{No! Carandoliel!}
Without thinking, he drew a long-bladed hunting knife from the sheaths strapped to Sorontur's back and lunged across the room, upsetting a small stool holding a vase full of flowers. As the sound of shattering glass met his ears he fumbled at the door, quickly opening it and reaching the full blackness outside. His eyes pierced the darkness, searching for Araorë in vain. Galu's horse still stood patiently by the doorway- Sorontur's horse now missing. Legolas threw himself atop the milky white steed and in his haste, kicked him sharply in the hindquarters, throwing the beast into a hard gallop almost instantly.
{No…please no…}
The horse's hooves pounded the soft earth and rocked Legolas' body back and forth as he focused on but one thing- reaching Carandoliel. Something inside of him had warned him that Araorë meant to do her harm, but his mind could find no reason for violence. Then he remembered Araorë speaking of his refusal to remain in Legolas' shadow any longer. Legolas urged the horse faster.
The palace loomed up ahead, lights blazing in the dark night. Upon reaching the palace steps Legolas spurred the horse even harder, forcing him to climb the narrow stairs and enter into the palace foyer, hoofs clicking thunderously against the hard stone floors. He dismounted and ran down the hallway, turning towards Araorë's chambers instead of his own- instincts now guiding his footsteps. He reached the door to find it locked.
"Araorë! Araorë!" Legolas threw himself against the unyielding door, frantic with fear. From deep within he heard Carandoliel's voice, terror-stricken and screaming.
"Legolas! Legolas help me!" Her words tapered off into a scream as Legolas drew the blade of his knife above his head and threw it down forcefully against the handle on the door. It broke away freely, taking the lock with it and Legolas pushed the door in, his face now contorted with horror.
"Legolas! Legolas!" Suddenly her cries were choked off and Legolas found himself stumbling like a madman across the antechamber and into Araorë's private study. The sight his eyes met was like a physical blow; Araorë standing above Carandoliel, her motionless eyes turned towards Legolas like the lifeless eyes of a doll. Legolas screamed out, moving towards Carandoliel just as Araorë held out a long sword, stained dark red with blood.
"Ah, ah, ah…Stay right where you are, old friend. The Lady and I were just talking about you." That voice was not the voice Legolas' had known all his life. That voice was not the voice of a man he had considered his nearest and most trustworthy friend. Araorë's face was twisted manically and his words seemed to be coming from an existential force. They split the air and cracked unpleasantly upon Legolas' ears. Carandoliel's chest rose slightly. She was still alive! Legolas stepped towards her again and Araorë stepped between his advances and Carandoliel's bloodied body.
"I said stay where you are. We have things to discuss as well."
{Perhaps distracting him long enough until the others returned will keep him from harming Carandoliel farther.}
"What do we have to discuss…friend?" Legolas spat out the word as though it were a terrible taste in his mouth. He gripped the knife tightly in his hands, causing his knuckles to turn white as Araorë rounded upon him slowly, the same grin of satisfaction crossing his face.
"How does it feel? How does it feel to know everything you have ever cared for is gone? She put up quite a struggle, you know- she was stronger than I had thought." His smile widened and Legolas thought if he took but a few steps closer, he could easily kill him in one strike. Araorë, sensing this however, remained where he was, his smile widening by the moment.
"Why did I do it?" He sighed, feigning to muse nostalgically. "I had been thinking about this day ever since your marriage. I thought 'how unfair that of two friends, one should have everything and one…should have nothing.' I hadn't planned to do it this way…" He flicked the sword into the air in front of him, staring at the long red streaks marking the blade.
"But Írime came along…and she wasn't expected, was she?" Legolas interrupted, watching Araorë's face. The latter's smile disappeared and his eyes, once a light slate gray turned into a depthless black.
{The man with black eyes…Írime had seen it all.}
"Yes- how unfortunate that she happened to wander into Mirkwood at such a time. And what a pity about Nevturar- he had to explain everything to you about her gifts and her past…you would have realized eventually- you would have made the connection between the colors and her fear of me. Oh yes- she could see everything about me through those damned eyes!" His hand fell sharply, cutting the dull blade through the air. Legolas felt pure hatred running through his veins as his grip on the knife handle threatened to break the hard wood.
"How unfortunate." Legolas' mocking tone enraged Araorë as he took one step nearer.
{One step more…}
"Don't you dare to mock me! I have endured your condescension long enough! I am tired of living in your shadow- this…this moment is my own- you shall not rob me of it!" He stepped once again and all in an instant, Legolas thrust his knife into Araorë's soft belly up to the hilt. A look of shocked rage marked the dark lines' of Araorë's face as he crumpled motionless to the ground.
"Carandoliel?" Legolas ran to her side, turning her over gently as he felt hot tears spring into his eyes at the sight of her. Her long hair was matted and caked in blood from two large gashes on the back of her head. Across her right arm a long crease in the shape of a jagged "l" was bleeding freely along with a nick the size of his smallest finger on the side of her neck. Her green eyes turned towards him and a faint smile crossed her lips.
"Legolas…" He smiled as well through his tears before turning his attention to her wounds. Working quickly he bound up her arm with a long strip of material he tore from the hem of her bloodstained dress. Using the tattered remains of her sleeve he managed to free a bundle of cloth and pressed it against the cut on her neck.
{Why did no one come to help?}
He called out into the empty hallway beyond Araorë's door and then returned his eyes to Carandoliel, who had shut hers. Cradling her body in his arms he did not hear the noise behind him until it was too late. With a sudden stroke and using the last of his strength, Araorë thrust his sword into Legolas' back, piercing his lung and coming through the front of his chest. Legolas felt as though there was a tugging at his back just before the excruciating pain set in. His arms fell away from Carandoliel who opened her eyes and screamed weakly. Legolas fell backwards with his body turned slightly to one side and his arms lying across the floor. Blood began to pour out from around the blade of the sword and Legolas found he could only concentrate on Carandoliel- he could only worry for her life. As he felt himself grow weaker he opened his eyes and looked across the floor. The faint traces of a smile tugged at his face…he could still see Carandoliel's face…he could still see her eyes.
The world dipped into blackness as he slowly began to think…
{This is the end…}