Hello again!! Just FYI, you can expect updates every Sunday nightfrom now on. It's easiest on me and my ever scattered brain to have some semblance of order by making a set day.
For a full summary and, rather odd, disclaimer, see chapter one.
And for my lovely reviewers, my thanks…
Elenillor - First, I apologize for not putting you in my previous thanks, I did not see your review until after I posted. And second, thank you for the wonderful review. Such excited reviews are always the most enjoyed. And knowing that there is nothing of objection is also a wonderful boost to the ego.
LORTFaith - Ummm… if you will proceed to the following author's note, my muses have a confession to make.
MG87 - Well you're welcome. I'm glad to know I could brighten your day. *shakes head at self* And uh… yeah. *cringes at the shortness*
RainyDayz - Well, of course there's more angst! Go, read, enjoy the torture!
LegolasLover2003 - I agree with your sentiment. The elf should not leave the earth as he is greatly loved. And since it's my story… (: And thanks for the suggestions. I had found the DragonFlame sight before, but didn't give it too good a look. Going back, it's excellent. Definitely the best help I've had. Thank you!
Quachatu - Ah yes, the sweet smell of angst. As lovely a sent as any rose. *grins* And I agree with the whole killing off of loved ones remark. Hence why I put it in. *ties big juicy steak to elf's neck and tosses to the wargs* . Hemmingway? You dear, sweet flatter. *guffaws*. And as for the 'turning against humans' thing., as I told LORTFaith, proceeded to the author's note, my muses have a confession.
Elven Destiny - Yes, yes. The guilt of angst. Such a fleeting this is it not?
Author's note:
*author pulls muses out to a microphone* "Talk."
*first muse clears his throat* "Umm… hello. After getting reviews asking for answers to Legolas' past experience with men Adrienne told us to tell you that she - Ow!" *muse rubs arm where he was pinched and glares at the author* "That we," *points to other muse* "thought it would be umm… more entertaining, if that incident were placed in a story of it's own. We regret to inform you that that is our final decision and we…
*author taps foot and points at reviews*
*muse glares* "Okay, well maybe we can tell you a little. But most of it's going to the other story!" *other muses nods agreement*
*author rolls eyes and pushes muses back to their corner of the room* "As you see, your questions may or may not be answered in this story. I apologize for any inconvenience." *glares at muses*
"We had to keep them coming back somehow!"
"Shut up you. Once again, I apologize."
Enjoy the story!
" Memories of Ilithien "
Chapter 3 - The Deep Red of Blood
Elladan and Elrohir stood in front of their father, hands clasped behind their backs, looking to all the world like the same person, a mirror image of the other, standing solemnly in front of the elf lord.
"You're certain?" Elrond asked, looking first at one son, then the other, his dark eyes piercing through them.
"Positive, Adar." Elrohir, stated softly, his brother nodding agreement. "We saw their captain. It is the same band that attacked our people. And killed Ilithien."
Elrond lowered his head to his hands, rubbing at his aching temples; he could feel the cool glint of Vilya on his skin. He sighed deeply, then looked back up at his sons.
"Ready our best fighters. We'll be after them before daybreak."
"We, Ada?" Elladan asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Yes, Elladan." Elrond said, looking into the eyes that reminded him so much of his beloved Celebrain. "We. For this I shall once again pick up the quiver and bow of my youth."
The twins nodded then quickly left to ready the hunting party. Elrond sighed again and stood from his desk, ready to prepare for the first battle he had seen in many centuries.
He said nothing as a silent figure moved away from the window at his back.
***
Avarilas crept silently back into Legolas' bedroom, moving gracefully across the wooden floor and taking his place once again at the prince's side.
"They have found them, mellon nin." He said, brushing a lock of hair from the still unmoving face. "The creatures that took Ilithien's life. They have found them, and they prepare even now to go after them and slay them."
For nearly two weeks now Avarilas had stayed by Legolas' side, unable to do anything for his lord and friend. But now he believed that he had the key to bring him back from the void his soul had fallen into. For he had heard tell that the only emotion greater than love, was hate.
"You must go with them, my prince." Avarilas said, praying that the words he spoke were somehow reaching the immobile soul beneath him. "Take revenge on their disgraceful lives. Make them pay for what they have done. For what they did to Ilithien. Destroy them."
Avarilas cringed at his words, for they were a contradiction in themselves. He had known Ilithien for as long as Legolas had, and he knew that her gentle spirit would protest such hate. He asked her soul for forgiveness and turned back to his prince.
"Destroy them." He whispered.
~
"I simply do not see the point." Ilithien repeated, stalking away from the two grinning warriors.
"We are fighters, Ilithien." Legolas sighed as he obediently followed after her. "It is what we do."
"You shed their blood needlessly." Ilithien hissed, whipping around to glare at the prince.
"Would you have their foul race overrun Mirkwood?" Avarilas asked, stepping up next to Legolas.
"They have done you no harm." Ilithien protested, her resolve not failing at all.
"This band perhaps. But in the past their kind have taken many immortal lives." Legolas said harshly, growing quickly tired of this endless battle. "Do you not remember the devastation at the Last Alliance of Men and Elves? Thousands of bodies of our people, people who should yet live today, cover the ground even now at the Dead Marshes. Were it not for the orcs they would walk this earth still. They are a foul, repulsive, evil race that does not deserve to live on these lands. And the sooner they are wiped out, the better."
The elf maiden stood still as stone for several heartbeats that lasted an eternity. Then she turned and stared into the princes eyes, golden green clashing with icy blue. "The next time you are killing one of those 'repulsive' creatures, take a moment to think that if not for chance, it could be your blood that some elven lord were spilling heartlessly."
"What!?" Was all the reply the shocked elf could utter.
"You forget, Prince Legolas, that the only reason there are such 'foul' beings as the orcs is because their ancestors, elves like you, were tortured mercilessly into what they are today. And had it been your ancestors instead of theirs, you would be an orc. A foul, repulsive creature that deserved nothing but death."
The prince raised his hand, one slender finger pointed angrily at her, his hand shaking in fury. Then he turned around and stormed away from her, grabbing his bow and racing into the forest, a steady heat flushing his face.
*
'… found … creatures … Ilithien's life … go … revenge … make them pay… Destroy them … Destroy them.'
Broken words filled Legolas' senses as he strayed farther and farther into the oblivion. The blackness around him wrapped itself around the words, pulling them apart, twisting them, magnifying them until it were all he knew.
And the blackness slowly turned to the deep red of blood.
***
Startled elves uncharacteristically scrambled out of the way as a figure, clouded in darkness, marched through the halls of Imladris, searching down one particular door. Rage filled the air around him and the elves shuddered as he passed.
*
The door to his study burst open behind him and Elrond slowly turned around, knowing what he would find. His eyes met those of the young Mirkwood prince and one eyebrow raised in question.
"Can I help you, Legolas?" He asked casually, sliding a dagger into his belt.
"I'm going with you." The prince answered, his usually melodic voice harsh with wrath and 2 weeks of un-use.
The elf lord's ancient eyes swept over the young elf in an instant, taking in the wretched sight of him. His body quivered in fury and exhaustion, his eyes nearly glowed red with the unnatural rage behind them. He was breathing harshly, his icy breath slipping away in puffs of vapor into the warm room. His hands moved seemingly of their own life, clenching into fists, grasping at nothing, closing around invisible weapons.
"You are in no state to fight." Elrond said gently, his dark eyes piercing the young warrior, seeing into his very soul. What he saw was layered in blackness and crimson red, dripping with blood.
"I will destroy them. You cannot stop me." Legolas hissed, his hands reaching for weapons that were not there. "No one can stop me."
Elrond sighed, his eyes weighed down with compassion, for he knew well the prince's grief. "Perhaps." The elf lord said, looking up at Legolas once more. "But I can do my best."
Legolas whirled around as two figures entered the room. His hands once again went instinctively for his knives, but he found nothing but air. Elladan and Elrohir approached him slowly, their gazes cautious as they watched their longtime friend.
Legolas snarled at them, his eyes burning with ire; he knew they came to stop him. But nothing could take away the lust for blood that now course through his body. No one would deny him that release.
He moved to lunge at them, hands prepared for a fight, his mind seemingly cutting all ties with sanity. But he suddenly found himself stopped by a gentle hand, enclosed with a soft cloth, wrapped firmly around his mouth and nose. He breathed in the bitter sweet smell of the liquid that coated the cloth, his eyes widening in recognition and horror, then fell limp to the floor.
"He will hate me for that for many years." Elrond sighed sadly as Elladan and Elrohir moved to pick up their fallen friend.
"It is for his own good, Adar." Elladan said in reply, cradling the prince's head against his shoulder as he steered out of the door, Elrohir holding firmly to the prince's legs. "He would not survive the battle. Not like this."
"Perhaps." Elrond whispered as they left, wondering why, with all his knowledge of all his years, he knew not how to heal a broken heart.
***
Estel watched angrily as the Elven warriors left Imladris, leaving him behind. 'I cared more for her than any of them.' He thought bitterly, turning back towards the room of the balcony he stood on. 'If any should avenge her it should be me.'
He looked at Avarilas, once again leaning over the un-responding body of his friend. The elf looked up at him, a guilty but determined expression in his eyes, then turned back to his prince, whispering words in Sindarin too quite for Estel's human ears to hear.
'Watch over him, Estel' His foster father's words hummed in his ears. 'I am trusting him to your care while we are away.'
Estel cast one last pitying look at the vulnerable form of the prince then stalked out of the room.
To Be Continued…
*starts pacing room* Okay, so I was going to let you off easy, no long notes, no pleas for reviews, just a short, sweet 'until next time'. Then, as I was writing this I got a phone call from my mother. And now I'm going to vent.
Our lives are going to hell!! First off, my sister moves down to California, waaay before she's ready, and gets in a massive car accident on the way down and totals 2 cars. Now my mother is stuck paying all these insurance bills and towing bills and other such stupid things because my sister can't afford it.
Then, less than two weeks later my dog gets seriously ill and rings up a vet bill over a thousand dollars!! So now we're up to our necks in bills, that we can't pay! Then today my brother got a toothache so bad he had to be taken to the emergency room (more bills!), and while he and my mom were waiting for 3 stinking hours to be seen our car got stolen! Stolen! Arg!!
I think I'm going to go insane.
*plasters on a smile and sneers through teeth* Until next time!
Adrienne