CONTENT WARNING for Chapter 33: Rated M for Strong language, violence, and descriptions of gore.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. This is for entertainment only.

A/N: I suck so much and I am SSOO sorry about the long delay in posting the chapter. It was a little tricky for me to get into and, sadly, real life has been very draining this month, as I'm sure all of you can relate too. But FINALLY, I have finished this Chapter! I hope you enjoy.
XOXO - Presephone

Song for the Chapter: "Play With Fire" by Sam Tinnesz Ft. Yacht Money


Chapter 33 - Be Careful Who You Trust
I fear not the dark itself,
But what lurks within it.


Gailon knocked on the study door and walked in, giving a bow to the King, "Aran nin (my King), Master Augustus Merek has requested an audience with you and the Prince."

"Let him enter," Thranduil gave a short nod and glanced at Legolas who reclined in the chair on the other side of Thranduil's desk. Augustus entered and bowed to both in the room and Thranduil gestured to the open chair next to Legolas. Augustus hesitated for a moment and then moved to the chair, he laced his fingers together as he sat down. Thranduil noted that he looked nervous and became slightly concerned, "What can we do for you this morning, Augustus?"

"Is everything alright?" Legolas added almost immediately having also noticed Augustus's uncomfortable demeanor.

"Yes, everything is fine," Augustus replied, "I have a request, but I'm not sure how to go about it."

Thranduil leaned back in his chair, "By all means, what is on your mind?"

"I've been trying to think of ways that I could contribute more to Greenwood," Augustus took a deep breath, "which is why I would like to join the guard as a soldier."

Legolas furrowed his brow and Thranduil had a contemplative look on his face. Legolas leaned forward, "Augustus you have contributed a great deal. The assistance you've offered me has been a great benefit."

"I understand," Augustus nodded, "but I would like to help more. Beyond cleaning weapons and setting up obstacle courses. I want to help protect my home."

Thranduil quietly watched Augustus for a long minute, "Normally, when a potential soldier wishes to be considered they are put through several tests to prove their worth. However, I have seen your worth in battle. I have seen how fearless you are when protecting those your care about. Should Legolas agree to relinquish you from your other duties, it would be an honor to have you serve as one of our soldiers."

Legolas nodded and gave Augustus a smile, "It would be an honor to have you serve beside us."

All three rose, Legolas placing his hand on Augustus's shoulder and the newest soldier reciprocated the gesture. Thranduil walked around his desk and gave Augustus a short smile, "I do have your first order."

Augustus straightened up, "Yes sir?"

Thranduil smirked as he feigned a fearful look in his eyes, "You must tell your sister."

"Oh boy," Augustus sighed, "I may die before I see a battlefield..."


"VARNO! (GUARDS!)" Aurora shrieked as she turned to run to the back of the library when the dagger sunk into her shoulder and she fell. Her head smacked against the cold stone floor and she felt the pain shoot down her entire body while she tried to catch her breath. She could feel her head beginning to bleed as she tried to get back to her feet when she felt a knee sink into her back causing her to collapse back to the ground with a short cry. He pulled the dagger several inches down her back until he roughly pulled it from her back followed by grabbing her wrist and jerking her onto her back then straddled her hips.

Aurora began to cry as Sam traced the dagger along her face with a malevolent smile on his face. He covered her mouth and muffled her screams as he sliced into her cheek. He gave a low guttural laugh as his wild eyes darkened, "I'm glad we have this time to chat, Rory."

Aurora sobbed against Sam's hand as she felt her tears mixing with the blood that ran down the side of her face. Sam uncovered her mouth and placed his hand against her neck, "You see, Rory… I was given a mission nine years ago, by the Shadow King, to bring darkness to a very special girl in a different realm. So you know what I did? I fooled the bitch into thinking I cared about her, then I slowly started to bring turmoil around her and I made sure that it got fucking dark."

"How?" Aurora choked out, "How did you get through the cave? Only blood—"

"Only blood relations can pass through the runes. Yeah, I know," Sam scoffed, "Unless someone was there when the runes were created, saw how they were made and recreated them with black magic."

Aurora looked at him incredulously, "Someone who was—"

"Someone who was there, yes… Do try and keep up, will you?"

"Who?"

Sam gave Aurora a dark smile and leaned in closer to her face, "Someone closer than you think. Come on Rory, you're a smart girl. Think long and hard about it…"

Sam pressed his hips against Aurora's and forced a kiss. His hot breath filled her senses as Aurora tried to pull away and she could feel the blood from her back pooling beneath her. Sam tightened his grip on her throat cutting off the air to her lungs, "We're going to have so much fun."


Everyone in the study turned suddenly when Augustus collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest and screaming. Haldir and Legolas ran to his side and tried to pick him up off the ground. Thranduil stood from his desk and walked across the room, keeping his eyes fixed on Augustus. Sankrovyn, Celeborn, and Elrond moved towards the crumpled boy behind Thranduil.

Thranduil knelt down next to Augustus and helped him stand, "What is it?"

Augustus was breathing very hard with a pained look across his face. He could only mutter, "Aurora..."

Just as Augustus said the name, Thranduil jerked quickly as he heard Aurora's strained whisper's in his head, Library…

Thranduil rose quickly pulling Augustus to his feet with him. "Draw your weapons!" Thranduil suddenly shouted and sprinted from the study. everyone drew their weapons without knowing what was happening and followed him down the corridors.

They ran down the royal corridor and Legolas spotted it first and called "Ada, the floor…"

They looked down and saw blood coming from under Aone of the doors and they briefly slowed down. Thranduil looked to Legolas, "Legolas and Haldir, investigate. The rest of you with me." He didn't stop to see if others had followed his order and he continued down the corridor


Aurora suddenly remembered something that Alistair taught her. She steeled her emotions and moved as quickly as he had trained her. She grabbed Sam's left arm bending his elbow. She reached across with her left fist and punched his elbow while she bucked her hips upward. He collapsed the rest of the way and she was able to roll over on top of him.

Sam screamed in rage as she punched him in the groin and scrambled to her feet. She got a few feet closer to the door when she felt her hair get pulled backward. She slammed back against his chest and his hot breath was against her ear, "You fucking cunt—"

"LEITHIO DEN! (RELEASE HER!)"

Thranduil's roaring voice echoed around the library. Sam grabbed Aurora around the waist and pressed the dagger into her throat as he looked up to see a group gathered at the library entrance. Celeborn and Elrond had their swords in hand. Augustus had a third bow trained on him, Sankrovyn with his dual blades drawn.

Thranduil stood in front of all of them with his two blades clutched in his hands, his knuckles turning white. His eyes burned with abhorrent rage as he saw Aurora. Her forehead was bleeding and there was a long cut down her cheek. Sam held the dagger so tight against her neck that it was starting to cut her skin and blood was beginning to trickle down her neck.

Thranduil's incensed eyes met Sam's gaze and he whispered dangerously low, "I said... Release her. Now."

Sam gave them a diabolical grin as he set his chin on Aurora's shoulder, pressing his cheek against hers. Aurora closed her eyes and softly sobbed as Sam spoke calmly, "Now why would I want to do a thing like that? You see, she is the only thing keeping me alive right now. So why don't all of you get out of the entrance, and we'll be on our way?"

"I will die first," Augustus said.

"That can be arranged," Sam retorted.

Aurora tried to pull away, "Don't you fucking touch him—"

"Shut up you stupid bitch," Sam hissed as he moved the dagger deeper into her neck. Blood began to run faster down her neck and Aurora cried out in pain. Everyone present noticed the room dim as the corner shadows darkened. Sam smirked as he looked back up, "You see, I hold all the power right now."

Thranduil's indifferent mask had returned although his eyes still held fire and his white knuckles remained clenched around his swords, "Yes you do. But what you choose to do with that power will determine if you make it out of here or not."

Do you have a clear shot? Augustus almost flinched when he heard Thranduil's voice in his head as he continued speaking, "Tell me, how did you get out of the dungeons?"

I think so, Thranduil heard Augustus reply in his head.

You cannot think. You must be sure, he replied as he spoke to Sam again, "Not many can say they've accomplished such a feat."

If he doesn't move, I can take the shot, Augustus replied to his father. Sam took pride in Thranduil praising his escape.

Thranduil opened his mind once more, If you have a shot, take it.

"I told you," Sam gloated, "be careful who you trust in your inner circle."

"Yes, that's right," Thranduil nodded his eyes flashing to Aurora's terrified face again, "the traitor among us."

"I tried to warn you. But you were so sure that I couldn't possibly tell the truth. Now look where we are," Sam smirked again and kept his eyes on Thranduil. He leaned his head to the side and kissed Aurora on the cheek. Thranduil and Augustus both shifted angrily while Aurora cringed and tried to pull away but Sam only tightened the knife against her throat. Sam looked back to the entrance and smirked, "You would like nothing more than to kill me right now, wouldn't you?"

"Do not push us," Sankrovyn hissed.

"Or what?" Sam retorted to him, "What power do you even hold Advisor?"

Aurora, She almost flinched when she heard Thranduil speak inside her head. She looked over and met his focused gaze as he continued, If you can move in one direction or the other, Augustus will have a clean shot.

"Sam," Elrond spoke diplomatically, "what are you hoping to accomplish?"

"I assumed that it would be fairly evident at this point," Sam shrugged, "I was given a job by my King, the true King. I intend to complete that mission and I will deliver Burz Gothlob (the Dark Queen) to him."

Several in the room shuddered at the sound of the Black Speech and the shadows seemed to darken further in the room. Thranduil steeled his emotions and looked back to Sam, "Unfortunately, I can't allow you to take her."

Get ready, Augustus heard Aurora's voice in his head, Aim for his left side.

"Well, then we are at an impasse because—"

Before Sam could finish he found his right hand being twisted outward and Aurora slipped under his arm and bent it behind his back, driving his own dagger into his side. At the same time, Augustus loosed his arrow and it plunged into Sam's leg causing him to crumple to the ground.

Aurora stumbled backward in terror and flinched as Sankrovyn caught her before she fell. She began to hyperventilate and her legs buckled beneath her. He pulled her closer and drew her away from where Sam was screaming on the ground.

Thranduil moved quickly to Aurora and picked her up into his arms. Her head dropping against his shoulder as he turned to Augustus, "Come with me."

With a short nod, Augustus followed Thranduil left the library and almost ran into Alistair and Gawain. Looks of horror crossed their faces as they saw Aurora but Thranduil cut them off before they could speak, "Find her guards and ensure their safety." Without another word he passed them and kept walking down the corridor. He walked quickly as heard Aurora murmur, "What, Ilman nin (my Starlight)?"

"You heard me," Her voice was barely audible over her labored breathing, "You heard me and you found me…"

Thranduil held her closer and kissed her forehead. He kept his lips against her forehead as he whispered, "I will always find you, Aurora. Always."


The healing halls were frantically bustling with activity as the healers quickly worked to heal the injured. Thranduil had been furious as he took Aurora to the healing halls, wondering why her guards weren't with her at the library. But his stomach had dropped when he walked into the healing halls and saw them. Legolas and Haldir had found them in her original guest room; they had been knocked unconscious and left to bleed. Dusan had been stabbed in the chest, but Sam had missed his heart by inches while Tonever had been stabbed in the back. Fintan and Caspian had both had their throats cut; luckily major arteries had been missed. All were expected to make full recoveries to Thranduil's relief. Priamos had been found unconscious in the dungeon with a large wound to the back of his head. They had placed him in the bed furthest from the door and he remained unconscious.

When Thranduil brought Aurora in, Kasterren was already waiting with athelas, bandages, and other medicinal herbs. Aurora's guards instantly sat up further, straining to get a look at the one they were meant to protect. The other healers had to instruct them several times to stay in their beds and even pushed them back down. He set her down on one of the beds that had curtains around it and stayed by her side as Kasterren closed the curtains and began working. "She fell unconscious on the way," Thranduil informed, trying to keep his voice even. Augustus dropped to his sister's side and took her hand.

"That isn't surprising," Kasterren mused as she removed Aurora's tunic so she could examine the wounds better, "with these injuries and the blood loss, her body must be exhausted. She should wake up in a few hours."

Elrond came through the curtain and moved over to Aurora's other side, causing Augustus to stand up. He helped Kasterren roll Aurora onto her side and Thranduil gasped as he saw the laceration that went down her back several inches. Kasterren turned and looked at him, "Aran nin (my King), I need you and Master Augustus to leave."

"No," They replied quickly not taking their eyes off of Aurora.

"I'm sorry, but you must," Elrond said without looking up at either of them, "We need room to work." Elrond glanced up at Thranduil and his eyes softened, "I will come and get you when you can see her, Mellon nin (my friend)."

Thranduil stood silently for a long moment then, without another word, they left through the curtain and walked into the corridor. He looked up to see Celeborn and Sankrovyn coming towards him. "Where is he?" Thranduil asked through clenched teeth.

"Back in the dungeon," Celeborn replied, "Lord Alistair is guarding him."

Thranduil was quiet for a long moment then he looked the Celeborn, "Inform Lady Galadriel and Mithrandir of what has happened here." He looked to Sankrovyn and Augustus, "Come with me."


Thranduil descended the winding stairs and the air became cool and damp by the time they reached the bottom step. Augustus looked around seeing several barred doors as they walked through the corridor and in each cell he could see that they all consisted of a cot and a thin blanket. As they moved down the dimly lit corridor, Augustus recognized the hallway that Lord Elrond has pulled him into not so long ago. As he continued looking around the corridor he almost ran into the back of Thranduil who had suddenly stopped.

The King turned around and met his gaze, "Will you be able to handle this?"

"Your Majesty?" Augustus furrowed his brow.

"You're about to be in very close proximity to the one who did reprehensible things to your sister. Will you be able to keep a calm head during this?" Thranduil's eyes were hard but not cold. He watched Augustus closely as he considered the question, "If you have any hesitation, you will return to the healing halls now."

Augustus thought for a long moment and then looked Thranduil in the eyes, "I can handle this, Your Majesty. If I may ask, will you be okay?"

Thranduil was slightly taken aback at the question. He spoke with a softer tone, "I am the King. This is my duty regardless of my personal emotions." Thranduil remained silent for another long moment. Of course, he wasn't going to be okay. If he had his way Sam would've been dead long before he could hurt Aurora again. He refocused his attention and looked to them, "Augustus, once the door is open you will stand on the opposite side of the corridor. Sankrovyn, you will be just outside the cell should I require you."

Both gave short nods and Thranduil turned around and silently continued down the corridor. They turned the corner and saw Lord Alistair standing outside the cell. He gave Thranduil a grim look and bowed his head. He moved to the side and Thranduil stood in front of the barred door while Augustus moved directly behind him, his back pressed against the opposite wall. Thranduil glanced back to Alistair, "Open it."

Alistair moved in front of Thranduil and unlocked the door, opening it and stepping aside. Thranduil hovered in the doorway a moment longer before he walked into the cell while Sankrovyn moved to the doorway. Alistair moved next to Augustus and gave him a kind nod. Augustus could see Sam slumped against the far wall with an arrow still protruding from his leg. He looked up at Thranduil with an evil smile, "I think I need a healer."

Thranduil silently glared while he clutched his hands behind his back. I should've killed him long before this, Thranduil thought to himself. Without looking away he knelt down in front of Sam, "Why would I offer you healing?"

Sam scoffed and looked down at his leg, "For the obvious arrow protruding from my leg."

Thranduil looked at Sam with an expression so cold that it could freeze anything in its path. Without a word, Thranduil quickly ripped the arrow from Sam's leg and threw it across the cell. Once Sam's screaming faded Thranduil cocked his head to the side and looked on with indifference, "What arrow?"

Sam clenched his teeth into a malicious grin, "That was very rude."

"You have yet to see my rage," Thranduil leaned over and grabbed the wound in Sam's leg, squeezing tight. Sam flinched again and Thranduil's eyes darkened, "I will ask you this once. How did you get out of this cell?"

"It's all about knowing the right people," Sam breathed, "and making sure that you keep them quiet when you're done with them."

"Meaning what exactly?" Thranduil asked.

"Where is my dagger?" Sam sneered, "I would very much like it back… Maybe you can ask Rory if—"

"Keep her name out of your filthy mouth." Thranduil cut Sam off and applied more pressure to his leg.

"Oh come on Thranduil," Sam laughed, "We've both experienced her allure. I thought we could compare notes."

Thranduil slammed Sam against the wall as his hand tightened around Sam's throat. Sam started to cough as he began having difficulty breathing. Thranduil only stopped tightening his grip around Sam's neck when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked over to see Sankrovyn looking down at him.

"He's not worth it, Mellon nin (my friend)."

Thranduil stood up and walked from the cell, looking to Alistair, "Continue guarding him until I order otherwise." He heard the door shut behind him as he began walking back down the corridor.

"What now?" Augustus called from behind.

Without turning around, Thranduil replied, "We return the dagger."


They were walking back down the healing corridor when they saw Lord Elrond walk into the hall. He saw them walking towards him and he moved to meet them halfway down the corridor. Before they could speak he raised his hand to silence their questions before they could be asked, "All her injuries have been tended but when she started to wake up and was in a great deal of pain. Kasterren gave her a tonic that will cause her to sleep for several hours, possibly until tomorrow."

"What wounds did she sustain?" Sankrovyn asked.

Elrond sighed, "There was the injury to her forehead. There was the cut to her neck and the cut on her cheek appeared to be intentional. The worst was the laceration to her shoulder, which seemed to be caused by a... a dagger being dragged down her shoulder several inches."

There was a heavy silence in the corridor as all present processed what Elrond had said. Augustus held his eyes closed while Thranduil clenched his jaw tight. Sankrovyn was the first to speak, "Will there be any permanent damage?"

Elrond lightened his voice, "No. They were tended to quickly enough that she shouldn't endure any long-lasting repercussions. The injuries to her forehead and cheek should heal in the next few days. The laceration to her shoulder will probably take closer to a week. She should rest as much as possible."

"Thank you, Mellon nin (my friend)," Thranduil spoke softly without looking at Elrond. He looked to Augustus as they continued walking down the corridor, "You should spend time with your sister. I need to check on her guards."

Augustus gave a short nod as they walked into the healing hall. The chaos from before had calmed down and most of the injured were either resting comfortably or sleeping. Thranduil noted that Aurora's guards were still awake and attentively watching the curtain that Aurora was behind. At the sight of their King entering the Hall, the guards moved to stand up but Thranduil raised his hand, "Posto hi, daug. (Rest, soldiers)."

"I will not take too much of your time, as you all need your rest to heal," The soldiers hesitantly lowered back to their beds, "Which of you can tell me what happened?"

The soldiers shifted uncomfortably and sent glances to one another. Caspian sighed heavily and met the gaze of his King, "We were in the hall, waiting for Lady Aurora to emerge for the day. We heard a noise coming from the guest room area so Dusan and Fintan moved to investigate. They heard the clattering noise again coming from Lady Aurora's original guest room and they went inside to investigate. I called them but there was no response and they didn't emerge. I looked to Tonever and we cautiously moved to the room to find out what was going on. I went into the entrance and saw Dusan and Fintan on the ground both bleeding and unconscious. We moved in but were immediately ambushed; Tonever was hit over the head and stabbed in the back. I tried to fend off the attacked but he loosed his arrow too quickly. The last thing I remember is getting hit over the head."

There was another moment of silence before Caspian broke his eye contact with Thranduil and looked at his hands as he whispered, "We have failed you, Aran nin (my King). We have failed our future Queen and we will accept any punishment that you deem fit."

Thranduil watched as all the soldiers nodded in agreement and lowered their heads slightly. He clenched his jaw and spoke in an indifferent, even tone, "You have failed and I will discuss that with all of you at a later time." He met each of their eyes individually, "Until that day, rest and heal. Our Lady will still require your protection once you have recovered."

There were confused glances between the soldiers, clearly surprised that they would still be allowed to guard their Beloved Lady. After the initial shock wore off they settled into their beds more comfortably and began to truly rest. Thranduil continued walking through the hall until he came to the side of Priamos's bed. He watched as his Captain quietly slept, taking note of the drying blood on the back of his head. Thranduil hovered for another moment until he turned and left the healing hall.


Augustus had sat silently with Aurora for several hours since they returned from the dungeon. He had flinched seeing the long cut going down her shoulder. He cringed when he saw the scrape on her head and the long cut down her cheek.

"Hey Loser... You have to wake up so you can kick Sam in the dick before the Rivendell delegation hauls his ass away." He sighed heavily as he drew light circles of the back of her hand with his thumb, "Come on Auri… You gotta get better so you can yell at me for becoming a soldier."

He heard the curtain quietly open behind him and he turned to see Thranduil standing there. He was looking at Aurora as he spoke softly, "How is she?"

"She hasn't woken up yet," Augustus replied, "Kasterren was just here and changed the bandage on her back."

Thranduil looked very solemn, "May I ask you to walk with me, Augustus?"

Augustus silently nodded as he leaned over and kissed Aurora on the forehead. "I'll be back in the morning, Loser."

He followed Thranduil from the healing hall and walked silently down the corridor. Augustus realized that night had fallen. They walked in silence for a long moment until Augustus realized where they were heading. "Aran nin (my King) where are we going?"

Thranduil turned and stopped just outside the entrance to his study, "Augustus, I am asking that you be privy to this conversation because I would not ask Aurora to be faced with this so soon after the attack." He saw Augustus furrow his brow and he continued, "Remember earlier in the dungeon I told you we were going to return the dagger?"

"I don't understand," Augustus shook his head, "the dagger belongs to Sam."

Thranduil dropped his eyes to the dagger, "Come with me."

He walked into the parlor and Gailon stood up quickly and moved to open the door to his study. Thranduil strode in, looking around the room and waited for the door to close before speaking again, "Thank you for meeting us here."

The pair saw the King's council sitting around the fire and Legolas, Priamos, and Tauriel standing by the bookcase. Thranduil placed his arms behind his back, "Shall we begin?"

Everyone moved to the table and sat down but Thranduil began walking in a circle around the table. "All of you are now aware of the attack on Lady Aurora this morning. Master Augustus and I just left the healing halls and she is expected to make a full recovery along with all of her guard. I've been investigating all day as to how the prisoner was able to escape. In that investigation, I made several discoveries and I would like to inform all of you about why that has led us here."

"The prisoner made a request today that piqued my interest. So, in honor of that request…" Several people saw Thranduil produce a dagger with dried blood on it from his robes. He looked at the blade for a long moment before he moved quickly, stabbing the dagger into the table. Everyone jumped back in shock except for the one Thranduil was leaning over as he gripped the dagger tight.

Thranduil spoke through clenched teeth and all present could feel the rage flowing off of him, "I believe this is yours, Captain Priamos."


A/N: Hey everyone, I hope you liked this chapter! I am planning on getting the next chapter out by the end of the week.
Please please PLEASE review and let me know you guys are still enjoying the show.
Until Next Time!
XOXO,Presephone