Finally I can get to work on this…. Real life hit me hard the last couple days--Welcome to all my new readers!!
Chapter 11--The Plot Thickens
Jaisia made a great show of enjoying the stroll through the city, but the armed guards made both of them nervous. Finally it was time to return to the castle for lunch, much to both their relief.
Once they had gotten cleaned up a servant escorted them to the dining hall. They paid their respects to the Queen then sat down. Deirdre was absent and Legolas realized he hadn't seen her for a couple days. He wondered where she was.
Food was brought out and servants circled the table, filling wine goblets Legolas picked it up and took a sip. He fought to hide a grimace the wine was bitter then a horrible thought came to him. He put his goblet down and reached for a warm roll. He managed to knock both Jaisia's and his goblets over and they fell to the floor with a loud clatter. "I am sorry for my clumsiness, Majesty," he apologized.
"Quite all right, Prince Legolas," Jacinth said. She gestured and a servant brought clean goblets and refilled them.
(You did the same thing once before when you thought someone put poison in Aragorn's goblet. Is that the reason for this?) Jaisia asked.
Legolas took a small sip from his goblet before answering. The bitter taste was gone. (Aye, the wine in the first goblet tasted bitter, but this doesn't) he said.
(Who do you think did it?) Jaisia asked.
(Anyone could have done it. The table was probably set an hour before lunch was ready to serve. Visiting diplomats always sit in the same places. It would have been easy for someone to put poison in the goblets) Legolas said.
(Oh no, here we go again) Jaisia groaned.
The meal seemed to drag on forever then finally they were able to excuse themselves and retreat to their rooms. They went into Legolas' room to discuss their options.
"Someone tried to kill us. We cannot just wait for them to try again. You might not catch it next time," Jaisia said.
Or me, I do not know if your wine was poisoned for certain, Legolas thought grimly.
"Of course, we do not know if mine was poisoned. We are just assuming it was," Jaisia said. She studied Legolas' expression then nodded. "You all ready thought of that, did you not?"
"Aye, I have to admit I did," Legolas said, "but we have no way of finding out."
"We will just have to keep an eye on each other's rears," Jaisia said. She giggled and flashed Legolas her familiar impish grin. "At least yours is worth watching."
Legolas laughed with her. He was glad for Jaisia's company and cheerful spirit. It was hard to be depressed with her around.
"So what do we do first?" Jaisia asked after they had stopped laughing.
"I want to have a look around tonight without an escort. Perhaps I can find those hidden areas Deirdre spoke of," Legolas said.
"You said I. I cannot come with you?" Jaisia asked.
"I think it would be best if you did not, sis. You are not exactly made for stealth," Legolas said.
Jaisia sighed, glancing at her hooves. "I cannot deny that you are right about that," she said. "Just be careful."
"I will be, you can be sure of that. We will get to the bottom of this then we will go back to Minas Tirith," Legolas said.
Jaisia sighed. "May it be soon," she said.
Finally nightfall came. It was midnight before Jaisia went to her room and Legolas was ready to go. He belted on his daggers, but left the bow behind reluctantly. Daggers were not strange to carry around with him, but the bow would seem strange. Prepared, Legolas went to the door and opened it. There was a guard standing right across the hall.
"Might you require something, Prince Legolas?" the guard asked.
"Aye, I would like to know why you are here?" Legolas said.
"I am ordered to guard the door for your own safety. The Queen commanded it," the guard said.
"I see, good night then," Legolas said and closed the door. He couldn't go out that way, but because he was an Elf there was another. Legolas headed for the window….
So what ya think? R/R please!!!
