Chapter 13 – The Hidden City
Legolas pushed past the crowd blocking him and knelt by Narla's side. Looking at Narla's tormented face, Legolas dismayed. He turned and glared at the being who was now standing beside them, with a look of one in deep thought. Then she opened her mouth and spoke,
"I did her no harm, Prince Legolas. But I am afraid that time is not on your side. We shall talk later. Now we must save her from falling completely into darkness."
With that spoken, Legolas saw a blinding light that sent his eyes shut in pain.
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When his sight recovered, he found himself in a great hall of earth, somewhere underground. It was dim, save the lights from the lamps hung high and the glows emitted by the uncloaked bodies. He realized he was alone with a group of guards, for they all wore the same uniform of light gray attire. These guards looked almost like Men, except for their glow. Looking around him Legolas stood up and was in a sea of panic. Where is Narla? He approached one of the guards and asked politely, but urgently, where his companion was. But the guard refused to speak, so did the others. In fact, they did not even looked his way, as though they had been bewitched. However, if Legolas chose to move towards the opening behind them, they would raise their weapons at him. Frustrated, he decided that if they only listened to force, then force it would be. But as he raised his bow and arrow in response to their spears, a light appeared from the opening. A long white gown fluttered around a glowing being creating an illusion of a blossoming flower. If Legolas had not known better, he would have thought the Sun had appeared before him. However, his mind snapped back to reality by the lowering of weapons around him. The Lady had come.
*(All words quoted in Italics like this: 'Example one' means the language with which the fairy-like lady uses with her people, translated.)*
'Let him pass.'
The guards bowed and stepped back, but Legolas still had his arrow aimed at the Lady and demanded in an icy voice,
"Where is my companion? What have you done to her?"
"Is this the manner with which you speak to your companion's savior? For I had thought Elves were fair creatures of courtesy," replied the glowing one, smiling.
Putting away his weapon, Legolas would not let this being manipulate him again.
"Elves are fair creatures when they feel no threat. Once again, where is my companion?"
"Ah, a touchy elf, and a loyal one too, for few could resist thinking of other matters when facing a Pixie Princess," the Lady said with her smile broadening.
Legolas now knew what he was dealing with. A Pixie was not part of the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth. They had come from the far south and did not dwell long here. Pixies were not seen since the First Age, and tales had told that they possessed mysterious powers of the mind. All senses became alert for Legolas, and he willed his mind to be strong against this Pixie. But the Lady seemed to have read his mind, for she chuckled softly and said,
"Struggle not in vain, dear prince! For when I will it, neither Man nor Elf could best me. But I shan't do that now.
I beg your pardon, prince, for my lack of welcome. I am Lady Lanorial, Princess of the Hidden City. Though Pixies have long returned south, there were some who loved it here. The Free Peoples feared us for our power, so we created a city hidden from the eyes of those who did not wish to see us. But your will of seeking a cure enabled you to step into our sacred land. We love the land, but we would like as little association with the outside world as possible. Thus we do not like to be disturbed. Yet your companion bears an item of interest to us, so we decided to save her life and, well, ask you both a few questions."
Lanorial's smile widened, as though she would be discovering a treasure soon. Then she composed herself and moved towards the exit again, beckoning Legolas to follow. As reluctant as he could be, Legolas had no choice but conceded, for he knew not where Narla was brought. He was more concerned of her condition to mind the Pixie's plot. Indeed, he seemed to have made the right decision. Once out of the hall, Legolas found himself in a yet darker passageway, illuminated only by Lanorial's radiance. Many paths led from that passage and he would have lost his way if no one guided him. Floating in front of the elven prince, Lanorial smiled cunningly. She had this handsome prince where she wanted him, in her hands. He would follow her and do her bidding without her using her power, as long as she had his companion, and the gem for that matter.
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Lanorial had just transported the intruders to her quarters. The Elf had been placed in the underground hall with her most trusted guards, who used to be Men of Gondor. The girl, however, was sent to the healers and they set to work in extracting the evil poison out of her.
The healers were amazed at the cure. Narla was practically dying when they saw her. After preparing the herbal antidote, they applied it on her wound. It would have been impossible to fully capture the evil at this rate, but something guided them and soon, Narla was out of danger. However, there seemed to have been a great battle inside of the body, which made it unstable. Thus Narla needed time to recuperate and was left in a guest room.
Hearing the report from her healers, Lanorial knew that her instinct was right. The gem on the girl's necklace was indeed one of the four Soul Gems, which had been lost for almost an Age in Middle-Earth. Lanorial had heard of the Great Healing Sage, Alranyam, when she was still in the far south. In fact, her people had come north to meet such person. But the Pixies had never met the sage, for words spread that he had sacrificed himself to save a wizard, who in turn preserved his soul in to four stones. Two of the stones, yellow and red, were said to maintain the health of the bearer. The blue gem could heal wounds and last, but not least, the white. It was said that in the wrong hands, it would turn black and cause death while when the bearer owns a true heart it could revive Alranyam. The Pixies had at first, believed in this myth until none could wield the white gem and the others were missing. Lanorial had not seen any of the miracles of the gems, until now.
Gazing at the sleeping dark-haired girl on the bed, Lanorial reached for the gem. Just as her fingers touched the oval orb, a bright blue light flashed and she pulled back immediately. Her fingers looked fine, but she could feel a burning sensation beneath the skin. The pendant on Narla was emitting a deep glow now, as if of warning. Infuriated, Lanorial knew that she could go no further with this prisoner of hers. So she turned and headed for the other one, who was easier to manipulate.
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Legolas entered a quiet, dimly lit room. Due to Lanorial's ambience he found himself in a small dome-like chamber with a small, old bed. Its sheets were once white, but they had been stained with blood and dirt. The moss-covered walls rose to the top where a tiny hole allowed light into the room. However, Legolas noticed none of this for he went straight towards the unconscious brunette on the bed. He sat beside her without creating the slightest crease or disturbance to the peace of the room.
"Her life has been saved, as I have told you, but her soul was harmed, my dear prince. I'm afraid even we could do nothing to wake her. It is now up to the strength of her will," said Lanorial as she came up beside them.
Legolas tore his gaze from Narla and turned towards the glowing Lady,
"Thank you, fair Lady Lanorial, Princess of The Hidden City. I apologize for my discourtesy and doubts. How may I repay such kindness?"
As if he had said a magic word, Lanorial's lips formed a wide satisfied smile. She always preferred challenges who submitted willingly without the use of her power. Reaching out an arm, she said in overly grace,
"By joining me in my meal, if you would so kindly agree, for you intrigue me!"
Not liking the idea of leaving Narla, Legolas was reluctant to comply. He did not like the somewhat sly smile on the Lady's face or her manipulative gaze either. But they owed Lanorial Narla's life, so he stood up to leave. Looking at his sleeping companion, Legolas once again felt unwilling to go. However, Lanorial had placed her arm around Legolas' and led him out, leaving Narla out of sight.