Hey all! Yes, it's time for another one of my burst of love for my
reviewers, but we haven't had one in a while, so here goes..!
First off, I'm really sorry it took me so long to update. I was battling a real case of writer's block - my first *ever* on this story, and second, I was also working hard on my other story, A Vow to Defend. I started that story last year and it--just--won't--die! LoL So if my updates for this story are slow, go check that one out because I am determined to finish it within the next five chapters. Anyway, now on to the reviewers..
Cara: Thanks so much! I really am grateful that you can appreciate my writing even though I'm pretty young. I submitted a short story one time to a literary magazine and got back such a *polite* ( ahem, yeah RIGHT..they didn't even READ what I sent in) answer about how I was too young to have talent, that it always strikes me as special when people notice that I am young and still not that bad of a writer, lol.
Lady Eleclya: No..sorry...this isn't a Legomance. *ducks* don't kill me! I decided it would just make things too awkward between Krystal and the rest of the guys, epically Elladan, and her relationship with him is something about the story I just love and wouldn't mess up for the world lol. I don't know, I'm weird like that. Thanks *so* much for reviewing though, your reviews in particular mean a lot to me. :)
MaverickGirl: I know, I know! I used to update this story everyday and this chapter took me almost a month! And it's not even that good! LoL, I'm sorry, I just had finals and everything and then my Muse went on vacation and left me with supreme writers block...lol, sorry. But this story is nearing to an end and I except the next couple updates will be quick, don't worry. I think. LOL.. But anyway, I don't know if I've ever seen the Swan Princess but before I had wrote that section of the chapter, I was hanging around with my cousins who just received brand new paintball guns and decided I was an appropriate target. I decided Krystal could share my pain, lol.
Aranel: Thanks! I'm sorry once again for the delay, but I'm glad you still read the story even though I've decided I've sprayed my characters with Romance Repellent. As for what's going on...well...you'll just have to see. :)
Lilena: Good guesses, Good guesses. Close. But no cigar, lol. As for the guy's mischievous doings...well...I'll never tell. (
Mellon: Heheheh. *evil laugh* Yes, a cliffy. I was in a evil mood when I wrote the last chapter, and you'd better hope I'm not in an evil mood now....*evil Saramon-like chuckle* mwuahahha...lol, just kidding.
bETH: LoL it was actually your review that reminded me I hadn't updated this story in ages, so thanks!
Leva: LOL! I know, I know! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting! Writer's block sucks, guys!
Dara Maeko: Hehehe I'm glad I sparked everyone's curiosity...what *could* it be? Hahahah I know! LoL I'm such a dork.
jeffiner1127: Thank you! I've worked exceptionally hard on this story - except on certain instances when I've been lazy and I'm just posting to post lol - (Levanna always knows when I haven't given my best.) but most of the time I've really tried hard to make this story good, and I'm really glad your enjoying it.
Okay, and to everyone else who reviewed for this chapter or the last and since I just feel the need to continue with the story and stop with the replying. I lOvE yOuU! :)
********************************************
"But if we set out before the first frost--"
"The first frost is in less then two weeks!"
"Don't you think I know that?"
"We can not organize such an expedition in two weeks!"
"*Less* then two weeks, actually."
"Exactly my point!"
"But if we wait until after the first frost, the humans will not survive--"
"Who says the humans are even coming? I will not align myself with they who tortured Krystal so!"
Krystal's eyes perked up at the mention of her name, and she ducked down a little smaller, yanking her head back from around the bend, just in case someone happened to look up. She was hidden on Elladan's balcony-- yes, hidden. It was early the next morning, and after hearing no new news from anyone, it was time for desperate measures. She had snuck in before the elf had awoken and now stood stock still, listening to the conversation between brothers. Not that she understood half of it, but still.
Elrohir sighed audibly. "This doom belongs to all of Middle Earth, if it is indeed what we believe it is, not just the doom of elves!"
"It will be the doom of mankind if I am put within twenty feet of that man, Annore, and I am armed! The man shall not live to see the sights of Mirkwood, let alone breech it!"
"They *are* coming, Elladan, and nothing you say--"
"We'll see about that!"
"Enough." Aragorn's voice, harsh and quick, cut into the chatter and Krystal started, shaking her head. She hadn't realized he was there. Even so, she was glad he put a stop to Elladan's tirade - she didn't want to think about Annore, much less have her best friend shouting about him. Wait a second -- she paused in her thoughts. Did she just call Elladan her best friend?
"Elladan, if Ada feels the men are needed to journey to Mirkwood with us, then journey to Mirkwood they shall--"
"They shall be dead before the set foot out of their village," Elladan insisted flatly. "I will bear the mark on my soul."
Krystal leaned in slightly, just in time to see both Elrohir and Aragorn roll their eyes. "You speak with your heart and not your head, brother. Krystal does not wish for you to kill anyone."
"I wish it!"
Legolas's smooth voice now joined the argument, his light footsteps soundless. "What are we discussing?"
Aragorn's voice was dry with sarcasm. "What do you think?"
"The darkness of my forest?"
"Precisely."
Krystal frowned. The darkness of his forest? What forest? What darkness? But then intelligence came back to her, and she managed to put two and two together. Her eyes brightened as she hugged herself closer, a brisk morning breeze streaming through the open balcony and catching her. She was wearing only light breeches and a tunic, clothing fit for a young elf. She drew her legs up tighter to her chest and frowned. Legolas...he was a Prince, right? So that sort of meant he could claim his realm as his forest...that Mirkwood place. Okay, so that added up. But darkness?
"Lord Elrond and my father are choosing the members of the expedition. I doubt our say will change anything."
Krystal dared a glance in again, to see all four of them locking eyes. "Do you think they'll allow us to go?"
Legolas answered Elrohir's question quickly. "I don't care if I'm allowed - I'm going. It's my forest and it's my people who are under the most threat."
"It is all of Middle Earth that is under the threat if indeed Dol Guldur *is* being inhabited by a Ring Wraith." Elrohir answered quietly, but Aragorn interrupted him. "We don't even know if anything *is* there, never mind the Nazgul."
But Legolas shook his head. "No. There is something wrong. You do not know Mirkwood as I do, you have not seen it in it's splendor as I once did. Greenwood the Great was not a place of darkness -- this new Mirkwood is. There must be a reason evil gathers in the heart of the woodland, and the only logical answer would be the occupation of a Ring Wraith."
"There is another logical answer." Elladan supplied quietly, but Legolas shook his head sharply and answered firmly, "No. There isn't."
Krystal leaned back sharply, as Elladan suddenly stood and walked over to the balcony, lost in thought. Her breathing came in shallow gasps as she tried to keep still, her mind spinning. Ring Wraith? Dol Guldur? Greenwood the Great?
The elf stood still, his eyes lost in a daze over Rivendell, his face concerned yet at peace. Krystal dared a glance up at him, studying his profile intently, but just as Aragorn began his question of, "What do we tell Krys--" Elladan's eyes met hers.
He stared at her blankly for a moment. She stared back.
"Shh?" she ventured weakly, knowing her goose was cooked, yet unwilling to be forced out of here when there was so much juicy gossip.
Elladan stared for a few more seconds, before beginning to chuckle. "I should have expected.." he muttered, shaking his head. He extended a hand to help her off the floor, tugging her inside and out of the chill. The other three men looked up surprised at her entrance, as Aragorn asked with a grin, "Eaves dropping?"
She scowled. "I wasn't eaves dropping at all," she answered, slightly miffed. "No one tells me anything around here anymore, what was I *supposed* to do?"
Legolas frowned. "Wait for us to tell you, perhaps?"
Krystal frowned right back. "Does that seem realistic?"
Legolas considered this for a moment. "No."
"Thank you," she said promptly, tossing herself at Elladan's bed. She had gotten up very early this morning to eaves drop, or not eaves drop, (whatever) and right now, as she wanted was her bed. Or anyone's bed, actually. With Elladan's permission, she scooted under his messy bunch of blankets, and snuggled up in the pillows. Someone, Nazguls, Ringwraiths and Mirkwood seemed a lot less scary when combated with a silk blanket. When she was settled, she turned and asked,
"Would you care to explain what is going on?"
Legolas sighed. "Not particularly."
"Tough." She answered happily, her mood thoroughly uplifted by the fact that she was about to find out what exactly was going on and the fact that she was in a silk bed with fluffy pillows, warmth seeping through her body.
Aragorn sighed, running his hands through his sinewy hair. "I don't know how to explain this," he began sadly, but Krystal interrupted. "I already know it has to do with something in Mirktree--"
"Mirkwood," Legolas corrected.
"--Mirkwood, and a Ring Wraith. What I don't get is what *is* a Ring Wraith?"
Silence descended on the room like the hiss of a whip. "Did I say something?" Krystal asked awkwardly as the tension increased, but Elladan shook his head. "No, no. I suppose you would know sooner or later. But where to start in telling you..."
"How about the beginning?"
Elrohir smiled weakly and took the tale up from his brother, speaking in a low voice. "It all began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the elves, immortal, wisest--"
"That's debatable," Aragorn added sarcastically, but his brother paid no heed.
"--and fairest of all beings. Seven, to the dwarf lords, miners in their halls of stone. And nine, nine were given to the race of men, who above all else, desire power--"
"And steak. Oh, Valar there is nothing to a man like a good, home-cooked steak--"
"Peace, Aragorn!" Elladan interrupted through Krystal's chuckles, but his brother just looked up innocently. "Yes, Elladan?"
The elder elf rolled his eyes, nodding to his twin. "Continue, Elrohir."
Elrohir looked distinctly miffed, but with a nod, continued. "But the hearts of men, are easily corrupted, and Sauron, the Great Deceiver--"
"The who?" Krystal interrupted, looking baffled.
"Who's Sauron?"
Legolas tackled this one. "Do you remember Mithrandir?"
"Who?"
"Gandalf?" Aragorn substituted, and then Krystal nodded. "Yes, I remember him. Why?"
"Gandalf is a wizard, with distinct powers. There are certain creatures in Middle Earth that have supernatural powers, given to their race only. One of these races is the Maia. Sauron is a Maia. He, however, uses his power for evil and destruction, instead of peace and good."
"So your basic villain then?" Krystal surmised, ignoring talk of Maias and Wizards and what not. Aragorn nodded. "Basically."
"Anyway," Elrohir continued with a irate scowl. "Sauron the Great Deceiver, tricked all, elf, man and dwarf, for another ring was made. The one ring, the ring to rule them all and bind them, to control all of the free Peoples of Middle Earth. And with this ring, Sauron offered the holders of the nine rings of men more power then their hearts could comprehend, and one by one they fell to the power of the One.
They became his most feared servants, his most deadly weapons. They are the living dead, the Nazgul, the nine. Their every thought lies with the One ring, the One ring which has been lost ever since the Last Alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor--"
"What's Morder?"
"Mordor," Legolas corrected.
"What's Mordor?"
"The land of the dead. It is where Sauron's empty palace now lies. Sauron was destroyed and the One ring, eventually, lost."
Krystal stared, her mouth half open and her eyes wide. She drew her knees up to her chest, never breaking her gaze to Elrohir. "But what does this have to do with Murkywood--"
"Mirkwood," corrected Legolas.
"--Mirkwood? I mean, that Sauron guy was killed, right? So weren't his little minions killed too?"
"Sauron wasn't *killed*." Elrohir answered delicately. "More like destroyed."
"But what's the difference?"
"Sauron poured all of himself into the One Ring," Aragorn answered calmly. "And the One Ring survives through the weakness of men, though none know where it is right now. Thus Sauron's spirit, his malice, survives."
When Krystal didn't answer, Elrohir continued. "And so, the Nine Walkers survive, somehow, shadows of their formers selves. And yet, it is rumored that one of them has begun to inhabit Mirkwood, under perhaps a new master, called the Necromancer. It is in Southern Mirkwood, close to the very heart, and Middle Earth's situation will soon be very dire if it is indeed a Ring Wraith, for they are what nightmares are made of. "
"What proof do you have though?" Krystal asked quietly. They exchanged looks. "We do not know all of the circumstances that have prompted our fathers into such a state of concern," Legolas admitted. "But Mirkwood has grown steadily darker and more dangerous of late, and dark and dangerous are two key words that are synonymous with Nazgul."
Krystal was silent, taking in all this new information. Her jet black hair fell into her eyes, hiding her expression as she swung her feet over the bed, glancing down at her bare feet. When she finally raised her eyes, her voice was tiny but her eyes were wide with something they had rarely seen her show -- fear. "And all of you -- all of you, are going to see if it really is a Ring Wraith?"
Silence descended on the room, uneasy tension. The twins exchanged the barest of glances, and Legolas and Aragorn caught each other's eye.
'Do we tell her?' Aragorn's eyes seemed to ask, and with a glance at Krystal, Legolas nodded solemnly. 'We must.'
"Yes, Krystal." The elven prince answered softly after a few moments. "We must."
"But why?" Krystal implored as if she knew their answer before it was given, her voice broken. "Surely, there are others-- just as capable -- who might go in your place?"
Elladan sighed. "There are many others, some even more capable. But this matter concerns us all closely, Krystal, and it is not for the mission that we need to be there, it is for ourselves."
"How does this concern you closely? I thought the Great Alliance was long ago, you weren't even around!"
The four became quiet at her outraged tone. "We are not going to have this discussion if you are going to scream at us, my lady." Aragorn said quietly. "We *are* going, and no amount of screaming will change it."
Krystal glared defiantly at them, but suddenly looked abashed. She shook her head slightly, and when she spoke, her tone, instead of riling them, pierced their hearts and tore them apart inside. "Please," she began softly. "I know you're going. But you're all I have here. I need to know why."
"The reason the One Ring survives is because of my bloodline, Krystal." Aragorn said suddenly. "I am the heir of Isildur, he who cut the Ring from Sauron's hand and destroyed him. He claimed the Ring for his own instead of throwing it into the fires of Mount Doom, and destroying evil forever."
"Dol Guldor is in the heart of my forest," Legolas's smooth, comforting voice held no comfort now - just cool facts. "It is my people who will have to battle the darkness within, it is my people who will lose their lives defending Middle Earth and Mirkwood if there is indeed a Nazgul residing there."
"We were not present for Last Alliance," Elladan answered quietly, "but our father was. He marched with the Last Alliance, and what he has seen there has haunted him ever since. He lost many who were dear to him, and if the Nine Walkers are indeed back, and Sauron returns, it might have been in vain and we cannot allow that."
Krystal listened without comment to each of their explanations, all the while fighting down the bubble of tears that threatened her already weakened self-control. When she spoke again, her voice was empty and hoarse as she stood up. "When do you leave?"
"Sometime within the next two weeks."
With a nod, she walked towards the door and left them there, a plan of her own building in her mind.
First off, I'm really sorry it took me so long to update. I was battling a real case of writer's block - my first *ever* on this story, and second, I was also working hard on my other story, A Vow to Defend. I started that story last year and it--just--won't--die! LoL So if my updates for this story are slow, go check that one out because I am determined to finish it within the next five chapters. Anyway, now on to the reviewers..
Cara: Thanks so much! I really am grateful that you can appreciate my writing even though I'm pretty young. I submitted a short story one time to a literary magazine and got back such a *polite* ( ahem, yeah RIGHT..they didn't even READ what I sent in) answer about how I was too young to have talent, that it always strikes me as special when people notice that I am young and still not that bad of a writer, lol.
Lady Eleclya: No..sorry...this isn't a Legomance. *ducks* don't kill me! I decided it would just make things too awkward between Krystal and the rest of the guys, epically Elladan, and her relationship with him is something about the story I just love and wouldn't mess up for the world lol. I don't know, I'm weird like that. Thanks *so* much for reviewing though, your reviews in particular mean a lot to me. :)
MaverickGirl: I know, I know! I used to update this story everyday and this chapter took me almost a month! And it's not even that good! LoL, I'm sorry, I just had finals and everything and then my Muse went on vacation and left me with supreme writers block...lol, sorry. But this story is nearing to an end and I except the next couple updates will be quick, don't worry. I think. LOL.. But anyway, I don't know if I've ever seen the Swan Princess but before I had wrote that section of the chapter, I was hanging around with my cousins who just received brand new paintball guns and decided I was an appropriate target. I decided Krystal could share my pain, lol.
Aranel: Thanks! I'm sorry once again for the delay, but I'm glad you still read the story even though I've decided I've sprayed my characters with Romance Repellent. As for what's going on...well...you'll just have to see. :)
Lilena: Good guesses, Good guesses. Close. But no cigar, lol. As for the guy's mischievous doings...well...I'll never tell. (
Mellon: Heheheh. *evil laugh* Yes, a cliffy. I was in a evil mood when I wrote the last chapter, and you'd better hope I'm not in an evil mood now....*evil Saramon-like chuckle* mwuahahha...lol, just kidding.
bETH: LoL it was actually your review that reminded me I hadn't updated this story in ages, so thanks!
Leva: LOL! I know, I know! I'm sorry to have kept you waiting! Writer's block sucks, guys!
Dara Maeko: Hehehe I'm glad I sparked everyone's curiosity...what *could* it be? Hahahah I know! LoL I'm such a dork.
jeffiner1127: Thank you! I've worked exceptionally hard on this story - except on certain instances when I've been lazy and I'm just posting to post lol - (Levanna always knows when I haven't given my best.) but most of the time I've really tried hard to make this story good, and I'm really glad your enjoying it.
Okay, and to everyone else who reviewed for this chapter or the last and since I just feel the need to continue with the story and stop with the replying. I lOvE yOuU! :)
********************************************
"But if we set out before the first frost--"
"The first frost is in less then two weeks!"
"Don't you think I know that?"
"We can not organize such an expedition in two weeks!"
"*Less* then two weeks, actually."
"Exactly my point!"
"But if we wait until after the first frost, the humans will not survive--"
"Who says the humans are even coming? I will not align myself with they who tortured Krystal so!"
Krystal's eyes perked up at the mention of her name, and she ducked down a little smaller, yanking her head back from around the bend, just in case someone happened to look up. She was hidden on Elladan's balcony-- yes, hidden. It was early the next morning, and after hearing no new news from anyone, it was time for desperate measures. She had snuck in before the elf had awoken and now stood stock still, listening to the conversation between brothers. Not that she understood half of it, but still.
Elrohir sighed audibly. "This doom belongs to all of Middle Earth, if it is indeed what we believe it is, not just the doom of elves!"
"It will be the doom of mankind if I am put within twenty feet of that man, Annore, and I am armed! The man shall not live to see the sights of Mirkwood, let alone breech it!"
"They *are* coming, Elladan, and nothing you say--"
"We'll see about that!"
"Enough." Aragorn's voice, harsh and quick, cut into the chatter and Krystal started, shaking her head. She hadn't realized he was there. Even so, she was glad he put a stop to Elladan's tirade - she didn't want to think about Annore, much less have her best friend shouting about him. Wait a second -- she paused in her thoughts. Did she just call Elladan her best friend?
"Elladan, if Ada feels the men are needed to journey to Mirkwood with us, then journey to Mirkwood they shall--"
"They shall be dead before the set foot out of their village," Elladan insisted flatly. "I will bear the mark on my soul."
Krystal leaned in slightly, just in time to see both Elrohir and Aragorn roll their eyes. "You speak with your heart and not your head, brother. Krystal does not wish for you to kill anyone."
"I wish it!"
Legolas's smooth voice now joined the argument, his light footsteps soundless. "What are we discussing?"
Aragorn's voice was dry with sarcasm. "What do you think?"
"The darkness of my forest?"
"Precisely."
Krystal frowned. The darkness of his forest? What forest? What darkness? But then intelligence came back to her, and she managed to put two and two together. Her eyes brightened as she hugged herself closer, a brisk morning breeze streaming through the open balcony and catching her. She was wearing only light breeches and a tunic, clothing fit for a young elf. She drew her legs up tighter to her chest and frowned. Legolas...he was a Prince, right? So that sort of meant he could claim his realm as his forest...that Mirkwood place. Okay, so that added up. But darkness?
"Lord Elrond and my father are choosing the members of the expedition. I doubt our say will change anything."
Krystal dared a glance in again, to see all four of them locking eyes. "Do you think they'll allow us to go?"
Legolas answered Elrohir's question quickly. "I don't care if I'm allowed - I'm going. It's my forest and it's my people who are under the most threat."
"It is all of Middle Earth that is under the threat if indeed Dol Guldur *is* being inhabited by a Ring Wraith." Elrohir answered quietly, but Aragorn interrupted him. "We don't even know if anything *is* there, never mind the Nazgul."
But Legolas shook his head. "No. There is something wrong. You do not know Mirkwood as I do, you have not seen it in it's splendor as I once did. Greenwood the Great was not a place of darkness -- this new Mirkwood is. There must be a reason evil gathers in the heart of the woodland, and the only logical answer would be the occupation of a Ring Wraith."
"There is another logical answer." Elladan supplied quietly, but Legolas shook his head sharply and answered firmly, "No. There isn't."
Krystal leaned back sharply, as Elladan suddenly stood and walked over to the balcony, lost in thought. Her breathing came in shallow gasps as she tried to keep still, her mind spinning. Ring Wraith? Dol Guldur? Greenwood the Great?
The elf stood still, his eyes lost in a daze over Rivendell, his face concerned yet at peace. Krystal dared a glance up at him, studying his profile intently, but just as Aragorn began his question of, "What do we tell Krys--" Elladan's eyes met hers.
He stared at her blankly for a moment. She stared back.
"Shh?" she ventured weakly, knowing her goose was cooked, yet unwilling to be forced out of here when there was so much juicy gossip.
Elladan stared for a few more seconds, before beginning to chuckle. "I should have expected.." he muttered, shaking his head. He extended a hand to help her off the floor, tugging her inside and out of the chill. The other three men looked up surprised at her entrance, as Aragorn asked with a grin, "Eaves dropping?"
She scowled. "I wasn't eaves dropping at all," she answered, slightly miffed. "No one tells me anything around here anymore, what was I *supposed* to do?"
Legolas frowned. "Wait for us to tell you, perhaps?"
Krystal frowned right back. "Does that seem realistic?"
Legolas considered this for a moment. "No."
"Thank you," she said promptly, tossing herself at Elladan's bed. She had gotten up very early this morning to eaves drop, or not eaves drop, (whatever) and right now, as she wanted was her bed. Or anyone's bed, actually. With Elladan's permission, she scooted under his messy bunch of blankets, and snuggled up in the pillows. Someone, Nazguls, Ringwraiths and Mirkwood seemed a lot less scary when combated with a silk blanket. When she was settled, she turned and asked,
"Would you care to explain what is going on?"
Legolas sighed. "Not particularly."
"Tough." She answered happily, her mood thoroughly uplifted by the fact that she was about to find out what exactly was going on and the fact that she was in a silk bed with fluffy pillows, warmth seeping through her body.
Aragorn sighed, running his hands through his sinewy hair. "I don't know how to explain this," he began sadly, but Krystal interrupted. "I already know it has to do with something in Mirktree--"
"Mirkwood," Legolas corrected.
"--Mirkwood, and a Ring Wraith. What I don't get is what *is* a Ring Wraith?"
Silence descended on the room like the hiss of a whip. "Did I say something?" Krystal asked awkwardly as the tension increased, but Elladan shook his head. "No, no. I suppose you would know sooner or later. But where to start in telling you..."
"How about the beginning?"
Elrohir smiled weakly and took the tale up from his brother, speaking in a low voice. "It all began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the elves, immortal, wisest--"
"That's debatable," Aragorn added sarcastically, but his brother paid no heed.
"--and fairest of all beings. Seven, to the dwarf lords, miners in their halls of stone. And nine, nine were given to the race of men, who above all else, desire power--"
"And steak. Oh, Valar there is nothing to a man like a good, home-cooked steak--"
"Peace, Aragorn!" Elladan interrupted through Krystal's chuckles, but his brother just looked up innocently. "Yes, Elladan?"
The elder elf rolled his eyes, nodding to his twin. "Continue, Elrohir."
Elrohir looked distinctly miffed, but with a nod, continued. "But the hearts of men, are easily corrupted, and Sauron, the Great Deceiver--"
"The who?" Krystal interrupted, looking baffled.
"Who's Sauron?"
Legolas tackled this one. "Do you remember Mithrandir?"
"Who?"
"Gandalf?" Aragorn substituted, and then Krystal nodded. "Yes, I remember him. Why?"
"Gandalf is a wizard, with distinct powers. There are certain creatures in Middle Earth that have supernatural powers, given to their race only. One of these races is the Maia. Sauron is a Maia. He, however, uses his power for evil and destruction, instead of peace and good."
"So your basic villain then?" Krystal surmised, ignoring talk of Maias and Wizards and what not. Aragorn nodded. "Basically."
"Anyway," Elrohir continued with a irate scowl. "Sauron the Great Deceiver, tricked all, elf, man and dwarf, for another ring was made. The one ring, the ring to rule them all and bind them, to control all of the free Peoples of Middle Earth. And with this ring, Sauron offered the holders of the nine rings of men more power then their hearts could comprehend, and one by one they fell to the power of the One.
They became his most feared servants, his most deadly weapons. They are the living dead, the Nazgul, the nine. Their every thought lies with the One ring, the One ring which has been lost ever since the Last Alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor--"
"What's Morder?"
"Mordor," Legolas corrected.
"What's Mordor?"
"The land of the dead. It is where Sauron's empty palace now lies. Sauron was destroyed and the One ring, eventually, lost."
Krystal stared, her mouth half open and her eyes wide. She drew her knees up to her chest, never breaking her gaze to Elrohir. "But what does this have to do with Murkywood--"
"Mirkwood," corrected Legolas.
"--Mirkwood? I mean, that Sauron guy was killed, right? So weren't his little minions killed too?"
"Sauron wasn't *killed*." Elrohir answered delicately. "More like destroyed."
"But what's the difference?"
"Sauron poured all of himself into the One Ring," Aragorn answered calmly. "And the One Ring survives through the weakness of men, though none know where it is right now. Thus Sauron's spirit, his malice, survives."
When Krystal didn't answer, Elrohir continued. "And so, the Nine Walkers survive, somehow, shadows of their formers selves. And yet, it is rumored that one of them has begun to inhabit Mirkwood, under perhaps a new master, called the Necromancer. It is in Southern Mirkwood, close to the very heart, and Middle Earth's situation will soon be very dire if it is indeed a Ring Wraith, for they are what nightmares are made of. "
"What proof do you have though?" Krystal asked quietly. They exchanged looks. "We do not know all of the circumstances that have prompted our fathers into such a state of concern," Legolas admitted. "But Mirkwood has grown steadily darker and more dangerous of late, and dark and dangerous are two key words that are synonymous with Nazgul."
Krystal was silent, taking in all this new information. Her jet black hair fell into her eyes, hiding her expression as she swung her feet over the bed, glancing down at her bare feet. When she finally raised her eyes, her voice was tiny but her eyes were wide with something they had rarely seen her show -- fear. "And all of you -- all of you, are going to see if it really is a Ring Wraith?"
Silence descended on the room, uneasy tension. The twins exchanged the barest of glances, and Legolas and Aragorn caught each other's eye.
'Do we tell her?' Aragorn's eyes seemed to ask, and with a glance at Krystal, Legolas nodded solemnly. 'We must.'
"Yes, Krystal." The elven prince answered softly after a few moments. "We must."
"But why?" Krystal implored as if she knew their answer before it was given, her voice broken. "Surely, there are others-- just as capable -- who might go in your place?"
Elladan sighed. "There are many others, some even more capable. But this matter concerns us all closely, Krystal, and it is not for the mission that we need to be there, it is for ourselves."
"How does this concern you closely? I thought the Great Alliance was long ago, you weren't even around!"
The four became quiet at her outraged tone. "We are not going to have this discussion if you are going to scream at us, my lady." Aragorn said quietly. "We *are* going, and no amount of screaming will change it."
Krystal glared defiantly at them, but suddenly looked abashed. She shook her head slightly, and when she spoke, her tone, instead of riling them, pierced their hearts and tore them apart inside. "Please," she began softly. "I know you're going. But you're all I have here. I need to know why."
"The reason the One Ring survives is because of my bloodline, Krystal." Aragorn said suddenly. "I am the heir of Isildur, he who cut the Ring from Sauron's hand and destroyed him. He claimed the Ring for his own instead of throwing it into the fires of Mount Doom, and destroying evil forever."
"Dol Guldor is in the heart of my forest," Legolas's smooth, comforting voice held no comfort now - just cool facts. "It is my people who will have to battle the darkness within, it is my people who will lose their lives defending Middle Earth and Mirkwood if there is indeed a Nazgul residing there."
"We were not present for Last Alliance," Elladan answered quietly, "but our father was. He marched with the Last Alliance, and what he has seen there has haunted him ever since. He lost many who were dear to him, and if the Nine Walkers are indeed back, and Sauron returns, it might have been in vain and we cannot allow that."
Krystal listened without comment to each of their explanations, all the while fighting down the bubble of tears that threatened her already weakened self-control. When she spoke again, her voice was empty and hoarse as she stood up. "When do you leave?"
"Sometime within the next two weeks."
With a nod, she walked towards the door and left them there, a plan of her own building in her mind.