Chapter 22

            Legolas stared grimly at the scene before him, his sharp eyes slowly scanning the area. All around him, his father's guards panned out, their eyes taking in the foliage of the forest, leaving no rock unturned. He glanced to his right and found Lorith and Jhad sifting through the dirt nearby. To his left, Gragoc was tracking some trail that led him to the south of the area. Legolas inwardly sighed, wondering how such a day had started.

            And it had started normally enough. He had risen at his regular time, greeting the sun with the hope that today would be the day Ziendriel would forgive him. With such a thought in his head, he had hurriedly dressed, then made his way down to the dining hall, eager to start the day with a hearty meal. His father had greeted him, as was their routine and both had sat down to the table as servants rushed about them, making sure their needs were met.

            They had just started to dine, when the captain of the guard had suddenly rushed in, breathless and harried. With the king's permission, he had rushed to his side and murmured low into his ear. Thranduil had looked momentarily stunned, before gravely nodding.

FLASHBACK

            "Legolas, come," his father had commanded, standing from his seat.

            He did as he was asked, although puzzled. He obediently followed his father and Andalith, the captain, out of the dining hall and up the stairs to his father's study. After entering and closing the door behind them, Thranduil said, "Speak."

            Andalith bowed. "We have a grave situation, your Highness," he announced, quietly, "Two maidens were reported missing this morning. Upon our search, we believe we have found the area of their last whereabouts."

            Thranduil nodded, frowning. "And who are the maidens that are missing?" he asked.

            "Lady Elyse Silverstream and Lady Ariel Yalith," Andalith answered, "Both sets of parents reported last seeing their daughters the evening before. When both ladies did not appear at the morning meal, their rooms were searched and found empty."

            Legolas felt the shock run through him. He knew of both maidens and knew it was not in their nature to needlessly stay out all night. There was also something belying Andalith's tone; something more serious.

            "What have you found?" he demanded. His thoughts suddenly turned to Ziendriel and how worried she must be for her sister.

            Andalith nervously coughed and shifted on his feet. "One of the watchmen found an area about an hour away from here," he answered, "He said it appeared as if a great struggle had taken place there. Upon further inspection, he found this pinned to one of the trees with this dagger." He pulled a small parcel from beneath his cloak and handed it to Thranduil.

            Legolas watched as his father slowly unwrapped the cloth. Inside, lay two locks of golden hair, one lighter than the other. Legolas could see that the captain believed them to be the hair of Elyse and Ariel. Next to the hair sat a small Elven dagger, its hilt smooth and shaped with silver.

            "My men have quarantined the area for now," Andalith continued, "They await my orders, as I await yours." He bowed his head respectfully.

            Thranduil stood there for a moment, deep in thought. He finally looked to his son. "Assist Andalith with his investigation," he told him, "Yours are the keenest eyes I know of. Perhaps you will see something that may be missed. Take whomever you wish."

            Both Legolas and the captain bowed. "As you wish," they both replied.

END FLASHBACK

            At his father's request, Legolas stood at the area the two maidens were last, his eyes scrutinizing everything before him. There had been an obvious struggle in the area; the upturned dirt testified of that. Unfortunately, that was the only thing that spoke to him.

            Jhad suddenly approached him, looking puzzled. "Lorith and I have been examining the area of confliction," he announced, "But, its evidence confuses us; it speaks of a struggle, yes. But it was between the two maidens."

            "What?" Legolas demanded. He walked over to where Lorith was now kneeling.

            Jhad pointed to the imprints in the dirt. "See how the earth swirls there?" he asked, "Those were made by the hem of a dress. These holes here were made as they kneeled, facing one another. And this, was made by one maiden's….er, rear end when she fell. These footprints here suggest that the other pushed her down." He pointed to each imprint in turn.

            Legolas took this all in. "They were fighting with one another?" he asked, confused.

            "Apparently," Lorith answered, standing, smiling slightly at the thought of Ariel wrestling in the dirt, "But we did find three pairs of footprints leading into the area. Two we have identified as that of the maidens; the third is barely detectable. Those were the only ones found to be leaving the area." He nodded to Gragoc off into the distance. "Gragoc is trying to track the trail now."

            Legolas turned towards him. "How goes it, Gragoc?" he called.

            He saw his friend shake his head. "Not so well, my prince!" he called back. He looked around for a moment, then walked over to him. "The footprints definitely enter the area where the ladies were," he added, "In fact, it appears he—I am merely speculating at the sex of the third person—watched them struggle before approaching them. See how the imprints are on top of the upturned dirt? Then only his prints leave the area, going along the trail I have been following. It abruptly stops beyond those trees." He pointed to the area where he had been just moment before.

            "So we must now search for two missing maidens and one mystery person," Legolas commented. He glanced around, then asked, "Is there any idea as to why two unescorted maidens were so far from home?"

            All three shook there heads. "None yet," Jhad answered, "But Andalith has his men searching further along the area.

            Legolas nodded. He quietly stepped forward and attempted to retrace the last know actions of Elyse and Ariel. He followed the prints towards the sight of struggle, then back out into the forest, following Gragoc's trail. He frowned when he found that the trail indeed abruptly stopped just beyond the perimeters. He sighed, then scanned the area with his eyes.

            "What's this?" he murmured, his eyes falling to a nearby bush. He bent down and stuck his hand through the thin weave of branches. His friends had noticed his actions and quickly joined him. They watched as he retrieved a roll of parchment from under the plant.

            "What is it?" Gragoc asked, frowning. He was a little upset that he had missed such a thing.

            Legolas unrolled it. "It appears to be a message," he answered, his eyes already reading the words imprinted upon the paper. He paused for a moment, then smiled wryly. "From me," he added, handing it to them.

            Lorith held it in his hands, as the other two gathered around him. They read the message, then laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation. "Very clever," Lorith commented, chuckling, "Whoever did this must have practiced your signature for ages; it is a near perfect match."

            "And, how did they get the king's seal?" Jhad asked, surprised, "It's a very convincing addition."

            Gragoc peered at it. "This one is addressed to Ariel," he announced, "I am assuming Elyse received one also." He began to look around.

            "I will tell the others to search for it," Legolas said, walking over to the captain. After doing so, he returned to his friends. "I fear we have a kidnapper in our midst," he announced, quietly, "Purposely deceiving these maidens, drawing them from safety. It makes me wonder what this abductor has in mind." His friends nodded, gravely.

            Moments later, a shout was sounded, drawing everyone's attention. A solider came running towards the captain, immediately handing him something when he reached him. As Legolas approached them, he saw the solider add something else, which caused Andalith to stare at him in surprise.

            "Emerd has found the other parchment," the captain announced, handing it to Legolas, "But, he has told me even graver news." He turned to the solider and gestured him to speak.

            He bowed. "Your Highness," he began, "I only mentioned that finding the parchment is a curious business."

            "And why is that, solider?" Legolas asked, curiously.

            "I spoke with one of your couriers the evening before," he replied, "And in his hands he held scrolls of parchment of the same color. When I inquired to whom they were addressed to, he replied that one was for Lady Silverstream and the other for Lady Yalith. I believe the scrolls we have found here are the ones I saw yesterday."

            This alarmed Legolas. "Do you remember which courier?" he demanded.

            "Yes, milord," Emerd replied, "But that is not all, your Highness."

            Legolas stared at him. "Well?" he demanded.

            "Well," he began, "he said he could not understand why you would request for the two in his hands to be delivered at the same time, while the third was to wait until later."

            Legolas felt his blood chill. "There was another scroll to be delivered?" he asked, and Emerd nodded. "Of the same exact color and type?" he pressed.

            Emerd nodded. "Yirit said so," he answered, "He said he almost mistook one for the other; they're exact duplicates."

            Legolas grasped his arm. "Do you know to whom this last parchment was addressed to?" he demanded.

            Again, Emerd nodded. "Yes, milord," he answered, "It was addressed to Lady Yalith's older sister. Lady Ziendriel."