Disclaimer ; Can I just skip this one?
Good. Still no death threat yet. Your reviews really made my day! Merci! Gracias! Terima Kasih! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!! I luv u too!!!
Keep reading everyone!
By the way, have anyone of you seen the extended DVD of FOTR? Remember the scene in the woods of Lothlorien when they first met Haldir? Legolas was wearing a different shirt, wasn't he? Not relevant to the story, I know, but can't help wondering about it. Hmm…anyway, forget I asked that!
Even after Arulin had left, Legolas still can't stop cursing her hysterically, now in different kind of languages that Thranduil was not aware that his son knew of. "Legolas! Calm down! Please Legolas, stop trashing or you'll hurt yourself more!"
Keldarion and Thranduil looked at Legolas in horror. The prince was now sobbing and crying uncontrollably, then started to curse Arulin again. It was a hurtful sight. Keldarion was afraid that Legolas had already lost his mind.
Not knowing anything more to do to placate his brother, the crown prince sang. It was another lullaby that he used to sing to Legolas when he was just a baby. It soothed his brother somewhat. Legolas slowly calmed down and grew silent. From his heavy but steady breathing, they knew that he'd lost consciousness again.
"I can't stand this much longer! Legolas is already breaking apart!" Keldarion slapped his hand against the wall in frustration. "We must do something!"
Thranduil nodded. "Aye. We must find our own way out from this cell and get him down. Do you know how to pick the lock?"
Keldarion shook his head regretfully. "I wish I know how, father." He stared at the whole area outside their cell, squinting against the darkness. Then his eyes widened when he saw the set of keys that was thrown carelessly into the corner when Legolas had kicked the orc earlier. "Father! You won't believe this but I saw the key to our cell!"
Thranduil also saw the keys. "How do you think we could get to it? It's out of our reach, almost fifteen feet away." Keldarion was already reaching out through the bars even though he knew it was hopeless. "If only we have something long enough…"
Suddenly, two small furry creatures stumbled inside. They chirped and jumped excitedly near Legolas's feet. "Ai! It's the two damn ferrets!" Thranduil exclaimed.
"What the… hey, you two! Come here!" Keldarion shouted. "Help us get the keys, will you! Are you listening to me?"
"Help us, you two blasted creatures!" Thranduil chimed in. The 'blasted creatures' only stared back at them, blinking in uncertainty.
"Foolish. Idiot." Legolas said weakly. Startled by Legolas's sudden voice, Keldarion asked, "What did you say?"
"Their names." Legolas slowly lifted his head and grinned stupidly. "The black one is Foolish…the brown one is Idiot."
Keldarion stared. "What kind of names are those?"
"Get here Foolish, Idiot! Do as I say or I'll banish you from this realm! Get the keys, do you hear me?!" Thranduil was all but shouting now, pointing desperately at the keys in question. He then ran a hand down his tired face. "Valar! I can't believe I'm talking to these two damn creatures!"
As if understanding the note of urgency in the royalties' voices, Foolish and Idiot rushed towards the ring of keys. Using their noses, they nudged the keys forward. It took some trials and errors, but they succeeded to bring it near Keldarion's reach. The crown prince grabbed it and started to unlock the cell door. The lock was rusty, but the key fit perfectly. It turned almost immediately. Keldarion and his father stumbled out of their cell and headed straight for Legolas.
Thranduil grabbed hold of Legolas's body, taking the strain off his son's arms. Keldarion reached up to untie the chain and lowered his brother down. Legolas slumped in his father's arms, trembling in pain and the chilling cold. His energy drained, his spirit ebbing. The glow of his body was starting to fade. He felt himself slowly passing out again.
"No. Don't go out on us. Stay. Come on, Legolas. You can do it." Thranduil coaxed, wrapping his naked son with his long warm cloak. Keldarion was busy taking off the chain from around Legolas's bloodied wrists. He paused at the dagger still buried in his brother's thigh. Legolas forced his eyes to stay open. He also saw the dagger. "Take…it out."
Keldarion hesitated. "Are you sure?" Legolas nodded weakly, leaning against his father. Biting his lips in pure concentration, Keldarion preceded the painful process of taking out the blade. Legolas buried his face in his father's chest, trying to muffle down his scream of agony.
Glaring at the offending dagger, Keldarion was about to toss it away when the king said, "Wait. We might need that for our defense." He got up carefully with Legolas lay cradled in his strong arms. "Let's get out of here."
Cautiously, they moved out of their prison. The two heroic ferrets followed not too far behind.
**************
The orcs arrived with Arulin at the clearing. To her absolute wrath, there was no sign of the traveling elves that her patrol had caught sight earlier. "Where the hell are they?"
The orcs stared back at her, dumbfounded. "Well, they were here just now..."
"But where are they now?!!" Arulin cried out in outrage. "Why can't you keep track of their whereabouts? Stupid orcs!!" She whirled her mount back towards the palace. "Scour the area! If you spot anything that moves on two feet, kill them!"
*************
Elladan exchanged glances with his brother. Elrohir was still staring at the retreating she-elf with his mouth wide open. "Isn't that…" Elladan nodded. "Arulin of Garmadris, the bride to be."
"What is going on? Why is she befriending the orcs?"
"Not only befriending, my son. She's controlling them. They are her servants," Elrond said softly. The Rivendell elves were now perched atop the branches of a monstrous tree, hiding themselves among the many leaves and darkness. They had released their mounts to roam freely at their own, knowing the horses will immediately return at their call. "Something terrible had already befallen the Mirkwood kingdom."
"Does this mean the wedding is off?" Elrohir remarked.
"The wedding is the least important thing right now. What matters is Thranduil's and his sons' safety," Elrond said, moving forward.
"I hope they are all right. Elbereth! I hope they are still alive!" Elladan's eyes widened, his worries for his friends' fate climbed up his spine. The he caught the sudden gleam in his twin's eyes. Elrohir was opening his mouth to say something.
"Don't even think about it!" Elladan admonished. Elrohir snapped his mouth shut. His brother knew him too much. He no longer had the heart in their betting game, anyway. Like the others, he started to follow their father's careful footsteps.
*************
A battalion of army from Lothlorien was approaching not many leagues away. A fair-haired elf was leading, Mithrandir riding at his side. They rode hard, knowing that Mirkwood depended on their fast assistance.
TBC…