*** " [ " indicates the contents of a written letter. " * " indicates unspoken thought. ***



"The Caverns of Mirkwood"

Chapter 6

Too Many Questions



[Legolas,

I am very alarmed by your letter. If you wish it, I will travel back to Minas Tirith and ask King Aragorn to come to your aid. He is an outstanding healer.

Let me hear from you soon my friend and next time send a different hawk. This one sh… messed all over my sleeve when it arrived.

Your friend,

Gimli

P.S. And if you can not guess what is swollen, then there is less in that Elvin head of yours than I thought!]

*********

"Get Lomomir," Legolas shouted at the servant who had found Alede.

She lay in a small pool of her own blood, with the broken remains of the old staircase around her. Her skin was cold as ice and Legolas cursed himself for leaving her when he had. She had obviously been exhausted and had fallen.

She stirred and moaned.

"Alede?" *Please let her be all right!*

Her eyes fluttered open and Legolas breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't move," he instructed. "Lomomir is coming."

"What…happened…?"

"You must have tripped on the stairs and the railing broke."

Alede's brow furrowed. She tried to speak. "…push…"

"Push? Push what?"

She shook her head and then moaned in pain. "Someone … pushed," she said trying again. "Someone… pushed me."

"Alede, why…" he began disbelievingly, but Lomomir hurried into the room, interrupting him.

Legolas watched with concern as the healer carefully examined her.

"The blood is from a head wound," Lomomir informed him. "She is concussed, but there are no broken bones. She will heal, but the wound will be quit tender for several days."

Legolas nodded. "I'll take her to her room."

"I'll prepare some willow bark tea for her and bathe the wound. Then she should sleep." The Healer sighed. "This is an unfortunate time for an accident."

"Yes," Legolas agreed. Early morning sunlight shone in through the tall windows, illuminating the blood in her bright hair. Legolas wondered how long Alede had lain on that cold floor before the servant found her. Had she been in the Hall all night?

Lifting her arm, he slipped it over his shoulder.

"What… are you doing?" Alede mumbled, trying clumsily to get away from him.

"Sit still. I will carry you back to your room."

"No… I… I'll walk."

"Alede! You can barely sit up. You certainly can not walk."

She pushed away and only his quick reflexes saved her from toppling over onto the floor again.

"I'm too… heavy," she slurred.

Legolas snorted, a useful sound he'd learned from Gimli. "I'm not quite as fragile as you apparently think I am. I can carry one dazed wizardess."

"I didn't mean…" she began, but Legolas interrupted her.

"However, if you would put your arm around my shoulder instead of planting it in the middle of my chest, it would help greatly."

"Oh bother…" Alede mumbled and passed out once again.

*********

Legolas finished tugging the sleep shirt down over Alede's head and carefully tucked her into the bed. Lomomir had finished dressing her wound and had given her a sleep draught. But Legolas had waited until the Healer had left before undressing her. He remembered Alede's shyness.

Once again he reached for the delicate chain around her neck. He'd tried to remove the locket earlier, but she'd pushed his hand away. Carefully, he slipped it over her head. Then, out of curiosity he opened it.

And immediately wished he hadn't.

"Oh Alede…" he sighed. Inside lay a single strand of his own hair, carefully wound into a shining coil. Snapping the locket shut, he laid it carefully on a table beside the bed. Pulling a chair over beside her sleeping form, Legolas sat down and gazed at her.

"What am I to do about you, girl?" he whispered. Leaning his elbows on the arms of the chair, he placed his head in his hands. The last several days had been too much. Not only did he face the possibility of his father's death, but all the conflicting emotions that went with it. He was exhausted despite the few hours of sleep he'd caught the night before.

There were also matters of state to contend with. He'd also been assisting his brother Franduil with the daily affairs of Mirkwood and dealing with his father's steward. Governing his people in Ithilien had made him better prepared for dealing with the complexities of a kingdom. Perhaps even better prepared than Franduil was. But Mirkwood was a much vaster state than Ithilien and Legolas was overcome.

He fervently wished that Gimli were there. The Dwarf's practical, down to earth outlook on life had often been a lifeline to the Elf.

"Ahhh Gimli, what would you say if you were here?" He closed his eyes and in his mind he pictured the stout Dwarf standing in front of him with his fists upon his hips.

"You must decide what is most important, Legolas," the imaginary image said sternly. Legolas smiled and let the vision play out in his mind. "You must decide who you trust and who you can not. Do not give up hope on your father just yet. Thranduil is as tough as the mountain in which he lives; as many of my people can attest to. Let his Steward do his job and let the Healer do his. As for the Lady Alede, you must tell her how you feel. Do not give her false hopes, but let her know that which is in your heart. If she chooses to wait the three or four centuries that it will take to knock some sense into that Elvish head of yours, that is her decision."

Chuckling softly, Legolas opened his eyes and raised his head. The Dwarf would have said something very near that and Legolas felt better for having thought it. Rising, he arranged for one of Lomomir's daughters to sit with Alede. He would see the steward first and then he would return to his father. Once Alede was awake again he would aid her in healing Thranduil.

And he would ask her for the talisman back and tell her how much he had missed her.

*********

Alede woke with a splitting headache and struggled to sit up. Her room was dark except for the soft shimmer of a she-Elf sitting near her bed. Alede blinked groggily. The woman was no one she knew.

The she-Elf looked at her disapprovingly. "Lie still, you are injured."

"What happened?" Alede asked and her voice was rough with disuse.

"You fell on the stairs and went through the railing," the woman's voice was soft, but clearly she felt that only a non-Elf would do such a foolish thing.

Ignoring her tone, Alede blinked as memory came flooding back to her. She had heard a noise below and when she turned to look a hand had pushed her.

"Someone tried to kill me," Alede blurted and struggled to rise.

"Nonsense," the she-Elf said, trying to push Alede back down in the bed. "If you'll just rest…"

"Rest!" Alede nearly shouted. "If someone tried to kill me, then they're…" She broke off. "Who are you, anyway?"

The woman stood up, her face a mask of disapproval. "I am Lomomir's wife. My daughters and I have been sitting with you while you slept, since my husband is obviously occupied elsewhere."

"Oh yes, well…" Alede was still having trouble wrapping her foggy mind around events. It appeared to be very late at night or early in the morning from the moonlight streaming in her windows. She had no idea if it were the same night or the next. Not that it mattered. She had to get to the King.

Stumbling out of the bed rather unsteadily, Alede gave the Elf a slight nod. "I thank you for your trouble. But I am quite recovered now. I am a healer and will attend to my injury if need be." When the woman hesitated, Alede thanked her again, hoping she'd leave. Finally the woman left with a sniff and Alede sighed. Yet, another Elf who didn't want her here.

But though they didn't want her here, she doubted that any of them would resort to murder to get rid of her.

"But if they meant to kill me, then I am getting too close finding a cure for the King." She looked around the room for some clothes, but found none. Even her torn robes were missing. She supposed that while she'd lain unconscious one of the servants had taken her clothing to be cleaned.

Alede looked down at the garments she had on. She was clothed in a long white shirt and loosely fitting leggings of fine white linen. The leggings were far too long for her. Deciding that the garments were modest enough, Alede started out the door. But long habit caused her to reach for her locket and she nearly panicked when she found it missing. Moonlight glinted off of a golden object near the bed and racing to it, she found her locket. Slipping it over her head, she wondered who had removed it and fervently hoped no one had looked inside.

*********

Legolas took a deep breath and restructured his thoughts. Someone was pounding on his door and shouting his name. Considering that he'd had virtually no sleep in many nights it took him a moment to get out of bed. But worry for his father got him moving.

He crossed the bedchamber quickly, crossed out into the anterior room and pulled the door open.

Alede stumbled slightly and stepped back when the door was so suddenly yanked out from under her fist.

"My father…?" Legolas began.

"No, he's fine." Alede shook her head. "I mean, he's unchanged."

Legolas took in her disheveled appearance. Her hair hung loose in wild disarray and her bare feet peeked out from beneath the overly long garments he'd put her into the day before.

Alede seemed to be looking him up and down also. She glanced at his clothing which matched her own and obviously put two and two together. She blushed a deep scarlet and looked at her bare feet.

Legolas cleared his throat. "Did you have a reason for pounding on my door then? It is a bit early for a social call. Or does your wound trouble you? I could summon Lomomir."

"No," Alede shook her head. Something apparently disturbed her. "May I come in," she asked and then brushed past him into the room before he could answer.

"Of course," Legolas replied, with a wry shake of his head. He pushed the door shut and followed her.

Alede turned, "What happened to the book that I was carrying? The one that I had when I fell on the stairs."

Legolas shook his head, "I know not what you speak of."

She nodded. "Lomomir said the same thing. I just spoke with him. Yet, I distinctly remember seeing the book scattered on the floor as I fell."

"I can search for it if you wish. What book was it? Did you find a cure?"

"No, but I now know what is happening. That book was a healer's journal from the First Age. I suspect there was a clue in it. Or at least someone thought there might be."

"Someone? Alede are you suggesting…?"

"Yes, Legolas! I did not trip on those stairs. I was pushed. I felt someone's hand in the middle of my back. This is what has troubled me since the beginning. Elves do not become ill. This is a spell. Or at least magic is used. And someone is casting the spell."

"No…" He shook his head adamantly as if he could make the idea go away.

"Yes, I've just been to your father's rooms and performed a test. Magic of a very ancient kind resides in his belly. It did not get there on its own. Someone placed it in him."

"But who would do such a thing?"

"That's what you and I must determine Legolas. Who would wish to harm your father?"

Legolas shook his head and turned away, walking to the balcony. Alede followed him.

"Unfortunately, the list is endless," he said with a sigh. "Can you counter this magic?"

"Not until I know what it is."

They stood looking out at the dark forest, listening to the sounds of crickets and small night animals. Because Legolas was watching the silver light of moonbeams stirring the leaves, he failed to see the brief look of longing that Alede cast at him.

But he did notice her straighten and turn toward him. She cleared her throat in that business like manner that he remembered so well.

"We need not list all of your father's enemies," she said. "Any ruler, especially of a kingdom so great as this will have many. Say instead, who would benefit by his death?"

"I… I can think of no one, save perhaps the Dwarves on the Lonely Mountain, if they wished to reclaim their dragon gold."

"Nay, this is too subtle for Dwarves. Legolas…" she paused as if searching for the right words. "Who will inherit the crown should your father die?"

"My brother Franduil. But do not think for a moment that he would harm my father," he said not caring for her implication. "Franduil does not even wish to be crown prince."

Alede held up her hand. "Bear with me. This is for the sake of discussion only. I'm not accusing anyone. After Franduil, who is the heir?"

"Franduil's son, or," he considered. "Possibly myself. Since little Elvomir is only a child. It would probably take a ruling before the council."

Alede shook her head. "Well, I do not suspect you or a child, so that eliminates two…"

"Does it?" Legolas said, frustration creeping into his voice. "Of my family, I would benefit the most. Mirkwood's wealth would go a long way toward healing the battle scars in Ithilien. And if you must suspect my family, why exclude little Elvomir? My sister in law, Elvothien might wish to be named regent. Or there is Lomomir. He is my father's youngest brother. I suppose after murdering all of us, he might gain the throne as well."

"Legolas…" Alede said softly.

"Elves do not commit murder Alede. How can you expect me to take this seriously?"

"But an Elf tried to commit murder last night. And they must be the same person who wishes to harm your father."

"I agree that they must be the same. It makes sense. I doubt that we have two attackers," he said. "But what makes you think that they are Elvin? If magic is used, would not a wizard be a more likely suspect?"

Alede shrugged. "It is a possibility, though I can think of no motive. What does Mirkwood contain that any wizard would want? I know none who bear a grudge against Thranduil. In fact, I know none who even speak of him. Still, I would entertain that possibility except for one thing."

"Which is?"

"Who ever pushed me made no sound. I felt only the movement of air the moment before I was pushed. Whoever this is, they move with the silence of the Elder and they walk within these walls."

Legolas felt a shiver crawl down his spine. As much as he hated to believe her, he could not deny the possibility.

*********

Chapter 7 coming soon! Thanks for the wonderful reviews!!!! I read all of them. Your support and comments are very helpful and encouraging! ~Nebride :)

List of Original Characters:

Lomomir: Mirkwood's Healer and Thranduil's youngest brother.

Unilyn: A young she-Elf, probably about Legolas' age. She is Legolas' former lover.

Prince Franduil: King Thranduil's second son. He is now the crown prince, due to the oldest son's death in the War of Five Armies.

Princess Elvothien: Wife of Prince Franduil and sister-in-law to Legolas.

Elvomir: Prince Franduil and Evlothien's little boy. Nephew to Legolas.