Here's Chapter 12! Enjoy! :)
The air has grown dank and heavy as a layer of fog sweeps across the forest floor. The elves seem to be quite aware of their surroundings, but the dense mist makes it nigh impossible for my eyes to depict what lies ahead. Nearly half a day has passed since Carca's leave, and already I have begun to tire. I am lagging a good few feet behind the group of elves. They seem to have grown increasingly worried for me as time goes by, judging by their continuously glancing back to make sure that I am still following them.
"We are nearing the palace," says one of the elves. "You must be very tired from your journey; I am sorry to make you walk so far."
"No, no, it's fine," I reply, waving him off. "A little exercise is good for me… on occasion." The patrol continues to shoot me concerned looks before continuing along the cobblestone pathway snaking its way through the forest floor. Every step sends an unpleasant aching sensation prickling upwards into my legs.
Probably the after effects of that wretched poison, I think bitterly. Will I ever be free of it?
"Am I right to assume that you fled Rivendell without permission?" inquires the blonde elf.
"Yes. I had no other choice."
"Would it have been such a feat to ask for a horse instead of that wolf-creature… Carca, was it?"
"They would've told me off," I say. "Lord Elrond had not yet proclaimed me well enough to travel."
"Yet you went anyway?"
"Obviously."
My sarcastic comment dissolves our conversation in an instant. From then on we walk in a tense silence, broken only by the calling of the birds as they flutter throughout the tree tops. I find myself wishing to be among them; to be free from the mess I seem to have drug myself into. What a life it would be.
But it is not my life.
A long, dragging half-hour passes by before the hollow blast of a horn signifies our arrival in the Woodland Realm. The trees is not as sickened in this spanse of forest; the elves' nature magic is no doubt at its strongest in these parts.
"We have arrived," states the blonde elf. I sigh with relief as the thick haze clears out from the forest, revealing the front of the massive palace. The thin bridge leading up to the front gates is empty, save the presence of two guards stationed at its either side. The massive river beneath it bubbles and churns with a powerful current.
Who blew the horn, I wonder?
My answer comes not two seconds later. I watch as the two guards step forward and heave open the gates, revealing a single figure standing behind them. The faded light makes it difficult to make out the person's identity, only that they have begun to stride out onto the bridge. Something about their gate seems familiar, but I cannot place it right away.
"You return early, Airion."
Valar forbid.
A thin stream of sunlight filters down onto the bridge, illuminating the Prince of Mirkwood himself. His gaze is trained solely on the patrols of elves; he has not yet seen me. My hands grow clammy with sweat as Legolas reaches the end of the bridge and begins to walk up the trail to meet them. Suddenly, my heart is gripped with a numbing fear, and I dance away into the shadows of the trees before the elf sees me.
"How can I face him again?" I whisper to myself. "He didn't mean for me to come back, yet here I am again." A shudder runs up my spine as I peer around the tree I am currently hidden behind.
"There was an orc pack attempting to breach our north border," I hear an elf—Airion, judging by the voice—state firmly. "They were pursuing something."
"And what would that something be?"
My eyes widen as Airion gestures behind him, right where I had been standing moments ago. He frowns upon noticing my disappearance, and Legolas raises an eyebrow. My heart hammers against my chest as Airion begins to stammer.
"She… she was just right there, I swear it."
"'She'?" questions the Prince. Moments later, I see a knowing expression flicker across his features, and he looks out into the forest. "Did you catch her name, by chance?"
"Yes, my lord. She has been here once before, I am told. Her name is—" Before the elf has a chance to finish, I gather up my courage before stepping out from behind the tree.
"Keira," I finish strongly. "Her name is Keira." All heads swivel in my direction, and Airion smiles triumphantly.
"Ah, there you are!" he says cheerily, turning back to look at Legolas.
The Prince makes no reply. He doesn't even seem to acknowledge that Airion has spoken. Instead, his gaze is completely fixated on me. The elf's icy stare seems to penetrate into my very soul, but I force myself to brave through it as I make my way towards them. My lips twitch with amusement as Legolas's head bobs up and down in rhythm with my steps. The smile fades away quickly, however, as I come to a stop before the group. The elves cast sharp glances at me before stepping aside, creating a straight lane between me and the Prince.
I don't bridge the gap. Not immediately, at least. For a long moment I just stand there, unmoving and unblinking, and allow Legolas' steely gaze to pierce into my own. His eyes are just like I remember, if not more beautiful than before. As blue and shining as sapphires, they burn into me with a fierce intensity that derives me of any secrecy I had wished to retain.
"Prince," I say blandly, giving him a curt nod.
"Keira," he replies. The formality of his tone hides away any emotion from his voice. Not even his face shows any sign of anger or irritation. It is only within his bold blue eyes that I can see what lurks behind his seemingly nonchalant stature. There is an angry fire within them that would make even Thranduil's menacing stare look weak. Legolas is willing me, daring me, to explain myself. I manage to resist the impulse and instead settle on giving him a small smile.
"You must excuse my intrusion, but there is someone here that I must speak too."
"And who would that be?"
The Prince's calm expression falters, briefly replaced with a fearsome glare. Suddenly nauseous, I feel a wave of bile threaten to creep into my throat, but I manage to force it back down before I can make a fool of myself. The stress of seeing Legolas again has affected me strongly. Why am I suddenly so afraid of him?
"I—I need to speak with the King," I stammer out. "There's something… erm, important that I need to tell him."
"Anything you wish to tell the King can also be told to me." Legolas turns to Airion and mutters something to him. His voice is just low enough that I have trouble making out the words, but Airion seems to understand just fine. He nods to the Prince before giving a polite bow to me and striding over to the bridge. The rest of the patrol follows suit before disappearing through the gates not a moment later.
Almost as soon as the twin doors swing shut, Legolas lets loose on me.
"What in the Valar's name are you doing here?" he snaps severely. I cringe at his sharp tone and dig my fingernails into my palms. My mouth seems to be filled with metal, for I cannot seem to find the strength to speak.
"Well? Are you going to tell me or not?" The Prince crosses his arms over his chest and just stares at me.
"Okay, okay!" I finally manage to get out. "It's just…"
"Just, what?"
"I had originally planned on telling this all to King Thranduil."
"Am I any different?" he growls. "The king is my father, and I am his son. Anything you tell me will also be conveyed to him."
"You think I don't know that?" I bite back. Seeing as how anger will not make the situation any better, I force myself to continue in a calmer tone. "While I was in Rivendell, I met an elf there that claimed to be my long-lost mother. She told me that I had a half-sister that lived here. That is why I came back; I want to see if she is telling the truth."
Legolas's expression remains unchanging for a long time before, finally, he speaks again.
"So you are half-elven?" he inquires.
"It would seem so, yes."
We are both silent for a long moment as Legolas ponders over my words. His gaze never leaves my face, whereas I am constantly looking up at the birds flying overhead.
My eyes have just settled on a lovely ruby-chested robin when I feel something brush across my face. Looking down, my eyes bug when I see Legolas leaning in towards me. He appears to be examining something as his fingertips trail across my cheekbone.
"What?" I ask, then let out a muted yelp when his thumb skirts across my arrow wound. He glances at me with a concerned expression, and I force myself to speak once more. "Oh, that? It's nothing, really."
"From past experiences, I've learned not to trust your judgment when it comes to injuries." I feel a blush spread across my cheeks when I realize that he is referring to my ordeal with the orcs. Legolas looks away from me in order to fish something out of his tunic pocket. After a few moments, he pulls out a small green leaf shaped vaguely like an arrowhead.
"Chew this; it should help to stem any infection."
"Fine," I say, taking the leaf from his outstretched palm, "but don't touch it again!" I attempt to swat away his hand as it begins to stretch out towards my cheek once more. The action, however, only results in him grabbing hold of my wrist. His hand is soft as only an elf's can be, and I shiver slightly.
That's it. You've gone mad.
"Keira," he says lowly, eyes finding mine once more. "My father is not going to like that you have returned. To him, you are an intruder. Nothing more."
I bite down on my tongue before I can say something stupid like, "What am I to you?"
"I know," I say, dropping my gaze to the ground. "But I have to see if she's here. I just need to know if she's alive." Legolas promptly releases my wrist.
"As would any sibling, but the times here in Mirkwood are dark." I glance up to see the elf staring off into the distance. "It is rumored that a dark force grows in the east. A malice unlike any other."
"What could it be?"
"I have not the slightest idea, only that it is very powerful."
A chill of fear traces its way up through my fingertips, and I shudder as a cold breeze furls through the forest. It winds its way through both mine and Legolas' hair, mixing ebony with gold.
"Come, Keira," says the Prince softly, brushing his hand against mine. "You are tired and weary. Rest for a time, and then we will talk of your predicament." Nodding, I pop the leaf in my mouth and follow him down the trail.
Legolas leads me through the winding tunnels of the palace, nodding occasionally to the other elves passing by. They greet him similarly but cast odd glances at me. I have taken up to hiding within the Prince's tall shadow to avoid being seen altogether.
"What are you doing?" he asks suddenly, noting my strange behavior.
"I am about as welcome here as a wolf is in a sheep pasture." I let out a shrill bleak as my foot catches on a patch of uneven rock. Legolas reaches back and grabs hold of my forearm before I perform a rather messy face plant. I nod my thanks to him before continuing. "The other elves don't like me after my antics the last time I was here, and since that is the case, it is best to remain unseen as much as possible."
"Your antics also happened to save my life." Legolas shoots me a severe look. "If my kin refuse to see that, then they themselves are at fault."
"I guess so." The orange lantern light reflects gently off of the elf's skin, giving it a smooth and silken appearance. As soon as he turns his face away from me, I feel my eyes travel down to the blond hair draped down his back. Beneath it lie his twin blades, notched firmly within their scabbards. Seeing the knives once more reminds me of something, moving me to speak once more.
"How's your shoulder? Has it healed well?"
Legolas glances back at me, his lips twitching with amusement.
"It has. The medicine of the wood-elves may not be the greatest in Arda, but our healers are skilled enough to treat a wound such as mine." His gaze travels down to my hip. "And what of your own injuries?"
"I'm alive," I say lowly. "The Rivendell elves treated me well; it is not yet fully healed, but it should be in a couple days." Legolas nods his agreement before coming to a stop in front of an archway leading into a dark room.
"Rest here for the night," he says. I look up at him and blink thoughtfully.
"You know, you don't have to do this. I would be perfectly content to look for my sister now instead of later."
"Content maybe, but no less exhausted."
Seeing as my argument is going nowhere, I let out a sigh of defeat.
"Thank you," I mumble before ducking into the archway.
"I will return for you at dawn," he says. His soft footsteps begin to fade away into the distance, and I am asleep not a minute later.
I awake to the sound of knocking.
"Who is it?" I mumble sleepily, rubbing my eyes before blinking them open. Light streams into the room through the glass window above me, illuminating a small shape fluttering behind it. The creature, whatever it may be, appears to want inside. Yawning, I stumble to my feet before placing my palms on the window sill. I now see that the silhouette is of a small bird, which has now begun to peck at the glass with its beak.
"Hold on, little guy," I say, eyeing the small latch near the center of the window. Inching it over a notch, I watch as the window separates into two sections before swinging open. It reveals a small bluebird, barely as long as my pointer finger.
"You look familiar. Have we met before?"
The bird trills before fluttering inside the room and alighting on my shoulder. Its marble eyes look up at me curiously, and I smile.
"I remember now; you're the one Legolas showed me in the courtyard!" The small creature blinks its agreement as I extend a finger for it to perch on. It obliges instantly, and I hold up the creature to see it more closely. The bluebird has all the same markings as the one in the courtyard, save the coloring of its eyes. At first they appear black, but in the sunlight I can see that they are scattered sparsely with flecks of gold.
Strange, I think with a frown, perhaps I overlooked that the last time I was here.
"Well, little guy, I'm happy that you remember me." I waggle my finger, hoping to encourage the bird to take flight, but it doesn't budge. Instead, its tiny feet seem to grip on tighter. "Fine," I say with a smile, "I guess there's nothing wrong with you hanging around for a bit." The animal tweets happily and gives its wings a small flap before hoping back onto my shoulder. I grin with amusement before making my way over to the archway.
Just when I am about to wonder what is taking Legolas so long, I peer out of the arch to see the elf appear around the bend in the tunnel. My feathered companion cocks its head curiously as I step out to meet him.
"Good morning, Legolas," I say as cheerily as possible. The bird tweets a greeting of its own.
"Keira," says Legolas, nodding to me as he comes to stand before the archway. His gaze comes to rest on the bird, and I smile before reaching up and stroking the creature.
"I've made friends!"
"I see." The elf squints at the animal before turning to look at me. "Now that you have awaken, I will seet that you are properly fed."
"Even though I infiltrated your borders and broke Carca out of Rivendell?"
The words are out of my lips before I can stop them. My cheeks grow warm as the elf's eyes flash with knowing.
"You did what?"
"I… it was just that he… that we…" My words jumble together in an incoherent mess, and I bow my head before continuing. "There was no other way to escape. They were keeping him locked up in their forge, so when an orc pack tried to breach their borders, I took the opportunity to make a bargain with him."
"Who is this 'Carca' that you refer to?"
"He's, um… he's a wolf."
"A wolf?" says Legolas icily.
"Now hold on," I say, waving my hands in a frantic attempt to calm the elf. "Carca's no ordinary 'wolf', so to speak. He and I were acquainted once, back before the orcs burned my city. Trust me when I say that he is no longer a thing to be feared."
"You make it sound as if this creature can speak!"
"That's because he can. No one knows exactly how, but he can. Carca is familiar with many different dialects; I wouldn't be surprised if he had some elvish up his sleeve, as well."
Legolas glowers at me dangerously.
"Imladris could have been your home for many moons if you had chosen to stay there."
I laugh sarcastically. "Yeah, like that would work out. Elrond knew that I was a half-elf from the moment your patrol left me there…"
"We only left you so that your wounds could heal," the elf interjects.
"Whatever," I say, waving him off. "Now back to the subject. I knew that Imaladaris—"
"Imladris."
"Cut it out! I knew that Rivendell could never suit my needs, nor could I ever find a place of sanctuary among its people. They were far too wary of me."
"Wary of you?" The Prince chuckles softly. "How could anyone ever be wary of you?"
His words burn me fiercely, but I force myself to push my emotions aside.
"They didn't like that I was a half-elf. I was impure in their eyes, though I have yet to understand why. Carca tried to explain it to me, but it still makes no sense."
"You say that it was your mother who informed you of your mixed blood?"
"Yes. She lives in Rivendell and somehow heard that I was brought there." The Prince's eyes flash with interest.
"And what was her name?" he inquires. Frowning, I reply in an uneasy voice.
"Faelwen."
The effect the name has on Legolas is obvious. His face pales considerably, leaving the skin a pasty white color. His mouth twitches as if he wishes to say more, but instead he remains silent. The elf's wordless gaze stabs into me like a steely dagger, and my fingertips quiver in anxiety as he takes a step forward. Legolas is so close that I can make out the green flecks scattered in his eyes. Our proximity makes me fidget.
"Come," he says finally. "Let us go to the dining hall." His voice has a hard edge to it, but he slips past me before I can question him about it. Sighing, I set my jaw before following after him.
The gates swing open with a low rumble as Legolas and I arrive at yet another tunnel system. The long walk combined with the stress of crossing multiple chasms has taken its toll on my body. Even the smallest of obstacles can prove incredibly hard for me to deal with. The orc poison has refused to give up its hold of me.
Paling slightly, I am about to take another step forward when I feel Legolas's hand on my arm, steadying me. His gentle yet firm grip keeps me from stumbling.
"Thank you," I breathe gratefully. "And I'm sorry if my return here has caused you trouble. It was not my intention." The elf glances down at me, his blond hair brushing ever so slightly against my shoulder.
"Do not be," he replies stiffly. "I am…capable of handling situations such as yours."
What in the name of the Valar is wrong with him?
"Prince?" I ask. "What is the matter?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"I mean you, Legolas. Why do you behave so strangely? Has something gone amiss?"
My question seems to hit a nerve with the elf, and I feel his hand slip away from my elbow. When he makes no reply, I halt mid stride and refuse to go further.
"I have been to the darkest, filthiest places in the past five days, and this is how I am treated upon my return? You keep secrets like I am no more important than a speck of dust!" A fire seems to alight within me, and I stubbornly cross my arms over my chest. "No, I will not have it. Tell me now, or I swear on all things good and just that I will make your life as miserable as mine has been."
"Do not threaten me, Keira."
"Why not? It's not like you're going to do anything about it!" My fists clench in anger, and I am about to explode when the elf beats me to it.
"Enough!"
The shout echoes down the hall and rings in my ears. I recoil sharply, my back slamming painfully into the stone wall behind me. The bluebird trills with alarm, and I stroke its head to calm it. Legolas's shadow stretches over me just as my trembling legs finally give way. I sink down to the ground, defeated. My eyes flick nervously around at my surrounds, promptly settling on everything, anything, except the elf standing before me.
I don't know how much time passes before I realize that Legolas is crouched down in front of me. It feels like decades have gone by, centuries even, before he speaks to me.
"I dislike confrontation just as much as you do," he states. "But if you cannot learn to control your tongue, then I will be forced to control it for you." Still avoiding his gaze, I nod once.
"I am sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me."
"Well I do."
I look up at him sheepishly. "What do you think is wrong with me?"
"You have been through a great deal of torment this past month. It is only natural that you would grow more and more irritable as time goes on. I would, as well."
He's making excuses for me. Why?
"I'm sorry." My voice is hitched at the end by a knot that has begun to form in my throat.
Stop it, Keira. You cannot cry now. Not in front of him!
In a desperate attempt to hide my emotions, I turn away and allow a tear to slip silently down my cheek. My efforts are in vain, however, when I feel Legolas's fingers trace along my jawline and tilt my face towards him.
"Keira," he says gently. "Do not be ashamed. There is no need to be."
"But I am!" I cry out. "How could I ever become like this? Always hurting people, always shutting them out…that's all I do, Legolas! How could I become such a monster?"
Legolas grabs hold of both of my hands before hoisting me to me feet. My knees wobble as I try desperately to conceal my sobs.
Control… control!
"You are no monster."
I look up to see Legolas gazing down on me. His blue eyes sparkle softly as his hands slide up from my wrists and onto my shoulders. My breath hitches in my lungs as he leans in close to me before planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. His lips linger on my skin for a brief moment before he pulls away. The elf's eyes find mine once more, and I blink in shock.
What just happened?
"You are my friend," he finishes. "And because of that I will protect you from things you need not know."
I snort. "Then some friend I've been, barging into your home like I own the place. I don't belong here." A sigh escapes my lips. "I don't belong anywhere, really."
"Perhaps you have not yet found that place where you do belong."
I frown as the elf and I continue walking.
"If that is true, than how will I know that I have found it?"
"None can tell, though some do say that it is not something that you see with your eyes, but feel within your heart…"
"Hello?"
The low voice sounds from somewhere behind us, and I look over my shoulder to see none other than Taluharn standing in the hallway. His eyes flash with recognition as our gazes meet, and his mouth falls open in shock.
"It cannot be," he says disbelievingly. "You were in Imladris, nearly two hundred miles away!"
"Was," I say, turning round to face him, "but no longer."
"How can that be?"
"I came here to find something. Something that has been kept from me for quite some time."
Taluharn blinks before shaking his head and turning to Legolas.
"There is something you must see to," he says in elvish. "The King requests your presence at the front gates. Our prisoner has arrived." Taluharn sets his jaw and, casting a glance at me, adds, "Bring the girl." The elf then gives a modest bow and vanishes back down the hallway.
What is with the elves and their prisoners?
"There is something that I must see to," says Legolas curtly. "You will come with me, as there is no other place to leave you."
"Why is that?"
The elf eyes me knowingly.
"You will see in time."
With that Legolas grabs hold of my wrist and hauls me back down the hallway from whence we came.
So much for breakfast.
By the time we reach the front gates, my legs are tired and numb from the long walk. It is an immense relief when Legolas tells me that we are almost there.
"What is it that you must see?" I ask him.
"Something that we have been hunting for a long, long time." I frown, pondering over his words.
We are just about to round the next corner when a piteous scream slices through the air.
"We hates it! We hates it!"
"What in the name of the Valar?" I mutter. Not a moment later, Legolas and I emerge into the wide room leading up to the gates. The twin doors are swung open wide, revealing two figures silhouetted by the sunlight. One is tall and lithe; an elf, no doubt. The other is around the same height but is bulked slightly by the bag slung over his shoulder. His hair is a dull brown color and close cropped to his shoulders. The beginnings of a beard have given his face a shadowed, severe appearance.
He is a human man, the first one I have seen in years. My heart leaps up into my throat as both him and the elf turn to look at us. It is in that moment when I notice the third being in their midst. The creature is quite short, reaching only to the man's knees, and is poised on all fours like an animal. The skin on its boney frame is as white as snow, giving it a translucent and altogether vile appearance. As Legolas and I near, I can just make out two abnormally large blue eyes in its sunken face.
Suddenly, the gangly creature lets out a howl of anguish and lunges for the open gates. The only thing stopping it from escaping is the thick rope bound twice around its neck. The man standing beside it tugs roughly on the end of the leash, and the creature falls back with a shriek.
"Why's they doing this to us, Precious?" it cries. "Why does mean men hurt us?"
"Silence!" barks the man, and the creature whimpers pitifully before cowering low to the ground. The elven guard standing beside it whispers something to the rugged stranger, who then gives a nod in reply before handing over the rope leash. No sooner have I laid eyes on the pale being than it is being dragged off into a tunnel to my right.
Legolas takes the opportunity to approach the man. They exchange a bow to each other before their gazes shift to me.
"What was that thing?" I gasp out, eyes wide with horror.
"His name is Gollum," comes a gruff reply. I glance up, surprised to find the brown-haired man looking down at me.
"Gollum?" My feet make no sound as I tentatively approach the stranger. "I have heard that name before. Is he not the creature that dwells in the goblin tunnels to the west?"
"You are right, my lady, but he shall no longer find residence there." The man cocks his head at me before continuing. "And who might you be?"
"She is a guest," cuts in Legolas. "
"I do have a name, you know," I say pointedly. The elf shoots me a cautioning glare, and I raise an eyebrow at him. The man, meanwhile, regards our exchange with curious blue eyes. "My name is Keira," I continue after a tense silence.
"A lovely title." The man places a hand on his chest and dips his head to me. "You may call me Strider."
Strider, I ponder. What a strange name.
"Well, it is very nice to meet you, Strider." He smiles warmly at me before turning to look at Legolas.
"I have been hunting that creature for many days and many nights," he says in fluent elvish. "Thranduil has agreed to keep him locked in your dungeons."
"It pains me to have such a vile thing kept here, but it is a wise decision nonetheless. I will see to it that he is properly contained."
Strider places a hand on the elf's shoulder, a gesture which Legolas returns with a smile.
"Thank you, mellon nin. It is good to see you again."
"I pray that we may meet again soon," says Legolas. Strider nods before turning from him, preparing to take his leave, when he casts a glance back at me. His lips are parted as if to form a word, but he says nothing. Instead, I watch as his brow furrowing into a look of confusion.
I am just about to ask what is wrong when I hear what sounds like crying. Confused, I look over at my shoulder and let out a gasp of shock. Standing behind me is a tawny-haired she-elf, her hands clamped over her mouth to stifle the sobs racking her body. My startled gaze is met with a pair of piercing hazel eyes, framed by a thick web of amber lashes that drip with tears.
A small cry escapes the she-elf's lips, and she smiles wryly before throwing her arms around my neck.
"Keira… my dear sister, you have come."
Hope you all enjoyed the new chapter! This one took me awhile to write… Legolas and Keira's dialogue scenes are the most challenging for me to word out, but I love writing them nonetheless.
Feel free to drop by some reviews; I love love LOVE hearing from you all!
-PC