Thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I loved reading them all.
Leggylover03: I'm glad you've liked it so far!
Dreamingfifi: Thank you for the suggestions, but I broke the chapter where I did because I wanted to show that it is mysterious and strange. This chapter tells exactly what happens to the two elves, and what the spirit is. Hopefully this will satisfy you.
Stumpy: I've updated quickly, just for you! Third chapter is on its way.
Takano: Thanks for being the first ever reviewer on 'Phantom of Mirkwood.'
Notes: The names of the two elves are Elpharon and Trelhr. Elpharon is pronounced Elfaran and Trelhr is Trelar.
Sorry if this chapter is a bit short, but the next chapter is longer.
Phantom of Mirkwood
Chapter Two: The Two Elves
Oronar watched the two elves pass through the trees. The two elves were hunting for him. Oronar carefully glided through the tree-tops watching his prey. His black eyes roaming over the land, carefully making sure no one followed them. To his utter surprise, no one followed. After all the elves he had killed; he was surprised they still dared to go in pairs and not around in groups.
Once the elves had passed Oronar floated down to the earth and began to follow the two elves, further into the forest.
*****
Elpharon and Trelhr walked quietly through the eves, carefully listening. They knew of the 'phantom' that was hunting elves, but they were unsure if it existed. Elpharon scanned the area looking for any sign of activity. He found none and continued to the next area. His companion, Trelhr, did not follow but stayed completely still.
"It's here." the elf whispered, as Elpharon walked away.
With this the other turned back and looked around again scanning the area. "I do not think that, brother, but...I trust you more with your hearing then with mine. I'm not as sharped eared as you."
Trelhr and Elpharon proceeded carefully turning their golden heads round, searching for any sign of movement. Then, as they walked, Oronar appeared, descending from a tree. The spirit, or demon, stalked towards them. The spirit's arms were outstretched and its hands closed as he approached the two elves.
In a moment Elpharon had an arrow notched and had fired it at the spirit, but the arrow did not hurt him; for it went through him.
With a sudden lunge Oronar had Elpharon on the floor, and the spirits hands had grabbed the face of the elf. Trelhr stood transfixed, unable to move, for fear of hurting Elpharon. Something sprang to his mind: how could this spirit touch things when it was dead?
Elpharon still struggling against the spirit, shouted: "Go! Get back to the Prince! Warn them!"
Trelhr did not wish to leave his friend and brother but he knew that if he stayed he would die, too. And being immortal he had no desire for death. Taking one last look at his brother who was flaying madly at the spirit, Trelhr turned and ran, shouting.
"How dare you!?!" Oronar snarled. He grabbed the elf's tunic and pulled the elf up, then he bashed the head of the elf on the floor. Oronar was in his element. He was growing stronger. Each time he touched the elf, the beings life-force would drain into him, giving him power and a body. He needed meat to live.
The elf continued to struggle but Oronar knew it was pointless. After he had begun the process of feeding then there was no escape. No one had ever escaped. The elf was slowly losing consciousness, and his life-force draining.
Elpharon's eyes turned white; he coughed; and his life left him.
Satisfied with the kill, Oronar turned back to the attention of the other elf and began to pursue him.
*****
Trelhr ran from the spirit. He had to get back to the Prince; to warn them of the danger. Quickly, he leaped up into a tree, scrambling along the branches, and then jumped to the next. Looking behind him, Trelhr could see the spirit chasing after him. His heart quickened as his fear increased. He dare not turn back.
Leaping from tree to tree, he finally saw the tops of Mirkwood; the home of the elves, shining through the trees. His pace quickened, but then his foot got caught on a branch the his eyes had failed to detect. He fell through the trees to the floor. Groaning he picked himself up from the earth, but he found himself staring at the spirit.
In that second Trelhr felt himself pushed to the ground.
A horrible hissing noise said: "You're wondering why I can touch you?"
Trelhr did not answer but tried to move.
"No, no, my little elf. You are mine now. You cannot escape me, no one ever has." Oronar said. "I can touch you because I am partly within the mortal world and partly within the shadow world. And now, I will begin."
Trelhr stifled a scream as he felt an imaginable power pull at him. He could feel his life draining; his blood slowing; his heart beating too fast. He tried to breath but he could not. Gasping, he died.
*****
A dark shudder ran through Legolas's frame as he saw the two bodies of his guards and friends. They had been found a little apart from each other, probably a mile apart, and the sight of the mangled bodies had given the company shudders. In all his life the prince had never seen anything so horrendous.
Slowly and carefully he issued orders - careful to not choke on words - watching the others carry the bodies away of his dead companions. Sadness littered his heart.
*****
Oronar watched with deep satisfaction. The prince was upset over his companions. Well, there would be a lot more tears by the end. Oronar smiled. His plan was to kill every elf that protected the prince then go after the prince himself.
Oh, yes, he would get the prince and no one would be able to save him.
TBC...