Sigh, sorry chapter 4-It was a bit to rushed--- I decided you deserved an extra chapter so here it is!!!
Chapter 5--Golden Wings
Thranduil sat at his desk, looking through a mound of parchments. Sighing, he pushed them aside and rubbed his forehead. He was weary; perhaps it was time to get some sleep before anything else happened. A soft tap sounded on the door. "Enter!" he called.
Jadriel entered the room. "He has returned," he said.
Thranduil didn't need to ask who he was. "What does he want?" he asked.
"He would not say, he demands your presence," Jadriel said.
Thranduil banged his fist on the desk. "He demands? He demands!! How dare he!! I am not at his beck and call!! Tell him he tells you or keeps silent!!" he said.
"Yes father, I will. You should get some rest," Jadriel said.
Thranduil smiled. "I will as soon as you return, be cautious," he said.
Jadriel left, closing the door behind him. He returned to where Arathorn and his men waited. "He said to tell me or keep silent," he said.
"Really? I thought perhaps he would like to meet my newest strategist, Prince Jadriel," Arathorn smirked.
Jadriel's eyes narrowed. He had never mentioned his station or name to the Human King. He understood when he saw who came up beside him. "Jerrin!!" he gasped. He turned to a messenger. "Go fetch my father, quickly!!"
Fifteen minutes later the messenger returned with Thranduil. "Jerrin, what in the name of Elbereth are you doing?!" he demanded.
"Hello, brother dear, just joining a strong ally. Are you worried about what I told him? You should be!!" Jerrin sneered.
Traitor! You shame me and yourself!!" Thranduil snarled.
"But once Mirkwood is taken I am to take my rightful place as King. Lord Arathorn has said so," Jerrin said. "Do not force him to attack, surrender, my brother or people will suffer."
"I will not allow a traitor to take my throne!" Thranduil vowed.
"I did not realize what a treasure had fallen in my lap when I had that young elf in my clutches, but now I understand your rage. He would have been the perfect thing to force your surrender. I share your loathing for traitors. One of my men allowed your son and the others to escape. I dealt with him most harshly and I will deal with another just as harshly," Arathorn said. He nodded to a couple of his men.
Jerrin cried out as the guards seized him and forced him to his knees. "Release me! We had a bargain!!" he protested.
"I am afraid it is now invalid, traitorous one. I will do you a service King of Elves and remove a serpent from your lands," Arathorn said and drew his sword. He struck in one smooth blow; Jerrin's head was severed in one blow and bounced across the grass like a child's ball. Calmly Arathorn cleaned his weapon and sheathed it. "I give you until dawn to consider your next move, sire." The group mounted and galloped off, leaving the body behind.
Thranduil was shocked at the casual cruelty Arathorn had shown. "Bury my brother then return to Mirkwood. We have no choice now. We must fight to keep our homes and our freedom," he said. They rode off, leaving two Elves to put Jerrin to rest. A messenger hurried up to Thranduil as entered the castle.
"A gold Lothlorien hawk has arrived with a message from Lady Galadriel," he said.
Thranduil read the message. "I must not let her send Legolas here. It is not safe," he muttered. Taking out parchment and a quill, he began to write…..
There, Is that better? Poor Jerrin sort of lost his head, huh? **Laughs-- sees no one else is laughing** Ahem, well okay, bad joke--R/R please!!!