So hope that last cliffy wasn't too bad...at least I have this chapter up real fast, right? ^_^
Thank you all for sticking with me! *hugs* Just a few more chapters, I promise ^^
WoodElfJedi: I'll be glad to give you my recipe! As for my plot bunnies...how would you like me to give them to you? I really need to get rid of some of them *laughs* Yayyy I'm so glad you like Cel (he sends his thanks) heh I don't mind if you become attached to him. He's quite flattered, as well as all my other OC's (they send their hugs) Oh I'm glad you liked Legolas' acorn story. That elfling comes up with the randomest things, doesn't he? ^_^ get comfy with cliffys, mellon nin... *grins evilly* I think there are more in the near future...Hey! I see you! *phew* finally reached Mirkwood after a long trip...I've brought Limbairedhiel and Cel with me!
Me: I agree with your uh-ohs...I feel like something bad's gonna happen...*hides behind tree* Legolas is pretty cute isn't he ^_^ I wish he were my brother T^T wait...what am I talking about? He's like my BFF! *laughs*
Guest: Yeah I'm gonna keep going and going and going and going...oops got too carried away...
Okay guys so I'm in Mirkwood right now with WoodElfJedi and Limbairedhiel. Fun times, guys!
This chapter is kind of long, so...you know the drill! ^_^
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything...'cept Cel! hehheh pretty proud of that
Enjoy!
"There! There!" Legolas giggled, pointing to a little plant to Celeberyn's left. "It's that one!"
"Is it?" The crown prince crouched by the little green sprout, comparing it with the drawing in his hands.
"It is! It is!"
"You're good at this, green leaf!" Celeberyn smiled.
"Let me pick it! I want to pick it!" Legolas beamed, reaching for the little plant. It had thin stems and broad dark leaves with tiny pale flowers, reminding the elfling of the crown his father wore in summer.
Celeberyn shifted his weight, holding Legolas who grabbed the stem and yanked upwards. The soft soil gave way easily and the plant popped into the little prince's hand, who squealed in accomplishment. Celeberyn had never seen an elfling be so excited over picking a few leaves before. He loved it.
"Okay, Legolas, that's one down! Do you think we can find five?" The crown prince asked, standing as he handed his brother a tiny basket to store the plants.
"Yes! We can find five hundred!"
"Wow! That's a lot! I'm not sure if that many even exist!" Celeberyn grinned. "Let's search some more, okay?"
"Yes! Yes! We have to hurry!" Legolas insisted. He swung his head around, scanning the forest floor as his brother walked carefully among the trees, making sure he didn't step on any of the herbs they needed.
"Oooh! I see one!" Legolas burst, pointing. "It's next to that branch."
Celeberyn planted a kiss on his brother's nose, grinning. "You really are good at this, green leaf! At this rate we'll be done in no time!"
The rest of the small patrol was also skirting the forest, searching for the little plant that the healers said would greatly help improve Thranduil's condition. The elves would do anything for their king, even make friends with dwarves if they had to, so searching for itty-bitty plants that were nearly invisible and required intense looking and crawling, was no big deal for them.
Thoronbel instructed them what ground to cover and where to search, to ensure they didn't overlap or miss any of the little plants. It was like the battlefield. The elves were so focused they could have been trampled by Oliphaunts and not even know.
As Celeberyn crouched by the plant to let Legolas pull it up, his ears picked up a strange sound. Carriage wheels. What? That's not the sound of a Mirkwood carriage…and it's accompanied by eight elves on horseback….
Celeberyn quickly caught Thoronbel's attention and beckoned him over. "What's going on?" the crown prince asked in a low voice.
The captain of the guard shook his head, perplexed. "I don't know, my lord."
"Cel, Cel what's wrong?" Legolas asked, catching the tense expression on his brother's face. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing much, little brother. Don't worry." Celeberyn replied, forcing a smile.
Thoronbel gestured for the patrol to gather together, the warriors hurrying over immediately with their herbs. It was quite a sight, to see such highly respected warriors holding little flowery plants in their hands.
"Looks like we have enough of the herb for my king." Thoronbel noted. He then tilted his head towards the trees, and every elf soundlessly, as if they'd been practicing synchronized jumping, leapt into them easily, settling in among the leaves.
"Cel, what's happening?" Legolas whispered.
"There's someone coming, but we don't know who. So we're going to sit in the trees and try to see who it is." Celeberyn explained, tightening his hold on the elfling. "Don't worry. It's nothing bad." I hope.
Legolas peeked through the thick bunches of leaves, trying to spot whatever was coming. He just wanted everything to hurry up so he could go back to Thranduil. As the elfling watched, he saw a carriage approaching in the distance, drawn by two white horses as eight heavily armored elves rode next to it. They seemed…..out of place among the trees. "Who are there?" Legolas asked his brother.
"I don't know. Actually…that's…" Celeberyn gestured to Thoronbel, and the elves dropped gracefully out of the trees, landing on the forest floor soundlessly. The crown prince felt a smile spreading on his face as the carriage approached.
"Who is it, who is it?" Legolas giggled excitedly.
"Someone…I didn't expect…." Celeberyn trailed, excited but confused as to why the elves would be coming to Mirkwood right now. He knew who sat in the carriage, and it puzzled him. The crown prince glanced towards Thoronbel, who shrugged in equal confusion.
The carriage stopped a short distance away, and Celeberyn watched as the door opened….and two elves spilled out, kicking and arguing.
"Valar, El, that's the fifth time today!"
"Well, if you didn't bring up the incident with the dye, maybe this wouldn't be a problem!"
"For the record, that was all your fault!"
"Um, was I the one that decided to dump all that in the tub? No."
"How am I supposed to know it would stain?!"
Celeberyn watched with amusement and burst out laughing. "Elladan, what have you done now?" The two fighting young elves looked up at the sound of his voice and grinned. Before they could speak, another elf exited the carriage and fixed the two with a dark glare.
"Lord Elrond!" Celeberyn smiled, bowing slightly.
"Ooh Ooh who's that? Who's that?" Legolas burst excitedly, eyes shining with curiosity. The elfling had never seen anyone outside Mirkwood before, and was fascinated with the newcomers' dark hair and bright clothing.
"This is Lord Elrond of Imladris," Celeberyn explained to his brother. "And that's Elladan and Elrohir."
Legolas cocked his head at the two young elves. "Why are they the same?"
"Good question." Elladan said, glaring at his twin. "I have asked that many times."
"If you are referring to the waterfall incident, that was not my fault." Elrohir shot back.
Elrond fixed his sons with a glare. "Get it under control. You cannot be disrespectful to the princes of Mirkwood."
"Oohhh Cel, this must be your brother Legolas." Elladan piped up.
"With such golden hair…..he could be Glorfindel's long-lost son!" Elrohir exclaimed.
Elladan rolled his eyes at his twin as Elrond stepped between his sons to stop their bickering. "You two, apologize to the crown prince."
Elladan and Elrohir straightened, bowing with sheepish expressions slapped on their faces. "Sorry Cel."
Celeberyn was a little occupied at the moment. Laughing.
He was crouched on the ground, still holding Legolas and laughing until tears fell from his eyes and his stomach hurt. Legolas didn't know what was happening, but laughed along with his brother since he seemed to be so happy. Thoronbel and the rest of the Mirkwood patrol all stood to the side trying to control the mirth in their own eyes.
"By the Valar , you two haven't changed at all since I saw you last! You're just like elflings!" Celeberyn managed to choke through his laughter.
Elrond coughed. "They still are." He corrected.
"Legolas!" Elrohir grinned, holding out his arms. "Want a hug?"
"No!" Legolas clung tighter to Celeberyn, refusing to leave him. "I'm not leaving Cel."
"Ha!" Elladan grinned at his twin. "Rejected."
"Be quiet, El!" Elrohir scowled.
"You two better quit it or I'll shove you back in the carriage!" Elrond warned.
The two twins wisely shut their mouths, grinning at Celeberyn and planning all the jokes and stories they'd tell their friend later, as Elrond smiled weakly at the crown prince. "I'm terribly sorry, Celeberyn and Legolas. Don't mind those two."
"No no, it's fine my lord." The crown prince smiled. His mirth slowly faded though, as he tilted his head in confusion. "If I may be so bold to ask, what are you doing here in Mirkwood?"
Now it was Elrond's turn to look puzzled. "Thranduil is expecting me. We've planned this for quite some time now, to discuss some matters as well as have our sons spend some time together. I'm sure he knows I'm here."
"Ooh yeah, can't wait to show Legolas all our cool tricks!" Elrond glared at Elrohir who quickly flashed a crooked grin and closed his mouth as his twin punched him in the shoulder.
Turning back to Celeberyn, the lord of Imladris frowned in worry. "I know something has recently happened to Mirkwood, but not the extent of the damage. On our way here, it seems the kingdom has recovered nicely. Can we go to the palace and see king Thranduil?"
"I…" Celeberyn's mouth went dry as he flashed worried glances with Thoronbel. Before he could reply, Legolas' eyes widened and he pounded on his brother's chest in fear.
"Cel! We have to go back right now! Ada!" The elfling cried.
"Shh yes, yes. We'll go back immediately." Celeberyn soothed, smiling weakly at Elrond who returned it with a concerned expression. He kissed Legolas' cheek and whispered, "Don't worry, little brother. Everything will be okay."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"Has something happened to king Thranduil?" Elladan asked softly, eyes wide. He had never seen Celeberyn so afraid or broken before.
"My lord Elrond…..how much do you know of what happened?" Celeberyn asked.
Elrond opened his mouth, but before he could answer, a warrior suddenly crashed out of the trees, stumbling and collapsing face down on the ground near Celeberyn. The crown prince stepped back in alarm, then immediately crouched down by the elf.
"Mellon nin, are you alright?" What a stupid question! The warrior was obviously exhausted beyond compare, with sweat pouring down his face and ragged bandages covering his body, some of which were already stained dark red. But what really scared the crown prince was when he saw the warrior's face. Elfaron.
Legolas whimpered in fear and buried his face in Celeberyn's chest as his brother kissed the top of his head comfortingly. "It's okay green leaf. It'll be okay."
The crown prince gently laid a hand on his friend's shoulder, trying to give him some of his strength. "What happened?" he asked gently, trying to hide his alarm and horror.
Elfaron dragged himself up to a kneeling position and bowed to his prince, nearly collapsing back to the ground of Celeberyn hadn't caught him. "No need! Please. Drop the formalities. Just tell me what happened."
"My….lord..Celeberyn….Legolas. Our patrol….attacked…we need..reinforcements….run…" Elfaron gasped. His face was smeared with dirt and blood, and the exhaustion and pain were so evident in his eyes that for the first time ever, Celeberyn was afraid his friend might die.
"Okay. Okay. Stay with me, El." Celeberyn said frantically. He looked up at Thoronbel, eyes wide in fear. "You have to go back to the palace."
"Understood." Thoronbel bowed and took off like an arrow back to the palace.
"Cel…what's happening?" Legolas whispered.
"Don't worry, little brother. Nothing bad will happen to you. I swear." Celeberyn replied, tightening his arms around his brother.
Elfaron grabbed Celeberyn's forearm, eyes wide in fear. "Run….the orcs said….more….coming….other direction…..danger….run!"
At that moment, Celeberyn picked up the sounds of orcs crashing and stomping through the forest, cursing himself for not noticing before. They're too close!
The crown prince turned frantically to Elrond, eyes huge. "My lord, I am terribly sorry. We….I –"
Elrond shook his head worriedly. "Don't apologize. We'll help you."
And then the orcs were upon them.
They suddenly crashed out of the forest like mushrooms overnight, except they weren't small and cute and definitely wouldn't taste good in a dish.
Celeberyn had no idea what he was going to do. Legolas started crying in his arms, terrified and clinging onto his brother for life. The crown prince kissed him and tried to soothe him even though inside he was freaking out.
Valar! What am I doing to do?!
The Mirkwood patrol swung into action, unsheathing their weapons and flying into battle. Because you gotta bring your knives to pick a few little flowers to heal the king, right? the afternoon air was immediately sliced with the sounds of clashing swords, cackling orcs, and cursing elves as blood splattered onto the forest floor.
The elves of Imladris also spurred their steeds on and joined the fight. Celeberyn couldn't tell how many orcs there were, since more just kept pouring in out of nowhere.
The crown prince pulled Elfaron to the side, desperately hoping that no orc would get to him. I can't fight. Not with Legolas. Celeberyn propped Elfaron against a tree and forced himself to grin.
"If you're getting sick of me, mellon nin, you could've thought of better ways to escape." He said, fighting the fear and pain in his heart.
Elfaron smiled back weakly. "Nah…I don't think I can ever…." The warrior's eyes suddenly widened in horror. "Cel…behind…you!"
Celeberyn sensed the sword descending on him, but he knew he couldn't turn around and risk having Legolas injured. So instead, the crown prince quickly unwound his brother's arms from his neck and shoved him over to Elfaron before the elfling could even register what was going on. Turning, Celeberyn grabbed the orc's forearm before he could slam his sword into his head and twisted it so the creature was forced to drop its weapon.
But he missed something.
He was still kneeling on the ground, and didn't see the orc's other hand swinging around with a dagger. Legolas screamed and started crying, reaching desperately for his brother. Elfaron winced and pulled the elfling towards him as his mind screamed at him to do something. Just before the weapon plunged into Celeberyn's neck, the creature suddenly stiffened and toppled to one side, crashing on the ground in a heap.
Celeberyn blinked in surprise, looking up. He was met with the piercing gray eyes of Elladan. The dark haired elf grinned. "Cel, you really are getting old." Celeberyn smirked as his friend added, "Well, you were born in the age before me…..don't worry, rest your old bones and let us take care of things."
Elladan laughed and dodged a playful punch to the face as he crouched down next to Elfaron worriedly. "We need healing supplies."
Legolas crawled away from Elfaron and dived into Celeberyn's arms, wailing with tears streaming down his face like silver rivers. "Cel Cel you said you will never let me go! You promised!"
"Yes, I did. I'm sorry little brother. I'm sorry. But I also promised to protect you. I won't let anything happen to you." The crown prince whispered, wiping the elfling's tears.
"Nothing can happen to you either." Legolas replied stubbornly, glaring at his brother.
"Alright. I'll try." Celeberyn smiled. "Don't worry." He kissed the elfling on the cheek then turned to Elfaron worriedly, glancing at Elladan.
"I'll take care of him." Elladan assured the prince. "Go back to the palace with Legolas." The elf found his twin somewhere among the chaotic battle and blinked at him. Apparently that one blink meant "go with Cel to protect Legolas back to the palace, and don't forget to tell Ada". It's a twin thing, I guess. Celeberyn thought.
Elrohir made his way over quickly, slicing the throats of any unfortunate orcs that were in his way. Even at such young ages, the two twin sons of Elrond were exceptional as both warriors and healers.
"Hey!" Elrohir grinned, laying a hand on his friend's shoulder. "What this? The legendary Celeberyn Thranduilion needs our help? Why, he never requires aid!"
Celeberyn smirked. "That's because you often only make things worse." He stood up quickly, his smile fading. "We need to return as soon as possible."
Elrohir nodded seriously. "No problem. I swear nothing will happen to prince Legolas."
Before they could leave the battlefield, another sound rang through the air – a kind of growling and barking, with drool splattering on the ground.
Wargs.
Valar no….as long as there were wargs, they wouldn't be able to escape without horses. As Celeberyn watched, short black arrows suddenly came raining through the air. Like it can't get any worse. They have crossbows, too? The crown prince held Legolas closer who was shaking in fear. Legolas…..I might not be able to keep my word….I don't know if we can escape alive. Where is Thoronbel? He should be back by now! Celeberyn tried not to think of the possibilities of what might have happened to the captain.
The wargs came crashing through the trees, bearing even more disgusting orcs holding crossbows and swords. Celeberyn took one look at them, and immediately swung up into a tree with Legolas. He begged Elladan and Elrohir to take care of Elfaron, then focused his attention on his brother.
He ripped off his cloak and wrapped it around Legolas, looping it around the thick branch they were perched on and tying it off to prevent the elfling from falling. Legolas whimpered, clinging desperately to his brother. "Cel I'm scared. Cel don't leave. What about Ada? I want Ada! I promised I wouldn't leave him!" he wailed, chewing on Celeberyn's sleeve.
"Shhh, it's okay green leaf. It'll be okay. We'll be back with Ada soon, alright? We'll be with him soon. Don't worry. I'll protect you." Celeberyn shifted his position so he was holding Legolas and able to see the battle underneath him on the ground.
Orcs were still pouring from the forest, and each elf was locked deep in battle. Dead bodies were quickly piling up, most of which belonged to the disgusting orcs, thankfully. But from what Celeberyn could see, two elves had fallen, causing the crown prince to clench his teeth in hate and rage. You disgusting spawns of Mordor….I will see every last one of you dead!
Suddenly, Thoronbel ran into the clearing, leading part of the Mirkwood army with Aredhel in front. Celeberyn almost dissolved in relief. Hannon le. The warriors spun gracefully into battle, slicing orc heads off and plunging knives into chests. Part of the group broke off to help the patrol Elfaron had come from, while the rest stayed.
Celeberyn drew his bow and an arrow from the quiver at his waist. He didn't want to kill anything in front of Legolas, but got his weapons ready just in case. "Don't look, little brother," he whispered to the elfling.
Legolas whimpered in fear, and as an attempt to distract him, the crown prince added, "You can play with my hair if you want."
The elfling immediately brightened. "Really? Okay!" Celeberyn sat in front of his brother, promising himself that he wouldn't regret this. It wasn't too bad, since Legolas decided to just tie it all up in a ponytail. He giggled and planted a kiss on his brother's cheek. "Hannon le Cel. I know you don't like me doing your hair."
Celeberyn smiled and held the elfling close. "If you like it, then so do I."
Then something went wrong.
Just as the crown prince shifted his position, an arrow streaked past him and sliced into the edge of Legolas' arm before thudding into the tree trunk.
The elfling immediately started crying in pain as Celeberyn's mouth dropped open in horror. He crouched over Legolas to shelter him as he yanked the arrow out of the tree, inspecting the tip. Poison.
Throwing the horrid weapon to the ground, Celeberyn grabbed his brother's little arm and started to extract the poison with his mouth. He spat out the dark liquid, watching it pool and sizzle on the tree branch.
Legolas cried, partly out of fear for what his brother was doing. "What are you doing? Why are you spitting black?"
"It's okay," Celeberyn replied painfully, feeling some of the poison entering his system. "It'll be okay. You'll be okay." Pretty soon he was no longer spitting black poison, and then proceeded to tie the elfling's cut with a piece of cloth torn from the cloak.
"Cel why are your hands shaking?"
Celeberyn smiled weakly at Legolas, feeling a strange numb feeling traveling through his body. "Don't worry little brother. You were very brave. We'll get to the palace soon, okay? Just hold on for a little while longer."
"But it hurts!" The elfling whimpered.
Celeberyn leaned forward and kissed the bandage gently. "There. Feel better?"
Legolas nodded, giggling a little.
"You're very brave, green leaf. You're going to grow up to be the best warrior ever!"
Suddenly, Celeberyn heard a cry to his left and he looked down to see Elladan grasp his side as blood spilled from between his fingers. No! Elrohir immediately ran over to his twin, shouting in fear. The crown prince felt like leaping down to help, but he tightened his arms around Legolas. I will not leave him.
But then something else occurred to Celeberyn. Elfaron. No one was defending him anymore. The crown prince leaned over the branch and found his friend still propped up against the trunk underneath, eyes open but barely responsive. Valar help him, please…
Suddenly, a searing pain stabbed into Celeberyn's back, pulling a gasp from his lips as his eyes widened in shock. Legolas whimpered at the strange expression on his brother's face, shaking his arm gently.
"Cel? Cel!"
Celeberyn stared back at Legolas as blood started dripping from his mouth, falling onto the tree branch like rain. The elfilng's eyes widened in terror as he started shaking his brother, confused and frightened. "Cel what's wrong? Cel! You promised nothing would happen to you! You promised! Let's go back to Ada now, okay? Come on!" the elfling tilted his head, forcing a smile. "And you look funny in a ponytail!"
Celeberyn smiled back, his vision blurring as his hands lost their strength and he felt himself slowly falling to the side. "No! Cel!" Legolas shrieked. "Don't leave don't leave!"
"L-L-L-Legolas….I'm…"
The crown prince dropped limply out of the tree with a large arrow protruding from his back and fell onto the ground in a heap, unmoving next to Elfaron. Legolas stared down at his brother, horrified.
Celeberyn forced himself up to his knees, pushing away the agony and increasing numb feeling in his body. Legolas. I have to protect him.
"Valar….Celeberyn!" The crown prince turned and was met with the terrified glance of Elfaron. "Are….you….alright?"
"Fine….mellon nin. Can you….take it out…?"
Elfaron's eyes widened. "I-I-I-if you….really….want to…." He dragged himself to his knees and wrapped a hand around the arrow shaft, bracing himself and yanking it out in one smooth motion. He then immediately ripped off a piece of his cloak and pressed it tightly to the wound, tying it securely with another strip. Thank the Valar it wasn't barbed! "Are….you….okay?"
After several moments, Celeberyn replied in a pained voice. "Aye. Hannon le."
Legolas chewed on his sleeve, tears streaming down his face as he looked down at this brother on the ground. "Cel," he whimpered. "Cel. Cel. Don't leave." He could see him moving, so he knew he was still alive. It didn't really make him feel better though.
The elfling's eyes landed on an especially big orc with a black bow that was aiming carefully at something. His brother. Celeberyn had stood up and was facing Elfaron, not knowing what was going to happen.
Legolas immediately remembered a conversation he had with Aredhel when they were still back at the hunting house.
"'Red! 'Red! I recently started learning archery! I'm gonna be just as good as Ada!"
"I'm sure you will be, my lord!"
"Can I ask you something? What makes Ada the best warrior ever?"
"Well, he's a hero, right?"
"Yeah!"
"A hero always places others first. Your father doesn't care about his own safety, but instead cares about his people and his family. He's willing to sacrifice anything for them. Even if he's afraid, he does anything to protect them. That's what makes him the best warrior."
Legolas was terrified. But even though he was afraid, he was going to protect his brother. He carefully shoved the herbs he'd picked for his father into his pocket to keep them safe. Don't worry Ada. Don't be scared. You're going to be okay, and so is Cel. Wait for me!
The orc pulled an arrow from its quiver, and the elfling's eyes widened as he started pulling at the cloak that tied him to the branch. He yanked at the knot, little fingers flying over the cloth as he pulled it free.
Cel, since I love you, I'll do anything to protect you. Just like you protect me. Don't worry, big brother! Legolas is coming. The elfling cast the cloak aside and scrambled to the edge of the branch just as the orc released its arrow.
Legolas stared down at his brother's shoulders, and jumped.
Cliffy? Sorry guys! Don't kill me...
Okay now I REALLY have NO idea where I'm going...
Oh yeah, and the basic concept of orc attack and Legolas saving Cel is bettsam0731's idea for plot twist, so you can go thank them *laughs*. Although the Imladris elves were pretty unexpected...my plot bunny randomly decided to add them
Elrond: *sighs* why are you dragging me into this?
Elladan: What are you talking about, Ada? This is fun!
Elrohir: Yeah! WE get to show how cool we are...
Eh guys I don't really know why they're here...hope it's not ruining anything ^_^
Oh and I actually have a twin brother ^_^ we're not real pranksters, but we DO communicate in strange ways...however he likes dwarves better...*shakes head* he's missing out!
Thank you for reading!