To think I thought I would get really told off for that last chapter and everyone loved it--go figure….
Chapter 22--Run For Freedom
The blood trail led straight to the garden. "Damn, Legolas," Jandra muttered. She hurried into the garden, she knew exactly where to look. She was relieved to find the Elf by the pond. She walked up beside him. "Legolas, are you--" It was then she saw the blood and fell to her knees. "--What did you do to yourself?"
"Nothing, I am not hurt and this is not my blood," Legolas said.
Jandra took the letter opener away from him gently and put it out of his reach then studied the bloody hand and wrist. She found no injury, which made her even more concerned. "Whose blood is it, Legolas? Who is hurt?" she asked.
"He is not hurt. He is dead, I killed him with that," Legolas said, pointing at the letter opener.
Jandra caught Legolas by the upper arms and shook him gently. "Whose dead? Who did you kill? Answer me," she said.
Legolas' smile sent chills down her spine. It wasn't quite sane. "Arathorn is, I killed him--" he said. His eyes locked on hers. "--And I am not sorry."
The blood drained from Jandra's face. "Oh Gods, Legolas," she breathed. "Where is the body?"
"In his bedchamber," Legolas said. "I came out here to finish it. First him then me, I did not want to die at the hands of an executioner. That is what would happen, is it not?"
"Yes, I fear it is, but I can not let you kill yourself. We will go see Galen, perhaps he can help us," Jandra said. She quickly washed the blood off the letter opener then Legolas' hand and wrist. She stood, drawing Legolas up with her and draped her short cape over him to cover his bloody clothes then they headed for Galen's chambers.
Galen opened the door and stepped back as Jandra quickly came in. "What is wrong? You look ill," he said.
Jandra guided Legolas into a chair. "I am, I found Legolas in the garden all bloody, he says he killed Arathorn," she said.
Galen's eyes widened. "Do you think he did?" he asked.
Jandra looked at Legolas who seemed not to even hear the conversation then looked at Galen and nodded slowly.
"Stay here with him, I will go see," Galen said and left the chamber, closing the door. Once he reached the royal suite he saw the blood. Swallowing hard, he tried the door; it wasn't locked. He went inside and began to search. When he opened the door to the bedchamber he gasped. Blood was everywhere and Arathorn's body was sprawled on the floor. He knelt and checked for a pulse--nothing. Gods, he really did kill him, we must flee--tonight, he thought. He chanted a brief spell then stood. He hurried into the study for a minute to do something then hurried from the suite.
Jandra looked up when he entered. "Is he-dead?" she asked.
"Very, we must leave tonight, " Galen said. He dug in a dresser and pulled out breeches and a shirt. He tossed them to Jandra. "Have him put these on," he said. "If he will not, put them on him."
It took some coaxing, but Jandra got Legolas to change. "How are we leaving, through the gate?" Jandra asked.
"No, you are, you must fetch us two fine, swift horses, our only hope is to get to Mirkwood before Arathorn's body is found, we have a week at least. I left an altered message, it says Arathorn went to his hunting lodge for a week and you, I and his consort went with him. It also says no one is to enter his room for any reason," Galen said.
"But the -corpse-will start to stink eventually!" Jandra protested. "And how are you getting out?"
Galen shook his head with a grim smile. "Spell of preservation, it will keep the body from rotting and we are leaving through the secret tunnel behind Arathorn's throne. We will meet out of sight of the front gate. Now hurry-- we must waste no more time," Galen said.
Jandra nodded and hurried from the room. Galen gathered some things then led Legolas down to the throne room. Once there he went to the throne and pressed a hidden switch. The throne slid aside revealing the tunnel. Galen led Legolas inside and the hidden door closed behind them…..
Whew!! They're on their way!! R/R everyone!!!