~Meeting Joagaral~
The Dancing River is actually a very beautiful place where five rather small rivers flow into a large lake.
One of the main reasons why it is named that is because of the way the water flows. It isn't straight, but rather curved this way and that. When the light catches on it, it looks like the water sways, therefore calling it the Dancing River.
For once the clear, sparkling water did not soothe my soul nor did the sound of gentle splashing water calm my mind. I glanced around for Joagaral and finally saw him behind the largest tree present.
He looked as if he was drooling at a couple that was picnicking near the edge of the lake.
I watched to see what he was looking at and then it caught me. It was a black velvet box and as the man picked it up and opened to for the lady to see, I saw it was a silver necklace beaded with diamonds of many sizes.
Before the deceitful elf could make a move, I walked out into the open and headed toward him. The couple glanced up at me, but then paid me no heed.
Joagaral saw me as soon as I passed the couple, so intent on the necklace was he.
As soon as he was going to bolt, I was already very close to him and I grabbed him by his cape before he could go anywhere.
I turned him around and shoved him against the tree in one fluid movement. Who said you couldn't learn from those you grew up with? He was about to speak, but then I glared him into silence. His cheek started twitching.
I was silent for a few moments, wanting to let him writhe in his agony and fear. Although I was human, he was smart enough to know I was still capable of damage to some extent.
The elf was shorter than I imagined, not much taller than I. And for an elf, he wasn't very beautiful and elegant. More or less, he looked like what he was: a deceitful son of an orc.
"I remember saying that whoever brought harm amongst my babies would pay the price," I tilted to my side, keeping all emotion off my face.
He remained silent except for the occasional gurgle so I took the front of his cape with my hand, fisted it, and shoved it at his neck. That would give him a reason to gurgle and choke.
"And I remember seeing you there when I said it. Have you no memory?"
The ugly one would not nod nor shake his head, so I pushed even harder, cutting off his oxygen. He started struggling and when his face started to turn a shade of purple, I released him and let him fall to the ground.
The couple glanced back toward us and, probably thinking we were too noisy, picked up their things and moved to the other side of the lake. Good for me, I thought, now I have some privacy.
"Get up, Joagaral, I do not want to kick someone who is already down. I have morals," saying that, I placed a small smile to my lips. When he did not move, I snapped, "Get up!"
He got up to his feet and stood up, his back very close to the tree.
"Tell me," I took a step toward him, "What your intentions were."
"I-I know nothing!" he said, his right cheek now twitching frantically.
"Oh? And what about Artemis' leg, huh, Joe? And Atlantis' stomach poisoning? Her food? You know naught about what had happened to my babies? About what was fed to Atlantis?" I spoke quickly, concentrating on which way he was glancing. If he was to dart away, I would get him. I could be fast when I wanted to. Hoping he would, I took two more steps back, giving him a bit of room to run.
"I know nothing, I said! Nothing! Not about Artemis' leg nor about Atlantis' food poisoning!" I pinned him with a hard look.
"Nothing, Joagaral? You do not lie? Nothing about the slash in Artemis leg? What about Atlantis and what the suspect put into her eat?" He started breathing hard and spoke quicker than I did, "I know nothing about the knife slash on Artemis leg! And I know naught about the poison put into Atlantis' hay!"
I relaxed. I had got him now.
"Who ever said anything," I spoke quietly, "about a knife slash, Joe? And about Atlantis' hay?"
I interrupted him before he said anything more, "I said naught about that and the information has not been released. No one even knew, dear elf, other than Damien and I."
In a quick movement, he grabbed his knife and threw it at me.
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~Balancing Death~
Reflex and instinct made me react fast enough to save myself from harm and I dogged his knife with more speed than I thought I had.
The elf made a run for it, but I had already recovered from my initial surprise. I half sprinted, half jumped, grabbing him by the ankle before I came down.
No matter what anyone said, grace had been bred into my blood so when I went down, I did not fall nor trip, nor stumble, but landed with bended knees with catlike grace.
Joagaral didn't and he went down, falling even harder when I flicked my wrist, twisting his ankle inward so he would fall on his leg.
Oddly, I had never done many a violent act until this week. The man went down with a sickening thud followed by the sound of breaking bone. After that came a howl of pain.
I stood up and walked over to his head, looking down at him.
I squatted down and pressed my fist to his left cheek, pressing his face down into the grass and dirt.
"Tell me," I said, barely winded, "why."
He was wheezing wildly, but I had no compassion for such a weakling. I forced my fist down harder.
It was a disgusting croaking sound that came from his mouth, followed by, "Jesine! She paid me to do it!" I lifted my fist, standing up, and he gasped for air, saying then, "The items that she gave me were the only things I used. I didn't do anything. She gave me access to gold and silver as well as rare jewels. Don't kill me, mistress, please I beg of you!"
I looked down at the pitiful creature at my feet. "What was given to Atlantis?"
He looked up at me hopelessly, "The blood of the flower Alphanine, she will die if you do not save her!"
Because I knew I had paled, I swung my head over my shoulder as if I had heard someone call, letting my hair fall past my ears and come cover the cheeks that must be as white as snow.
"Don't worry," I said with forced calmness in my voice, "I will not kill you just yet. If Atlantis dies, then I will kill you. If she has yet to live, but suffers, I will make sure you suffer also, but if she comes to heal, I will not kill you. No, not at all. Someone else will do it." With that, I left him, disappearing into the nearby bushes with no sound whatsoever.
As soon as the sound of trickling water was only a faint sound, I broke into a run.
Someone was bound to fine Joagaral on the ground with some sort of broken bone, but I had no care.
All I thought about was Atlantis. The Alphanine is a beautiful flower, but even one drop of its blood would be lethal.
It kills within a day with a malicious pain. There was no known cure for the poison.
Calculating swiftly, I had but six hours before it would be exactly one day since I had heard the news.
I did not know if she could be saved and, even worse, a day was the longest anything, animal or otherwise, had been known to live.
Time was crucial and it was running out.
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~Dying Hopes~
An hour later, I had sent contact to all the healers and powerful elves within the borders of Rivendell and had messengers gone to bordering cities, but I barely had a fragment of hope left.
Atlantis was dying and I could do nothing about it.
I had Artemis moved into another stall, not far away, but distant enough for them not to disturb each other.
We had the same stall for Atlantis as before because I didn't want to give her any discomfort in moving her, but the stall was large and accommodating.
My breathing was shallow and uneven; my eyes heavy with unshed tears; my hopes deteriorating by every minute.
I knew I could not dwell on hopes any longer. There was no cure and would be none. All that could be done was delay the poison, leading to the prolonging her death and suffering. I did not want to be selfish and have it done.
So I sat next to her, gently stroking her muzzle as she laid there, her own breathing painfully thin and shallow.
Elrond sat on a small chair next to me, his hand on my shoulder, offering both support and comfort.
I wondered if Artemis knew of his sister's situation and what he thought if he did.
Earlier, during the day before, I had removed her silver chain that hung a light ivory plate that had her motto engraved on it.
Under my breath, I said to myself, "Her beauty and elegance does not let her win the race, but it is rather the hope, speed, and total grace."
When Elrond had heard me speak, I felt him jump just slightly, as if startled by the sudden noise.
Atlantis knew her own motto and gave a barely audible whinny.
I looked at the chain that I had hung on the wall, remembering the stark contrast between it and Atla's shiny black coat.
It wasn't black and shiny anymore, but a dull dark black, without shimmer and without health. It's glossy shading disappeared just hours after the poison entered her body.
Unable to hold the tears in any longer, I lowered my head and pulled my knees to my chest.
Elrond's hand remained on my shoulder as I silently cried, occasionally reminding me he was still present by squeezing my shoulder just a little bit.
It was no help.
I did not notice when the sunlight left the room, nor when Damien left and closed the stall doors.
Although I knew it would do no good, I remained in silent anguish because the agony was too overwhelming.
My baby was dying and no one could do anything.
Hope had long fled our systems and we waited for fate to take its claim.
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~An Invisible Sparkle~
Dawn broke through the sky and I hadn't slept.
I glanced up at Elrond who was sleeping with his eyes open.
Oddly enough, I still hadn't gotten used to the fact that elves sleep with their eyes open, even after so many years.
It was still scary, but I did not dwell on that anymore.
Dreading declaring Atlantis was dead, I slowly turned my head to look at her, fully expecting a cold dead corpse.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it wasn't to be. As I looked at Atlantis, I saw she was not fully dead yet.
She had lost flesh, her ribs already showing, but she had not yet passed on.
A light sheen of sweat covered her flanks, an obvious sign as to her fighting death.
Her eyes slowly opened and she slowly blinked, showing her eyelids were heavier than lead upon her eyes.
I hurriedly, yet amazingly gently cleaned her and fed her some pasty mix of grass and Elrond's apples, slowly watering it down with clear, clean, sparkling cool water.
It seemed like a battle for her to swallow, but she still did it anyway, panting hard with the effort.
Although it seemed impossible, her breathing had deteriorated even more.
There was also a deep wheeze to it now.
I leaned over and hugged her gently, not wanting to cry.
She closed her eyes again and drifted off.
I was afraid she would fall asleep and never return, but that would have been for the best.
She would not have to suffer any longer.
The stall door opened and sunlight poured in.
I blinked and strained my eyes to see who it was.
It was Legolas- not the person I ever wanted to see.
He glanced at Elrond, who bobbed his head, looking as if he was awake...yet wasn't.
I frowned, thinking he might have woken but then just returned back to sleep.
Then he waved a hand at me and I looked at the prince, who was waving his hand, beckoning me to come to him.
It seemed like I had no choice so I stood up, working the cramps out of my legs as I walked over to him.
We stepped out together and the fresh morning air hit me, giving a wake-up call to my brain.
I asked Darien to open the stable doors and windows to let the air in, but be careful to keep Atlantis covered so she would not catch an illness.
Sighing, I looked up at Legolas who was looking around as if not knowing what to say.
On impulse, I sat down, but not because my legs were weak, but because I did not know what else to do.
He was not exactly graceful when he sat down next to me, but he made it quick.
Then he spoke, "Lily," I had not heard that nickname for what seemed like forever, "There might be a way to help Atlantis."
I looked up at him with tired and hopeless eyes, "Do not raise my hopes, Legolas, just to have them crushed again." I spoke quietly, a strange flatness in my voice. I wondered if he thought me aloof and unfeeling now. Maybe I had become that. I gave myself no attention regarding that and waited for what he had to say.
"We must have hope, Lily, else all is lost," I felt his gaze upon me. For once I did not give a care about my disheveled look, my clothes, or anything else. The feeling of overwhelming sadness and darkness invaded my systems. I wanted solitude, but I knew I could not leave Atlantis.
"Lilana," he took my hand in his. Distantly, I felt his warmth seep through me and I slowly raised my gaze to his. I was tired...so very tired. "I had thought about it and long ago read about it in an ancient text when I was young."
I knew my blank, emotionless look did not give him much of any encouragement, but he continued anyway, "It is a flower, called the Banalius, brown and not very beautiful, but it is said to be able to work against any Alphanine."
I turned my gaze away from his. "Banalius is another poisonous flower."
"You must try it," I felt extreme anxiety in his gaze and heard a hint of it in his voice.
I looked at him again, "Why are you doing this?"
He shrugged, "Atlantis is a beautiful horse and I cannot just let her die. Nor can I keep to myself when I see so many in distress."
Time is of the essence, I thought to myself. "I have no hope of this anymore, but if you think you can save her, have the Banalius flower brought. We can try."
I was not distressed when he shook his head. I shrugged.
A flame of anger leapt into his eyes, but he remained calm and patient. "It is nowhere near here, but if I ride hard I may be able to return with it by sundown."
Again I said, "We can try."
It seemed like my hopelessness was starting to get to him so I added, "If there is a cure of any sort, let it be death or life, I ask for you to hurry. Atlantis should not suffer anymore."
Now he nodded and I saw the anger fade away, being replaced by determination.
Seconds later his white stallion was led out of the stables and he mounted it, looking down at me as I stood up.
"Wish me luck, princess, and tell Atlantis to hold on," when I nodded, he added, "You too, Lily, hold on."
With that he spurred his horse into motion and quickly galloped away.
Moments later he was out of sight.
I returned back into the stables, had Damien give Artemis feed and water.
Then I whispered to Atlantis, "Hold on, baby, hang in there."
A thought occurred to me. Legolas had called me `princess'.
I wondered why. I kissed Atlantis and kneeled down beside her, stroking her muzzle yet again.
"Hang on, Atla, my love. Just hang on..."
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~The Last Hope~
Legolas returned just before darkness settled. He was tired and filthy, but he had the Banalius flowers. I asked him how to prepare it, but he didn't know so I just did the same thing as Joagaral did with the Alphanine.
I picked off a few petals of the flower and cut it open. It was a strangely large flower with ultra thick petals. They were dark brown, a kind of dirty mud color and it oozed black sap.
Fearful, yet just slightly hopeful, I mixed it with a bit of water and then added a few drops into Atlantis' pasty food.
On my knees beside her, I fed it to her, hesistating just slightly.
When I was done, she looked up at me with her trusting eyes radiating love, yet carrying sorrow and pain.
My eyes filled with tears just seeing it.
I looked up at Legolas who stood behind me, not having moved since I fed my sweet horse.
Seconds later she whimpered and stiffened. I nearly bounded up, but with much speed Legolas came down to kneel behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. He kept me still.
Atlantis slowly drifted off to sleep, her few nickers filled with pain before she escaped into oblivion.
That was when I noticed that I was swaying.
The sense of dread left me, even though I knew the horror was not over, yet the worst part was, for now.
As soon as that thought registered, I fell backwards, all energy escaping from my body.
Legolas caught me as I went down, his strong arms embracing me as I struggled for air.
Then I knew the actual meaning of exhaustion.
I looked up into his eyes shimmery with concern.
I was confused, one day he was angry with me, yet the next he held compassion.
I wanted to ask him why, but before I could, I, too, drifted into oblivion.
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~Treachery and Deception~
I awoke to the sound of someone pounding on my door.
The sunlight beamed through the glass windows, nearly blinding me.
I heard a lady's voice calling, "Lilana, Lilana! Wake up! Atlanta's in trouble!"
At the sound of that, I bounded out of my bed.
I did not know who had changed my outfit, but instead of my dirty shirt and trousers, I was wearing a simple light blue dress.
Not actually caring then, I threw on a cloak and pulled open the door.
I was appalled at who stood there. It was Jesine, looking as beautiful and brilliant as ever, but there was distress in her eyes.
"Jesine?" I gasped.
"Lilana! Now is not the time to settle disputes, Atlanta's whinnying for you, you must hurry!" Her voice rose to thin shrill.
At this moment I did not think as to why she would be the one telling me to go to Atlanta, but I did not care.
Grabbing a pair of slippers, I ran toward the stables as fast as I could, hearing Jesine running some distance behind me.
As the stables got into my sights, a thought occurred to me.
It was Jesine who had gotten me...why? And I heard no whinnying from the stables, least of all Atlanta's.
Also, there was no one in sight. Where was everyone?
Moments after I slowed down, I felt a sharp sting in my shoulder.
Drowsiness overtook me but seconds later and I collapsed onto the grass.
With much effort, I reached back toward my shoulder and pulled out a long, sharp twig.
There was a clear reddish fluid dripping from it.
My vision blurred and the last thing I saw before I sunk into darkness was Jesine hovering above me, a smile playing on her lips.
Right before my eyes closed, I saw her lips move.
I did not hear anything, but I made out the word "fool".
The Dancing River is actually a very beautiful place where five rather small rivers flow into a large lake.
One of the main reasons why it is named that is because of the way the water flows. It isn't straight, but rather curved this way and that. When the light catches on it, it looks like the water sways, therefore calling it the Dancing River.
For once the clear, sparkling water did not soothe my soul nor did the sound of gentle splashing water calm my mind. I glanced around for Joagaral and finally saw him behind the largest tree present.
He looked as if he was drooling at a couple that was picnicking near the edge of the lake.
I watched to see what he was looking at and then it caught me. It was a black velvet box and as the man picked it up and opened to for the lady to see, I saw it was a silver necklace beaded with diamonds of many sizes.
Before the deceitful elf could make a move, I walked out into the open and headed toward him. The couple glanced up at me, but then paid me no heed.
Joagaral saw me as soon as I passed the couple, so intent on the necklace was he.
As soon as he was going to bolt, I was already very close to him and I grabbed him by his cape before he could go anywhere.
I turned him around and shoved him against the tree in one fluid movement. Who said you couldn't learn from those you grew up with? He was about to speak, but then I glared him into silence. His cheek started twitching.
I was silent for a few moments, wanting to let him writhe in his agony and fear. Although I was human, he was smart enough to know I was still capable of damage to some extent.
The elf was shorter than I imagined, not much taller than I. And for an elf, he wasn't very beautiful and elegant. More or less, he looked like what he was: a deceitful son of an orc.
"I remember saying that whoever brought harm amongst my babies would pay the price," I tilted to my side, keeping all emotion off my face.
He remained silent except for the occasional gurgle so I took the front of his cape with my hand, fisted it, and shoved it at his neck. That would give him a reason to gurgle and choke.
"And I remember seeing you there when I said it. Have you no memory?"
The ugly one would not nod nor shake his head, so I pushed even harder, cutting off his oxygen. He started struggling and when his face started to turn a shade of purple, I released him and let him fall to the ground.
The couple glanced back toward us and, probably thinking we were too noisy, picked up their things and moved to the other side of the lake. Good for me, I thought, now I have some privacy.
"Get up, Joagaral, I do not want to kick someone who is already down. I have morals," saying that, I placed a small smile to my lips. When he did not move, I snapped, "Get up!"
He got up to his feet and stood up, his back very close to the tree.
"Tell me," I took a step toward him, "What your intentions were."
"I-I know nothing!" he said, his right cheek now twitching frantically.
"Oh? And what about Artemis' leg, huh, Joe? And Atlantis' stomach poisoning? Her food? You know naught about what had happened to my babies? About what was fed to Atlantis?" I spoke quickly, concentrating on which way he was glancing. If he was to dart away, I would get him. I could be fast when I wanted to. Hoping he would, I took two more steps back, giving him a bit of room to run.
"I know nothing, I said! Nothing! Not about Artemis' leg nor about Atlantis' food poisoning!" I pinned him with a hard look.
"Nothing, Joagaral? You do not lie? Nothing about the slash in Artemis leg? What about Atlantis and what the suspect put into her eat?" He started breathing hard and spoke quicker than I did, "I know nothing about the knife slash on Artemis leg! And I know naught about the poison put into Atlantis' hay!"
I relaxed. I had got him now.
"Who ever said anything," I spoke quietly, "about a knife slash, Joe? And about Atlantis' hay?"
I interrupted him before he said anything more, "I said naught about that and the information has not been released. No one even knew, dear elf, other than Damien and I."
In a quick movement, he grabbed his knife and threw it at me.
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~Balancing Death~
Reflex and instinct made me react fast enough to save myself from harm and I dogged his knife with more speed than I thought I had.
The elf made a run for it, but I had already recovered from my initial surprise. I half sprinted, half jumped, grabbing him by the ankle before I came down.
No matter what anyone said, grace had been bred into my blood so when I went down, I did not fall nor trip, nor stumble, but landed with bended knees with catlike grace.
Joagaral didn't and he went down, falling even harder when I flicked my wrist, twisting his ankle inward so he would fall on his leg.
Oddly, I had never done many a violent act until this week. The man went down with a sickening thud followed by the sound of breaking bone. After that came a howl of pain.
I stood up and walked over to his head, looking down at him.
I squatted down and pressed my fist to his left cheek, pressing his face down into the grass and dirt.
"Tell me," I said, barely winded, "why."
He was wheezing wildly, but I had no compassion for such a weakling. I forced my fist down harder.
It was a disgusting croaking sound that came from his mouth, followed by, "Jesine! She paid me to do it!" I lifted my fist, standing up, and he gasped for air, saying then, "The items that she gave me were the only things I used. I didn't do anything. She gave me access to gold and silver as well as rare jewels. Don't kill me, mistress, please I beg of you!"
I looked down at the pitiful creature at my feet. "What was given to Atlantis?"
He looked up at me hopelessly, "The blood of the flower Alphanine, she will die if you do not save her!"
Because I knew I had paled, I swung my head over my shoulder as if I had heard someone call, letting my hair fall past my ears and come cover the cheeks that must be as white as snow.
"Don't worry," I said with forced calmness in my voice, "I will not kill you just yet. If Atlantis dies, then I will kill you. If she has yet to live, but suffers, I will make sure you suffer also, but if she comes to heal, I will not kill you. No, not at all. Someone else will do it." With that, I left him, disappearing into the nearby bushes with no sound whatsoever.
As soon as the sound of trickling water was only a faint sound, I broke into a run.
Someone was bound to fine Joagaral on the ground with some sort of broken bone, but I had no care.
All I thought about was Atlantis. The Alphanine is a beautiful flower, but even one drop of its blood would be lethal.
It kills within a day with a malicious pain. There was no known cure for the poison.
Calculating swiftly, I had but six hours before it would be exactly one day since I had heard the news.
I did not know if she could be saved and, even worse, a day was the longest anything, animal or otherwise, had been known to live.
Time was crucial and it was running out.
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~Dying Hopes~
An hour later, I had sent contact to all the healers and powerful elves within the borders of Rivendell and had messengers gone to bordering cities, but I barely had a fragment of hope left.
Atlantis was dying and I could do nothing about it.
I had Artemis moved into another stall, not far away, but distant enough for them not to disturb each other.
We had the same stall for Atlantis as before because I didn't want to give her any discomfort in moving her, but the stall was large and accommodating.
My breathing was shallow and uneven; my eyes heavy with unshed tears; my hopes deteriorating by every minute.
I knew I could not dwell on hopes any longer. There was no cure and would be none. All that could be done was delay the poison, leading to the prolonging her death and suffering. I did not want to be selfish and have it done.
So I sat next to her, gently stroking her muzzle as she laid there, her own breathing painfully thin and shallow.
Elrond sat on a small chair next to me, his hand on my shoulder, offering both support and comfort.
I wondered if Artemis knew of his sister's situation and what he thought if he did.
Earlier, during the day before, I had removed her silver chain that hung a light ivory plate that had her motto engraved on it.
Under my breath, I said to myself, "Her beauty and elegance does not let her win the race, but it is rather the hope, speed, and total grace."
When Elrond had heard me speak, I felt him jump just slightly, as if startled by the sudden noise.
Atlantis knew her own motto and gave a barely audible whinny.
I looked at the chain that I had hung on the wall, remembering the stark contrast between it and Atla's shiny black coat.
It wasn't black and shiny anymore, but a dull dark black, without shimmer and without health. It's glossy shading disappeared just hours after the poison entered her body.
Unable to hold the tears in any longer, I lowered my head and pulled my knees to my chest.
Elrond's hand remained on my shoulder as I silently cried, occasionally reminding me he was still present by squeezing my shoulder just a little bit.
It was no help.
I did not notice when the sunlight left the room, nor when Damien left and closed the stall doors.
Although I knew it would do no good, I remained in silent anguish because the agony was too overwhelming.
My baby was dying and no one could do anything.
Hope had long fled our systems and we waited for fate to take its claim.
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~An Invisible Sparkle~
Dawn broke through the sky and I hadn't slept.
I glanced up at Elrond who was sleeping with his eyes open.
Oddly enough, I still hadn't gotten used to the fact that elves sleep with their eyes open, even after so many years.
It was still scary, but I did not dwell on that anymore.
Dreading declaring Atlantis was dead, I slowly turned my head to look at her, fully expecting a cold dead corpse.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it wasn't to be. As I looked at Atlantis, I saw she was not fully dead yet.
She had lost flesh, her ribs already showing, but she had not yet passed on.
A light sheen of sweat covered her flanks, an obvious sign as to her fighting death.
Her eyes slowly opened and she slowly blinked, showing her eyelids were heavier than lead upon her eyes.
I hurriedly, yet amazingly gently cleaned her and fed her some pasty mix of grass and Elrond's apples, slowly watering it down with clear, clean, sparkling cool water.
It seemed like a battle for her to swallow, but she still did it anyway, panting hard with the effort.
Although it seemed impossible, her breathing had deteriorated even more.
There was also a deep wheeze to it now.
I leaned over and hugged her gently, not wanting to cry.
She closed her eyes again and drifted off.
I was afraid she would fall asleep and never return, but that would have been for the best.
She would not have to suffer any longer.
The stall door opened and sunlight poured in.
I blinked and strained my eyes to see who it was.
It was Legolas- not the person I ever wanted to see.
He glanced at Elrond, who bobbed his head, looking as if he was awake...yet wasn't.
I frowned, thinking he might have woken but then just returned back to sleep.
Then he waved a hand at me and I looked at the prince, who was waving his hand, beckoning me to come to him.
It seemed like I had no choice so I stood up, working the cramps out of my legs as I walked over to him.
We stepped out together and the fresh morning air hit me, giving a wake-up call to my brain.
I asked Darien to open the stable doors and windows to let the air in, but be careful to keep Atlantis covered so she would not catch an illness.
Sighing, I looked up at Legolas who was looking around as if not knowing what to say.
On impulse, I sat down, but not because my legs were weak, but because I did not know what else to do.
He was not exactly graceful when he sat down next to me, but he made it quick.
Then he spoke, "Lily," I had not heard that nickname for what seemed like forever, "There might be a way to help Atlantis."
I looked up at him with tired and hopeless eyes, "Do not raise my hopes, Legolas, just to have them crushed again." I spoke quietly, a strange flatness in my voice. I wondered if he thought me aloof and unfeeling now. Maybe I had become that. I gave myself no attention regarding that and waited for what he had to say.
"We must have hope, Lily, else all is lost," I felt his gaze upon me. For once I did not give a care about my disheveled look, my clothes, or anything else. The feeling of overwhelming sadness and darkness invaded my systems. I wanted solitude, but I knew I could not leave Atlantis.
"Lilana," he took my hand in his. Distantly, I felt his warmth seep through me and I slowly raised my gaze to his. I was tired...so very tired. "I had thought about it and long ago read about it in an ancient text when I was young."
I knew my blank, emotionless look did not give him much of any encouragement, but he continued anyway, "It is a flower, called the Banalius, brown and not very beautiful, but it is said to be able to work against any Alphanine."
I turned my gaze away from his. "Banalius is another poisonous flower."
"You must try it," I felt extreme anxiety in his gaze and heard a hint of it in his voice.
I looked at him again, "Why are you doing this?"
He shrugged, "Atlantis is a beautiful horse and I cannot just let her die. Nor can I keep to myself when I see so many in distress."
Time is of the essence, I thought to myself. "I have no hope of this anymore, but if you think you can save her, have the Banalius flower brought. We can try."
I was not distressed when he shook his head. I shrugged.
A flame of anger leapt into his eyes, but he remained calm and patient. "It is nowhere near here, but if I ride hard I may be able to return with it by sundown."
Again I said, "We can try."
It seemed like my hopelessness was starting to get to him so I added, "If there is a cure of any sort, let it be death or life, I ask for you to hurry. Atlantis should not suffer anymore."
Now he nodded and I saw the anger fade away, being replaced by determination.
Seconds later his white stallion was led out of the stables and he mounted it, looking down at me as I stood up.
"Wish me luck, princess, and tell Atlantis to hold on," when I nodded, he added, "You too, Lily, hold on."
With that he spurred his horse into motion and quickly galloped away.
Moments later he was out of sight.
I returned back into the stables, had Damien give Artemis feed and water.
Then I whispered to Atlantis, "Hold on, baby, hang in there."
A thought occurred to me. Legolas had called me `princess'.
I wondered why. I kissed Atlantis and kneeled down beside her, stroking her muzzle yet again.
"Hang on, Atla, my love. Just hang on..."
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~The Last Hope~
Legolas returned just before darkness settled. He was tired and filthy, but he had the Banalius flowers. I asked him how to prepare it, but he didn't know so I just did the same thing as Joagaral did with the Alphanine.
I picked off a few petals of the flower and cut it open. It was a strangely large flower with ultra thick petals. They were dark brown, a kind of dirty mud color and it oozed black sap.
Fearful, yet just slightly hopeful, I mixed it with a bit of water and then added a few drops into Atlantis' pasty food.
On my knees beside her, I fed it to her, hesistating just slightly.
When I was done, she looked up at me with her trusting eyes radiating love, yet carrying sorrow and pain.
My eyes filled with tears just seeing it.
I looked up at Legolas who stood behind me, not having moved since I fed my sweet horse.
Seconds later she whimpered and stiffened. I nearly bounded up, but with much speed Legolas came down to kneel behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. He kept me still.
Atlantis slowly drifted off to sleep, her few nickers filled with pain before she escaped into oblivion.
That was when I noticed that I was swaying.
The sense of dread left me, even though I knew the horror was not over, yet the worst part was, for now.
As soon as that thought registered, I fell backwards, all energy escaping from my body.
Legolas caught me as I went down, his strong arms embracing me as I struggled for air.
Then I knew the actual meaning of exhaustion.
I looked up into his eyes shimmery with concern.
I was confused, one day he was angry with me, yet the next he held compassion.
I wanted to ask him why, but before I could, I, too, drifted into oblivion.
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~Treachery and Deception~
I awoke to the sound of someone pounding on my door.
The sunlight beamed through the glass windows, nearly blinding me.
I heard a lady's voice calling, "Lilana, Lilana! Wake up! Atlanta's in trouble!"
At the sound of that, I bounded out of my bed.
I did not know who had changed my outfit, but instead of my dirty shirt and trousers, I was wearing a simple light blue dress.
Not actually caring then, I threw on a cloak and pulled open the door.
I was appalled at who stood there. It was Jesine, looking as beautiful and brilliant as ever, but there was distress in her eyes.
"Jesine?" I gasped.
"Lilana! Now is not the time to settle disputes, Atlanta's whinnying for you, you must hurry!" Her voice rose to thin shrill.
At this moment I did not think as to why she would be the one telling me to go to Atlanta, but I did not care.
Grabbing a pair of slippers, I ran toward the stables as fast as I could, hearing Jesine running some distance behind me.
As the stables got into my sights, a thought occurred to me.
It was Jesine who had gotten me...why? And I heard no whinnying from the stables, least of all Atlanta's.
Also, there was no one in sight. Where was everyone?
Moments after I slowed down, I felt a sharp sting in my shoulder.
Drowsiness overtook me but seconds later and I collapsed onto the grass.
With much effort, I reached back toward my shoulder and pulled out a long, sharp twig.
There was a clear reddish fluid dripping from it.
My vision blurred and the last thing I saw before I sunk into darkness was Jesine hovering above me, a smile playing on her lips.
Right before my eyes closed, I saw her lips move.
I did not hear anything, but I made out the word "fool".