T/N: Ah, my self-esteem is out the roof. I just found out I passed my
school tests, I got a new reviewer, no flames in awhile, & writing this
chapter was easier than staring at the computer screen! Not that you
shouldn't boost my ego more & leave a review after you read this. ^_~
Lolly: Thanks for the praise! Will Ivariel get Legolas, I've been asked that. & my answer is I dunno. That's an honest answer, too - I seriously have no idea! The outcome will be as surprising to me as you. LoL, childish, I've gotten that remark too. Yeah, I guess he is, which means I oughtta work on his character development soon cuz that's only half of what I wanted to portray! Did I update like a something that updates fast? LOL. . .
Mojo the Rock Chick Munchkin: I'm glad you liked it; thanks for the review! See? There's more soon! ^_^
Nikki: Ok, 1) Randir only slept with Tavari once & 2) Thranduil doesn't know. But also, Cal is his only daughter, youngest child, she's not an adult yet, & Randir & Tavari are gonna get married any minute now anyways. ~*~ LoL, he's not named after YOGURT! & she's getting spider threads on her ass (eep! Spoiler! That's decided in THIS chap, isn't it?) & even though you're enjoying her torture, she will have reasons to enjoy her birthday. Just you wait. ~*~ Ok, I told you already, I'm gonna read your friggin' stories! Just give me some time, ok? I'm very busy, sorry! Yeah, I'm gonna call you right now chica. Hope you're home tonight!
Alida: Sup Smuff? Nice to see you're still alive out there somewhere ^_~ It's ok, I need to go to your profile & see what you've been up to lately! ~*~ Yeah, it doesn't matter what Legolas is thinking, I'm glad you tgought it was hilarious! ^_^ Everyone says they like Randir. I think he's everyone's favorite. ~*~ Thanks for telling me EXACTLY what you liked about this, it's very helpful. BTW, I agree completely about both things you said about Thranduil. I'm glad I'll see more of your reviews! Thanks for these three! & of course, thanks for putting my vstory on your faves list. It's an honor!
Chapter 9
Legolas looked down and bit his lip. He wasn't going to cry. Taking a deep breath and looking into his life-long friend's eyes, he wept.
Danen rolled his eyes. "Legolas, I'll be back in a month - shorter if anything happens!" He sighed and hugged the prince. Legolas embraced him back and sobbed into his shoulder.
~*~
It had been hours now. Calinuel had been alone in her room for hours. Her eye twitched multiple times as she ate the apple, finishing the midday meal that had been delivered to her a little while ago.
~*~
"Legolas!" Randir called. "I've been looking for you all day! Why didn't you go to lunch?"
"Wasn't hungry," Legolas muttered.
"What?" Randir jumped and sat on the branch below his younger brother. "Never mind. Put down that book, will you?"
Legolas glanced at Randir for a moment; then returned to his book.
"He's been reading all day," said a sleepy voice.
Randir jumped. He hadn't seen anyone else. The hidden Elf yawned and his head appeared through some leaves above - he was Dorlinen.
"All day, he's been reading - or at least I assume. I fell asleep awhile ago."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"I was tired, Prince Randir." Dorlinen rolled his eyes. "You didn't sleep once last night - are you telling me you haven't even napped?"
"Excellent idea, Dor!" Randir grinned. "Perfect idea! Legolas, I was looking for you about tonight. The three of us need to get those threads, and a nap would be very wise if we want to be alert."
"I'll be on my toes anyway," Legolas said with a scowl. "Why at night? You said they were nocturnal, wouldn't it be much safer now?"
"I don't want to be caught and I'm sure Father suspects something," Randir said grimly. "Now don't think wrong Legolas," He said hastily as Legolas sighed impatiently. "I don't blame you anymore, but since he reads minds I'm sure he knows something about this."
"Reads minds?" Legolas finally put his book aside to stare at the Crown Prince.
Randir scrunched his nose in thought. "Oh!" He grinned. "I made that up in my head too."
"Dorl's right, get some sleep."
Dorlinen blinked stupidly. "Did you call me a door, Prince Randir?"
"What? Well, a minute ago, yes," Randir turned his head back to Legolas, who was reading his book again. "That's exactly why I said Dor's idea was so perfect, little brother! You should get to sleep right now if you don't want to be in much danger tonight."
"I'll be in danger tonight whether I nap or not," Legolas grumbled. "Besides, I'm plenty relaxed reading."
"I'm not a door!" Dorlinen finally remembered to say, but was ignored.
"Only you would find a book relaxing."
"Plenty of people find books relaxing!"
"What's that book about, anyway?"
"It's just some basic lore that you wouldn't understand."
"I bet I would!" Randir snatched the book. "What's this all about?"
"I told you that you wouldn't understand it! Give it back!" Legolas grabbed the book and pulled.
"Ah! It's Dwarvish lore!" Randir said proudly. "Wait, why are you reading Dwarvish lore? Read some Silvan stuff, at least some Sind-"
"I've already read and reread every book about every Elvish culture, that we have here anyway." Legolas yelled. "Now give it back!"
"Why Dwarves?" Randir asked, looking through the book and easily holding it while Legolas pulled with all his might. "Why not Men?"
"I've already read every book on Men, too!" Legolas grunted, and with a final heave, retrieved the book. He fell backwards with a yelp.
Randir grabbed Legolas' hand and helped him back up. "You read too much, you know," He shook his head as if disappointed.
"Why should we get the threads?" Dorlinen appeared very confused, but there was concern on his brow.
"Thank you, Dorl," Legolas raised his eyes at Randir. "At least someone cares for my welfare."
"No," Dorlinen shook his head, earning a glare from Legolas. "Princess Calinuel is already suffering enough right now. Why ruin her hair?"
"He's right," Legolas agreed very easily. "That would be so cruel of us to increase her suffering. Shouldn't a few memories of her coming of age be glad?"
Randir had a guilty but annoyed look on his face. "But, but I want to do something." He whined. "It's how I show that I care."
Legolas rolled his eyes as his brother pouted like small child. Dorlinen seemed to believe him.
"Alright, that's fair." He yawned. "Then we should return to my plan, and ruin the seat of her dress instead. It won't be as disastrous to her as ruining her hair."
Randir grinned. "Dor, for being so exhausted, you're coming up with excellent ideas. You two better get some rest; we leave just a little after sunset."
Prince Randir pounced onto the grass and ran towards his and Tavari's favorite tree, doubtless where he planned to relax until supper. Legolas scowled and searched his book for where he had been reading. After a few minutes, Dorlinen glared at where Randir had previously been.
"I'm not a door!"
~*~
Calinuel smiled maniacally as the sky outside began to darken and she heard the click of the door behind her. An Elf woman entered the room and spoke in a kind voice.
"Here's your supper, my lady."
The princess ignored her.
"My lady?" The servant's smile faltered slightly. "Princess Calinuel?"
Calinuel very slowly turned to show her absurd grin to the Elf woman, who's sweet smile vanished immediately.
"Princess Calinuel, are you alright?" She asked in an uneasy tone. "And - and what are you wearing?"
Calinuel's grin looked wicked almost, and she cackled. The servant had no chance to scream.
~*~
A strange sound drifted to his ears from below and a little bit West. It sounded like a voice - but not the voice of a spider or an Orc, or of any other creature that might speak so carelessly on the dark forest floor. He hopped and climbed swiftly and silently through the trees in the direction of the strange voice. Discovering a mysterious party of a dozen or so marching on the path of the Elves, he whistled so his two companions would come to him.
His eyes wide with confusion as to what this might mean, he whispered to the Elf that arrived first. "Ai! Rigosil! Have a look at this!"
"Look at what, Danen? I can hear it, but I cannot see it." Rigosil replied as the third in their group arrived, glancing around curiously.
"Down there!" Danen said, pointing. "They were behind that cluster of trees for a moment."
Rigosil's eyes widened as well and the third Elf barked out the word as if simply uttering it made his mouth taste fowl.
"Dwarves."
T/N: Oooo! The suspense! What could these new plot twists mean?
Don't forget to review!
~*Tafi*~
Lolly: Thanks for the praise! Will Ivariel get Legolas, I've been asked that. & my answer is I dunno. That's an honest answer, too - I seriously have no idea! The outcome will be as surprising to me as you. LoL, childish, I've gotten that remark too. Yeah, I guess he is, which means I oughtta work on his character development soon cuz that's only half of what I wanted to portray! Did I update like a something that updates fast? LOL. . .
Mojo the Rock Chick Munchkin: I'm glad you liked it; thanks for the review! See? There's more soon! ^_^
Nikki: Ok, 1) Randir only slept with Tavari once & 2) Thranduil doesn't know. But also, Cal is his only daughter, youngest child, she's not an adult yet, & Randir & Tavari are gonna get married any minute now anyways. ~*~ LoL, he's not named after YOGURT! & she's getting spider threads on her ass (eep! Spoiler! That's decided in THIS chap, isn't it?) & even though you're enjoying her torture, she will have reasons to enjoy her birthday. Just you wait. ~*~ Ok, I told you already, I'm gonna read your friggin' stories! Just give me some time, ok? I'm very busy, sorry! Yeah, I'm gonna call you right now chica. Hope you're home tonight!
Alida: Sup Smuff? Nice to see you're still alive out there somewhere ^_~ It's ok, I need to go to your profile & see what you've been up to lately! ~*~ Yeah, it doesn't matter what Legolas is thinking, I'm glad you tgought it was hilarious! ^_^ Everyone says they like Randir. I think he's everyone's favorite. ~*~ Thanks for telling me EXACTLY what you liked about this, it's very helpful. BTW, I agree completely about both things you said about Thranduil. I'm glad I'll see more of your reviews! Thanks for these three! & of course, thanks for putting my vstory on your faves list. It's an honor!
Chapter 9
Legolas looked down and bit his lip. He wasn't going to cry. Taking a deep breath and looking into his life-long friend's eyes, he wept.
Danen rolled his eyes. "Legolas, I'll be back in a month - shorter if anything happens!" He sighed and hugged the prince. Legolas embraced him back and sobbed into his shoulder.
~*~
It had been hours now. Calinuel had been alone in her room for hours. Her eye twitched multiple times as she ate the apple, finishing the midday meal that had been delivered to her a little while ago.
~*~
"Legolas!" Randir called. "I've been looking for you all day! Why didn't you go to lunch?"
"Wasn't hungry," Legolas muttered.
"What?" Randir jumped and sat on the branch below his younger brother. "Never mind. Put down that book, will you?"
Legolas glanced at Randir for a moment; then returned to his book.
"He's been reading all day," said a sleepy voice.
Randir jumped. He hadn't seen anyone else. The hidden Elf yawned and his head appeared through some leaves above - he was Dorlinen.
"All day, he's been reading - or at least I assume. I fell asleep awhile ago."
"Why would you want to do that?"
"I was tired, Prince Randir." Dorlinen rolled his eyes. "You didn't sleep once last night - are you telling me you haven't even napped?"
"Excellent idea, Dor!" Randir grinned. "Perfect idea! Legolas, I was looking for you about tonight. The three of us need to get those threads, and a nap would be very wise if we want to be alert."
"I'll be on my toes anyway," Legolas said with a scowl. "Why at night? You said they were nocturnal, wouldn't it be much safer now?"
"I don't want to be caught and I'm sure Father suspects something," Randir said grimly. "Now don't think wrong Legolas," He said hastily as Legolas sighed impatiently. "I don't blame you anymore, but since he reads minds I'm sure he knows something about this."
"Reads minds?" Legolas finally put his book aside to stare at the Crown Prince.
Randir scrunched his nose in thought. "Oh!" He grinned. "I made that up in my head too."
"Dorl's right, get some sleep."
Dorlinen blinked stupidly. "Did you call me a door, Prince Randir?"
"What? Well, a minute ago, yes," Randir turned his head back to Legolas, who was reading his book again. "That's exactly why I said Dor's idea was so perfect, little brother! You should get to sleep right now if you don't want to be in much danger tonight."
"I'll be in danger tonight whether I nap or not," Legolas grumbled. "Besides, I'm plenty relaxed reading."
"I'm not a door!" Dorlinen finally remembered to say, but was ignored.
"Only you would find a book relaxing."
"Plenty of people find books relaxing!"
"What's that book about, anyway?"
"It's just some basic lore that you wouldn't understand."
"I bet I would!" Randir snatched the book. "What's this all about?"
"I told you that you wouldn't understand it! Give it back!" Legolas grabbed the book and pulled.
"Ah! It's Dwarvish lore!" Randir said proudly. "Wait, why are you reading Dwarvish lore? Read some Silvan stuff, at least some Sind-"
"I've already read and reread every book about every Elvish culture, that we have here anyway." Legolas yelled. "Now give it back!"
"Why Dwarves?" Randir asked, looking through the book and easily holding it while Legolas pulled with all his might. "Why not Men?"
"I've already read every book on Men, too!" Legolas grunted, and with a final heave, retrieved the book. He fell backwards with a yelp.
Randir grabbed Legolas' hand and helped him back up. "You read too much, you know," He shook his head as if disappointed.
"Why should we get the threads?" Dorlinen appeared very confused, but there was concern on his brow.
"Thank you, Dorl," Legolas raised his eyes at Randir. "At least someone cares for my welfare."
"No," Dorlinen shook his head, earning a glare from Legolas. "Princess Calinuel is already suffering enough right now. Why ruin her hair?"
"He's right," Legolas agreed very easily. "That would be so cruel of us to increase her suffering. Shouldn't a few memories of her coming of age be glad?"
Randir had a guilty but annoyed look on his face. "But, but I want to do something." He whined. "It's how I show that I care."
Legolas rolled his eyes as his brother pouted like small child. Dorlinen seemed to believe him.
"Alright, that's fair." He yawned. "Then we should return to my plan, and ruin the seat of her dress instead. It won't be as disastrous to her as ruining her hair."
Randir grinned. "Dor, for being so exhausted, you're coming up with excellent ideas. You two better get some rest; we leave just a little after sunset."
Prince Randir pounced onto the grass and ran towards his and Tavari's favorite tree, doubtless where he planned to relax until supper. Legolas scowled and searched his book for where he had been reading. After a few minutes, Dorlinen glared at where Randir had previously been.
"I'm not a door!"
~*~
Calinuel smiled maniacally as the sky outside began to darken and she heard the click of the door behind her. An Elf woman entered the room and spoke in a kind voice.
"Here's your supper, my lady."
The princess ignored her.
"My lady?" The servant's smile faltered slightly. "Princess Calinuel?"
Calinuel very slowly turned to show her absurd grin to the Elf woman, who's sweet smile vanished immediately.
"Princess Calinuel, are you alright?" She asked in an uneasy tone. "And - and what are you wearing?"
Calinuel's grin looked wicked almost, and she cackled. The servant had no chance to scream.
~*~
A strange sound drifted to his ears from below and a little bit West. It sounded like a voice - but not the voice of a spider or an Orc, or of any other creature that might speak so carelessly on the dark forest floor. He hopped and climbed swiftly and silently through the trees in the direction of the strange voice. Discovering a mysterious party of a dozen or so marching on the path of the Elves, he whistled so his two companions would come to him.
His eyes wide with confusion as to what this might mean, he whispered to the Elf that arrived first. "Ai! Rigosil! Have a look at this!"
"Look at what, Danen? I can hear it, but I cannot see it." Rigosil replied as the third in their group arrived, glancing around curiously.
"Down there!" Danen said, pointing. "They were behind that cluster of trees for a moment."
Rigosil's eyes widened as well and the third Elf barked out the word as if simply uttering it made his mouth taste fowl.
"Dwarves."
T/N: Oooo! The suspense! What could these new plot twists mean?
Don't forget to review!
~*Tafi*~