Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. You know that and I know that. We're cool. Good.
A/N: SO SORRY THIS TOOK AGES TO GET POSTED!! But I accidentally broke my computer. Remember if my parents ask you it wasn't me, I didn't do it, nobody saw me do it and you can't prove anything. YOU HAVE NOTHING ON ME!! By the way my pet Ego is starving you cruel people, I may have to resort to reviewing my own fic in an attempt to keep it alive. Also Kat is ace coz she helps me with all the formatting and beat-ing, it wouldn't work without her so please give her a clap!!
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Kai lay in his bed that night brooding. The sleeping figure of Lady Chandra's serving girl rested beside him. She had been unwilling at first but his hidden threats had worked their magic and she was his to do as he pleased with now. This latest acquirement was not the thing he was thinking about though. He wouldn't think about her for another hour until he woke her up.
No, he was thinking about Kĩyara. She wouldn't give him what he wanted she had made that plain. She wasn't afraid of him either and that was unnerving. He had always had what he desired either through utter fear or brute force. Worse than both those put together though was the fact she had humiliated him. She had proven herself stronger than him in so many ways and every one knew it. Never before had something hit him so hard. The tide of hatred ran deep in him and he wanted revenge. He wanted to show the world she was weak and powerless.
The spark of inspiration hit him in an instant. It flashed through his brain and lit up his eyes. What was it she had said? "Don't ever touch my family again…"
Well she might be strong enough to defend herself but there was someone who wasn't. He smiled to himself; it would be easy to persuade his master into helping him. Roughly he shook the girl next to him into wakefulness.
Elsewhere in the palace things were more peaceful. The gentle night breeze that whispered through the open doors played on Legolas' face. He was in one of the bedrooms of the palace quite close to his own. It was light and airy with fine carvings and an inviting atmosphere.
At the head of the bed, instead of Tuiena the elf of love and wisdom, was Lasdenia of innocence and learning. This wasn't the only clue as to the occupant of the room. At the foot of the bed was a large trunk its lid was open and hand made toys spilled out and onto the surrounding floor.
Legolas sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his youngest son. His small body was insignificant in the swathes of fabric that covered the huge double bed. His huddled form clutched at a teddy and his thumb was in his mouth. Legolas pulled the clenched fist away from Celen's face, as soon as he let go the little forehead creased in a frown and the thumb went straight back to his mouth. Legolas smiled he couldn't remember being that young and carefree. His thousands of years rested on his shoulders not as a burden but as an awareness of the world around him, one that could lift you up or drag you down.
Celen had not yet seen his first sunrise, the name given to the moment when a young elf became conscious of the earth and it's true significance. He wouldn't see that for many years yet, but Legolas, if somewhat selfishly, never wanted his little boy to grow up. He loved him like he was; he didn't want him to lose the innocence of childhood and wake up to reality.
Gently Legolas lent forward and kissed his son. As he left the room and quietly started to close the door Legolas noticed something that made him smile. By the side of Celen's bed was the huge black book Bilbo had given him and on top were two wooden figures that Fiarén had made him. One had a horse and the other had a bow made of bendy willow.
Meanwhile, as the sun rose on Legolas and Kĩyara's worst day as parents, Kai whispered to his Lord. The words trickled in Lord Macsen's ear and seeped into his brain. Of course it made sense, it always did when Kai talked.
"My Lord this will work. It has to. You saw the venom with which she fought, it proves her loyalty to her kin."
"But what of her husband? He is strong and clever."
"Ah but did you not also see the way she controlled him at the feast. He will not be able to stop her. It will be so simple. We will have our bargaining chip. When they finally crack we will simply let him free and take their lands off them. Nothing could be simpler."
"It always is from you Kai my friend. Let's do it."
Kai leered as his master walked away. Although he looked tough and everyone believed him to be a tyrant and a warrior he was nought but a weak willed man who craved power. Kai knew how to play him like a harp. Now was the most daring part of the plan yet.
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Celen knew his boundaries. He wasn't to go off without telling anyone and he mustn't wander out of sight of the palace. Celen didn't mind these restrictions, as it was still a huge place to play. He wandered over to the pen where Inais the big steely grey husky was kept. She had recently had puppies and Celen watched them avidly as the small bundles of fur toddled about. He knew better than to try and get in with them, Inais could be very protective.
Celen watched as the smallest puppy mooched towards him, it's tiny tail wagging violently. Celen laughed and cautiously poked his hand in to stroke the little puppy. It barked quietly and rubbed itself against Celen's outstretched hand.
"I'm going to call you Arwen after the lady in Bilbo's book."
He nodded and smiled satisfied with the name.
Celen heard footsteps but didn't bother to turn around until a shadow fell across him. He had never known real fear in his small years until now when a hand was clamped tightly over his mouth and he was roughly hoisted up. He kicked but it was no use the man holding him was much stronger. Arwen barked, but her tiny voice was lost as Celen was dragged away.
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Lady Chandra flew through the corridors as fast as her dress would let her. She had overheard the conversation between her husband and Kai and had guessed what they were going to do. It was hard to believe but Lord Macsen had once loved her. She had once loved him.
But it all changed when he met Kai d'Ceever. He had listened to his ruthless talk; Kai had shown him the way to get power. It was only power over the weak though, not true power. She opened the door to their chamber and scanned it quickly. Her husband's things were gone. She swore under her breath. It was already past noon, they would be far away now.
In the great hall Legolas sat on his throne with Kĩyara beside him. Her hand was clasped in his and she was lent back against the cushioned upright of her magnificent cahir, blissfully asleep. She was startled into wakefulness by the hall doors being opened. A breathless elf ran in and bowed hurriedly. He looked troubled and his anxiety was evident in his speech.
"My Lord. I have grave news."
Legolas and Kĩyara became suddenly alert.
"What do you know?" Legolas said.
"It's the prince…Celen. He hasn't been seen all day and is no where to be found."
Legolas felt a sharp pain in his hand as Kĩyara dug her nails into it.
Legolas spoke quickly and with the tone of a born leader.
"Galdir take five men and search the forest on horseback. Toberiath you and two others investigate the plains and beach, make sure you go right down to the shoreline. Sedilmar you alert the lookouts then take a boat and work your way down stream. Any news send it back via the lookouts."
Elves scurried away in all directions; even Kĩyara wouldn't have dared disobey Legolas when he was like this. Legolas looked across at his wife, she was pale, her eyes were closed and she was chewing her bottom lip.
He squeezed her hand. "We'll find him alayen don't worry."
He knew it was futile though. He'd seen her like this before. Her eyes snapped open as the sound of running feet reached the elven ears in the hall. Lady Chandra appeared, she was panting and her pale face was flushed. Legolas looked at her quizzically.
"My…my Lord Legolas. I…I know where your son is."
It was all he could do to stop himself from jumping up. He didn't need to ask her where because the look of joy on his face made her continue.
"It's my husband and Kai. They…they've taken him."
The expression on her face told Legolas all he needed to know. He had not felt grief like this since he had nearly lost Kĩyara. He glanced a look at her now, her eyes were clouded with tears and her face was a picture of anguish.
Legolas' voice sounded a lot smaller now. "How long have they been gone?"
"I haven't seen any of the men folk for six hours."
Kĩyara jumped to her feet.
"Sit down Kĩyara, even you cannot catch them with a six hour lead."
Legolas' face showed the turmoil he was in and his voice was desperate. Kĩyara looked at him and sat down again. So this is what it takes to get her to listen to me Legolas thought satirically. But what should he do?
"How do we know you are telling the truth Lady Chandra? You are one of them."
Chandra struggled for words to argue her case, but none came. She was saved when Kĩyara put a hand briefly to her forehead and said in a tiny distant voice. "She tells the truth."
There was silence broken only by Kĩyara's stifled tears. Finally Legolas broke it. "Why?"
Lady Chandra looked at the floor as she answered.
"They've kidnapped him, they are going send a ransom. They want your lands. I overheard my husband and Kai taking this morning, I didn't think they'd do it."
"Why are you left behind? We could use you for the same reason they've taken Celen."
"They do not care for me. My husband no longer loves me and Kai has filled him with cruel hatred. I would have slowed down their escape; they are prepared to let me die here. There are other women."
Legolas saw her hands trembling. She was afraid; she actually thought that he would have her killed. The injustice of her existence pained him.
"Lady Chandra no harm will come to you while you are here although I insist you stay within these walls, you cannot escape without been seen we have lookouts everywhere. It was unfortunate for us that the elves out there knew your husband was leaving today otherwise they would have been stopped. Thank you."
Lady Chandra was dismissed.
Legolas lent back in his throne the effort of living draining him. The only thing that kept him going was the warmth of Kĩyara's hand in his. They had come here to escape this kind of thing yet it still haunted them.
The days trickled past in uncertain misery. The palace was quiet, no one laughed or joked and everyone was solemn and grave. It wasn't until it was gone that you missed the patter of tint feet, the sudden tug at the hem of your cloak, the insatiable giggle and the sound of a thumb being sucked.
Legolas' arms felt empty, he didn't realise it until now but every night Celen had laid in his arms to be hugged before he went to bed. Kĩyara didn't talk and wouldn't eat. Nothing Legolas said would rouse her. She seemed distant and was continually staring out over the land scanning the horizon for any clue, any shred of hope but none came.
On the third day after the kidnap the ransom note arrived. It demanded the payment of all of Érinan Lethainne in return for the safe release of Prince Celen. When Kĩyara read it she cried silently blotting the ink on the paper. Legolas could only watch unable to help relive her pain because he felt it just as deep. They had two weeks to get out and Legolas was at a loss.
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Kĩyara laid huddled into the warmth of Legolas' chest and the summer rain beat gently on the closed windows. It was night but both husband and wife were incapable of sleep.
"We have to do something Legolas. I cannot bear this torment."
Legolas held her tighter and soothingly stroked her hair. "What would you have us do Kĩyara?"
"We should fight them. Death is a lenient penalty."
"I cannot put my people through a war, you know that. Hundreds would lose their lives; the enemy has three times the soldiers we have. We might win with our superior skills but there would hardly be anyone left to fill the land we returned to."
Rarely did Legolas ever refer to 'I' when talking about Érinan Lethainne it was always 'we.' Maybe this was what helped Kĩyara work into a rage but whatever it was she let it loose now.
She pulled away from Legolas and sat up in bed.
"He's your son Legolas! How can you talk about him like a worthless animal? You're no better than Lord Macsen. This is not something you have to weigh up and consider the risks for. For god's sake let your heart rule your head for once, he is your son. He is a part of you. You created him. He Is Your Child."
Kĩyara emphasised the last words her voice rising to high quavering note. Legolas sat up too his face impassive. He spoke quietly, bear more than a whisper. "Then you should take the pain of those who will lose children if you attack. Doing that would create a thousand times more grief than what we feel now, for once Kĩyara just think."
Legolas got out of bed and walked out of the room tying a tunic as he went. Kĩyara bit her lip and threw herself back onto the bed shutting her eyes tight, why was he always right?
Legolas was stood at a window that Kĩyara had haunted over the past few days looking out. He hadn't spoken to her since last night and the words she had spoken replayed in his mind. Celen was a part of him and Legolas didn't know what would happen if he never saw him again but he couldn't put his people to death. The weight of it would torture him continuously.
Yet if they did nothing would Lord Macsen try to take the lands by force and Celen's death have been in vain? Nothing was clear to him. His train of thought was interrupted by an elf wandering into his view. He turned and the elf bowed before speaking.
"My Lord you must come, it's Lady Kĩyara."
Legolas suddenly became alert. Even though he was angry with her she meant the world to him.
"What's wrong?" He said following the elf.
"Look."
Legolas stood by the open door of Celen's bedroom. Worried looking elves hovered uncertainly by the door. Kĩyara was curled up on the bed howling for all she was worth, her body shook with the effort.
Deluwiel crouched beside her. Deluwiel had delivered all three of their children and she was one of the few elves Kĩyara put complete and total trust in. Legolas waved the waiting elves away and walked into the room. Deluwiel looked at him and stood. She was also one of the privileged few who could greet Legolas and Kĩyara in less formal ways.
"Legolas she's been like this for nigh on an hour if she continues she'll make her self sick. I cannot do anything."
"Thank you Deluwiel. I'll try and calm her."
Deluwiel nodded at him as she walked out of the room quietly closing the door behind her.
Legolas crouched beside the bed and looked at Kĩyara. Her wild screams had subsided into harsh sobs and her face was blotched and red from the salty tears.
In her arms was clutched one of Celen's teddies. Her knuckles were white with the force that she held it with. She was curled into a ball, her knees tucked up to her chest. Legolas reached out a hand to her softly caressed her face. Her lip quivered and fresh tears rolled down her face. She spoke through the blinding sadness with difficulty.
"I'm sorry Legolas…you're right. We cannot put people through what we've had to endure. But still I cannot face losing my baby, what will he think of us? He's waiting, praying and hoping that we'll save him and bring him home and we won't come. He'll be frightened and alone and we won't come for him. Legolas I don't think I can find the strength to live knowing that I abandoned him."
Legolas swallowed hard, he could see it in her tear blurred eyes. She was slowly being eaten away by the grief and would be until she could no longer live then the spark in her eyes would die and she would pass into the next life. If she did Legolas knew he would follow.
The injustice of it all rang through him like a sword. It was in that moment he made up his mind. If Kĩyara couldn't find the strength to fight then this truly was a cause worth defending to the last drop of blood. Legolas pulled her to her feet and clasped her shoulders. At times she was surprisingly light and unresisting.
"Kĩyara if this has reduced you of all people helplessness then there is nothing left for me. You might think me harsh but you have to believe that I feel what you do because nothing has ever touched me like this. Ever. I cannot stand by and let what you just said happen, I just couldn't do it for all the arguments I've put forward. We're going to rescue our baby if it's the last thing we ever do."
The conviction with which Legolas spoke moved Kĩyara into new realms of love. His clear blue eyes showed nothing but determination and the will to succeed. She tried to smile but burst into tears again. These were not tears of sadness but ones of joy. She flung her arms around Legolas' neck and kissed him ardently.
Legolas broke free of her ensnaring embrace and rested his forehead against hers, he grinned broadly.
"Lets show them what we're made of alayen."
"They'll wish they had never been born."
The palace was a hive of activity. Legolas had gathered every elf that was willing to fight and so the preparations for war commenced.
Arrows were made in there thousands, broken and brittle armour was replaced and swords were sharpened. The horses were brought in off the plains and rapidly brought back into work. There was never a quiet moment, the sound of metal on metal rang through the air at all times as warriors practised to perfection and the smith's hammer beat out the metal.
Within three days Érinan Lethainne was a fortified and armed land. It had a cavalry of two hundred, an infantry of five hundred and three hundred archers. A total of a thousand armed men to Lord Macsen's two thousand.
The efficient network of outposts was extended to cover all the way to the borders; any traveller was watched with eagle sharp eyes. It had taken nearly a week to assemble this fighting force and now with one final look back at the well-guarded palace they set off, the purple and green banners whipped in the wind.
As it was once said long ago It was as the footsteps of doom…