All I can say is that I am so so sorry for how this chapter ends... ;)
But I mean, did you expect anything else?
In Times of Trouble
Scribbles-on-Parchment
November 27, 2021
Chapter 16 – Until the End
"What are you going to do?"
Kélion lifted his head out of his hands as he heard his friend speak. Strands of his long blond hair had fallen in front of his eyes causing the figure of Meldir to appear slightly distorted.
"What do you mean? It is not like I have a choice in what I can do. As always the freedom to choose has been taken away from me."
Meldir just gazed at the Sinda for a long moment, his dark eyes seeming to penetrate Kélion's very soul. At last, the ellon said quietly,
"Mellon nín, your adar never took your ability to choose away from you. On the contrary, I believe that he is instead forcing you to make a decision – and I am not sure he is going to like what you have decided."
Kélion gave his friend a cold look.
"What are you saying? Are you suggesting that I turn against my king? That I betray my kingdom and forfeit all that I have even known? These are dangerous words, commander. I suggest you think about who might hear them for they could very well land you in the dungeons for treason."
"Perhaps," Meldir seemed unphased by Kélion's words, "Or perhaps not. For you see, it was not my decision that I spoke of but rather yours."
"What are you say…"
"Do not think me ignorant, Kélion. I know when you have already made up your mind for it is as clear as day on your face."
The prince sat up straighter and brushed the golden locks from his eyes, a scowl forming on his face. Meldir continued,
"Your adar has forced you to choose between two things that you love – your people and the duty you were sworn into or your beloved brother," the Silvan commander paused for a moment before saying quietly, "Legolas is dying, Kélion. This you already know. He is going to waste away to nothing on this bed and you will be forced to watch. I believe that this decision that you made is not only one of love but of self-preservation. If Legolas should die, mellon, you will die as well. You are choosing to save both of your lives."
"And what if it should be all for not? What if it was all but a dream that means nothing? What if Estel and the Noldor know not what to do for him?"
"Then it will all be in the hands of the Valar then, for you will have done your best to bring Legolas out of the darkness that holds him captive. But I will ask you, Kélion, what you will do when you see the Noldor? For, was it not long ago that you were going to make your adar declare war on them? What has changed your opinion of them so quickly?"
"Nothing," the prince said through his teeth, "I am merely more concerned for the life of my brother at the moment than I am for enacting any kind of revenge. I will be there with Legolas and I will never leave his side should the Noldor be able to help him. I am his brother, and I will do everything in my power to protect him should the need arise. And as for war, I am not interested in causing any battles. I merely want to meet the supposed traitor elf lord for myself and then come to my own conclusions about what to do. May perhaps the patrol was killed by something or someone else."
There was a moment of silence between the two.
"My adar will never forgive me for doing this," Kélion said as he rose slowly to his feet quickly changing the subject, "He will hold to his word and I shall never be allowed to return."
"Only time will tell if that is the case," Meldir placed a hand on the prince's shoulder, "No doubt he will be angry, but do not dwell on that. Think instead of whom you are saving. If Legolas should fall into shadow or even, Eru forbid, die, then the barrier will crumble, and the Greenwood will collapse as well. Do you not see now all that you are trying to save?"
"But you know that after I leave my adar will lay the blame on you, mellon. You will not escape harm if I should do this."
A soft smile crept onto Meldir's face,
"And what makes you think that I shall be staying here?"
"No," Kélion backed away suddenly angry, "I will not let you do this. You have too much to lose should this all be for nothing. You will not be coming with me. If something should go wrong, then who would be left to lead the…"
"Tamír."
"Tamír? But he…"
"He is the rightful commander of the King's army and now that he is returned to us, I have already spoken to him about the possibility of petitioning for his reinstatement."
"My adar will never allow it," Kélion said a frown on his face, "He will find another."
Meldir's face grew serious as he replied, "There is no other mellon. We are losing too many soldiers and archers as it is. Every year more die on patrols. There is no one left who could lead effectively and your adar knows this. Those who are still here are too inexperienced to hold such high command. King Thranduil will have no choice but to make Tamír general."
Both eldar stood facing one another as the prince restated,
"I still will not allow you to come. What would you do should I be labeled as a traitor and banished?"
Meldir glanced over at the bed where Legolas lay pale and seemingly lifeless.
"I am your friend, Kélion. I will follow you always, until the end."
"But those words I spoke against you…"
"Are of little concern to me now. Now come, we have much we must do."
"Commander!"
Meldir closed his eyes and took a deep breath in annoyance as he heard his second in command call out to him from further down the hall. The Silvan's dark eyes flashed his frustration as he slowed his pace. It was not long before the other eldar was walking in step beside him.
"What is it, Aithanar, for I am needed elsewhere?"
"Sir, I was merely going to ask where you have been. There is trouble at the gate that must be attended to and I was alerted by the King's guards to tell you that Prince Kélion is not in his rooms where he has been commanded to stay. They are asking what they should do for they do not want to worry the King with this concern."
Meldir sighed to himself before turning to the Silvan and saying,
"I will deal with the issue at the gate. Please tell the guards that I will talk with the crown prince momentarily and will then send up a new watch for him."
The officer gave a sharp nod before he fell back, but not before Meldir added,
"And please tell them to stay clear of the princes' rooms. I have a feeling that Prince Kélion will not be happy when I speak with him and I do not think it would be good for anyone to see or hear such an altercation."
Aithanar confirmed the message before he hurried off in the opposite direction to deliver the news. Meanwhile, Meldir made his way swiftly to the great welcoming hall. The passages were thankfully empty as he strode down them, his brown hair blowing slightly out behind him in his haste.
"Commander!"
Meldir let out a low growl of anger. Why in Eru's name did everyone seem to be seeking his attention today of all days?
"What?"
The question came out harsher than he intended causing the poor soldier who has just come running up behind him to back away quickly.
"I understand that you are in a hurry, but I have been asked to find you in order for you to look over the maps so we can plan a course of action for tomorrow's patrols."
Meldir cursed quietly to himself.
"Place them in my chambers and I shall look at them as soon as I can."
The soldier nodded and quickly vanished from his side, obviously eager to get away from his clearly irritated commander.
A moment later Meldir burst into the welcoming hall. He was greeted by the sight of a ragged-looking patrol who appeared to have just returned. The patrolling elves glanced over at him as he barged in.
"I was told you requested to see me?" Meldir asked the lead soldier in the group, "I came as quickly as I could. Pray tell me that you do not bring back ill news."
"Nay," the eldar said, bowing quickly as a sign of respect, "I wanted merely to report that the borders are clear… for now."
"What do you mean for now?"
"I mean," the Silvan said clearly unsure of what he should say next, "That there are dark shadows lurking deeper in the forest, just out of range of our arrows. Spiders, I fear. It is almost as if they are waiting for something to happen."
A deep frown appeared on Meldir's face as he heard this,
"And what of the patrol who was killed? Have you found any trace of who or what was being the attack yet? Have there been any more such attacks?"
The elf shook his head.
"Nay, we have seen nothing. No doubt those who did this vile act have long left for we could find nothing. But perhaps that is because we were forbidden to go on patrol until today. If we had been allowed to do so sooner…"
"Careful with your next words," Meldir cautioned, "I will not have you questioning the decisions of your crown prince."
"My apologies. No doubt this was for the better. However, I must alert you that there is something wrong with the forest."
"What do you mean?"
"There is something dark about the woods now as if a sickness is taking over – has the barrier fallen?"
The soldiers watched as Meldir's eyes darkened and his emotions instantly grew distant.
"I have other things that I must attend to. Thank you for your report and please alert Aithanar of your findings as well. He shall answer any other questions that you might have."
The patrol bowed quickly before making their way quickly around the eldar and out of the room. A moment later the doors shut with a hollow boom leaving Meldir alone in the large hall.
Kélion hurried along the narrow side corridor. His heart was pounding and every sound that echoed in the hallway made him instantly search for a place to hide. Yet, the hall remained empty. The crown prince took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves as he readjusted Legolas's limp body in his arms. Though as light as the elfling was, he was no less awkward to carry.
Another echo of far-off voice sounded in the tight corridor and Kélion found himself unconsciously drawing his cloak tighter around himself as if the dark fabric could cause him to become suddenly invisible. However, the sound faded quickly and silence returned.
The prince cast one glance behind him before he continued down the hall. He cringed as the weapons at his hip caught on a low bench and clanged softly. If he were to be caught now, then his adar would no doubt have his head and all hope for Legolas would be lost. But part of him wondered if it was not too late to turn back. After all, why was he sneaking out of his home and running straight towards an eldar whom he had been taught to hate almost his entire life? What if he was just taking Legolas into a trap?
Kélion had little time to think of this, however, for a moment later he saw a dark figure standing silently at the end of the hall in front of him. The prince's heart leaped into his throat until he thought that he recognized the tall form of Meldir.
"Valar mellon," the Sinda hissed, "You scared me. I thought you were a guard."
There was no response and as the prince drew closer to the cloaked figure, he suddenly stopped dead. The elf in front of him raised his head and Kélion instantly grew deathly pale. This was not Meldir. The eyes of the eldar instantly fell on Legolas's still form that was clutched tightly in Kélion's arms.
"Why are you doing this?" Êmand's almost sorrowful voice came out of the shadows, "I am sorry, but I cannot let you do this, Kélion - not like this."
Elvish Translations:
adar – father
mellon nín – my friend