond any hope to retrieve him. Thranduil choked back his tears, gripping his sons hand now. He stayed there for a long time, half expecting for the Jealous Man to barge into the room and try and take Legolas. Thranduil took a sharp breath, giving his son one last kiss on the forehead before leaving, closing the door lightly and making his way to his room, where he would write a letter to Elrond and Celeborn and warn them about the Jealous Man, and ask them to help rescue Kuilestel. I promised I would protect you from him, and I will.
I do apologize if I gave you nightmares because of this chapter... but that's what happens when you introduce an completely insane character. So review if you enjoyed this, and I shall see you back on winter break because gods know I won't be able to write THREE WHOLE CHAPTERS IN ONE WEEK!