Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews! They really have kicked my inspiration into high gear!
Please take a moment to review, and first and foremost, enjoy!
Chapter 25: Destiny's Edge
His eyes wide, he could not take his focus away from the blinding light from the sword. The glowed almost as if the light that shone on it was a light not produced anywhere in the dungeon where he had been imprisoned. It was a light that same from another, more mysterious source.
It seemed like a great deal of time that Legolas sat in shock, but in actuality, it was barely a second before the figure knelt down to him.
"I am so sorry."
Recognition came to the young Elf, "Lord Elrond?"
"Yes, it is I. Can you forgive me?"
"Forgive you? How can I ever forgive you? How have betrayed all that I am, all that my family has stood for."
Lord Elrond was not able to keep eye contact with Legolas.
"I could not anticipate, from the rumors I heard, I thought,"
"You thought what? That you would find a better situation for your kingdom if my family was taken out of power?"
The dark-haired Elf blinked, taken out of his revere quite quickly, "What do you mean?"
"You have betrayed me! If you are here to release me, beware, for your life will be the first I take upon the moment I regain my freedom!" Legolas wished more than anything for the ability to raise both his hands to strangle the one in front of him.
"Peace, Legolas. I have never teamed with your great enemy."
Mistrust flowed in his veins with more fire than even rage could fan. "Why should I believe you? Why should I ever trust anything you say?"
Elrond raised the great sword he held and brought in down.
It cut a clean line in the chain that held Legolas firm to the wall.
"There, you have been freed. If you wish to kill me now, you may do so with this." Elrond held the sword out to Legolas.
"This sword,"
"It was your father's, Legolas."
The young Elf held the blade in front of his face, staring at it in wonder, with the wonder of a person seeing an old friend they hadn't encountered in many ages. "How did you ever get this?"
Shierra spoke up from her position standing freed behind Elrond. "I gave it to him."
"You trust him?" Legolas could never distrust Shierra. It was because of her that he lived, it was her words that kept him going when he was in his worst despair alone in the world of men.
"I have trusted him all my years. I came into possession of your father's great sword while I was sneaking around the palace. It was stolen from him by Kayrel and used to murder him, but I knew that the sword was not tainted. It had a great destiny thrust upon it. For Kayrel's blood must also run on its blade." She came forward, continuing her story with her hand securely on his shoulder while he stared at the blade in his hands.
"When I staged one of the last uprisings against Kayrel, I managed to escape to the house of Lord Elrond with this sword. Knowing eventually I would be recaptured and returned, for I did not wish to bring war upon Elrond's house, I trusted my friend with its keeping. Now it has also come full circle, just as you have, Legolas. Do not let the words of your father's killer instill mistrust upon Lord Elrond."
Legolas' eyes ran from the blade to the eyes of Shierra. Finally, he turned to Elrond himself. "Forgive me for allowing him to at all damage our good relationship."
"I understand there has been more pain in your life than one can ever deserve. You don't know what to believe any longer and submitting to the despair is all too easy."
"Why were you asking for forgiveness earlier?" Legolas asked.
"I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get here. Kayrel's forces are much stronger than we thought. Our armies are locked in combat, but I was able to get past the guards remaining here to come and free you. When I saw the opposition standing against us I knew Kayrel still lived and that you would need your father's sword. I came to deliver it to you."
"I thank you, Lord Elrond. Without you, I would never have had any hope, and would never have had the ability to return with any confidence of living to rule the kingdom I was destined to. I can only hope that our lands will have a wonderful peace for as long as we rule."
The ancient Elven Lord smiled, "Now, if I'm not mistaken, you have an appointment with someone in the halls above. My warriors will advance enough to make sure your meeting, is private."
Legolas took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he was ready, he turned to Shierra.
"You have been my most trusted of friends and have saved my life more than once. My father trusted you and so do I. If something happens to me, you shall lead Mirkwood."
Shierra, for the first time in her life, was speechless in front of the young Prince she had tended since his birth. Words and time were short, "I understand."
Legolas turned and climbed the stairs. The halls were emptied, the ones Elves that lived in the palace were warriors. Long gone was the age when families lived in the palace of Mirkwood.
The only one there was Kayrel. Legolas saw him in the throne room at the small window in the back. His back was to the Prince as he secured a message to his field commanders on a black crow.
"Take this to Oleck, quickly, for we almost have them trapped." The bird flew off, its blackness blending with the night after only a few moments.
"Kayrel!"
The dark Elf turned around.