Tomorrow's Destiny
By MCross
Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Lord of the Rings. I write for pleasure and I am earning no money from this endeavour.
My heartfelt thanks to both Barbara and Katy for betaing this chapter. You two are the greatest Mellyn and Gwethil-nin I could ever hope for.
Reviews are most welcome, even encouraged.
Warning: Character death (non-canon)
Author's note: The reference to the Blue Wizards in the last chapter refers to a story I have in the works.
Sindarin vocabulary
Avo bedo! ... Do not speak!
Gon … Captain
Hannon le … Thank you
Heniach Nin? ... Do you understand me?
Hennad … Thanks
Hír, Hír-nin … Lord, my Lord
Iaur … old
Laes … babe
Mellon-iaur … Old friend
Mellon-nin, mellyn-nin … My friend, my friends
Námo … True name of the Valar Mandos
Penneth, pennyth … Young one, young ones
Saes … Please
Sîdh … Peace
Chapter Twenty Five
Mealena was the first to reach Rithlin, but not in time to keep the unconscious warrior from hitting his head sharply on the floor as he fell.
Thranduil and Glorfindel were there next, their argument and fight momentarily forgotten. Mithrandir was right behind them.
They bent over Rithlin, noting the dark blood that stained his jerkin and leggings. Thranduil could only hope that it was not all Rithlin's.
Mealena gave him a cursory examination, before looking up. "We need him in a bed."
Thranduil nodded and together the three picked Rithlin up and carried him to one of the beds.
"Do you really think that the creature has struck again?" Estel asked worriedly from where he stood beside Legolas' bed.
"It would appear so. I am not surprised and will admit that I have been expecting it" Bremoline answered. He knew what was happening out in Mirkwood and the rumours that were being reported back to him.
"We need to find them." The thought of the new victim being found by elflings was not a pleasant one and Thranduil himself shuddered at the memory of the victim he had seen.
"If Rithlin is right, it will not matter when we find him, but yes, you are right, Bremoline." Thranduil shook his head regretfully. "Will you see to that?"
Bremoline inclined his head. "Yes, Brolinth can take some men and see to it. Can you manage Haldir?"
The Lothlórien Marchwarden was still unconscious on the floor where Bremoline and Elrohir had been checking him over.
"Yes, we can manage." Guilt coloured Glorfindel's voice as he looked down at Haldir. He should not have struck out. No matter what the provocation from Thranduil, he should not have lashed out. The fact that Haldir had taken the blow only made this even worse.
"It is equally my fault, Glorfindel. I am sorry. I really have no idea what happened just then." Thranduil hung his head, ashamed of his own behaviour. He would not tolerate it in others and therefore it was unforgivable in their King.
"Mellon nin." Glorfindel's voice was equally soft. "There is something strange going on here in Mirkwood and we are all exhausted. It is a surprise that this has not happened before now. It may well happen again before this is over."
"You may be right." Thranduil gave his friend a small smile, full of sadness. He turned to Bremoline. "Please pass the instructions to Brolinth and if the watcher is still there…"
"He is." Mithrandir's voice was calm again. "This was perhaps not what I would have wished to see from you two, but it will definitely work in our favour."
"I will make it appear that there has been a greater problem here than there really has been." Bremoline made his way to the door and took on a disgusted and worried expression before nodding to the others.
Almost as if planned, the moment his hand touched the door latch, Thranduil and Glorfindel continued their 'argument' as if they had not stopped, their voices angry-sounding, and then Mithrandir added his raised voice to the mayhem.
As soon as the door closed, they stopped. That little extra noise and fury would help their masquerade.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The watcher had almost given his hiding place away when Rithlin ran into the corridor looking so shocked and covered in blood. What could have happened to his friend?
His blood ran cold. Was it the creature?
Only great self-control prevented him from going to Rithlin's aid. Help was only a door away, after all, even if it did sound as if a full-scale war was going on in the King's chamber.
Time seemed to stretch for the watcher. How he hated waiting like this, hated it with a passion.
Then the door to the King's chamber opened and Gon Bremoline hurried out, his face more pale and troubled than he could ever remember seeing it before. They had worked together for a long time as well. Then the sound of angry voices reached his ears.
His smile was sly as he realised who shouted, Aran Thranduil and Glorfindel, no less. They sounded very angry indeed.
So much for deep old friendships, at times like this it meant nothing. Then the wizard's voice entered the fray. Yes, he would try to calm things down. It was typical.
Bremoline hurried away and such was the watcher's need to hear what was happening that he did not realise that a grin crossed the Gon's lips as he moved away from the watcher. Bremoline definitely had his hiding place and the sense of exactly who it was.
As he hurried away though, Bremoline was saddened to see one of his men turn against Aran Thranduil and his son. But he knew the perfect person to keep an eye on him. They were a step ahead of the conspirators now, with this particular problem at least. The other problem? Well that was another matter, as he was about to find out.
His son spoke urgently with another of their trusted Home Guards. Benn nodded gravely at what Brolinth said. They both looked up as Bremoline joined them.
"Ada? Has something happened?" Brolinth was well-attuned to his father's moods.
"There has been another attack. We need to find out who and see if he is still alive. Rithlin was also injured." Bremoline was equally serious.
"I will organise the men. Did Rithlin say where he was? Is he alright?" Brolinth was worried about his friend.
"He is being seen to now. He collapsed before he could tell us more." Bremoline was worried about that.
"We will find whoever has been attacked. We will not leave him, Ada." Brolinth was sincere, as his father well knew. "By your leave?"
"Of course, Ion-nin, I will speak with Simnella before I join the search." He thought it a good idea that they keep the loyal and wily old cook informed of all that was happening.
"Of course, Ada. Come with me, Benn, we will alert the others." They parted ways.
Bremoline followed the hallway down to large cavernous kitchen where Simnella worked
There were fond old memories here, of sneaking in with Thranduil to raid the kitchen late at night for their favourite snacks.
Somehow the old cook always knew and was waiting or spoke to their fathers the following day. They never once went in without being found out.
As he peeked into the unusually quiet kitchen he realised that at this time of the day Simnella would not be here. He took this time to be off with his family. He started early in the morning to begin the morning meal, and then invariably he would work late, especially when Thranduil held a banquet late into the night.
That would mean his daughter, Ferinel, should be preparing the ingredients for the evening meal.
She was recently bonded, only six months ago, to Selothe's brother, who was also a warrior. All of Mirkwood had rejoiced. It had been just before the incident that had sent Legolas fleeing to Imladris.
Bremoline sighed. He still greatly regretted that he had not been in Mirkwood to help his friend and King and to look out for the young Prince, something he had promised he would always do.
He was not aware that he had closed his eyes in sorrow until he slipped on something and had to open them to prevent himself from falling.
What he saw made him wish that he had not opened them. The grisly sight would haunt him for millennia, even after he eventually sailed to the West with Thranduil. For lying there, as if abandoned on the floor like an elfling's discarded, broken toy, was Ferinel.
He gaped in horrified shock for all of a minute before pulling himself together.
Bremoline did not need to check to see if the once-pretty elleth was alive. His many years' experience told him that waxy colouring and the way her limbs lay at odd angles on the floor, she was definitely dead.
He needed help. This was one time that elven hearing would help him.
He unsteadily made it back to lean against the doorway and called out. "Brolinth, I need aid in the kitchens!"
Silence reigned as he struggled to get his emotions under control. Seeing the young elleth like that hurt, badly. She should be thinking of her bonded and having a family, not lying there cold and pale like this. This would cause Thranduil only more pain.
Rapid footsteps sounded in the hallway, moving towards him.
Brolinth was the first around the corner, hair flying loose in places, his face pale and his sword at the ready. He skidded to a halt with several other members of the Guard close behind him.
"Adar?" It was rare that he used the honorific title. Normally he used the informal 'Ada'. His eyes searched Bremoline as if expecting his Ada to be wounded.
"I am unhurt, Ion-nin." He gave a mirthless smile at the look of utter relief in his son's eyes. "But… I have found the Wraith's victim."
Brolinth's eyes widened at his father's pained words. "Who?" He made to move into the kitchen. It was obviously where his father had come from.
"Not yet, Brolinth, saes, give me a moment." There was no rush. There was nothing that they could do for Ferinel now, and he needed that extra moment to collect his composure.
"Ada?" Brolinth was worried and Benn and the others looked anxious as well. "Is it Simnella?" He prayed to the Valar that it was not.
"No, it is not Simnella… although he may wish that it had been him." Bremoline shook himself. He needed to be the one in control, to take charge. "Calandor, can you please go and find Selothe for me?"
"Selothe? Of course." Calandor was surprised. Why did they need Selothe?
"Hennad. Randis, go, collect Simnella for me? Be gentle with him." Bremoline could do this. He had handled worse situations after Queen Minerella had been killed, when his patrol had been the first on the scene.
"Of course." Randis did not question nor hesitate. Now was not the time. That could come later.
"Hannon le." Bremoline took a deep breath. "Túgann, could you find Tirnen for me? Only say that I need him and say nothing of what has happened."
"Of course, Gon Bremoline." Túgann saluted before left, something he very rarely did unless circumstances demanded it.
Brolinth waited until they were out of hearing range. "Who was it, Ada?" His voice was soft. He had never seen his father this shaken before.
Bremoline's eyes were bleak as he gave her name, his voice sad. "Ferinel." Brolinth felt his heart drop. It was the young ellith that he had been friends with for so long? The one who would slip a little extra treat into his pack as they were leaving to go on patrol…
"No." He shook his head, he would not believe this, it just could not be happening.
"I am sorry, Ion-nin, I really am. I wish it were anything other than the truth, believe me." He had bounced the two elflings on his knees when they were younger and playing together and now…
Brolinth bowed his head. "I need to see her." It would be final then.
Bremoline gave a very shaky sigh. If it had shaken him, imagine what the sight of his son's friend like that would do to him.
"That may not be wise, Brolinth." He tried to dissuade him.
"I have to, Ada. Do you not realise that? I must, to be able to help Tirnen and Selothe recover from this, while you help Simnella." Brolinth raised tear-filled eyes to his father.
Again, Bremoline sighed. He had been trying to protect his son, to hide what was happening about him, as any parent would for their child. But sometimes, no matter how you wish you could do that, you cannot, and this was one of those times.
"You are right, Penneth. I am sorry. I… I still see you both as you where when you were younger." Bremoline finally admitted.
"I know, Ada. But we are here for each other." Brolinth gently touched his father's shoulder and with a shared look of apprehension they nodded and moved to the door.
Brolinth was not sure what he would see when he entered the chamber. Apart from an unusually cold feel to the normally-warm kitchen, there was no outward sign that something was very wrong in there.
For one hope-filled moment he thought that his father had been mistaken, until he saw the bloody footprint and hope fled on silent wings.
As they rounded the corner of the kitchen table, he caught sight of her where she lay sprawled on the floor.
This seemed so unfair. She was so happy being newly-bonded with Tirnen, that this felt… so wrong.
Bremoline looked properly at the fallen elleth for the first time. Well the first time that he saw and actually realized what he was looking at. He saw the wounds, the way that she had died, and not the fact that he had known her since she had been a babe in arms. He had held her as a laes.
He had retreated to his training. He was the Gon, first and foremost, and not the beloved Uncle that he had become. It was the only way he could get through this, the only way he could push passed his grief to function. Grieving would come properly later, now was not the right time.
"I found her as I walked in. I thought she was perhaps busy in the back and I slipped…" He swallowed, while Brolinth nodded jerkily.
Brolinth could imagine what it was that his father had slipped on. He could see what had happened in the footprints left in the blood on the floor. There was actually not that much blood, in fact there was very little, much less than they would expect from her wounds.
Bremoline did not finish. He walked past his son, making a clear way around the blood and then gently knelt beside the elleth. He could not bring himself to think of her as a corpse.
Just as it had been with Talina, her throat had been slit. But this time the job had been more thorough. He could see the white of bone where the weapon, whatever it was, had been used on her. One thing he did know. Ferinel had died far more quickly than the traitor had and for that he could be thankful.
"It would have been quick." Brolinth said quietly, coming to the same conclusion, the shock he felt clear in his voice.
"Aye, we can give thanks for that. It would appear that Rithlin disturbed the killer." Bremoline had just realised that Rithlin's sword lay discarded on the floor. "He must have been trying to get another snack."
Brolinth gave a small mirthless smile at that. His friend always seemed to be hungry. They teased Rithlin that he must be part Hobbit after Mithrandir had told them all about the little folk and their love of food.
"He will be devastated that he could not help her." Brolinth said sadly.
"Yes, he will take it far too much to heart. It will remind him of Palanwen and how they met." Rithlin was now bonded with an ellith from Imladris.
"Yes, that was a rather difficult time." Bremoline was not really listening. He was concentrating on looking for signs and clues, anything that could explain to them exactly what had happened here, apart from the obvious.
"Hard time? I thought that he would tear his hair out! But… this is not the time to discuss this, is it, Ada?" He suddenly realised that, although he needed to distance himself from his grief, he had allowed himself to become more distracted than he should have been.
"Maybe we will speak of it later, over some wine, when we know that Rithlin will be alright?" Bremoline offered his son a small smile to show that he, out of anyone, fully understood what his son was feeling.
"I would like that. What can I do, Ada?" Brolinth was once more all business. He put his feelings to the back of his mind so that he could concentrate on his job. He would not let his King down, would not let his father down.
"Look for clues; how the killer got in, how it got out, if it left anything behind so that we can at least determine what we are dealing with, whether it is the Wraith or someone else." Bremoline searched the floor as he spoke. He was determined to go back to Thranduil with something useful from this debacle.
"Of course. What do you expect we will find?" Brolinth asked, also closely searching the area.
"I do not know. We have some sort of blood on Rithlin's sword." He nodded towards the sword, where he had placed it on the table. Brolinth could see that it was stained with something dark. "I hope that Mithrandir or Mealena will be able to identify what it is. But I am hoping…. Aha."
"Ada?" There was quiet satisfaction in his father's voice, something he had rarely heard.
"I hoped that we would find something more… something like this." Bremoline held up something for his son to see.
"What is it?" Brolinth could not see it clearly.
"I believe it may be a nail or a claw. We can determine exactly what we are dealing with now." Bremoline held it out so that his son could see it clearly.
No sooner had he held it out than Brolinth understood. He could see it now, although he had needed to be told what it was first.
The nail was black, although he could not tell if that was because of filth or something else he would rather not think about, but he could identify the silvery-red blood of an elf that coated the nail.
"What do you think?" Brolinth hesitated as his father looked up and his face changed to anguish once more. "Ada?"
"We should wait outside. I do not want her kin to walk in on her without prior warning." Bremoline took off his outer tunic and placed it gently over the still face. He would not leave her uncovered. She deserved more dignity than that. It had actually been Thranduil who had shown him that, with the dignity with which he had treated the traitor, Talina, after his death.
It was not something he had ever really thought of, he realised, as they stood and walked to the doorway. They had never really had a traitor go this far since he had become Gon. He had been a warrior when Polinas had begun his campaign to wrest Mirkwood from Thranduil. He would not have thought that Polinas would have tried this, but he had. But the thought of leaving his son lying like that in the forest was wrong and Thranduil had realised that.
It was a sign that Thranduil really was a good King. To be able to give compassion like that to someone who had done nothing but harm your only child spoke highly of his great heart.
Bremoline would admit without embarrassment that he did not think he could do the same had it been Brolinth instead of Legolas. He would never be able to forgive them.
"Are you alright, Ada?" There was a slight quaver in Brolinth's voice.
"I will be, once this is over with." It was not something that he was looking forward to.
"I can imagine." Brolinth himself did not want to be here but while his Adar had the strength and courage to face his fellow warriors in their time of need, then so could he. He would not leave his father to face this alone.
"We do what we must." Bremoline straightened himself and pulled himself together. He would have the time and luxury to face this later.
"Yes, unfortunately, we do." Bremoline watched as his son stood. He was proud of Brolinth, even more than usual in that minute. He had raised a wonderful son.
"Then we had better do that. You will come over tonight? I would love it and so would your Naneth." Bremoline had always been aware of how fragile the life in Mirkwood was but this had brought home just how fragile it really was and this was now time for them all to connect. After all the time he had spent over the last days protecting Thranduil and Legolas he knew that Thranduil would not begrudge him some time with his family.
The corridor was still empty but their visitors were drawing near. This would not be pleasant he knew.
He looked up as Calandor arrived first with Selothe and they were followed quickly by the others.
The only one who did not seem angry at being 'summoned' like this was Simnella, he just looked incredibly uneasy.
"Why have you brought us here like this? " Tirnen asked abruptly, obviously not in the mood to be polite.
"I have some rather bad news for you all. I have no easy way to tell you this." Bremoline tried to explain gently but he was not allowed to continue.
Tirnen spoke with a tone of irritation. "Explain what? You drag us away from weapons practice without a by-your-leave then expect us to stand idly by while you stutter pathetic…"
"That will be quite enough, Tirnen!" Simnella spoke tersely, although he had not looked at the brothers. His attention was fixed on Bremoline. He noted how strained Bremoline was. "What has happened, Captain?"
"I have sad news, Simnella. I swear to the Valar that I would rather face Sauron himself than have to tell you this." Bremoline was aware that he had their undivided attention now.
"What is it?" There was worry in the cook's voice. For Bremoline to be this upset, it had to be bad.
"You know of the Wraith that tried to attack Legolas?" Bremoline asked to gauge their knowledge.
The brothers wisely held their tongues.
"Yes, the rumours are flying about the Palace." Simnella relaxed somewhat. What could the Wraith have to do with them?
"It has attacked once more. Attacked and killed one of our kin. I found the body about half an hour ago." Bremoline closed his eyes momentarily before continuing.
"Who was it?" There was uncertainty in Tirnen's voice now. With a surge of panic he realised that something was missing within him. Something that he should have noticed right away had he not been so focused on the meeting he had been attending. It had finished as Túgann had searched for him. "No!"
"Tirnen?" Selothe looked at his elder brother with confusion.
"No! You are lying! This is not true!" He was looking anywhere but at his Gon, that way he would not find out the truth.
"It is, Tirnen. I am sorry. Sorry for all of you." Bremoline took a deep breath and turned to Simnella. "The attack took place in the kitchen, Simnella. I am sorry."
"My kitchen?" What Bremoline had been saying had not yet sunk in. "But there is only one person in the kitchen at this time of the day…" Colour fled from his face as realisation truly set in. "No… Valar, No!"
Bremoline caught Simnella as the old cook's knees buckled. "Easy, mellon nin, I am here. I will help." Tears pricked at his eyes as he lowered the stricken ellon to kneel on the floor
"No, please no. Not my penneth. Not my little laes." Simnella was no longer the proud old cook that ruled the kitchen with a will of iron, but a bereaved father grieving for the loss of his only daughter.
Bremoline looked to Calandor. "Saes, go and get Doroniel for me? I think we have need of her. Explain to Aran Thranduil what has happened?"
"Of course, mellon-nin, I will not be long." Calandor ran off, not caring for dignity. This was not the time for pride.
"No!" Tirnen backed away from them, shaking his head. He would not believe this, could not believe it.
"Man pennich? What is going on here?" Selothe did not understand what was happening around him, could not understand why his elder brother was crying. He had never seen him cry. Had never seen him anything other than strong…
"Ferinel has been killed." Brolinth's voice was calm, yet filled with all the sadness reflected in his eyes.
"What!" Selothe turned to him, eyes wide in shock. "You should not jest of such things! It is not nice!"
"I wish it was a jest, although I do agree that it would be in abysmally poor taste." Brolinth told him.
"Ferinel dead… but how? We had the morning meal together." Selothe shook his head, trying to get around this news. Then another thought. "Who found her? Maybe they…?" Brolinth bristled at that and he stopped.
There was an unusual flat tone to Bremoline's usually musical voice. "I found her, and she was already in Námo's care."
"You did?" Selothe felt that fear drain away. He knew Bremoline too well to accuse him of kin-slaying. The Gon would never do that and certainly not to an elleth that he had known all her life.
"Aye." Bremoline looked up with pain in his ancient eyes.
"I need to see her." Simnella somehow managed to say.
"Perhaps later, when we have had a chance to clean her up, trust me, Simnella, you do not want to recall her this way forever." Bremoline's voice shook. It was bad enough that he would remember.
"You promise?" Simnella made a plaintive plea.
"Yes, I promise all of you." Bremoline looked over to the brothers.
That made Tirnen snort indelicately. "Right… of course you promise."
Bremoline looked at him sharply but said nothing. He knew the ellon was in the throws of grief.
"Come, we should get you away from here. Selothe, would you help me?" Bremoline gently helped Simnella to his feet and between them they began to move him away from the kitchen. Selothe shot his brother a worried glance. They had to stay calm and keep their wits about them.
They had gone perhaps seven steps when the rushing of several set of feet met their ears.
A disheveled Thranduil, followed by Glorfindel and Doroniel, came around the corner and just stopped in time to avoid bowling into Bremoline. Glorfindel had insisted on coming with Thranduil and Calandor had stayed in Thranduil's bedchamber with Legolas
"We just heard. How are Simnella and Tirnen?" Thranduil looked as if he could not decide who to go to first.
"As if you truly care!" Tirnen had not even looked up as the King approached.
Thranduil said nothing. He kept his emotions in tight rein, because, above all else, he knew how it felt to lose the one you loved. At least he still had Legolas to keep him grounded to stay, not sail to Valinor in the Furthermost West.
"I am so sorry, mellon iaur." He turned to Simnella. Everyone turned their attention to the pale cook and so missed the warning look that Selothe gave his brother. "If I can do anything to help, please let me know?"
"She is gone. My Ferinel has really left us!" Simnella looked up. The heartbreak in his eyes was enough to bring a lump to the throat. Tears ran down his face, a face lined with profound grief that he could not hide.
"I know, Simnella, I know." Thranduil nodded at Selothe and gently took his place so that he could help his brother. "We should get him to some free chambers. There are some near to mine that you may use and have some privacy to talk." Thranduil nodded to Bremoline and they continued on their way.
There was white-hot anger in Tirnen's voice as he spoke then. "I do not need privacy! I need answers! Why did you allow my wife to be killed like this? You knew that this creature was on the loose yet you have done nothing to stop it. How many more must die before you realise how incompetent you are!"
That seemed to wake Simnella from the grief that seemed to fill him totally. "That is more than enough, avo bedo, Tirnen! Aran Thranduil is doing all he can to stop this creature and you had better not forget it!" He would not let his daughter's husband speak to Aran Thranduil like this. Not when Legolas…
"What would you know, pen iaur?" The words were spit with contempt, making them an insult. "You treated Ferinel as if she was your personal…"
"That is quite enough from you, Tirnen!" Thranduil snapped. He was tired, worried about Legolas and Elrond, and now heartsore over Ferinel's death, but he would not stand to have her father spoken to with such disrespect. "I know that you hurt, that you are grieving, but that is no excuse to act like this towards her father!"
"What would you know about grief?" Tirnen turned furious eyes to his King. "You are so out of step with Mirkwood that you do not even know what grief is!" Tirnen snapped at him.
Selothe squeezed hard on his brother's shoulder to quiet him. "Tirnen, you should not speak to Aran Thranduil like that."
"It is alright, Selothe. I will forgive Tirnen… this time. I know all too well what it is like to lose one's bonded like this, with no warning at all. But… if there is a repeat, I may not hold back punishment. Heniach nin?" Thranduil was seething, but controlled, although he could only take so many of these accusations before he hit back.
Selothe half-bowed while still holding onto Tirnen. "I understand, Aran Thranduil, and hannon le. Tirnen does not know what he is saying," Selothe bore down hard on his brother's shoulder, trying to prevent him from saying something very stupid. He could reveal too much in his temper.
Thranduil nodded grimly. "I know… that is why he is still with us and not on his way to the dungeons. Ah… here we are." They had reached the chamber that he wanted them to use.
The chamber was large and well-furnished in light oakwood with green curtains. It was elegant and simple and bore all the marks of the gentle hand of Thranduil's dead wife, Minerella. It was also one of his favourite resting places because of it.
"I will send wine for you. Take your time. Saes, try to rest, Mellon nin. Do you wish me to stay?" Thranduil was worried for Simnella, his friend.
"Legolas needs you. I have Tirnen and Selothe with me. We have… arrangements that we should discuss." Simnella's voice quavered with barely held tears.
"That can wait for a short while. But yes, you are right. I have things that I must see to. I will be back shortly. Send for me if you need me?"
Thranduil wanted to go back to the kitchen and look at the scene himself. It was why Glorfindel had come with him.
"We will and hannon-le for your kindness." A fresh tear traced its way down Simnella's cheek as they made their way out of the chamber.
Bremoline awaited them outside the chamber. He wanted to give them some privacy, and this was a hard time for all of them, but hardest of all for the loved ones left behind.
Thranduil waited impatiently for the chamber door to close behind them until they had moved away. It would not do to have the family hear all the grisly details. He turned to ask. "What happened?" Immediately both Bremoline and Brolinth's demeanor and voice turned serious and controlled.
Bremoline spoke first. "It was I who found Ferinel. I was looking for Simnella to warn him that the Wraith was abroad and had attacked again."
"That was very thoughtful of you, mellon nin." As he moved, Thranduil was aware that he was being flanked and closely protected by all of his friends, even Doroniel. He was not fool enough to think that the reason Glorfindel had come with him was because he wanted to see Simnella. No, it was because both he and Legolas were in danger from the Wraith.
"I had forgotten the time of day!" Thranduil winced at the anguish evident in Bremoline's voice.
"That is easy to do and you are as exhausted as we all are. You cannot be perfect, and I would not expect you to be. Do not blame yourself. There would have been nothing that you could do." Thranduil knew how it felt to be so helpless.
"But I may have been able to help!" Bremoline would not let this go.
"Yes, Bremoline, you may have been able to help, may have done some good, but you could also have been the next to be killed. You do not know. I thank the Valar that you were not there. It is bad enough that Ferinel has been taken like this and Rithlin injured. Legolas could not cope with another close death." That worried Thranduil.
Legolas had been badly injured and ill for months now. First, he suffered the terrible head injury and other injuries, then the poisoning, on top of the drugs somehow slipped to him to slow healing and make him prone to infections. In that weakened condition, how could Thranduil tell his son that one of the ellith he had grown up with had been killed?
"I am glad that you were not there, Adar!" There was an unusual amount of fear in Brolinth's voice at the mere thought that the Wraith could have been that near to his father.
"I agree with Brolinth. Mirkwood would be in serious trouble if you had been killed or seriously injured." Thranduil sounded as worried and scared as Brolinth did. "We cannot afford to have two of our best warriors out of commission. I fear Brolinth alone would not be able to keep the other rabble under control."
Thranduil kept his voice deliberately calm. The last thing he wanted was to upset them any more than he had to.
"We could not have that!" There was no mirth in Thranduil's grin. He looked over at Glorfindel. The normally-pleasant warrior looked grim and pensive, as a muscle jumped and knotted along his jaw, a muscle that had to hurt. It was a large knot.
"Are you ready to show me the kitchen?" Thranduil had to see for himself what had happened.
"No, not really, but I know I must." Bremoline could not stop the involuntary shiver that ran through him.
"I understand, mellon iaur, but there are always things that we have to face that we do not wish to. We will be there with you." Thranduil reassured him. "And we all feel as you do about this."
"I know, hannon le. We are all in this and it will hurt. But I will put an end to this monster if it is the last thing I do. I vow it before the Valar that I will not let it harm any more of the people I love!" There was unusual anger in Bremoline's voice.
"That is a vow I pray you will never have to keep." Thranduil was all seriousness.
"I agree with Thranduil." Glorfindel looked as strained as he sounded. "I would not like to lose any more of my friends." They understood the unspoken 'I have lost too many already'.
"Then we will work to insure that it does not happen." There was a sense of purpose now in Thranduil's voice. "Is the watcher still in his hiding place?" He kept his voice low as he made his way to the end of the corridor.
"No, it seems that he has been called away from his post by a… family emergency." Bremoline dare not say further, hoping that Thranduil's normally sharp and agile mind would make the logical jump.
"Good, that will buy us some time." Thranduil did not give it any more thought as they made their way to the end of the corridor.
"Yes, it will." It also reminded Bremoline that he needed to talk with Faergon once he had finished here.
"I will not lose another that I love." Glorfindel's jaw muscle jumped as he spoke
Thranduil looked askance at Glorfindel's repeated words. "Then we will make sure that it will never come to that. DO you understand, Glorfindel?" It was rare that he saw his friend in this kind of state. He would assure that Glorfindel slept once they finished here, even if he had to resort to knocking him out. That thought brought a twinge of shame to Thranduil's heart. He had just come very close to doing that very thing earlier… when he had lost control.
"I understand." There was such utter weariness in Glorfindel's voice that it startled them all.
"Good. Now come, we all need to get this finished before the healers arrive to re… take Ferinel to be cleaned up." Thranduil changed his words halfway through.
"Yes, I promised Simnella that he could see Ferinel once she had been cleaned up a little. He would not want to see her like this." Bremoline forced himself to be calm. Now was not the time to fall apart.
"Good, as you say it is the last thing he should see." Doroniel finally spoke. "I will make sure that she is presentable for them to see."
"Hennad, Doroniel, you do not know how much that will mean to them." There was gratitude in Thranduil's voice.
"I know." Her soft reply was full of grief.
Thranduil was about to push the door open and lead the way in through the kitchen when he paused and looked back.
"Do you feel you will be able to handle this?" He was worried about his favourite female healer.
She gave a mirthless laugh. "Thranduil, I am a healer and I have seen a lot worse than this, trust me!" When he looked a little hurt she carried on. "But, hennad, your kind concern comforts me."
"I do not wish to see you hurt." Thranduil admitted.
"I too need to see this so that I can help determine what happened to Ferinel." It would be one of the last things that she could do for the young elleth.
"You are sure?" He tried once more to give her the chance to back out.
"I am sure." Her voice was firm.
"Very well, but we would not think any less of you." Bremoline knew what they were about to walk in on.
"I know." Her voice was gentle before it changed to reflect her determination. "Shall we get this over with then?" Just because she was an elleth did not mean she could not handle this. In her long career as a healer she had seen things that would make their long hair curl. Even so, she was touched that every one of them cared that much for her. They meant as much to her.
"Very well, but you are to stay beside me." Thranduil was serious. He would not tell Calandor that his wife had also been taken by the Wraith while he had stayed with Legolas and Rithlin. Calandor had looked with worried longing at his bonded as she left the chamber.
"I do not need to be coddled!" Her voice was calm, but she was beginning to get a little exasperated now.
Thranduil paused before the door, hand poised to open it. He stopped for two reasons; first, Brolinth had stepped in his way and stopped the move, second, Doroniel's words.
He turned to look at her, his pale face stern. "You will do exactly what I say in this matter, Healer Doroniel, or you will not enter this chamber. You will stay at my side and you will not leave it!" His face and voice softened somewhat as he looked at her. "I would never forgive myself…"
"I am sorry, Thranduil. I spoke without thinking. I will do as you ask." Of course they would feel like this, would want to protect those they loved and the thought of Legolas, dear sweet Legolas, like that made even her blood boil.
"Hennad. I appreciate your acceptance and cooperation. We have enough worries…" Thranduil turned his attention to Brolinth. "Your excuse?" He arched his eyebrow at the soldier.
"It would not be wise, Aran-nin, and I would not be following protocol if I did not act thusly." Brolinth would not allow his King to enter the kitchen first. The Wraith could have returned, come to finish what it had promised. Anything could be in there, as highly unlikely as it seemed.
The others around them nodded their agreement to his words. They would all have done the same, Glorfindel included.
"Very well, but not alone, no one goes alone." Thranduil stood back.
Brolinth nodded and stepped forward to open the door accompanied by his father. They both drew their swords.
"None of us will be alone." Bremoline placed his hand over his son's and together they pushed open the door and entered quickly, ready for anything and everything. They closed the door behind them.
The chamber was silent and still. Nothing moved, nothing had been moved. Bremoline nodded to his son who turned and opened the door to let the others know it was safe to enter.
Predictably, Thranduil entered first, followed closely by Glorfindel and Doroniel. Thranduil preferred to lead by example.
Brolinth made for the walls to light the lanterns that hung ready. Although still daylight, they needed to be able to really see, not lose anything in shadows that they may need to see clearly.
"Ferinel lies here." Bremoline led the way rather unnecessarily. They could see where he had trod in the little blood that had spread on the floor.
Thranduil looked down at the body. He had to think of it thus. Until this was over, he had to hold himself together. Legolas and his Realm had need of his steadfast leadership.
"Hennad, Bremoline, for taking care of her so well." He had no doubt who the brown tunic belonged to.
"I could not leave her as she was." The sorrow was back in Bremoline's voice. "Hennad, for showing me that."
Doroniel gently knelt beside the elleth that she had known, though not very well. They had spoken almost every day when they had passed in the corridors of the Palace or when Ferinel had brought food to the infirmary when there had been injured and Doroniel had worked through the evening meal.
She could not prevent her hands from shaking as she lowered the tunic to show the fair face that had become lax and waxy in death. The normally wide brown eyes were closed forever, their dark lashes stark against the pale skin.
Doroniel was not sure what she had expected, a look of horror, a rictus of fear, pain-twisted features? Perhaps, but not this calm visage. Ferinel just looked as if she had lain down on the ground and fallen asleep. If not for the odd angles of her limbs and the deep cut to her throat Doroniel may have believed the former to be true.
"We found Rithlin's sword dropped close beside her. It had some type of blood on it. I placed it on the table." Bremoline gestured for them to look at the workbench that was normally used to knead the dough to make the bread.
The sword was still there.
"Good, we will make sure that Mithrandir gets it and that the blood is not touched. We may learn something from the residue. Was there anything else?" Glorfindel looked around with a practiced eye.
"Just one thing that I would not leave behind to risk losing." The edge in Bremoline's voice cut clearly through the air.
"What is it?" They were all on the alert apart from Doroniel who continued to search Ferinel. Perhaps she could find something to help them as well.
"This." Bremoline pulled something from his leggings, something they had not noticed before, a small cloth-wrapped object. They all exchanged puzzled looks, not sure what they were really seeing.
Bremoline slowly opened the piece of cloth, with such utter care Thranduil was not sure what he would see revealed.
"I found this." In the cloth lay the black nail, sharp and full of blackened, dried blood, Ferinel's blood.
"A claw?" Thranduil sounded a little stunned and he looked up into his Gon's eyes.
"Aye, or a nail. I think it is from the Wraith. It is very sharp." Sharp enough to cut the cloth.
"We must look at that properly. Mithrandir should see that and the sword. Is there anything else?" Thranduil looked around the chamber, as did the others.
There seemed to be nothing else out of place until... "What is that on the wall?" They all turned to see where Thranduil pointed. To their surprise, he was pointing high up on the wall, where one of the high windows opened on the outside wall of the Palace.
"What do you see?" Glorfindel moved next to the King to see it from his angle.
"Something dark beneath the window, I am not sure what it is, or if it is relevant, but…"
"It has never been there before." Bremoline joined them. "Not when we were elflings and climbed in trying to fool Simnella into thinking the warriors had taken the fruit pies!"
"You are right. I do not recall seeing the mark the last time I brought Legolas down from doing the same thing with Ferinel." Thranduil was sure of that now.
"We need to look at it properly." Glorfindel eyed the rough-stone wall. It would be easy to climb. There were hand-holds, spaced perfectly for anyone, even an elfling, to easily scale the wall all the way to the high window.
"Yes, we do." Thranduil eyed the wall with certainty. They needed someone small and light. Someone used to climbing. Ideally they needed Legolas. He would have climbed the wall without giving it a second thought and already have been giving a detailed report.
"I will do it." The voice came from below them and they looked down to see Doroniel looking up at them an unusual look that Thranduil had only seen once before and he hated seeing it then.
"No!" The words were out before he had even given them true thought.
"Thranduil it is only a short climb and I will not fall." Doroniel was already eyeing the wall.
"No, you are needed here not up there!" Thranduil gestured at the wall. He would not let her climb. He would not!
Suddenly Doroniel understood the silent panic, the way that Thranduil was trying to move the attention away.
"I will not fall, mellon nin. The situation is entirely different." She gently took his hand. "I will be only a few feet off of the floor and safe at all times."
Thranduil shuddered. How many nights had he dreamt of seeing his friend fall all that way? Pure imagination yes, he had been unconscious at the time it had actually happened and only knew what he had been told. But his mind more than made up for that little detail.
"No, you are needed here. Legolas needs you and if anything should happen to any of us. Please?" There was pleading in his voice, he hated to see them like this, for them to see him like this, but he had greater worries and two just happened to begin with either an L or an M. He growled slightly make that a G for the forest around him would always first and foremost be Greenwood the Great and not the hated Mirkwood that she had become.
"I am not Nestoron. I will not fall. I promise you." The Imladris healer still suffered horrendously from that terrible fall, all these centuries later. It made her shudder to think of the pain he endured. Nestoron had her undying admiration for the fact that he did not let it get him down nor stopped him from carrying out his life's work.
"I will do it." Brolinth stood beside his King and looked up. This would be easy, far too easy. He had done this far too many times with a certain friend after all. A friend who had made this seem like a walk in the trees. Brolinth was also one of the lightest in the chamber.
"Be careful?" His father had known he would volunteer. After Legolas, he was one of the best climbers in the whole of Mirkwood.
"Of course, Ada." He re-sheathed his sword, suddenly aware that he still has it clutched in his hand.
Thranduil watched with bated breath and thumping heart as Brolinth scaled the wall. He made it look so easy, as easy as he had once done. Maybe, when this was all over, he and Legolas could take a sneak visit and st…. have some of the berry pies that they loved so much. That would be nice. Legolas could show Estel the way in through the kitchen. Yes, Elrond might not appreciate it, but he would.
He watched almost transfixed as Brolinth scaled the wall and reached the stain. He skillfully searched the area and then once satisfied made his way back down to the ground.
Thranduil let out the breath he had not been aware of holding, thankful that his friend's son was safe once more, or at least safer than he had been.
"What did you find?" He kept his voice steady, in control.
"Blood at various stages of drying on the wall and a lot under the window, on the sill. It would appear that this is how the Wraith has gained entrance and then fled again as well." Brolinth sighed. "I will make sure that all of the windows are locked properly and the same with all the doors. They are already guarded but….."
Thranduil nodded. The Wraith could climb over their heads and they would be none the wiser unless they were more alert.
"Do that. Is it? Is it…?" He gestured towards Doroniel. He could not say the words.
"I do not know, it is elven certainly, but it could be Rithlin's." Brolinth hated to admit this.
"True. Well we had better make sure that we have not missed anything and then get back to Legolas. I want to make sure that Simnella is seen to and housed for the night." His friend and cook would need to be watched over the coming weeks, he knew. "I also want the brothers watched. There is something about them I cannot put my mind on what it is." He sounded puzzled.
Bremoline hoped Thranduil would make the connection without being told. "In what way?"
"If I knew I would tell you, Mellon nin." Thranduil sighed tiredly. "Perhaps I am just imagining things."
"You, imagine things? Never in my lifetime!" Glorfindel looked at him stunned.
"It happens at times. And I will admit to being exhausted." Thranduil's voice was wry.
"I am not surprised." Glorfindel was watching him closely. "When we get back to your chamber, you will rest."
"I have too much to do." Thranduil waved him away before beginning to look on the floor for clues. Any clues as to what had happened here.
"There is this!" Lathron called from the door. On the white of the wood a large bloody palm print stood out in stark contrast. Lathron and Rochon had been guarding the door. The two of them on the inside, guarding their King while two others stood in the doorway outside.
They all crowded around. Faergon stayed at Doroniel's side but he watched all that was happening.
"It could be Rithlin's print. He would have been panicked. It looks as if he walked in on what was happening." Thranduil could see it almost clearly, what seemed to have happened.
"It is big enough." Glorfindel was measuring it against his own hand. "A little too big."
"The Wraith or the watcher?" Thranduil practically groaned at the thought that someone may have had the chance to help but had not.
"It could be either. Until we find them, we won't know." Glorfindel shook his head. They could then compare the hand against the print.
"We will find them and when we do and if they have not helped the wounded…" Thranduil's eyes were hard.
"It is not the watcher." Bremoline had to speak up.
"What makes you say that?" Thranduil threw him a commanding glance. A glance that told him to speak and now!
"The watcher was outside the chamber when I went to warn Brolinth. This happened before then, well before then."
"You are right, Ada. We were in the corridor not far from here. We would have heard them leave. We should have heard something from them, some noise. We heard nothing!" Brolinth recalled .
"It would seem that only the Wraith is at fault in this tragedy. I want Mithrandir to look at the print and perhaps Estel. He is a tracker for the Rangers is he not?" Thranduil looked at each of them.
"Yes he is." What was the point of denying that Estel was a Ranger?
"I am sorry, that was an incredibly stupid thing to say. Of course Estel is a Ranger. I knew that. I am just so weary." Weary, and at the end of his tether, to tell the truth.
"Thranduil." There was gentle chiding in Glorfindel's voice.
Thranduil looked up, puzzled.
"If there is anyone on Arda who deserves to be weary it is you. After all that has happened and is happening about us, you need no excuse for saying things like that. Now, why did you want Estel to look at the tracks?" Glorfindel knew it was not just an idle thought. Mirkwood possessed some of the best trackers in all of Middle-earth after all.
"I just thought he would like to be involved in this, as it is after Legolas after all. Also he may have another angle that I… we may not have considered. I also want as few knowing about this in detail as possible. Although I realise that may be harder to continue with than I would have liked." Thranduil explained simply.
A lot had happened in the last six months to change his entire opinion of Estel. He would never again be thought simply as his son's Adan friend. He would be thought of as Estel, his son's good friend. He also meant what he had said earlier, that Estel would ever be welcome in Mirkwood. The Palace doors would always be opened in welcome for him.
That gave another thought. He wanted to move Estel nearer to his and Legolas' chambers. If they were to think of each other as family then he would be moving, animals and all!
"True. Estel has already done that a few times with us, caught something we gave no thought to but that the Ranger's thought would be significant. They were right. When he and Legolas get together!" Glorfindel's voice was rueful.
"They can be a handful." They shared a small smile and then Thranduil got back to the job at hand. "Rochon, I do not want anything touched once Ferinel has been moved. I want guards on all doors, saes, only trusted friends once more. I will not have this scene damaged and things lost through carelessness, not if we wish for this to stop."
"I agree, Aran Thranduil. Lathron, the back door?" The other Mirkwood Home Guard nodded and headed for the small back door that led out onto the Palace herb garden. "I will make sure that nothing is lost. What do you need, Doroniel?"
"We need a stretcher to move Ferinel, something discreet. We need to move through the back passages, I think, with my patient." For that was what she now was, her patient and one that still deserved dignity at all costs.
"I will make sure that the passageways are clear." Brolinth was not exactly eager to help but he needed to do something to feel useful.
"Very good, hennad. Can anyone think of anything more that is needed to be done?" Thranduil carefully wrapped the nail back into the cloth and placed it into the pocket of his robes. He also picked up the sword, suddenly aware that his hands were shaking wildly.
"Perhaps I should take that." Glorfindel gently removed the sharp weapon from the King. "It may be safer."
"I… I…" Thranduil looked at him blankly, unable to put into words what he was feeling. Suddenly he was so tired he could not string two words together, but he also needed to get back to see how Legolas was. He had been away far too long.
"I understand, but we need to get you out of here." Something was wrong. Glorfindel had felt this prickling warning too many times to ignore it. He knew to expect danger ahead, at some point. It was the legacy of his return from Mandos' Halls. He had learned to take heed of these warnings. They were always right.
"Y… Yes." Thranduil let himself be led from the chamber, back to his own sleeping chamber where his son waited for him.
The trip was a blur and he could not have said if they had even seen another person on the way. But soon he reached the door that kept him from Legolas.
Guards stood at either end of the corridor and they seemed to be taking their duties sloppily, until you saw their eyes. At another time, he would have erupted with anger had he had the energy.
Their eyes showed the true extent of their alertness. They would be upright and ready to fight within a heartbeat, as per his earlier orders.
Once this was over and the dust had settled he would be having a feast so that they could be thanked properly. They would all likely be in need of the relaxed atmosphere!
He reached out to open the door but found others had once more placed themselves in front of him.
"What?" He looked up startled.
"Just in case." Bremoline told him his eyes worried. He had not often seen Thranduil this exhausted.
"Oh." That seemed to make sense. He let them move in front of him. The same applied here as with the kitchen. You never knew.
Bremoline knocked on the chamber door, smiling at the growl that he heard in reply. It seemed that Red was still guarding her beloved Prince.
He reached for the handle only to have it snatched from his hand in an instant. His hand went automatically for his sword but relaxed when he caught sight of the old and grey visage before him.
"So you decided to come back!" The Maia was obviously not happy.
"We had a lot to see to." Glorfindel looked at him worriedly. "What has happened? Is it Legolas?"
"What has happened? You dare ask what has happened when it was you that did the deed?" Mithrandir seemed to tower over them.
"Me? I have been with Thranduil…."
"While we have picked up the pieces of the fight that you had?" Mithrandir growled once more.
Glorfindel suddenly understood. More than the poor King who really was too tired to comprehend what was going on around him.
"Perhaps this would be better without others watching us." Glorfindel guided Thranduil into the chamber and Mithrandir frowned as he looked at his old friend.
"What has happened?" He moved to let them in.
"He is exhausted. He needs to rest and he needs it now." There was warning in Glorfindel's voice.
If the Maia was upset with them for whatever reason, he could put it to one side for later and deal with Glorfindel and not Thranduil. He had been the one to cause the fight they had taken part in and not Thranduil. He would not let Thranduil take the blame for something that was not his fault.
"Come. Legolas is sleeping." Mithrandir's voice was soft, anger forgotten in an instant. That could wait for another time. Or at least until Thranduil was asleep, as this had not really been his doing. "Legolas woke for a short time and took some broth before sleeping again. Elrond is also awake."
Thranduil nodded although he could not really understand what was being said to him. All that mattered was that he was taken to his beloved son.
He was not even aware of being placed in the chair as he took up a limp, swollen hand. It was warm. Legolas was still with him and he praised the Valar.
His eyes closed without him even being aware of it.
Mithrandir sighed. He could see that Thranduil was on the verge of total collapse. He needed rest. He made shushing motions with his hands to stop them from talking. It would only be a few minutes before Thranduil was asleep.
Actually it was less time than that. The minute that Thranduil settled into the chair and took his son's hands Thranduil was sliding into sleep. A sleep that was apparently desperately needed since his eyes closed.
Glorfindel gently laid a blanket over his shoulders. Once they let Thranduil sleep for a short while, they could move him to a bed so that he could rest properly, but not too far from Legolas. His friend would awaken immediately if he was moved too quickly.
"This has been too much for him. How is Legolas, really?" His voice was soft and yet thrummed with worry.
Mithrandir waited a few minutes before answering, to be sure that the King really was asleep. He also motioned for them to move away. It was always better to be safer than sorry.
"Legolas' condition has not changed, but that is also good, he is no worse. No news is better than bad news." Mithrandir looked over to father and son.
"True. I also want to hear of Haldir. I am very sorry about hitting him. I did not mean that. I should not have tried to hit Thranduil in any case." It would take Glorfindel a long time to forgive himself.
"No, but you had provocation. You also had no idea that Haldir would step in the way like that. You were focused on Thranduil. Anger blinds, after all." Mithrandir reassured him, his anger forgotten when he saw how upset both Thranduil and Glorfindel had been. "Haldir's jaw was broken."
"No!" Glorfindel turned to the other bed where Elladan was seated next to the fallen Marchwarden.
Haldir was still unconscious, whether through herbs or because of the blow Glorfindel dealt him, he did not know. A large bruise was showing against his pale skin. It was only then that Glorfindel noticed the thin leather straps tightly bound around his chin to behind his head and over the top of his head to under his jaw that had been used to immobilise the broken jaw.
"He will hate me." Glorfindel was truly horrified. How had it come to this?
Gandalf lightly shook his head. "No, I believe he will understand. He has, after all, had brothers to grow up with. He knows how it can be." Gandalf had seen the Lothlórien Elf deal with them and the other warriors of that Realm.
"I must apologise." Glorfindel was shaking his head.
Mithrandir understood that guilt could make a person feel that way. "I am sure that Haldir will understand and be thankful for that." Gandalf nodded approvingly. "What happened in the kitchen?"
"Ferinel was killed by the Wraith. Rithlin's sword was found near her with some sort of dark blood on it. It may even be the Wraith's. Thranduil has a nail wrapped in his robe pocket that appears to belong with it. We need you to look at it. We have sectioned off the kitchen so that the scene is saved. Thranduil wants us to look it over, as well as Estel, in case there is something we have missed." Glorfindel handed over the sword and Mithrandir took it, a look of deep interest on his face.
"This will be interesting." He murmured as they moved towards the window and the light that filled the chamber.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
The blood had done little to sate its hunger. It was the wrong type of blood, not the royal blood that it craved.
The child had not fought against him, as if she had known that it would not help her. For some reason, this once, he had felt a deep sympathy for her, something he had not felt for long centuries.
But when the other had entered and disturbed him, he struck out and attacked without thought before he fled. The other would be dead by now, for daring to strike him. He was free and no one would be aware that he had even been within the palace walls. The open window had been an easy access that he had not anticipated
Suddenly, he was distracted from his musing by the smell of warm, living immortal blood near his hiding place. His face creased in a feral grin. Who was he to turn away a free feast?
He stalked his prey before he paused, confused. Something was different with this one, something not right... but what?
The Wraith suddenly understood what it was that he scented on the air, curling red lips to bare sharp teeth in anger.
No! He would not allow this. The One was his. This one could not have him! He deserved him after all he had been forced to endure, the spider and orc blood, rather than the Royal blood that he craved with all of his being.
Well, he would end that threat right here… right now.
Silently, he moved towards his new prey, would make certain that this one suffered as he made others suffer. This would be an amusing diversion as well, something he had not indulged in for some time…
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
He hurried through the forest, heading for the one place they all knew, but rather tried to stay away from.
Today, even he had little choice. Their Lord needed an update and it was he who had been chosen to deliver the news.
The large elf shivered. He was no coward. He had handled things worse than this, loved doing so, in fact. It was why he had been picked for this group at the Palace after all. When they captured 'prisoners' his little penchant to, ahem, 'talk with them' was a welcome skill. It made his day when this happened. It was so rare. But he had his little games that he could play on the side…..
The news he had for their Lord would not be welcome though. He would need to relax later. His latest little 'toy' would not enjoy it. He knew that already with grim certainty.
Polinas was well known for his temper driven by deep anger and hatred. The fact that their spy would no longer be able to keep watch for them for a while would not be a welcome piece of news.
He was not particularly watching the forest. The trees would warn a Wood Elf of any danger, so he relaxed, making plans for what he would practice on his toy. All his games were leading to one ultimate aim.
When he had the Brat of a Prince in his hands. His mouth went almost dry at the anticipation of what he would be able to do. The practice would have paid off.
He was unaware of the trees bristling with indignation around him. The first thing that he knew that all was not well around him was when a bird flew over and dived at him. Only his quick reflexes prevented him from getting a face full of the dove's secretions.
He shook his fist in fury at the bird, but thought no more of it. It had been one of those things, or so he thought.
No animal would harm an elf, after all, not with their affinity with nature. He did wonder for a full second whether or not the tale of the Wraith was real. It did not matter to him one way or another. Nothing would dare to harm him, ever.
With that in mind he returned to his plans.
O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
He could smell the cruel fear that was coming from the elf, and was amazed.
An elf that enjoyed hurting others? At least his was wrought through hunger and need, not some twisted and misguided sense of worth.
Even the awful trees that he had once loved so long ago were angry at this elf and he was not really sure why. Why would the trees be angry with an elf? That was most unusual.
He watched in amusement as a dove swooped down to defecate in the elf's direction. His cry of anger echoed around the trees…
It was then he realised why the trees were so angry. This elf wanted the Prince, to play his sick games.
Well that he would not have. The Prince was his and his alone. He would have to do something about that, something permanent!
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A sudden cold shiver made Cwaerlion look up from his plans. He was also at the meeting site. What could have made him shiver like that?
He had no idea what it was that had caused him to shiver like that. It must have been a sudden cold wind.
It was his imagination. He would have to hurry if he was to meet his Lord on time. It would be bad enough without his being late adding to it.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
The air was fresh above him as he took another deep breath of life giving breath, he always felt so much better when he was outside in the forest.
A tree gently caressed his face as he made his way through its branches. He smiled at the tender touch.
Then the coldness filtered over him. He stopped, crouched on the tree limb as he looked around him. Senses on alert.
What was this?
Then he realised that he should not be here. This was the same as the last time, when he had seen the Wraith waiting to attack his friends and family.
He had to warn them! He looked around him and yet he was so far from home. So far from help. What could he do?
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
A groan sounded in the chamber. Small yes, but it made Meleana shiver. It came from his Godson. Could Legolas be waking? And yet it had not been that long since he had woken and had some broth.
He had also been given some herbs for both his fever and the pain that seemed to fill him from his wounds, wounds that were slowly recovering but still caused problems. Meleana had also made certain that he had some cool water and offered the aid of a bowl to use should his Prince need it. Embarrassing yes, but also necessary. Legolas was still dangerously close to kidney failure and he was still not passing urine properly nor in the quantity that Meleana was happy with.
He crossed to Legolas. They had just moved and settled Thranduil, who was sleeping with his eyes closed. A true sign of his exhaustion.
Legolas also had his eyes closed, but a deep frown marred his normally smooth forehead.
"N…no!" It was a moan.
"Legolas? Penneth are you in pain?" He shared worried looks with Elladan and Elrohir. Legolas had been worried earlier that his father was not here and they had told him they had made the King rest. Was this caused by that worry?
The answer was another low groan.
"S… stop it." Legolas seemed to move away from something.
"Legolas?" Elladan was taking his pulse as Meleana felt his forehead. Yes he still had a fever, but it was not as bad as it had been…
"W… will stop you." There was a hint of steel and promise in the weak voice.
"He is seeing the Wraith!" Estel spoke from his friend's side, he had seen this before. He could recall how Legolas had been before the Wraith had attacked last time.
"What!" Elladan looked up in alarm.
"This is how he was the last time, just as the Wraith attacked us." Estel was certain that he was right. Certain with every part of his being.
"But how is this certain?" Meleana could not truly begin to fathom all of this. Legolas was special in so many ways and he had had an early awakening, but this seemed to be going to the extreme.
"I do not know." Estel sounded frustrated now.
"It may have something to do with the 'Golden Elf?'" Mithrandir asked his voice a little distant as he thought of the tale. This seemed to be adding up.
Legolas had a bond with this Wraith, so it would seem. This seemed to point to him being the one foretold to stop him.
"Legolas the Golden Elf?" There was no emotion in Estel's voice. Just pure worry for his friend.
"He may well be." Mithrandir confirmed.
"How do we help him?" Estel brushed the hair once more from the grey face. One lock always seem to be falling into the Prince's eyes and they all knew how much he hated that. The side braids normally kept it under control.
"L… leave him!" The weak voice seemed to be full of anger.
"I do not know, but we have to find a way." Glorfindel had crossed to Haldir's bed, watching him with sorrow. He had caused injury to a loved and respected member of their party. He would never forgive himself. "There is no way that Legolas can do this alone, certainly not at present. I wonder what has caused the link to be so strong between them?"
"That is another mystery that needs looking into." Mealena agreed. "It could be something as simple as his deep link to the forest about him."
"And it is a deep link." Glorfindel looked towards Legolas now. "One of the deepest I have ever had the joy of witnessing, even though it does cause pain sometimes for all of us."
"S…stop! N…no!" Legolas was becoming more and more upset as he 'saw' whatever it was that was happening in his 'dream'.
"I wonder what he is witnessing?" Elladan's voice was soft.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o
He heard a sound over the cries of distress that he could hear from the trees that told him something was happening here, something bad that the trees were unhappy with.
He made his way to where the trees had pointed him, marveling at the ability to move freely once more and not have to be helped with anything. He liked it here in the dreamworld. It had to be a dream because somewhere deep in the back of his mind he could still feel the pain as it niggled him.
He would ponder much on this at a later date. Now he had something that he needed to do.
He stopped when he saw the black shadow moving on the ground with a stealth and ease that would rival even the greatest warriors. It was tall and thin. Legolas knew immediately what, or rather who, it was.
The Wraith. And it was hunting something or someone.
"No!" It was the barest of whispers and should not have been spoken aloud. The Wraith could have heard him. Luckily, it was so focused on what it was doing that it did not even so much as glance in his direction.
It moved with purpose towards something that was also moving steadily.
It was another Elf!
"Stop it!" Legolas would not let this happen!
The pair ahead of him continued to move.
"I will stop you!" It was a deep vow. He would not let the Elf be killed. There had been too much blood shed already.
He moved swiftly and without worry for his own safety. He could not worry about himself right now.
The Wraith reached the Elf before Legolas did and it swung him around with such ease it was almost frightening.
"What are you?" There was fear in the Elf's voice and Legolas recognised him straight away. It was Cwaerlion. "What do you want of me?"
Cwaerlion had once been a Mirkwood warrior, many, many years ago. Until he suffered a head injury while on patrol with Rithlin. They had hurried him back to Mirkwood and he had been saved after treatment. But his personality had changed completely.
He had begun to enjoy the killing of the spiders and Orcs and actively sought them out even when he was off duty.
Then Legolas and his father had begun hearing disturbing stories about what he was doing to the Orcs. How he was making them suffer greatly before finally killing them.
He had been relieved of his post once he had been found torturing an Orc. Legolas had put the creature out of its misery. Before that he had never thought he would feel sorry for one of the Fell Creatures. But after seeing what had been done to the poor creature he had felt deep shame and pity that one of his own people could do this.
They had all been surprised when Cwaerlion had decided to stay on Middle Earth and even more so that he remained in Mirkwood. He and his father had had many an argument about his being banished from Mirkwood. Legolas was all for it, albeit reluctantly.
Thranduil though would not have it. He would prefer to have the other Elf near to hand so that they knew what he was doing. That suspicion had eased over the years when there had been no further incidents.
Even so Legolas could not allow him to be killed this way.
"I want what you want. Yet only one of us will get that wish." The Wraith was speaking in riddles!
"And what is it that I want?" There was a little trepidation in Cwaerlion voice.
"You know as well as I do what it is you have planned and I cannot allow you to have that." The grin was chilling to the extreme.
"I have nothing planned!" Cwaerlion looked at him as if he had two heads.
The laughter was bone chilling with its lack of mirth and Legolas shivered.
"Yes, you do little Elf. I know about the 'toys' in your locked chamber. The smell of blood that lingers in the air around you. Such a sweet intoxicating scent…" The Wraith seemed to snifft the air and its mouth was watering in anticipation.
"What!" Cwaerlion was shocked. Only a handful of his closest friends and other plotters knew about his little treats.
"You cannot hide it from me, not from one who also enjoys the same thing." The voice was deathly cold.
"No!" Legolas whispered and the trees rustled their limbs in an effort to hide their Caun.
"What is it that I want then?" There was bravado in his voice.
"The same thing that I do, of course, the Little Prince."
Legolas gaped at them in shock. They wanted him? The Wraith he knew about, but Cwaerlion? What had he done that could warrant this?
"He is mine!" It was a hiss from Cwaerlion, full of anger and hate.
"No, he is mine!" The Wraith moved so suddenly that Legolas blinked and almost missed it.
Instantly, Cwaerlion was pinned to the forest floor, the Wraith's hand on his throat.
"No! Saes, no!" There was utter fear now in the normally-harsh voice.
"Yes, oh, yes." The Wraith stroked the pale throat with its long, bony fingers, they seemed to be huge thanks to the hard, filthy long nails. "I will enjoy this greatly!"
"No, Valar, saes no!" Legolas tried to rush forward, tried to stop what he knew would happen and yet he was totally unable to move, unable to even raise a finger to help. It was exactly as it had been the last time he had dreamt like this, when he had seen the Wraith watching the chamber they were sleeping in.
"Should I make your death fast, or slow just as you like for the others?" The long index finger stroked a line across the throat leaving in its wake a long bloody line.
Cwaerlion's breath hitched in his throat. He had never been so frightened in all of his life. He had heard about what the Wraith had done to his cohort and Polinas' son. How he had been left to die in his own blood. Although, if he believed the tale, there had been little blood left to drown him.
"No!" Legolas could only moan, his breath coming in spurts as he watched the awful scene before him. He was about to see the Elf murdered before his very eyes and he could not move an inch. He had to try and help, there had to be some way.
"Slow I think." The feral grin was back.
Legolas tried to struggle forward, tried to put an end to this…
"It is not your time, Penneth Caun. But it will come." The Wraith turned to look at him, his fangs bared in a grimace of a smile. "For now…."
The long, sharpened finger, for that was what it was slowly drew down and across, leaving blood pooling in its wake.
"No!" Legolas shouted and then he was being pulled back, back in to the Palace as he had been the last time. All he could see was the black head as it lowered to the throat…
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"NO!" The cry woke Thranduil from his deep sleep and he opened his eyes to see his son arching from the bed, the others trying to restrain him.
Valar not again! When would this nightmare end?
"Legolas, waken!" Mealena sounded so stern.
"No! I… I will f… find you, m…make you s…suffer. Y… you are w…worse t…than an O…Orc!" Then the heavy lids opened to reveal haunted blue eyes, eyes that Thranduil knew so well and had hoped never to see again in this life.
Legolas had witnessed something and it had been bad, very bad. The eyes closed as the Prince tried to control his ragged breathing. His left hand shakily rose to brush the tears away.
"Legolas? Ion-nin what happened?" He was at his side in an instant. He would do all he could to help him over this, would even give his own life if it came to that.
"C… Cwaerlion, d…dead. W…Wraith."
It was all that Legolas could get out before darkness took him once more.
Shocked silence filled the chamber….
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
To be continued…
So another chapter finished dear friends and the plot is thickening fast! I do so hope you enjoyed this and that you will let me know what you do think? I am sorry that there was a long wait in between chapters, but Real Life became a pain and I had a few things to sort out before I could continue with this. I promise that the next chapter will not be that long in coming!
Love,
Shell
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