THE GRIFFON'S TEARS

Chapter 7 ~ "Eye of the Storm"

The Elf stood as the Orcs came in to take her. He did not know why he made the effort to stand. His muscles were hardly up to the task and his mind no longer even remembered the she-Elf's name.

But for some forgotten reason, he knew it was important to stand. Even though the effort had long ago proved useless, he knew that he had to try to save her. So when the stinking, hideous Orcs dragged her to her feet and took off the chains, he bunched what was left of his muscles and prepared to move.

As the Orcs dragged her unresisting toward the door of their cell, the Elf lashed out with a bare foot, kicking the closest one away. The Orc staggered, completely surprised by this show of resistance by those it had thought long subdued. It crashed into the other Orc and sent them both sprawling against the wall.

For one aching moment, the she-Elf was free.

"Run!" the Elf said through cracked lips.

She stared at him without comprehension, without hope, then awareness and recognition flickered in her eyes. Her hand reached up to touch his face, but it never made the journey. The Orcs with a howl of rage, leaped to their feet, easily capturing her emaciated body and cruelly binding her hands behind her.

The Orc who had been kicked delivered a punishing blow to the Elf with his mailed fist. The Elf gasped and sagged against his chains as he felt ribs crack. But he did manage to look up one last time as the she-Elf was taken from the cell.

For a frozen moment, their gazes locked and he remembered who she was. Then she was gone.

"Romiël," he whispered as a tear slid down his face, "my beloved sister."

~ ~ ~

Alede woke before the sun rose as the birds began their predawn chorus. Since they were just outside her windows, she could hardly help but hear them, though when she opened her eyes, she could not see them.

Blinking, she was able to make out the dark shape of her Culhalla, only because it was blacker than the grayness behind it. But even as she watched, the grayness took on a tinge of blue and she guessed that it was just before sunrise.

Nuzzling her cheek against the softness of the linens, she contemplated going back to sleep. The bed was warm and smelled of lavender, a fresh breeze trickled in from an open window somewhere and she was completely comfortable.

But all of those things paled in comparison to the arm that was draped over her waist and the chest that pressed against her back.

Unable to stop the smile that crept over her face, Alede lay in the dark, grinning in what she was certain must be an idiotic fashion. Legolas lay right behind her.

Five years and how many countless nights and right now, at this very moment, he was there, warm and real with his breath stirring her hair.

A giggle of happiness burst from her lips and she rolled over.

Or tried to.

Her nightdress was caught beneath her and while she was getting it sorted out, Legolas sighed in his sleep and rolled over onto his back. But once she had the nightdress yanked out of the way, Alede rolled over until she was facing Legolas.

And then she pounced.

Legolas woke with a start. He had been sleeping quite soundly, much harder than an Elf normally slept. But then he had foregone sleep for many nights prior to Alede's arrival, much too anxious to rest.

So when a soft, warm object landed upon his chest and twined with his legs, he was not as prepared for it as he normally might have been.

Nevertheless it took him only a moment to figure out what the soft thing was that was sprawled against him, tickling him with her hair beneath his chin and hugging his ribs so fiercely he could scarcely draw breath.

He stretched and felt a prickle of excitement through their shared song. Chuckling softly, he hugged her back.

"Good morning, Alede," he said with a grin.

"Good morning," she said, her voice muffled against the blankets and his chest, but he could hear the happiness in it.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked as he stroked her hair.

"Yes." The arm encircling his ribs tightened. And then she raised her head, peeking up at him, her green eyes alight with delight.

Legolas could not help laughing. Alede's hair was in wild disarray. It tumbled about her face like an agitated cloud and she looked positively adorable.

"What are you laughing about?" Alede asked, though she could easily guess.

"Not a thing," Legolas replied, trying to look innocent.

"Humph!" Alede did not believe him for one moment and dug her fingers into his ribs.

"Cease!" Legolas laughed, dragging her fingers away from his ribs. They tussled for several moments as Alede tried to tickle him again.

"You were laughing at me!" she exclaimed, giggling. "And you always look so perfect!" She managed to slip a hand free and sank her fingers into his silky hair, giving the locks a good tousling.

Legolas gave a mock cry of dismay and then he finally shoved her over on her back, capturing her hands and throwing a leg across her thighs to still her.

"Are you always this naughty in the morning," Legolas asked, grinning as he hovered over her. His hair slipped over his shoulders to brush her face and throat with its silkiness.

"I do not know," Alede responded pertly. "I've never had this type of provocation before." But then the laughter fled from her face as Legolas gave her a look that made her innards turn to mush.

He released her wrists and moved his hands to cup the sides of her face and kissed her deeply. Alede responded by wrapping her arms around him tightly. She melted into his embrace and Legolas pressed her lips open, exploring her mouth and her sweet warmth. Their tongues met in an ancient dance, twining and thrusting in a rhythm that foreshadowed what they both knew would come eventually.

Legolas' hand traced the curve of her ribs, sliding over the soft fabric of her nightdress to circle around her waist and hold her close. Alede arched up into him and he could not help the tiny groan that left his throat.

Alede nipped softly at his lips, her hands moving in the silken mass of his hair. He leaned down to nuzzle her throat and she sighed.

"Legolas? Uhm . . . about this custom during betrothal . . . uhm . . ."

Legolas rose up on his elbows to look at her and slowly shook his head.

"Tsk, tsk, what a wanton I am betrothed to."

"Wanton!" Alede exclaimed. "I am no such thing! Next I suppose you'll say that I was trying to seduce you!"

"I need not say it, 'twas obvious when you pounced on me," he grinned, ducking when Alede tried to tweak his ear. "If you are this filled with lust now, what will you be like on our wedding night?" he asked with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.

"By then, I won't even want you," she said, trying unsuccessfully to give him a petulant pout.

"Aye, you will," Legolas predicted with a mischievous grin and an infuriatingly smug look.

"OH!" Alede cried in mock outrage, trying to shove him away. But Legolas ducked under her arms, pressed his lips against her chest and blew hard, making her squirm with giggles. Then he bounded out of the bed and headed for the door.

"I think the year to come will prove interesting, Melui," he said from the doorway, his eyes twinkling.

"Humph,"

"Will you join me for breakfast?" he coaxed, knowing that she was not really angry with him. "I intend to consult with your father and mine about the magician in Mordor. I would appreciate your opinion as much, if not more so, than theirs."

Alede smiled at the compliment. "Of course I will join you. Where are we meeting for breakfast?"

"The Great Hall. I will wait for you and walk you down."

He started to leave and then ducked his head back in the door. "Alede?"

"Yes?" she asked, swinging her feet to the floor.

"You might want to consider brushing your hair before you come down."

"OH!"

The pillow slammed into the doorframe only seconds after his grinning face disappeared.

~ ~ ~

Zarraweth crowed in triumph as she levitated a drop of the griffon's tears away from him. Ignoring the pitiful sounds coming from the she-Elf as the Orc tortured her, the witch dropped the liquid into her black bowl.

"This is enough," she said to the Orc. "We'll need to save the Elf for another time," she added maliciously. Torturing the Elves was now the only way she could make the griffon cry. The creature had grown too dangerous for Zarraweth to get near. The manacles barely controlled him now.

So far the griffon had not found a way to break free of its collar, but Zarraweth knew it was only a matter of time. She was even now working on a way to preserve the tears, since soon she'd have to kill the griffon before it became too much of a danger to her.

"You have made a big missssstake, Zzzzaraweth," the griffon hissed. "Ssssset me free now and I will give you a quick and painlessss deathhh. Wait; and I will sssstring your innardssss about the rampartsss as you watch."

Zarraweth looked up from her black bowl and laughed. "Fool! I will never set you free. You are mine! Mine, do you hear!"

"I hear your deathhh sssscreams, witch," the griffon replied coldly.

Zarraweth gave a short laugh, not letting the beast see how its words affected her. "Take the prisoner back to its cell," she commanded, turning toward the steps.

The Orcs hauled the bleeding she-Elf to her feet, ignoring her cries of pain. But they did not watch the griffon closely enough.

The deer carcass they had given him days earlier had been reduced to bones. But those bones were heavy enough that when well aimed they knocked both Orcs off their feet as the griffon hurled them across the tower.

The Orcs tried to struggle to their feet in time to catch the she-Elf as she staggered away from them. But the griffon moved too quickly, cutting them off from her, throwing his own body in their way.

Zarraweth turned back to see what was happening.

"Leave it!" She shouted at the Orcs. She did not need the griffon killing any more of her Orcs. She loathed the horrid creatures but now found they were in short supply. At least a hundred of them had deserted a few days ago and the griffon had killed two only yesterday. "If the griffon wants an Elf, let it have it. Maybe we won't have to go hunting anymore."

The Orcs scuttled toward the door, but the griffon's immense wing caught one, sweeping it backward into the gaping beak. A sickening crunch ended the Orc's shrieks. The remaining Orc plunged toward the door and bolted through it, slamming it behind him and throwing the lock.

The griffon let out a hiss of rage, but quickly settled his wings so as not to frighten the she-Elf. He must not let her jump as the other one had.

"I will protect you," he said as softly as his avian voice would allow. She shrank away from him and the griffon's heart squeezed tightly as she backed toward the battlements. He must not let her die!

"Here," he pushed a filthy bowl toward her with carefully concealed talons. "Water. I have no food for you, child, but take sssome water."

The she-Elf remained where she was, crouched on the cold floor, shaking with fear and pain. The griffon could barely stand to look at her. What the Orcs had done to her, made his stomach turn.

With slow, careful movements he laid down, folding his front talons over each other in what he hoped was a non-threatening position. When the she- Elf still made no move, he closed his eyes to mere slits.

Hours seemed to pass as the griffon watched the Elf shivering on the cold stones. But finally, carefully, she crept toward the water bowl, inching her way to it. Still, the griffon did not move, not until she had plunged her hands into the stagnant water and drank her fill.

Then he reared up as quickly as lightning, throwing out a wing and catching her, rolling her tiny body beneath his. The griffon expected her to bolt and clamped down on a frail arm with his mighty talon. He was totally unprepared for the little Elf to roll up into a ball of fear.

"I am ssssorry, child," he hissed gently. "I feared you would harm yourssself. I will not hurt you."

The Elf made no response, only continued to shiver in fright, so the griffon did the only thing he could.

"I cannot heal your woundssss, but I can help them." Lowering his great head, he gently licked the many wounds, washing the filth of her long captivity away from the raw flesh. As he tasted her torture, his tears fell upon her. The salty fluid did not heal her wounds, but it washed them clean. Spreading his great wings, the griffon sheltered her from the bitter wind and gradually, hour-by-hour, the Elf's shivering stopped and she dropped into the first dreamless sleep she had known in centuries.

~ ~ ~

Legolas and Alede were late.

Despite curtailing their amorous activities, Legolas wore a grin that he simply could not seem to wipe off his face. Alede gave him a radiant smile. She looked beautiful in an under dress of silvery gray and a kirtle of dark green, the colors of Eryn Culhallas. Her hair was loose and fell over her shoulders in waves.

Legolas had to force himself not to think of their earlier activities, otherwise he'd never be able to concentrate on the business at hand. But he did allow himself a moment of smug satisfaction knowing that he would spend the rest of eternity waking up with a mischievous imp beside him.

Or on top of him.

And just how did she know that his ribs were ticklish anyway, he permitted himself to wonder as they stepped out onto the broad balcony that belonged to Cyrus and Alede's father.

Everyone was already gathered and Legolas greeted them. Radagast, Cyrus and Gimli were tucking into breakfast as if they hadn't eaten in weeks. Thranduil sat watching them with a curl of disgust on his fine mouth. Mändel had his usual assortment of papers and appeared to have ignored his breakfast.

Legolas found that he actually felt hungry this morning, an odd occurrence, since Elves ate little.

He tossed a glance at Alede. No doubt it was she who had awoken his appetite.

She returned his smile before walking over to greet her father.

"You look lovely this morning, Daughter," Radagast said, carefully wiping his mouth on his napkin and giving Alede a good morning hug.

"Thank you, Father," she said, kissing his cheek. She greeted Cyrus and then walked over to Gimli. The dwarf had stood as soon as she entered the balcony and now he gave her a short bow. Legolas was pleased to see how well they got on together, but he was even more pleased when Alede bent and kissed the dwarf upon the cheek.

Gimli sat back down again, red in the face, but obviously pleased.

Alede then approached King Thranduil. For a moment Legolas thought that she would drop a kiss upon his cheek as well. Apparently the king did too, for he sat back in his chair, eyes narrowed, looking up at her with a mixture of haughtiness and daring.

Alede faltered and hesitated. Apparently losing her nerve, she dropped Thranduil a rather hasty curtsy.

"Good morning."

Thranduil cocked his head speculatively as she sat down. "I believe I instructed you not to curtsy to me."

"Perhaps you did," Alede said with more nonchalance than she probably felt. "But there was so much instruction during our journey, surely you cannot blame me for forgetting some of it."

Legolas shot his father a dark look. He had known that Thranduil would bully her and here was proof of it!

"Let us hope that you retained some of the more pertinent instructions," the King growled.

Before Alede could reply, Mändel interrupted, obviously sensing trouble.

"Your Highness," he said directing his gaze to Legolas, "perhaps you could acquaint our guests with the magic you encountered in Mordor."

Legolas paused, giving his father and Alede one more glance. The two were looking at each other with sparkling eyes. Legolas had not thought Alede would be interested in the games Thranduil played, but obviously something had changed between them. Perhaps something last night at the ceremony, or before it began . . .

Realizing that everyone was waiting for him to answer, Legolas began his account of the troubles in Mordor. He started by telling them of the various items of dark magic which his people had managed to confiscate from traders slipping through their borders.

"I had better take a look at these items," Alede interrupted. "If they are as dangerous as the Faerie Goblet . . ." she left the sentence unfinished and Legolas nodded.

"It would be of great relief to me if you did. Though I will admit that many of them we burned. But those that could not be burned are in a deep storage room beneath this hall."

Alede nodded and Legolas continued, moving on to their decision to march on Mordor and the strangely easy battle that ensued.

"The Orcs simply marched out onto the plains?" Thranduil asked in astonishment. "That is not their way. Even Uruk-hai would not be so foolish, would they?"

"Nay, Father," Legolas answered him. "The ease of the battle amazed us all. It was almost as if their commander had no knowledge of battle."

"Or it may have been deceit of some kind. Perhaps the enemy has more warriors in reserve that he intends to use at another time. The battle may have served some other purpose than that which it appeared."

Legolas fought to keep his face neutral. He had known before his father even opened his mouth what lecture the King would give. Even more amusing was that Legolas had already had those same thoughts.

*I am my father's son.* But that knowledge no longer bothered him. Legolas was finally coming to terms with his father.

He glanced at Alede. At least about most subjects he had come to terms with him.

Continuing his dialog, he told them of the storm that had hit the outskirts of Eryn Culhallas and his subsequent repairs and sending scouts into the Ash Mountains.

"So it would seem," Thranduil said, steepling his fingers, "that this entity, who ever he is, realizes that you were the driving force behind the attack, Legolas. Therefore, your kingdom was singled out for destruction."

"Do you know if the other kingdoms nearby have suffered?" Alede asked.

"I have sent messengers to both Lord Faramir and King Elessar. Their lands have not suffered. But I do not know of your people," Legolas said turning to Gimli.

"I will send my warriors back today so that they may see if all is well."

"Nay," Legolas said hastily, "They have journeyed long. You may borrow one of my Shrykes which Radagast was so kind as to gift me with."

Gimli nodded his thanks.

"But how is it that your involvement in this affair is known to our enemy?" Thranduil persisted.

"I have wondered that too, Father," Legolas answered. "It is well known that my people have been arresting traders who bear dark magic. Perhaps they surmised that I was behind the attack. Or perhaps we are merely the closest."

"Or there is a spy in our midst," Gimli said grimly.

Radagast nodded, joining in the conversation for the first time. "I had wondered that as well."

"None of my people would spy," Legolas said with some heat. "And I do not believe it of Faramir's men. They lived under the threat of Mordor for too long. They hate it as much as we do. Gimli's people are out of the question and Aragorn's warriors would not have been privy to such information."

"You cannot eliminate the dwarves simply because one of them is your friend," Thranduil put in. "Dwarves have been known to be treacherous."

"As have Elves," Gimli growled.

At that comment everyone began to talk at once. Thranduil and Gimli exchanged insults. Radagast insisted that birds could be turned into spies while Mändel argued that they would have noticed birds spying on them. It was Alede who finally stopped the argument. But she had to stand up and slap a hand on the table before they would cease bickering and listen.

"I believe that you are all wrong," she insisted.

"Indeed? Pray enlighten us," Thranduil remarked drolly.

Alede flicked him a look of irritation. She heard the sarcasm in his tone.

"I will attempt to," sitting back down again, she tossed her hair off of her shoulders. "On every occasion when the magic was used, I could hear it, but my father and Cyrus could not."

Thranduil made and impatient noise, but said nothing when Legolas shot him a frown.

"When the storm hit Eryn Culhallas," she continued, "Both King Thranduil and myself heard it quite clearly. This seems to indicate to me that the magic being used is of a natural kind, green magic, if you'll permit me to use the common term. Wizards cannot hear or wield it, but I can because of my mixed blood."

"Very well," Thranduil said, his impatience breaking through, "we obviously have a wielder of green magic who has gone bad. What of it? It still does not answer our question of the spy."

"But it does," Alede insisted. "One of the uses of green magic is scrying. Even Lady Galadriel used a form of it, though her's was far more advanced than anything I have every performed, or so I have heard."

Beside her, Gimli nodded sagely, considering himself the resident expert on the Lady of Light.

"Alede?" Legolas began, "Could you use the same method to spy on our enemy?"

"Yes, I was about to suggest it."

"What are the risks?" he asked worriedly.

"Well," she considered. "If I reveal myself to him . . ."

"No!" Radagast said jumping up. "It is too dangerous! If you reveal yourself to the dark one you could come under his control."

"Father . . ." Alede began impatiently.

"She will resist him," Legolas said quietly and all eyes turned at the confidence in his tone. "I was there," he reminded Alede looking at her with pride.

"What do you mean?" Alede asked in confusion. "Where? I do not understand what you are speaking of."

"In the ruins of Orthanc when you rescued me from the dark wizard," Legolas answered. "You held in your hand a book of dark magic. For a moment I watched you, I watched the desire on your face, the lust in your eyes. You wanted that book. I would even say that you wanted that book more than you had ever wanted anything in your life up to that moment. But instead you destroyed it. You turned away from its evil. This incompetent magician will not sway you. I have every confidence in you, Alede. "

She dropped her eyes from his intense gaze, immensely flattered by his praise and rather embarrassed as well. She had wanted that book of dark magic. She had wanted it more than anything and later had regretted destroying it. But looking back up into Legolas' twilight gaze, she realized that something had replaced that desire, something so strong she would never turn, no matter the provocation.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Thranduil asked impatiently, ruining the moment.

Radagast gave the king a dark look, but Alede silenced any protest he might have made.

"I will be fine, Father. I have a new staff after all. It is much more powerful than my old one."

Legolas stood up. "What do you need?"

~ ~ ~

Alede sat down at the small table in her father's visiting room. Radagast had suggested it because the windows could be fully shuttered and it was so close to where they waited on the balcony. Legolas had gone to fetch the water from the stream himself, careful, as Alede had instructed him, not to touch it.

She now sat in the darkened room, alone, with a lovely clay bowl in front of her. The water shivered slightly as Alede inadvertently breathed on it. Other than that all was still and quiet, though she knew that the others waited impatiently outside.

But Alede did not let their impatience hurry her. She needed to be calm for what she was about to do. Allowing her mind to clear, her gaze wandered around the room. Legolas had indeed been generous to her father. The rooms were comfortable and richly furnished.

Closing her eyes, Alede concentrated on her breathing. As always when she focused, her fingers caressed the embossed leaves of her betrothal ring, turning it around and around on her finger. Feeling calmer, she dropped her hand and picked up the staff which lay across her lap. Waving it over the bowl of dark water, she muttered a spell of seeing and one of concealing as well. She would keep herself hidden from this dark power for as long as possible.

Before her, the water began to stir and then to change color. Patiently, she waited.

~ ~ ~

"I hate waiting," Gimli said under his breath. Thranduil ceased pacing for a moment.

"For once the Dwarf and I are in agreement," he snapped. "How could it possibly take this long?" The sun was rising toward midday and Alede was still closeted within Radagast's room.

"Do you think that something could have gone wrong?" Legolas asked, regretting now that he had talked Alede into this.

Radagast shook his head. "Her mother often took an entire night when she was scrying. Alede is more powerful, but. . ." he shook his head and shrugged.

~ ~ ~

Images shifted before her. She saw a dark tower, partially ruined. The dark smudge of the lava flow that had collapsed some of its walls many years ago was still evident, though it had long since cooled. Part of Alede's mind, the part that was detached from the visions in the scrying bowl, reminded her that Mount Doom had erupted when the famous Hobbit Frodo Baggins had cast the Ring into it.

*But there is neither a dark lord nor a ringbearer this day. So who is it that inhabits the dark tower?*

The first signs of occupants she found were Orcs. Even in her semi trance state, Alede's lips curled. She detested Orcs.

Pulling the magic of the scrying bowl away from the Orcs, she searched onward, trying to penetrate the murky depths. Much dark magic still lingered in Barad-Dûr. It was like smoke from a smoldering fire, embers that could be rekindled if given enough breath.

Sensing a source of power, Alede searched upward. The images in the bowl became cloudier and cloudier as she approached the highest tower. Suddenly the images stopped and through the mist she could dimly make out an immense figure. Red and gold, it gleamed in the murky light. Alede thought she could see enormous wings and massive talons.

The figure suddenly surged to its feet and turned to face west and Alede finally saw it clearly. She gasped in surprise and then in dismay, for she saw clearly the collar and chains that bound the creature.

But as she tried to look more closely, the images were wrenched away from the proud creature and Alede nearly fell forward, she was so disoriented. A pale orb took shape in the bowl.

The face of a woman.

Green eyes stared out at Alede and for a moment the wizardess thought she saw her own reflection. But then she saw the cloud of dark hair around the face and the cruel twist of the red lips.

"Angmar," she whispered.

And then the bowl exploded.

~ ~ ~

"Father, did you hear the strange keening sound each time the magic was invoked?" Legolas asked. He was the one pacing now. Thranduil had given up on it and was clutching the railing as if it were his own impatience which he wished to throttle.

Thranduil turned around, leaning his hip on the rail. "Yes. At first it was a sobbing sound, like that of someone crying. But then it took on a stranger tone."

"Did you not tell me once when I was a child of a creature that keened?" Legolas persisted.

Thranduil shook his head. "I do not recall. I read you many tales. I do not remember all of them. There are many creatures that make a keening sound . . ."
He never finished the sentence. The wall of Radagast's rooms suddenly blew outward, throwing planks of wood as if they were no more than splinters. A tornado of dust and debris erupted from the broken room. Furniture was scattered everywhere.

"ALEDE!" Legolas shouted, rushing forward, only to be captured and held back by Gimli. Radagast rushed forward as well, but by then Alede had emerged out from under the shattered remains of a table and staggered forward. Legolas cried her name again.

"Keep back," Gimli shouted, struggling with his friend, trying to pull him out of the way of the twisting angry wind. But it was King Thranduil who finally pulled his son to the farthest edge of the balcony.

The tornado seemed to be driven by a purpose. It rushed forward as if to engulf the two struggling Elves, then doubled back on itself as Alede stumbled out onto the balcony.

The wizardess looked terrible. Her face was cut and bruised in numerous places and her fine clothing torn. As she raised her staff, Legolas realized she was furious. She shouted a spell which shoved the twisting wind back, but it quickly regained its position and even seemed to swell in size. Lightning struck out from the vortex and ricocheted off of Alede's staff. Everyone else on the balcony ducked for cover.

"Get out of here," Alede shouted, glancing fearfully at Legolas.

Amazingly, the tornado seemed to realize where her gaze fell and it threw itself at Legolas, ripping up the decking of the balcony as it went and throwing out more bolts of lightening.

Alede screamed two rapid spells, both of which had little effect and tried to interpose herself between the twisting wind and her love. Thranduil and Gimli both tried to drag Legolas over the edge, preferring the drop to the promised death from the tornado.

Radagast tried to rush to his daughter's aid, but it was obvious this magic was beyond him.

Then quite suddenly time seemed to stand still for Legolas. He felt his father's grip on his clothing, felt the rail at his back and Gimli's tight hold on his arm. He saw a look of pure desperation come over Alede's face and then she spoke the most awful words he had ever heard.

Words that he had heard long ago in the Misty Mountains.

"Nuzka a' bleniz kallumbul te wathu shiv'sal!"

Legolas felt as if his insides had turned to ice and his hand came up instinctively to grip the amulet that no longer hung inside his tunic. The spell was the freezing curse that Sildair had put on him all those long years ago. Closing his eyes against the memories that welled up inside him, Legolas froze.

And then he noticed the silence, broken only by the harsh panting of breath around him.

Opening his eyes, he saw the tornado frozen only inches from him. The wind was perfectly still, stopped in its mad whirl as if made of ice. Debris and bits of wood were frozen in it as well.

He let out the breath he had been holding and Thranduil and Gimli released him. Looking around the edge of the tornado, he saw Alede drop her arms and turn to her father.

"A WITCH! AN ANGMAR WITCH!" she shouted furiously. "AND SHE HAS MY MOTHER'S BOOKS!"

Pandemonium ensued.

~ ~ ~

Several moments passed before everyone calmed down enough to even be heard. Alede had dispensed with the frozen tornado by smashing it with her staff as if it had been so much ice. Mändel had hurried to assure the Elves who had come running to their aid. Legolas tried to have his healer brought to Alede, but she brushed off her injuries as mere scratches.

"I am well," she said, squeezing Legolas' hand apologetically. "But I am furious . . ."

"Is that why you spoke magic in the black tongue?" Radagast asked shaking, his tone both angry and frightened.

"Father, she is a witch from the Angmar Mountains and she has my mother's books!"

"I realize that Daughter." Radagast gripped her shoulder urgently. "But have you forgotten that by invoking dark magic, you send yourself down the path of evil?"

Alede shook her head impatiently, "Father, I used the magic with no evil purpose or intent. I merely wished to save Legolas . . ."

"For which I am very grateful," Thranduil put in, sending his own impatient look toward Radagast. "But I think we stay from the important subject here . . ."

"Nay, we do not stray," Radagast said with unnatural violence. "Alede, by using the dark magic, you invoke the wrath of the Valar!"

"Father," Alede said, trying to control her already frayed temper. "I agree with King Thranduil. The important issue is the witch. We can discuss my use of that spell at a later time."

Radagast did not look appeased, but he allowed Legolas to change the subject.

"What did you see?" the prince asked as he led them all to another portion of the Great Hall that was undamaged.

She told them of her observations of the tower and the Orcs. "There is also a creature imprisoned in one of the top towers. It looked like a griffon."

"A griffon?" several voices asked in astonishment.

"I thought they were nothing but myth," Gimli observed.

"Nay," Thranduil said. "Though I do not expect a child like you to remember them." He ignored the rumbling sound coming from the dwarf. "There were griffons still in Legolas' youth, though not many. It has been assumed that they all passed over the sea. But if there is one still, then that is the source of your keening sound," Thranduil said, giving a nod to Legolas. "They made a sound unlike any other creature. Though none of us should be able to hear it at this distance. Not even I could do that."

"But are not griffons creatures of magic, Father?" Legolas asked. "Could this witch be harnessing its power somehow?"

Alede answered before the King could. "They are magical. But they could not cause the storms and vortexes we have seen. Nor does it explain why we can hear the keening sound . . ."

"By all that is sacred!" Radagast suddenly cursed.

"What is it, Father?"

Radagast shook his head as if chastising himself and turned wearily to Alede. "Years ago your mother compiled a book of green magic and magical creatures. There was a page on griffons or more specifically the magic that could be worked with their tears."

"Their tears?" Alede asked in surprise.

"Yes. The tears of the griffon could channel tremendous power."

"Where is this book?" Legolas asked. "Is it packed among your things or is it what the witch is using?"

"It must be," Radagast said wearily. "It was stolen long ago. When my wife was killed, I went to carry her body home. When I returned, our little cabin had been broken into and much of Malina's things stolen. I always regretted it. Obviously those books have been kept and have now passed into evil hands. I am sorry, Alede. I should have looked harder for them . . ."

"Never mind that," Thranduil snapped. "What do you remember about the Griffon's tears?"

"Nothing really. I just remember seeing it and Malina remarking about it. I never actually read the page."

"Well, the obvious thing now, is for me to set that poor creature free and confront the witch." Alede's suggestion was met with arguments from all sides and soon everyone was in an uproar again.

Legolas would not hear of her going by herself, though Alede insisted that that was the safest plan.

Thranduil loudly stated the opinion that they should mount an assault and march upon Mordor immediately. Gimli favored this idea until he realized just whom it was that he was agreeing with and then he switched tactics and agreed with Legolas' idea to infiltrate the tower with a small stealth force instead.

Alede was against Legolas being involved in any way whatsoever. Radagast and Mändel thought that careful study of their enemy was in order and Cyrus kept shouting for caution.

They finally broke up after Legolas suggested that they discuss the matter the next morning when they'd all had a chance to cool off and think the situation over more clearly. He also sent Mändel to bring in carpenters to begin work on Radagast's splintered domain immediately.

Lifting Alede from her chair forcibly, Legolas persuaded her to stop arguing and dragged her off in the direction of her Culhalla.

"We need to get you cleaned up and I want to have a look at those cuts," he said worriedly.

Alede ignored his concern. "So, when do we leave?"

"What do you mean?"

"I saw the look you gave Gimli," she said hotly. "You're up to something and I imagine it has to do with sneaking off in the middle of the night with the dwarf. So, when do we leave?"

Legolas gave a sigh as he opened her door and gestured her inside. "I am not comfortable taking you with us," he admitted. "I think a small force can slip into Mordor more easily than an army, but I'll never convince my father or my people of that. Unfortunately Gimli and I can accomplish nothing without your knowledge of magic."

"I know that. So when do we leave?"

"After midnight. Do you want your father to come with us? His knowledge of magic may be useful . . ."

"Absolutely not," Alede said firmly. "My father knows little of green magic. He would be of no help. Besides, I know a spell or two that can hide us from prying eyes. I can conceal three of us, but certainly not a whole passel of people."

Legolas nodded. "I will see about getting supplies for the journey." Alede nodded and he gave her a quick embrace before turning to her bag of herbal medicines.

Under Alede's direction Legolas was able to gently tend her wounds, even if his hands did stray from their job occasionally and he found it necessary to kiss each of her bruises with infinite tenderness.

~ ~ ~

Legolas slipped down the stairs with care. Gimli, Alede and he had all been very careful to act normally that afternoon and evening so that no one would suspect them of sneaking off, as Alede had put it.

But Legolas was convinced that his course of action was for the best. The delays caused by the others' arguments would no doubt prove detrimental to his kingdom. And obviously his kingdom was not a safe place for Alede. No matter how it worried him to take her with them, he knew that they would have no chance without her. Alede seemed perfectly confident in her ability to deal with the unknown witch, despite the morning's disaster.

The captive griffon that Alede had seen also preyed on Legolas' mind. For a wild creature of such majesty to be at the mercy of a power hungry magician . . . it made his stomach clench with anger.

That the young prince might also just be desirous of an adventure was never mentioned, though Legolas had caught Gimli giving him a few suspicious looks from time to time.

*This is for the good of my kingdom and for all of Middle Earth* he told himself fiercely, concentrating on getting down the long stairs quietly.

Behind him, Alede trod upon the hem of his cloak and whispered an apology. He knew she was having trouble negotiating the stairs in the dark. Legolas was dressed in dark clothing, making it nearly impossible to see him. Rough breaches covered his long legs and he wore a gray jerkin under his Lothlorien cloak. The cloak seemed to blend into it surroundings no matter what their color and with the moon hidden behind sullen clouds it had taken on a charcoal gray hue.

Alede was dressed similarly in a pair of dark gray breaches, long boots and a gray shirt. The travel stained cloak which covered her shoulders had obviously seen many journeys and it was difficult to say if its color were gray or green.

Legolas had been relieved to see that she carried only a small pack over her shoulder and her new staff. He had not forgotten that she had often led a nomadic lifestyle when she was not staying in Rivendell.

They met Gimli at the bottom of the stairs, the dwarf's keen eyesight enabling him to move through the darkness as easily as the Elf. They walked quietly along the path leading east, slipping beneath the tall trees and the quiet homes like ghosts.

Legolas was about to turn and speak softly to his companions, when a black shadow suddenly loomed up in the path ahead of them, completely blocking their way.

The young prince took in a sharp breath as an icy hand of fear seized his heart and the menacing figure spoke . . .

~ ~ ~

A/N: Ekkk! Now what? Tune in next week when we find out just who or what that thing is!

As always thank you for all the wonderful comments you've given me. :D :D You guys are terrific and I'm glad you enjoyed Legolas on his royal throne last week. ;)

~ ~ ~

*** Original Character List ***

Alede the Green - Witch, healer and wizard. She is daughter of Radagast the Brown. After the death of her mother, she was raised in Rivendell for a while and learned healing skills from Elrond. She also developed a terrible crush on Elrohir, which he has gently teased her about for centuries. She also spent some time learning the wizarding craft at Orthanc under the tutelage of Saruman. Because she felt her healer's calling was more important, and because she considered herself a poor wizardess, Alede never completed her training at Orthanc.

Cyrus the Blue - The forth Maia to be sent to Middle Earth and friend to Radagast the Brown

Lomomir - Brother to King Thranduil of Mirkwood and a healer. He has spent the last many years in Rivendell studying with Alede and reading from Elrond's many books and journals.

Maladok the Red - The fifth Maia sent to Middle Earth. After a disastrous encounter with Saruman, Maladok has become a bit of a "black sheep" in the wizarding world.

Zarraweth - A young human witch with more plans and beauty than is good for her.

Malina - A healer and witch of the Angmar Mountains. She was married to Radagast the Brown and was Alede's mother. She was killed by a mob of religious fanatics who thought her witchcraft had brought plague to a village when instead she had been trying to cure it. Alede was only sixteen when Malina was killed.

Mändel - Legolas' steward. He originally served under Thranduil in Mirkwood in a lesser position.

Galomir - Ithilien's healer.

Girwyn - A general in Legolas' army. He is in charge of Ithilien's security.

Nimhith - A she-Elf of Eryn Culhallas, assigned by Legolas to be Alede's lady's maid.

Romiël - A she-Elf captured 700 years ago by Sauron as her people were making their way to the Gray Havens.