Murderer
(A/N: I feel the need to apologise for this chapter. I don't know what it is about it – but it's really, really, really, really horrible…You guys have all been so incredibly supportive with your amazing reviews – my ego is seriously swollen – and all I have to pay you back is this…If you don't feel like reading the next chapters of this I'll completely understand…
Dedicated to so may people; you guys are the greatest. Firstly, to EVERYBODY who reviewed; I'm so miffed at how well – met this is, especially considering…(looks over work and flares nostrils). I'm sure you guys could find a fic a lot better than this one to occupy your time. All your reviews are so flattering… I don't think I've ever blushed more deeply than when I read your reviews. Thanks.
I just saw Minority Report, on a different note; really, really brilliant, at least to me. Plus, Collin, which is totally always a plus. Saw Phonebooth recently as well; I really liked it. An hour an a half focused on a sweaty, mmmmm Col…He's made #4 on my Hotness list – don't worry, Hot Elfness is still #1.
DROP WHAT YOUR DOING AND SEE RED DRAGON. That is all =^^=
Try and enjoy, I guess…)
Blood streamed, unstopping torrents of crimson, over the trembling hands, paling as disgust left a trail of bile down the attacker's throat. He could feel as all the blood drained out of his features, replaced by a horrified sheen of thick perspiration, uncharacteristic to the usually regal being. The trembling of his calves and the liquid that was now his knees denied the Elf the leverage he needed to stand. Instead, he feel forward.
The heart beneath his forearms, stretched across the tremulous chest, beat in an uneven staccato, as the lifeblood pumped within her became less and less until the heart's job was no more. The attacker could feel sharp burning across his arms as the heart spluttered her last pump, and the gaping wound across the dead girl's throat spewed only another wave of red.
Haldir could feel the liquid of the blood all up his arms, and speckled generously across his jaw. His eyelashes hung heavy with droplets of the tiny child lying dead beneath his sword, the iron scent of her death violently infesting his nostrils. His wide, panic-stricken eyes fluttered downwards, to where the silver of his blade intersected with the smooth, red-dyed flesh of the child. In a swift movement, he withdrew his sword and cleaned it on a patch of clean grass nearby.
The child that lay on the ground looked so lifelike Haldir felt nausea, for the first time, growing heavily in his gut. He placed his hands overtop of his mouth, only to feel her blood infiltrate his lips, feel the saltiness of her death against his tongue. Tears clouded his vision, but he could still clearly see her glassy, cobalt eyes staring desperately towards the canopy of the forest, see her lips wide-spread in an unspoken scream and could see the rivulets of blood running from the corners of her lips…
Her tiny body came not to Haldir's elbow. She was tanned, from living at a farm, her hair majestically tawny and leonine, hands tiny and fisted. She lay with her spine in an arch, trying desperately to escape Haldir as he pinned her to the ground, paralyzed her as he reached for his knife, paid for the life of his Yatari with the daughter of her killer…
Haldir woke in a sweat, and could swear in the haze that the blood of the girl lingered on his arms. He had washed ceremoniously for hours, had burned his clothes and the body of the girl, rubbed himself with jasmine and pine until he smelled of infused wood and prairie. But still, the blood had never left his limbs, never left his lips; the guilt of her death, an innocent, a six year old who knew not what life was, yet, kept Haldir from sleeping at night.
He had thought that avenging Yatari's death would bring him a satisfaction of sorts, some sort of resolve that her death was not entirely in vain. In a rage of grief incomprehensible to man, he had slaughtered in hopes of honouring Yatari's spirit; yet, at night, the Guardian knew that all he had done was taint the image of his beloved. If ever the two would meet again, in the Halls of Mandos or whatever world awaited Haldir beyond his last breaths, she should not take him back to her embrace.
Thranduil awoke in a cold sweat. For a moment, he was utterly disoriented; the cold chill of the night are abused his sodden face with vicious lashes, and above the distinct rustling of the canopy of a forest resounded clearly through the otherwise quiet air. The only light was spilled from the moon above, the dark shadows of the trees around tinged blue from her awkward light.
Aduial snapped awake, eyes immediately honing in on his father. Confusedly, he ran a long hand through his silken hair, tugging sleep from his mind. "Ada what ails you?" he spoke in that voice; the words fell from his lips as though pulled from the bottom of a dark pit, forced through his lips and surrounded in horror and mystery – it was how he always spoke.
"Aduial – it hurts! Ai!" Thranduil gasped. His fair features furrowed, brow creased and knit as he winced. His trembling, ashen hands clutched at his tunic before his heart and he cried out in pain, feeling his gut wrench. His vision was overwhelmed by white pain, and so the King forced his eyes shut. Blood hammering in his head, resounding as a drumbeat, he fell back onto his bedroll.
"Ada!" cried Aduial, leaping to his father's side. He knelt, his fingers working the knots out of his father's brow with gentleness few knew he possessed. "Ai, Ada! Tampa!" [Father! Stop!] he pleaded.
Thranduil opened his eyes to slits, seeing only the obscured form of his son. Aduial had always been more brilliant than his brother; like a lake, frozen in the dead of winter, he reflected moonlight so clearly that it was as though he himself emitted it. So fair, even for an elf; slashes of eyes, similar to a cat in so many aspects, yet blue. So blue…
Thranduil found little of himself in his son's face; most of his beauty had been inherited from his mother; the waterfall of ebony hair, the tight rosy lips, the too-thick brows that Legolas too had inherited. He walked with a gait quite dissimilar to Legolas' uncertain slouch, and to Thranduil's regal stance – he walked with his head bowed, yet his eyes to the world – nothing would ever escape his eyes…
The pain passed as a wave might, flotsam of numbness surrounding Thranduil's heart as he sat up, rubbing his head. "Aduial," he said, grounding himself. His body still trembled, and the King felt ridiculously weak. How dare he act so uncharacteristically shaken, especially by something as trivial as…
Legolas, he reminded himself, and painfully struggled to his feet. On the ground, felibe eyes watching with an expression of worry and confusion, Aduial opened his mouth to say something, but reconsidered. Thranduil's face was set, and though no word was spoken it was clearly stated that it was time to continue. The pair must reach Lothlorien within the week, and they were lagging too far behind for Thranduil's liking.
When Arwen awoke, she could sense Estel still asleep at her back, arm draped luxuriously over her waist. He breathed deeply, his dreams no longer invaded by ghosts, whispers of the past, murmurs of an uncertain future. The elf shifted, her shoulder aching from her awkward position. She thought she felt a fluttering in her belly, but knew that was unrealistic; her child was but a month formed, and no larger than her fist.
She already knew its gender; she had sensed that from the moment of the conception. Though it was a relief that the firstborn would be male and heir, Arwen still pined for a daughter – she had grown up in a household of men, her only refuge being their infrequent visits to Lothlorien. When she wed Estel, Arwen fancied that perhaps Eowyn would become a larger part of her life, but the maiden was frequently otherwise occupied.
Legolas, the only other elf in Gondor, had forced a similar dilemma. When the two spoke in private, he often wistfully of Mirkwood, and how he missed the realm where he had lived for many centuries. He was always polite, telling Arwen not to take offense, but it was hard to discuss his past with one who had never experienced the beauty of his home. Often, Legolas pondered returning home – but some sort of falling out with his brother, after his mother's death, confined him – at least, in his mind – to Gondor.
Arwen had never trusted Thranduil. Perhaps it was just Elrond's mutterings, when he thought his daughter would not overhear, of the arrogant haughtiness of Mirkwood's king – or perhaps it was the time, years before, when Legolas had viciously sworn that the bruise on his cheek had been received after a riding accident. Aduial, Legolas' alienated older brother, had hardly ever been around when Arwen was. He seemed to shy out of contact, skirting crowds, clinging gratefully to whatever shadows he could find and immersing himself into a word of mystery that Arwen had no wish to explore.
Aragorn murmured something in his sleep and pressed his head against Arwen's shoulder. She reached back, sliding her fingers into the familiar curls of his hair. It had always fascinated her; during her protected childhood the only hair she had known had been long, luxuriously groomed and straight. Clinging to this small comfort, Arwen fell back asleep wondering if Thranduil had, somehow, impossibly, played a part in Legolas' death…
Legolas was cross – legged, practically meditative, when Haldir found him the following morning. His head was bowed against an awkward slash of wind that had found its way into Lothlorien, eyes closed. Haldir watched in fascination, momentarily forgetting his position as he remembered how much trust the two had had in each other's childhoods…And even recently, mature warriors, they hadn't hesitated in watching each other's back in battle. Haldir would gladly have died if it meant saving Legolas, and he knew the Elf would do the same.
Haldir pondered giving himself up. Legolas would feel no wrath, only confusion and sadness at having been so brutally betrayed. But betrayal had already begun; Haldir doubted that he could feel more guilt. He had already destroyed a family, and now he was tearing apart the stitches of a tightly sewn friendship, greedily thinking of only himself as he did so.
If only he had been more careful…if only he hadn't been set on vengeance, the Thranduil would never have found out about that little girl, would never have approached Haldir in the dead of the night, sword at hand and a smile on his face to indicate he had already won the approaching battle.
Legolas tensed, looking up towards Haldir, but not seeing him, with despair in his eyes. Haldir bowed his head, and walked away before he could be sighted.
(Augh…I told you so. I'll try and write up the next chapter later today. I have a really clear idea of where I want this fic to go, but I'm such a terrible writer – don't you dare say I'm not, I know you're all thinking it – I just can't get it down on paper. Deep resounding sigh.
In response to all your reviews;
Firstly; thank you all soooooo much for these. They really are what makes me go on; you're all so great for taking the time to review. I love you all! =^^= This fic's totally dedicated to anybody who ever reviewed.
Reginabean: Mmm, rescue team…No, I'm kidding. Sorry about not having written sooner! Hope calling the rescue squad didn't cost too much…
Bubbles: Aww, I hate you too, if it's a good thing! =^^= Sorry about the long wait in getting this chapter up…I'm really, really, really, really slow, aren't I? Augh…Hope you enjoyed this chapter, somehow! Sorry about your Polar Bear LOL hope you got that cleaned up. =^^=
LadyofMirkwood: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. You don't think I've completely overdone the emotions? There's no action in this story…just…introspection rubbish…Grah. Thanks for your review!
Elvensong: LOL Sorry about how confusing this fic is…I'll try and explain Legly still being alive in the next chapter. Thanks for your review!
Aithilin: I am sort of abusive to these characters, aren't I? I hope they forgive me – I have lots of ideas for future fics I need them in! Thanks for your review - and cast sympathy, of course! =~^= (That's winking, in case it looks as dilapidated to your eyes as it does to mine LOL)
Fanny: (blushes) You really like it? Why? But thanks a billion!! =^^= I hope you enjoyed this chapter – even though it took so long to get up!
Vuaryn: Thanks so much =^^= Glad you enjoy – and I hope you liked this chapter! Even if it took so bleeding long…
BlueTopaz: LOL Thanks for the, um, review…Yes, his heart was thingamajiggy. I've noticed that you don't have a new chapter up in your fic. (HINT HINT HINT HINT HINT HINT HINT HINT HINT). Hope that wasn't too subtle LOL…Thanks a billion for your review =^^= And I can't wait to read more of UW…(siiigggggghhhhh).
Snicks and Adri: LOL! Thanks for the review! Chocolate and Chocolate Dipped Elves to both of you! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Evil Spapple Pie: You promised me a long review, remember? Hehehe…Thanks so much for your support in this…I won't say which but one of your theories in that review is right! You're so much smarter than me LOL I'll have to thicken the plot to see if you can still see through it…Maybe Legolas should be pregnant?
ZeldaDragon: (ego swells and explodes) I can't believe you like this story so much…are you serious? Are you sure you're reviewing the right one? Thanks so much. I loved Haldir too – don't worry, he's not intentionally evil in this =^^= Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Wandering-Ranger: Thanks for your review! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Bobo: Augh…I have had Lucy in the Sky in my head for sooo bleeding long it isn't even funny – not that it ever was, I guess. What a stoner song. Hope you liked this chapter! I meant to send it to you earlier but I just wanted to post it LOL
Celestra: Heya! Thanks for your review! I don't think the writing in this was sophisticated at all! Are you certain you didn't mean idiotic? And you sure it's not overdone? The entire thing is just…emotion. It's so dumb…And about Haldir being evil, heh heh heh, we'll see.
Little-lost-one: Thanks! =^^= Hope you enjoyed!
Lisseyelen aka Lady V: YAY! For Techies – the un-appreciated important beings behind the production of any play =^^= Sound Techie-ing is fun…You're probably better at it than me though LOL Good call on the mystery genre!!=^^= Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Angel: Sorry about the confusing-ness – and of course t'was your threats were what made me produce this chapter! =^^= Hope you enjoyed it, despite all. Craig Parker's a cutie! I couldn't make his character COMPLETELY evil. Maybe I'll write an E/E/E/L friendship story next time…that's a good idea!! Thanks! =^^=
Aragorn's Evenstar: Sorry about ruining Haldir! I'll try and make him a better char in upcoming chapters – his transformation seems to be bothering muchly. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I'll try and updated soon! =^^=
Katiestar: Hehehe….You'll find out about Haldir, I guess =^^= Thanks for the review, even though this clearly isn't fantastic – you're a definite ego-boost!
Elecyn Starmaker: You deserve wonderful reviews far, far more than I do, trust me. Your writing style is so much more eloquent than mine…my story's a blob, while yours are all formed and wonderful. I can't wait to read the next chapter, HINT HINT. You definitely should email me sometime – I'm flattered you'd even consider it (deep blush). Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
VaniaHepskins: Sorry for taking so long to update! Hope you enjoyed this chapter – and thanks a billion for your review! =^^=
Linwe Seregon: (looks about innocently) Hehehe….sorry about confusing you, I tend to do that.
Wow! 54 reviews…thank you all so, so, so, so, so much for your support – without you writing just wouldn't be worth the trauma! I'll try and update soon – and if I don't you guys are entitled to beat me with a stick, if you want! Thanks again!
~Kayte
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