Disclaimer: I own Tirdin and Nifien, and Dúgollo. And am currently
stalking Legolas to try and kidnap him. But I am not Tolkien, nor in any
way related, as far as immediate family goes, as far as I know, so yes.
And suing me will do no good as I am poor.
A/N: IT'S HERE! HAHA! Yes. And bloody hell, it's LONG. Actually, this chapter caused me a lot of grief. I just couldn't write for a while, then my writing when I could write was crap, so yes, it was crap for a while, and excuse any continued crapiness. Actually, I had about 6 pages less than the current 14 pages, then I was inspired to write more angsty stuff and added on 6 pages at the beginning! So yeah. Oo. And, I'm going to West Edmonton Mall this weekend, but I'll be back, but then my family's having this big party with preparations needed (mainly planning what to wear and how to do my hair), and then we go to Kelowna for a week, so I will notify you if I cannot update by then. But chapter 26 is already started, and much inspired. READ ON!
* * *
In the dimming of twilight, Legolas wandered the fair wood with silent feet. It had been good for him to laugh and hear laughter again. The day had brought light back into his soul and had let him forget the darkness looming in his heart and mind. Tirdin, Nifien and him had gone horseback riding about the woods, sometimes it being difficult to keep up to his eager brother on his grand midnight black horse, Dúgollo. Haldir had joined them for a while, but had matters to tend to and had left them.
But now, alone again, Legolas found it harder to keep his heart hopeful. With darkness descending upon the forest, he raised his eyes to the stars. Their twinkling light reflected in his eyes for a moment, restoring their shine that had once glimmered there. He grinned up at them, and shut his eyes, feeling the cool breeze on his face and letting it play with his golden hair. He savoured the feeling of the soft earth beneath his feet, and opening his eyes, relished the night sky.
{Who are you looking for?}
Legolas jumped, startled by the intrusion of his thoughts.
{What are you talking about?}
{Do you think he is watching you now?}
{Who?}
{You know who.}
And Legolas did.
{Perhaps he is, perhaps he is not, but that does not concern you.}
{You never saw your father die, did you?}
Legolas clenched his hands in fists, but did not answer.
{Answer me, elfling.}
He was silent.
{No, you never did see him die. You never did. Were you told what happened?}
Again, Legolas was silent.
{Do you wish to know?}
Oh, how he did! It was no light thing to be taken, wandering about, with the knowledge of your fathers' death, yet unknowing of how it came to be. But he wouldn't answer that hostile voice in his head.
{I can show you, little elfling. I can show you what happened.}
{No!} Legolas erupted. He didn't want to see. He just wanted to know.
{But you will not trust my words. Perhaps an image will be no better, yet it will linger with you longer.}
{I don't want to remember.}
{But you should. You should remember your father, and you should remember how he died, and above all else, you should remember why he died.}
A moment passed.
{He died because of you.}
Suddenly the world around Legolas began to swirl and blend together. The trees melded with the sky and the earth with the bushes, until Legolas was standing amidst a vast chamber, with rough, jagged walls, and a cold stone floor, and torches only barely offering enough light for little sight.
{No, not here, not here . . .}
He heard faint singing off in the shadows.
{A Elbereth, not here, get me out of here . . .}
{Not yet, elfling. Look around.}
Legolas slowly turned around, terrified of what he might see. He couldn't see far into the shadows, even with elven sight, but he knew where he was. Oh, he knew it far too well.
Suddenly he saw them. Thranduil was looking at Haldir, and Saruman was standing behind Thranduil.
{Turn around, ada, turn around, don't let him see your back . . .}
But Saruman had already placed his gnarled old hands on the sides of Thranduil's head. Haldir's eyes shone with terror and questions.
{Ada, turn around, turn around!}
There was a sickening crack. Thranduil's body hit the floor with a gentle thud.
{ADA! NO!}
Haldir turned away then, and rushed back into the shadows. Legolas followed him with his eyes. He watched as Haldir lifted a near-unconscious Legolas off the ground, and took Nifien, and raced from those caverns.
But Legolas didn't run after them. He turned back to his fallen father. His eyes were glassed over, like he was only sleeping . . .
{Ada, wake up, please wake up . . .}
He knelt beside the body, and ran his fingers through his fathers golden hair, so much like his own.
{Wake up, ada, this isn't a good time to sleep . . .}
He touched his icy cheek, and traced the line of a single tear down his face, feeling them on his own face.
{Please wake up, ada, I love you, please wake up . . .}
But Thranduil did not wake up, and Legolas only wept harder.
* * *
Darkness had at last descended upon the forest. Tirdin preferred the night to day. He loved how everything was concealed in darkness; he loved the colour of the sky, the chill in the air, and the hopeful, playful stars above his head. Most elves had retired for the night, but Tirdin took the opportunity to wander about alone, and to have his thoughts for himself.
His raven black hair blended in perfectly with the night, and his darker coloured robes as well. Yes, he loved the darkness. It concealed everything, hiding things and loosing things.
This night was particularly calm and warm, the air still and the sky clear. Tirdin's eyes saw quite well, even in the deep shadows, and he made his way about with no noise. He had much to think on, he felt, though he wasn't completely sure he knew himself what he had to ponder. He wanted to clear his head.
A short song came to mind, and he hummed it softly, the words running through his mind. He strode happily through the woods for a while, but suddenly his footsteps slowed, and his singing faded away. Something in his mind was warning him of something . . .a threat. His feet grew more cautious, and he became acutely aware of everything around him. Nothing in his vision or hearing range warned him of anything, but something within was.
He dodged behind several trees, keeping his hand ready on the hilt of his sword. But soon he came to see a strange lump on the ground a little distance away. Branches and leaves and foliage obscured his view, and he stealthily moved closer. But the closer he got, the more edgy he became. He caught the glimmer of golden hair in the moonlight, and saw the mossy green tunic . . .
"Ai, Ai, A Elbereth . . ." he ran forward, and dropped to his knees beside his brother. Legolas' eyes were shut, his hair splayed about his head, leaves and dirt scattered over his tunic. Tirdin took Legolas' shoulders and shook him lightly; but Legolas did not awake.
"Echoir, Legolas, echoir!" he whispered frantically, shaking Legolas a little harder, still hesitant around his fragile figure. But when he received no reaction, a wave of panic swept over him. Desperate, he gave Legolas one more, violent shake, and Legolas sat bolt upright, with such terror on his face that Tirdin nearly backed away.
Legolas looked fearfully around. He was back, back in reality, back in the present. But he didn't want to be here. He wanted to go back, he wanted his father back in his arms, he wanted to wake him up . . .
"Legolas . . .?"
The elf twisted his head around to see his brother, looking confused and afraid at once. But then he looked up to the sky. Suddenly he didn't want it to be dark.
"Legolas, what happened?"
Legolas let himself fall forward into Tirdin, and all Tirdin got for an answer was tears.
* * *
"I saw him die, Tirdin, I saw ada die," Legolas sobbed softly into his brothers tunic. Tirdin continued stroking Legolas' hair and rubbing his back, holding him tight and not intending to release him. He looked at the stars, and silently prayed that this darkness would pass soon.
"And he died because of me, all because of me."
"No, Legolas!" Tirdin cried, pulling his brother away and holding him at arms length. He stared into those dim, tear ridden eyes, and the tear streaked face, and wondered quietly why this had all come upon his brother, who had already suffered probably more than most would in all their life.
"It's all because of me, all of it, all of it's my fault . . ."
"NO, Legolas! Listen to me!" Legolas raised his head just enough to meet Tirdin's eyes. "Don't EVER think that it was your fault. Everything that ada did, it was ada's choice. There's nothing you could have done to change that. Those were his choices, not yours." But Legolas only hung his head again.
Tirdin sighed wearily, and pulled Legolas close to him again. They were silent for a while. Tirdin found Legolas' tears all too familiar, for there was a time when he, too, had felt the guilt of death.
"Do you remember me before nana died?" he asked quietly. Legolas grinned faintly at the memory. Tirdin had once been a trouble-making, rambunctious elfling, always causing grief for the whole family, always getting into trouble and wriggling himself out of it. That was a long time ago. But neither brother had forgotten.
"Aye, I remember well." Those had been good days, when the two would often run off into the woods, causing a desperately worried mother to go searching for them. "That was a long time ago."
Tirdin nodded. "Do you remember how many things I had broken?"
"A very tragic amount, brother, a very tragic amount."
"One day I broke a beautiful vase that nana's mother had given her. When she found out, she had to flee the palace to vent her anger." There was a slight hesitation. "That was the day she was murdered."
Legolas was suddenly very aware of the tenseness in Tirdin's body. He nodded silently, bidding him to continue, somehow knowing that his brother needed to say this, and he needed to keep going.
"From the moment ada came to us, from the moment I saw both of you weeping into each other, I blamed my self. When ada told us, you ran to him for comfort. I sat where I was and shed not a tear. I've never shed those tears.
"The guilt began eating away at me from the inside. I began to blame myself for every little mishap. I thought myself unworthy of anything good that happened to me. I thought myself unworthy even of you or of ada. I loathed myself, and oh, how that hurt me. But I wouldn't let myself cry; because I didn't deserve to grieve, I didn't deserve comfort. I taught myself to show no feeling. I taught myself to hide away, to isolate myself when things got too heavy. I hardly ever spoke with anyone, only you or ada when it was absolutely necessary. I became cold towards everyone, left to the mercy of my disillusioned mind for so many, long, long years.
"Over time, I came to my senses and began to realize that it was not my fault. But those things that had come upon me did not go away. Still I feel pangs of guilt now and again. I have yet to shed the tears I ought to through those silent years. I cannot unlearn my cold and cruel nature, I still cry not even when my heart is drowning in my unshed tears.
"I've long since lost the old Tirdin. And I know well by now that he cannot return, for I have grown too hard and frozen too deep, so that the old cannot enter and the ghosts cannot flee."
Legolas felt his eyes shedding more tears now; he had never heard this story before, and it nearly shattered his heart. No one had ever thought too deeply about this troubled and quiet elf. No one had ever paid him the attention he deserved.
"And I don't want that to happen to you, my brother. For I bleed deeper than anyone knows."
Legolas looked up into the icy eyes that now were glimmering with tears that wanted to run. He saw pain there, the pain and the intensity of one who had suffered. The young elf looked wiser and older than he ought to. Legolas knew he would rule well.
"Then bleed and weep with me. For I have found myself alone lately, and it would be well to share something with another."
Tirdin hugged Legolas tighter, and let him cry into him. He wanted to weep, oh how he did! But some part of him, some part that swelled with each new unwanted sorrow, stopped him from doing so, and thus he held Legolas as long as Legolas would stay. But his eyes stayed dry as a desert.
* * *
Several more days passed in such a manner, and Legolas was beginning to see a stronger bond grow between his brother and Nifien. Now and again he witnessed awkward scenes, when one would touch the other in an affectionate way, and neither would know how to respond, and he would be forced to break the silence. And more than once he would silently follow them when they wandered off, and watch with much amusement as the two would spar, Nifien almost always beating Tirdin. Neither had noticed him watching since that first day.
Legolas' nights were no more tormented by cruel dreams; although he had dreamt several times of his dead father, and woken with silent tears, that was to be expected. He distracted himself with Tirdin and Nifien. Often all three would wander about and tell of old tales and perhaps sing some song, or more commonly, teach Nifien an elvish melody the brothers had learned as children.
Now and again the faceless voice would offer it's snide comments, but Legolas would ignore it and continue on with whatever it was he would be up to. It rarely spoke, and always just quietly, but they were cruel remarks, that took strength to deny. But Legolas was healing, and learning not to show his fear of it.
* * *
The sun was barely lighting the eastern horizon, when Tirdin found Nifien standing, waiting for it to rise. He crept up beside her with silent feet, though she did not move.
"We seem to find each other here often."
Tirdin nodded. There were different matters on his mind; matters that he found not at all simple to put into words.
"How long are you planning to remain in Lothlorien?" he inquired after a moment, eager to set his tongue to speaking, while at the same time genuinely curious.
Nifien shrugged. "I really have no place else to wander off to. I suspect I will stay until I am kicked out," she said, keeping a straight face. Tirdin grinned. "And you? You have duties to return to."
Tirdin sighed. "Actually, I was planning to depart for Mirkwood soon after dawn."
Nifien spun around to face him, surprise sparking in her dark eyes. "And when did you decide this? For you never told me, nor Legolas, as far as I have heard."
Tirdin shook his head sadly. "I only decided last night. I've already gathered enough provisions for the road, and my horse is ready when I am."
Nifien fought against her tears. She had only known this elf for several days, she should not be so sad at his departure! After all, she had known this would happen all along!
Tirdin met her eyes, and a cheeky light came to his face. "I ask one more spar with you, my lady." He bowed, though he could not hide his smile.
Nifien lifted her chin, like a proud and ruling lady, and nodded. "Very well, Tirdin Kheleken. You challenged Nifien Nalldin, and a challenge you shall receive!"
And ere either could say any more, they were twirling off across the landscape, swords clashing between them, leaping backwards and leaping forwards, dodging swords and dodging logs. More than once a low-hanging branch would catch one across the face or a trees root would mysteriously appear and trip one over backwards. This time Legolas was not watching, but oh, would he have been proud of his brother had he been. Time and time again Tirdin forced Nifien to stop and retreat, his smile growing and growing with each successful lunge.
Soon they were battling alongside a narrow, yet deep brook that trickled through the great forest. Tirdin dipped his booted foot in the current to bring a splatter of water to Nifien's robes and face. With shock and delight dancing in her eyes, she advanced on him quickly.
"You'll pay for that one, elf!"
Tirdin was at the end of the shallow water, on the verge of the sudden drop-off, when Nifien lunged forward with her sword, he leaped neatly to the side. However, with the momentum in her strike, Nifien's balance was unsteady, and she teetered there on the bank for a moment. Then, her body came forward, plunging the short distance to the water.
She squinted her eyes shut, anticipating the cold water on her back. She waited. And she waited. But it didn't come.
Warily, she opened her eyes only to see Tirdin standing over her, his arms supporting her arched back, and a calm and peaceful grin playing on his lips.
"That was a foolish move, my lady."
And she wondered at him for a moment, his raven-black hair and icy eyes, which seemed to melt away if you really looked into them. She wondered at his calm voice, his playful grin, and all the mysteries locked away beneath it. She then came to realize the reason for her sadness at his leaving, and the hidden feeling that had been pestering her ever since she first looked at him.
She lifted her neck, and pressed her lips against his; softly at first, like a gentle, ever so tender gift that might break with the slightest push. She pulled away, and looked into Tirdin's eyes, searching for something she was hoping, praying was there.
Tirdin grinned.
He pulled her closer to him and kissed her.
Beneath the shade of the trees and protection of the borders of the wood, the lovers welcomed each other in a new respect and bid farewell in longing.
* * *
The sun had already risen by the time Tirdin was beginning to leave the fair wood of Lothlorien. Legolas, Haldir, the Lord and Lady of the wood, and several others whom had made the young king's acquaintance had gathered to see him off.
"You merely decided to leave last night? How early did you wake to prepare yourself?"
"Oh, early enough, brother, early enough."
It was a mournful parting for the two brothers, who, after so many long years of distant watching and living alongside the other, had finally begun to bond. Legolas wished greatly that Tirdin might have stayed even a little longer . . .
In one swift and graceful motion, Tirdin mounted his beautiful horse, black and soft as the velvet cover of night. He had called it Dúgollo, night cloak, and fittingly so.
He turned to look down at his brother. It pained him greatly to leave him; with foolish motherly-worry, he feared something terrible would happen to Legolas, and his heart ached to leave him unprotected. The borders of Lothlorien are among the safest in all Middle-earth, he chided himself, and he has Haldir and Nifien, after all.
But those facts comforted him little.
Also weighing on his mind was his reason for leaving in the first place. Despite the much encouraging words of his friends, he couldn't help but feel more than a little nervous; a barely known, not liked, yet not disliked prince returning in place of the murdered beloved king of a strong, yet dwindling kingdom.
Legolas watched the worry play over Tirdin's features. He approached the tall horse, and said, so that even elven ears other than Tirdin's couldn't hear. "You will do ada proud, Tirdin, I know it." He backed away, grinning at his brother.
Tirdin wondered then how Legolas could still smile. All he had been through and all that tormented him, undoubtedly still tormented him, and yet he could smile and make others feel so blessed to know him. The elf had secrets; he didn't need to know his mind to know that Legolas was hiding things. Perhaps to protect the others, perhaps it hurt him too much to admit to them. But either way, there was his brother, smiling up at him, and laughing at how the horse was far too tall for Tirdin to be riding.
Suddenly Tirdin's gaze was drawn to the back of the tiny crowd. A bouncing head of dark brown hair was bobbling towards him, a pair of mysterious eyes, and a robe soaking wet at the bottom.
Nifien bounded up to Tirdin. "I'm coming with you!" she gasped, breathless with excitement. Tirdin started and waited for more. "You heard me, elf," she continued on, narrowing her eyes, yet unable to stop her lips from smiling like mad. "I told you before I have no where else to wander off to, and it might as well be Mirkwood."
The surprise on Tirdin's face nearly made Legolas and Haldir keel over with laughter. Haldir had accompanied Legolas on those spying trips at times, and noticed the awkwardness between them.
Tirdin slowly drew himself from his state of surprise. He stuttered a bit. But the answer was so easy! What else was there that he could say?
"Well . . . .err, alright . . ."
Nifien leaped up high and pecked Tirdin on the cheek. "I knew it."
Haldir was beginning to send a servant with orders for another horse, but Nifien stopped him. "I believe Dúgollo is big enough for the two of us," she replied, smirking.
Tirdin rolled his eyes. "Alright, so maybe he is a little tall . . ."
"More than a little, Tirdin."
Tirdin scowled at Haldir, then shrugged, resulting in more fits of laughter from the others.
Galadriel watched their light banter from the side, noticing how close Nifien settled to Tirdin, and watching with great interest as Legolas laughed in merriment. It was an interesting sight indeed, the two dark haired elves seated upon their black steed, amidst this realm of golden haired elves. They really did stand out from the rest.
When the friends had finished saying their farewells, though Galadriel knew that on some level, they would never be done, she came forward and spoke words of encouragement and wisdom to the new king. Celeborn then took his turn, and before long Galadriel was grinning as Legolas and Haldir struggled to control both their laughter and tears.
"Hold on tight, Nifien, he likes to ride fast," Legolas warned, with an utterly far too serious expression on his face. But Nifien merely nodded back with equal restraint.
"Namarie, Aran Tirdin a Nifien a hainon halla roch!" Farewell, King Tirdin and Nifien and their tall horse!
Once again Legolas and Haldir laughed, mostly to stop themselves from crying.
"Namarie, mellen nin!" Tirdin responded back, and with a final wave, nudged Dúgollo into a swift gallop, and they were gone.
Legolas stared down their path until they were out of elven sight. Haldir came up behind him.
"Come, Legolas, there is something I'd like to speak with you about."
Walking soundlessly through the golden wood, the trees leaned in closer, eager to hear of the outside world.
"The Fellowship traveled from here on the river Anduin to Amon Hen," Haldir began. "There a good sized party of orcs came upon them. In the confusion Frodo and Sam departed for Mordor alone." Legolas' eyes widened. Those two little hobbits were in Mordor right now, and alone? Haldir hesitated slightly before continuing. "Merry and Pippin were taken captive."
Legolas' neck spun his head to face Haldir, his golden hair flailing in the breeze. "By the orcs?"
"Aye." Grief, slowly, inch by inch, crept over Legolas' face. Haldir didn't want to say what he said next . . .but it seemed his lips had a mind of their own. "The orcs are taking them to Saruman."
Haldir noted then how Legolas flinched, and he guessed at the mention of Saruman. But, though perhaps the wizard's mention did contribute to Legolas' reaction, it was not that in particular that prompted it.
{You remember what you were told about orcs?}
Legolas flinched again.
{Those are your kindred out there, elf, your kindred . . .undoubtedly tormenting the poor little ones as you speak here with your elf friend . . .}
How could those little ones survive in the cruel hands of Saruman? For Legolas had only barely made it out alive . . .what would become of two young hobbits?
"Aragorn and Gimli have been searching for them, but have recently rerouted to Edoras, the city of Rohan."
Legolas nodded, glad Haldir was speaking again. "Yes, I know where Edoras is . . .wait . . .Aragorn and Gimli . . .what of Boromir?"
Haldir stopped. "He . . .he was killed at Amon Hen."
They had stopped walking now. Legolas tried to absorb all this information: Merry and Pippin, Boromir, Frodo and Sam. . . The Fellowship was broken then. So much had happened with out him there. And he couldn't help but ponder . . .had he been present, could he had been able to prevent those things? Had he been there, might Boromir still be living? Might Merry and Pippin still be free?
"King Theoden has moved his people to Helms Deep, at the approach of an army of orcs, Saruman's newly bred kind, what he calls Uruk-hai." Haldir continued on, eager to get off such dark subjects, and successfully drawing Legolas from his guilty thoughts.
"An army? How many strong?"
Haldir hesitated again. "We estimate ten thousand."
"Ten thousand? How can they hope to withstand that kind of attack?" Legolas cried, wondering quietly at the foolishness of his friend and the dwarf to allow such a thing.
"Legolas, the Lady is sending me with a force of our elves to Helms Deep ere the Uruk-hai can reach the fortress. If you feel you are well enough . . ." Haldir had Legolas' full attention now, "you might come with us and join up with what is left of the Fellowship."
{I wonder, were Uruk-hai elves once too . . .?}
Legolas nodded slowly, considering his current turmoil over his knowledge of orcs versus what he felt was his duty.
"Very well, I shall come with you to Helms Deep, and there again see my friend and my traveling companion," he said, thinking of Aragorn and Gimli in turn.
Haldir smiled, and patted Legolas on the back. "Very well, my friend. We leave in two days' time." They began walking again. "I am guessing you would be eager to spill some orc blood?"
This time Legolas refrained from flinching.
{Orc blood?}
Legolas nodded, a mask of serenity plastered over his face in a pleased smile.
{Do you think you can spill more of your kindred's blood, little elf?}
Legolas laughed at Haldir's remark, though he couldn't quite recall what it was.
{You're going to go and kill more elves, elfling?}
{Stop.}
Haldir bid Legolas goodnight, and Legolas was left alone to his mind.
* * *
Did you enjoy the longness? I tell you now, it caused me much grief, this chapter, so you had better enjoy it. *evil glare * Right. I think I'm gonna do a big time leap for the next chapter, I'm getting bored, and, as Ankhesanamun said, all the last chapters have been kind of boring and the same. And I agree. And I am high on the mask of Zorro and POTC and battle scenes. Mwahahahahahahahaha. Anyone like what I did with Tirdin and Nifien? Who saw that coming? Most of you, probably. And I know that the tall horse thing was pretty queer, but I was having a perky moment. And remember! I adore critiques! Don't just say that you liked it or hated it, tell me what about it you like or hate. Or whatever. But reviews are nice. I like reviews . . . .*strokes review*
* ahem *
Anyways . . .
Katinka Inga Bogananana: Babbling is fine. Dear god, have you read the review I leave? O.o
Irish QT: Yeah, sorry the waits for updates are so long. And I actually did have this chapter prepeared earlier, but then fanfiction was down, so yeah.
ElvenRanger13: Meh, poem, song, same thing. And thanks! ^.^
Sirithiliel: Tell me when you update your fic, I may forget to check. But I like it! Everyone, go read Sirithiliel's fic!
GGJ: I'm really happy with RP fic we're doing! IT'S FUN! Hehe. And you've got me hooked on slash, but I'm not doing any in this fic. Just friendship fluff. No worries.
Lady of the Forest: Sigh. I know, beaten by a girl. How sad. *looks with pity at Tirdin, who glares back * I hope the effectiveness of fight-scenes holds for the next chapter! Or else I might as well die now!
Ankhesanamun: Oh, so you're all high and mighty with your Quenya, eh? *glares * Heh, just kidding. Sometimes I will mix Quenya and Sindarin if maybe one of the two has a word I need and the other doesn't, but so long as no one's really particular about that, I'm safe. And yeah, I know it was getting boring. The next chapter's leaping ahead in time, as I am also quite bored. But expect no more boringness! Or so I can hope . . . =S
Merrylyn: That is interesting. You could scare a good many people with that eyetwitch. Go yonder and frighten, young grasshopper! I've seen POTC twice now, and probably drowned the entire continent in my drool. And I thank you very much. Your review inspired that entire first bit with the whole brotherly fluffy stuff. I only had from the Tirdin-Nifien scene and on at first, then I got your review, and got all angty-high. Hehe. Thank you very very much. And fear not, for my happy dance is dorky as well. It is the queer Frodo dance he does at Bilbo's party.
Lady V: I am too lazy to try and spell out the other bit of your name. And I salute you on your gettingupandreadingthisfic-ness. *salutes * I am honoured you stayed up that late reading.
HalandLeg4ever: Thanks for the review!
That's all for now, kiddies! I've already started chapter 26 (which is pretty good, considering my usual delays), so hopefully you won't have to wait too long. However, I have a big fight to write and that may take a while. So yeah. But please be kind and review!
~Searcher of Souls~
A/N: IT'S HERE! HAHA! Yes. And bloody hell, it's LONG. Actually, this chapter caused me a lot of grief. I just couldn't write for a while, then my writing when I could write was crap, so yes, it was crap for a while, and excuse any continued crapiness. Actually, I had about 6 pages less than the current 14 pages, then I was inspired to write more angsty stuff and added on 6 pages at the beginning! So yeah. Oo. And, I'm going to West Edmonton Mall this weekend, but I'll be back, but then my family's having this big party with preparations needed (mainly planning what to wear and how to do my hair), and then we go to Kelowna for a week, so I will notify you if I cannot update by then. But chapter 26 is already started, and much inspired. READ ON!
* * *
In the dimming of twilight, Legolas wandered the fair wood with silent feet. It had been good for him to laugh and hear laughter again. The day had brought light back into his soul and had let him forget the darkness looming in his heart and mind. Tirdin, Nifien and him had gone horseback riding about the woods, sometimes it being difficult to keep up to his eager brother on his grand midnight black horse, Dúgollo. Haldir had joined them for a while, but had matters to tend to and had left them.
But now, alone again, Legolas found it harder to keep his heart hopeful. With darkness descending upon the forest, he raised his eyes to the stars. Their twinkling light reflected in his eyes for a moment, restoring their shine that had once glimmered there. He grinned up at them, and shut his eyes, feeling the cool breeze on his face and letting it play with his golden hair. He savoured the feeling of the soft earth beneath his feet, and opening his eyes, relished the night sky.
{Who are you looking for?}
Legolas jumped, startled by the intrusion of his thoughts.
{What are you talking about?}
{Do you think he is watching you now?}
{Who?}
{You know who.}
And Legolas did.
{Perhaps he is, perhaps he is not, but that does not concern you.}
{You never saw your father die, did you?}
Legolas clenched his hands in fists, but did not answer.
{Answer me, elfling.}
He was silent.
{No, you never did see him die. You never did. Were you told what happened?}
Again, Legolas was silent.
{Do you wish to know?}
Oh, how he did! It was no light thing to be taken, wandering about, with the knowledge of your fathers' death, yet unknowing of how it came to be. But he wouldn't answer that hostile voice in his head.
{I can show you, little elfling. I can show you what happened.}
{No!} Legolas erupted. He didn't want to see. He just wanted to know.
{But you will not trust my words. Perhaps an image will be no better, yet it will linger with you longer.}
{I don't want to remember.}
{But you should. You should remember your father, and you should remember how he died, and above all else, you should remember why he died.}
A moment passed.
{He died because of you.}
Suddenly the world around Legolas began to swirl and blend together. The trees melded with the sky and the earth with the bushes, until Legolas was standing amidst a vast chamber, with rough, jagged walls, and a cold stone floor, and torches only barely offering enough light for little sight.
{No, not here, not here . . .}
He heard faint singing off in the shadows.
{A Elbereth, not here, get me out of here . . .}
{Not yet, elfling. Look around.}
Legolas slowly turned around, terrified of what he might see. He couldn't see far into the shadows, even with elven sight, but he knew where he was. Oh, he knew it far too well.
Suddenly he saw them. Thranduil was looking at Haldir, and Saruman was standing behind Thranduil.
{Turn around, ada, turn around, don't let him see your back . . .}
But Saruman had already placed his gnarled old hands on the sides of Thranduil's head. Haldir's eyes shone with terror and questions.
{Ada, turn around, turn around!}
There was a sickening crack. Thranduil's body hit the floor with a gentle thud.
{ADA! NO!}
Haldir turned away then, and rushed back into the shadows. Legolas followed him with his eyes. He watched as Haldir lifted a near-unconscious Legolas off the ground, and took Nifien, and raced from those caverns.
But Legolas didn't run after them. He turned back to his fallen father. His eyes were glassed over, like he was only sleeping . . .
{Ada, wake up, please wake up . . .}
He knelt beside the body, and ran his fingers through his fathers golden hair, so much like his own.
{Wake up, ada, this isn't a good time to sleep . . .}
He touched his icy cheek, and traced the line of a single tear down his face, feeling them on his own face.
{Please wake up, ada, I love you, please wake up . . .}
But Thranduil did not wake up, and Legolas only wept harder.
* * *
Darkness had at last descended upon the forest. Tirdin preferred the night to day. He loved how everything was concealed in darkness; he loved the colour of the sky, the chill in the air, and the hopeful, playful stars above his head. Most elves had retired for the night, but Tirdin took the opportunity to wander about alone, and to have his thoughts for himself.
His raven black hair blended in perfectly with the night, and his darker coloured robes as well. Yes, he loved the darkness. It concealed everything, hiding things and loosing things.
This night was particularly calm and warm, the air still and the sky clear. Tirdin's eyes saw quite well, even in the deep shadows, and he made his way about with no noise. He had much to think on, he felt, though he wasn't completely sure he knew himself what he had to ponder. He wanted to clear his head.
A short song came to mind, and he hummed it softly, the words running through his mind. He strode happily through the woods for a while, but suddenly his footsteps slowed, and his singing faded away. Something in his mind was warning him of something . . .a threat. His feet grew more cautious, and he became acutely aware of everything around him. Nothing in his vision or hearing range warned him of anything, but something within was.
He dodged behind several trees, keeping his hand ready on the hilt of his sword. But soon he came to see a strange lump on the ground a little distance away. Branches and leaves and foliage obscured his view, and he stealthily moved closer. But the closer he got, the more edgy he became. He caught the glimmer of golden hair in the moonlight, and saw the mossy green tunic . . .
"Ai, Ai, A Elbereth . . ." he ran forward, and dropped to his knees beside his brother. Legolas' eyes were shut, his hair splayed about his head, leaves and dirt scattered over his tunic. Tirdin took Legolas' shoulders and shook him lightly; but Legolas did not awake.
"Echoir, Legolas, echoir!" he whispered frantically, shaking Legolas a little harder, still hesitant around his fragile figure. But when he received no reaction, a wave of panic swept over him. Desperate, he gave Legolas one more, violent shake, and Legolas sat bolt upright, with such terror on his face that Tirdin nearly backed away.
Legolas looked fearfully around. He was back, back in reality, back in the present. But he didn't want to be here. He wanted to go back, he wanted his father back in his arms, he wanted to wake him up . . .
"Legolas . . .?"
The elf twisted his head around to see his brother, looking confused and afraid at once. But then he looked up to the sky. Suddenly he didn't want it to be dark.
"Legolas, what happened?"
Legolas let himself fall forward into Tirdin, and all Tirdin got for an answer was tears.
* * *
"I saw him die, Tirdin, I saw ada die," Legolas sobbed softly into his brothers tunic. Tirdin continued stroking Legolas' hair and rubbing his back, holding him tight and not intending to release him. He looked at the stars, and silently prayed that this darkness would pass soon.
"And he died because of me, all because of me."
"No, Legolas!" Tirdin cried, pulling his brother away and holding him at arms length. He stared into those dim, tear ridden eyes, and the tear streaked face, and wondered quietly why this had all come upon his brother, who had already suffered probably more than most would in all their life.
"It's all because of me, all of it, all of it's my fault . . ."
"NO, Legolas! Listen to me!" Legolas raised his head just enough to meet Tirdin's eyes. "Don't EVER think that it was your fault. Everything that ada did, it was ada's choice. There's nothing you could have done to change that. Those were his choices, not yours." But Legolas only hung his head again.
Tirdin sighed wearily, and pulled Legolas close to him again. They were silent for a while. Tirdin found Legolas' tears all too familiar, for there was a time when he, too, had felt the guilt of death.
"Do you remember me before nana died?" he asked quietly. Legolas grinned faintly at the memory. Tirdin had once been a trouble-making, rambunctious elfling, always causing grief for the whole family, always getting into trouble and wriggling himself out of it. That was a long time ago. But neither brother had forgotten.
"Aye, I remember well." Those had been good days, when the two would often run off into the woods, causing a desperately worried mother to go searching for them. "That was a long time ago."
Tirdin nodded. "Do you remember how many things I had broken?"
"A very tragic amount, brother, a very tragic amount."
"One day I broke a beautiful vase that nana's mother had given her. When she found out, she had to flee the palace to vent her anger." There was a slight hesitation. "That was the day she was murdered."
Legolas was suddenly very aware of the tenseness in Tirdin's body. He nodded silently, bidding him to continue, somehow knowing that his brother needed to say this, and he needed to keep going.
"From the moment ada came to us, from the moment I saw both of you weeping into each other, I blamed my self. When ada told us, you ran to him for comfort. I sat where I was and shed not a tear. I've never shed those tears.
"The guilt began eating away at me from the inside. I began to blame myself for every little mishap. I thought myself unworthy of anything good that happened to me. I thought myself unworthy even of you or of ada. I loathed myself, and oh, how that hurt me. But I wouldn't let myself cry; because I didn't deserve to grieve, I didn't deserve comfort. I taught myself to show no feeling. I taught myself to hide away, to isolate myself when things got too heavy. I hardly ever spoke with anyone, only you or ada when it was absolutely necessary. I became cold towards everyone, left to the mercy of my disillusioned mind for so many, long, long years.
"Over time, I came to my senses and began to realize that it was not my fault. But those things that had come upon me did not go away. Still I feel pangs of guilt now and again. I have yet to shed the tears I ought to through those silent years. I cannot unlearn my cold and cruel nature, I still cry not even when my heart is drowning in my unshed tears.
"I've long since lost the old Tirdin. And I know well by now that he cannot return, for I have grown too hard and frozen too deep, so that the old cannot enter and the ghosts cannot flee."
Legolas felt his eyes shedding more tears now; he had never heard this story before, and it nearly shattered his heart. No one had ever thought too deeply about this troubled and quiet elf. No one had ever paid him the attention he deserved.
"And I don't want that to happen to you, my brother. For I bleed deeper than anyone knows."
Legolas looked up into the icy eyes that now were glimmering with tears that wanted to run. He saw pain there, the pain and the intensity of one who had suffered. The young elf looked wiser and older than he ought to. Legolas knew he would rule well.
"Then bleed and weep with me. For I have found myself alone lately, and it would be well to share something with another."
Tirdin hugged Legolas tighter, and let him cry into him. He wanted to weep, oh how he did! But some part of him, some part that swelled with each new unwanted sorrow, stopped him from doing so, and thus he held Legolas as long as Legolas would stay. But his eyes stayed dry as a desert.
* * *
Several more days passed in such a manner, and Legolas was beginning to see a stronger bond grow between his brother and Nifien. Now and again he witnessed awkward scenes, when one would touch the other in an affectionate way, and neither would know how to respond, and he would be forced to break the silence. And more than once he would silently follow them when they wandered off, and watch with much amusement as the two would spar, Nifien almost always beating Tirdin. Neither had noticed him watching since that first day.
Legolas' nights were no more tormented by cruel dreams; although he had dreamt several times of his dead father, and woken with silent tears, that was to be expected. He distracted himself with Tirdin and Nifien. Often all three would wander about and tell of old tales and perhaps sing some song, or more commonly, teach Nifien an elvish melody the brothers had learned as children.
Now and again the faceless voice would offer it's snide comments, but Legolas would ignore it and continue on with whatever it was he would be up to. It rarely spoke, and always just quietly, but they were cruel remarks, that took strength to deny. But Legolas was healing, and learning not to show his fear of it.
* * *
The sun was barely lighting the eastern horizon, when Tirdin found Nifien standing, waiting for it to rise. He crept up beside her with silent feet, though she did not move.
"We seem to find each other here often."
Tirdin nodded. There were different matters on his mind; matters that he found not at all simple to put into words.
"How long are you planning to remain in Lothlorien?" he inquired after a moment, eager to set his tongue to speaking, while at the same time genuinely curious.
Nifien shrugged. "I really have no place else to wander off to. I suspect I will stay until I am kicked out," she said, keeping a straight face. Tirdin grinned. "And you? You have duties to return to."
Tirdin sighed. "Actually, I was planning to depart for Mirkwood soon after dawn."
Nifien spun around to face him, surprise sparking in her dark eyes. "And when did you decide this? For you never told me, nor Legolas, as far as I have heard."
Tirdin shook his head sadly. "I only decided last night. I've already gathered enough provisions for the road, and my horse is ready when I am."
Nifien fought against her tears. She had only known this elf for several days, she should not be so sad at his departure! After all, she had known this would happen all along!
Tirdin met her eyes, and a cheeky light came to his face. "I ask one more spar with you, my lady." He bowed, though he could not hide his smile.
Nifien lifted her chin, like a proud and ruling lady, and nodded. "Very well, Tirdin Kheleken. You challenged Nifien Nalldin, and a challenge you shall receive!"
And ere either could say any more, they were twirling off across the landscape, swords clashing between them, leaping backwards and leaping forwards, dodging swords and dodging logs. More than once a low-hanging branch would catch one across the face or a trees root would mysteriously appear and trip one over backwards. This time Legolas was not watching, but oh, would he have been proud of his brother had he been. Time and time again Tirdin forced Nifien to stop and retreat, his smile growing and growing with each successful lunge.
Soon they were battling alongside a narrow, yet deep brook that trickled through the great forest. Tirdin dipped his booted foot in the current to bring a splatter of water to Nifien's robes and face. With shock and delight dancing in her eyes, she advanced on him quickly.
"You'll pay for that one, elf!"
Tirdin was at the end of the shallow water, on the verge of the sudden drop-off, when Nifien lunged forward with her sword, he leaped neatly to the side. However, with the momentum in her strike, Nifien's balance was unsteady, and she teetered there on the bank for a moment. Then, her body came forward, plunging the short distance to the water.
She squinted her eyes shut, anticipating the cold water on her back. She waited. And she waited. But it didn't come.
Warily, she opened her eyes only to see Tirdin standing over her, his arms supporting her arched back, and a calm and peaceful grin playing on his lips.
"That was a foolish move, my lady."
And she wondered at him for a moment, his raven-black hair and icy eyes, which seemed to melt away if you really looked into them. She wondered at his calm voice, his playful grin, and all the mysteries locked away beneath it. She then came to realize the reason for her sadness at his leaving, and the hidden feeling that had been pestering her ever since she first looked at him.
She lifted her neck, and pressed her lips against his; softly at first, like a gentle, ever so tender gift that might break with the slightest push. She pulled away, and looked into Tirdin's eyes, searching for something she was hoping, praying was there.
Tirdin grinned.
He pulled her closer to him and kissed her.
Beneath the shade of the trees and protection of the borders of the wood, the lovers welcomed each other in a new respect and bid farewell in longing.
* * *
The sun had already risen by the time Tirdin was beginning to leave the fair wood of Lothlorien. Legolas, Haldir, the Lord and Lady of the wood, and several others whom had made the young king's acquaintance had gathered to see him off.
"You merely decided to leave last night? How early did you wake to prepare yourself?"
"Oh, early enough, brother, early enough."
It was a mournful parting for the two brothers, who, after so many long years of distant watching and living alongside the other, had finally begun to bond. Legolas wished greatly that Tirdin might have stayed even a little longer . . .
In one swift and graceful motion, Tirdin mounted his beautiful horse, black and soft as the velvet cover of night. He had called it Dúgollo, night cloak, and fittingly so.
He turned to look down at his brother. It pained him greatly to leave him; with foolish motherly-worry, he feared something terrible would happen to Legolas, and his heart ached to leave him unprotected. The borders of Lothlorien are among the safest in all Middle-earth, he chided himself, and he has Haldir and Nifien, after all.
But those facts comforted him little.
Also weighing on his mind was his reason for leaving in the first place. Despite the much encouraging words of his friends, he couldn't help but feel more than a little nervous; a barely known, not liked, yet not disliked prince returning in place of the murdered beloved king of a strong, yet dwindling kingdom.
Legolas watched the worry play over Tirdin's features. He approached the tall horse, and said, so that even elven ears other than Tirdin's couldn't hear. "You will do ada proud, Tirdin, I know it." He backed away, grinning at his brother.
Tirdin wondered then how Legolas could still smile. All he had been through and all that tormented him, undoubtedly still tormented him, and yet he could smile and make others feel so blessed to know him. The elf had secrets; he didn't need to know his mind to know that Legolas was hiding things. Perhaps to protect the others, perhaps it hurt him too much to admit to them. But either way, there was his brother, smiling up at him, and laughing at how the horse was far too tall for Tirdin to be riding.
Suddenly Tirdin's gaze was drawn to the back of the tiny crowd. A bouncing head of dark brown hair was bobbling towards him, a pair of mysterious eyes, and a robe soaking wet at the bottom.
Nifien bounded up to Tirdin. "I'm coming with you!" she gasped, breathless with excitement. Tirdin started and waited for more. "You heard me, elf," she continued on, narrowing her eyes, yet unable to stop her lips from smiling like mad. "I told you before I have no where else to wander off to, and it might as well be Mirkwood."
The surprise on Tirdin's face nearly made Legolas and Haldir keel over with laughter. Haldir had accompanied Legolas on those spying trips at times, and noticed the awkwardness between them.
Tirdin slowly drew himself from his state of surprise. He stuttered a bit. But the answer was so easy! What else was there that he could say?
"Well . . . .err, alright . . ."
Nifien leaped up high and pecked Tirdin on the cheek. "I knew it."
Haldir was beginning to send a servant with orders for another horse, but Nifien stopped him. "I believe Dúgollo is big enough for the two of us," she replied, smirking.
Tirdin rolled his eyes. "Alright, so maybe he is a little tall . . ."
"More than a little, Tirdin."
Tirdin scowled at Haldir, then shrugged, resulting in more fits of laughter from the others.
Galadriel watched their light banter from the side, noticing how close Nifien settled to Tirdin, and watching with great interest as Legolas laughed in merriment. It was an interesting sight indeed, the two dark haired elves seated upon their black steed, amidst this realm of golden haired elves. They really did stand out from the rest.
When the friends had finished saying their farewells, though Galadriel knew that on some level, they would never be done, she came forward and spoke words of encouragement and wisdom to the new king. Celeborn then took his turn, and before long Galadriel was grinning as Legolas and Haldir struggled to control both their laughter and tears.
"Hold on tight, Nifien, he likes to ride fast," Legolas warned, with an utterly far too serious expression on his face. But Nifien merely nodded back with equal restraint.
"Namarie, Aran Tirdin a Nifien a hainon halla roch!" Farewell, King Tirdin and Nifien and their tall horse!
Once again Legolas and Haldir laughed, mostly to stop themselves from crying.
"Namarie, mellen nin!" Tirdin responded back, and with a final wave, nudged Dúgollo into a swift gallop, and they were gone.
Legolas stared down their path until they were out of elven sight. Haldir came up behind him.
"Come, Legolas, there is something I'd like to speak with you about."
Walking soundlessly through the golden wood, the trees leaned in closer, eager to hear of the outside world.
"The Fellowship traveled from here on the river Anduin to Amon Hen," Haldir began. "There a good sized party of orcs came upon them. In the confusion Frodo and Sam departed for Mordor alone." Legolas' eyes widened. Those two little hobbits were in Mordor right now, and alone? Haldir hesitated slightly before continuing. "Merry and Pippin were taken captive."
Legolas' neck spun his head to face Haldir, his golden hair flailing in the breeze. "By the orcs?"
"Aye." Grief, slowly, inch by inch, crept over Legolas' face. Haldir didn't want to say what he said next . . .but it seemed his lips had a mind of their own. "The orcs are taking them to Saruman."
Haldir noted then how Legolas flinched, and he guessed at the mention of Saruman. But, though perhaps the wizard's mention did contribute to Legolas' reaction, it was not that in particular that prompted it.
{You remember what you were told about orcs?}
Legolas flinched again.
{Those are your kindred out there, elf, your kindred . . .undoubtedly tormenting the poor little ones as you speak here with your elf friend . . .}
How could those little ones survive in the cruel hands of Saruman? For Legolas had only barely made it out alive . . .what would become of two young hobbits?
"Aragorn and Gimli have been searching for them, but have recently rerouted to Edoras, the city of Rohan."
Legolas nodded, glad Haldir was speaking again. "Yes, I know where Edoras is . . .wait . . .Aragorn and Gimli . . .what of Boromir?"
Haldir stopped. "He . . .he was killed at Amon Hen."
They had stopped walking now. Legolas tried to absorb all this information: Merry and Pippin, Boromir, Frodo and Sam. . . The Fellowship was broken then. So much had happened with out him there. And he couldn't help but ponder . . .had he been present, could he had been able to prevent those things? Had he been there, might Boromir still be living? Might Merry and Pippin still be free?
"King Theoden has moved his people to Helms Deep, at the approach of an army of orcs, Saruman's newly bred kind, what he calls Uruk-hai." Haldir continued on, eager to get off such dark subjects, and successfully drawing Legolas from his guilty thoughts.
"An army? How many strong?"
Haldir hesitated again. "We estimate ten thousand."
"Ten thousand? How can they hope to withstand that kind of attack?" Legolas cried, wondering quietly at the foolishness of his friend and the dwarf to allow such a thing.
"Legolas, the Lady is sending me with a force of our elves to Helms Deep ere the Uruk-hai can reach the fortress. If you feel you are well enough . . ." Haldir had Legolas' full attention now, "you might come with us and join up with what is left of the Fellowship."
{I wonder, were Uruk-hai elves once too . . .?}
Legolas nodded slowly, considering his current turmoil over his knowledge of orcs versus what he felt was his duty.
"Very well, I shall come with you to Helms Deep, and there again see my friend and my traveling companion," he said, thinking of Aragorn and Gimli in turn.
Haldir smiled, and patted Legolas on the back. "Very well, my friend. We leave in two days' time." They began walking again. "I am guessing you would be eager to spill some orc blood?"
This time Legolas refrained from flinching.
{Orc blood?}
Legolas nodded, a mask of serenity plastered over his face in a pleased smile.
{Do you think you can spill more of your kindred's blood, little elf?}
Legolas laughed at Haldir's remark, though he couldn't quite recall what it was.
{You're going to go and kill more elves, elfling?}
{Stop.}
Haldir bid Legolas goodnight, and Legolas was left alone to his mind.
* * *
Did you enjoy the longness? I tell you now, it caused me much grief, this chapter, so you had better enjoy it. *evil glare * Right. I think I'm gonna do a big time leap for the next chapter, I'm getting bored, and, as Ankhesanamun said, all the last chapters have been kind of boring and the same. And I agree. And I am high on the mask of Zorro and POTC and battle scenes. Mwahahahahahahahaha. Anyone like what I did with Tirdin and Nifien? Who saw that coming? Most of you, probably. And I know that the tall horse thing was pretty queer, but I was having a perky moment. And remember! I adore critiques! Don't just say that you liked it or hated it, tell me what about it you like or hate. Or whatever. But reviews are nice. I like reviews . . . .*strokes review*
* ahem *
Anyways . . .
Katinka Inga Bogananana: Babbling is fine. Dear god, have you read the review I leave? O.o
Irish QT: Yeah, sorry the waits for updates are so long. And I actually did have this chapter prepeared earlier, but then fanfiction was down, so yeah.
ElvenRanger13: Meh, poem, song, same thing. And thanks! ^.^
Sirithiliel: Tell me when you update your fic, I may forget to check. But I like it! Everyone, go read Sirithiliel's fic!
GGJ: I'm really happy with RP fic we're doing! IT'S FUN! Hehe. And you've got me hooked on slash, but I'm not doing any in this fic. Just friendship fluff. No worries.
Lady of the Forest: Sigh. I know, beaten by a girl. How sad. *looks with pity at Tirdin, who glares back * I hope the effectiveness of fight-scenes holds for the next chapter! Or else I might as well die now!
Ankhesanamun: Oh, so you're all high and mighty with your Quenya, eh? *glares * Heh, just kidding. Sometimes I will mix Quenya and Sindarin if maybe one of the two has a word I need and the other doesn't, but so long as no one's really particular about that, I'm safe. And yeah, I know it was getting boring. The next chapter's leaping ahead in time, as I am also quite bored. But expect no more boringness! Or so I can hope . . . =S
Merrylyn: That is interesting. You could scare a good many people with that eyetwitch. Go yonder and frighten, young grasshopper! I've seen POTC twice now, and probably drowned the entire continent in my drool. And I thank you very much. Your review inspired that entire first bit with the whole brotherly fluffy stuff. I only had from the Tirdin-Nifien scene and on at first, then I got your review, and got all angty-high. Hehe. Thank you very very much. And fear not, for my happy dance is dorky as well. It is the queer Frodo dance he does at Bilbo's party.
Lady V: I am too lazy to try and spell out the other bit of your name. And I salute you on your gettingupandreadingthisfic-ness. *salutes * I am honoured you stayed up that late reading.
HalandLeg4ever: Thanks for the review!
That's all for now, kiddies! I've already started chapter 26 (which is pretty good, considering my usual delays), so hopefully you won't have to wait too long. However, I have a big fight to write and that may take a while. So yeah. But please be kind and review!
~Searcher of Souls~