Chapter 15
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Fainu sat quietly in the cell, Legolas and Elanor had left but she still felt strong. They had promised to return the next day as had Malminya. Her father had not tried to speak again, she knew that she could defeat him now; she would not fall, not this night. The door opened and a plate of food was set on the floor, she could smell it from where she sat and it was very tempting but she refused to go near the guards and they stood waiting for her to go to the food and eat.
"Hurry up and eat your food dark one or we shall take it away." The guards said pushing the plate towards her with his foot.
"I don't want to eat near you. Leave and I'll eat, I shall let you know when I am finished." Fainu replied narrowing her eyes slightly, she did not wish to go hungry but if the guard did not leave then she would.
"Have a nice meal then." The guard laughed and motioned for the other guard to leave before he went to follow. Just before he left he kicked the floor sending a spray of dirt over the meal. Fainu glared at him before the door shut fully. She silently crept towards the food, knowing that the guards would probably come back in as soon as they heard her moving towards the food. They enjoyed tormenting her and had done so on the journey down to the cell and they were continuing to do so. She picked out the plate and returned to the far side of the room, she scraped off the dirt and slowly began to eat the food, her eyes fixed on the door waiting for the guards to reappear. When they did she was going to throw the wasted food at them, she did not know why she had thought to do so but it struck her as a way of paying them back for their cruelty. And as luck would have it the meal had been one that she had had as a child, and long ago she discovered that it had extremely good properties for causing messes. An evil smiled spread on her face as she finished her meal, it had been good but revenge for the pain that the guards had made her endure was even better. She slid the plate back across the floor and called out that she was finished, the wasted food split evenly in her hands. The door opened and the guard walked in and stared at the plate for a moment.
"So you ate it all, isn't that typical? Filth eating dirt." The guards smirked and stepped in fully.
"More than you know." Fainu through the food in one hand, the guards jaw had dropped in shock and the food landed in his mouth, the other handful flying after it hit his face between the eyes. The dark elf laughed at the face the elf made as he stood in shock. He picked up the plate and quickly turned and walked out to be greeted by the laughter of his companion; Fainu suddenly wished that she had divided the food into three portions so she could have hit the guard on the back of the head as well.
Legolas sat by his father in the grand dining hall, he was going to talk to him later about Fainu. He had order a servant to take down a plate of food to Fainu; he hoped that she was enjoying it, because he could not be there with her. Malminya sat on the other side of his father, glancing to him every once in a while.
"What is troubling you Malminya?" Thranduil asked finally letting his curiosity get the better of him.
"I shall not speak of it hear but after we eat then I would like to speak with you." Malminya said glancing at Legolas.
"May I join you as well Malminya?" Legolas asked knowing that his brother was going to talk their father about Fainu.
"What is it that both of my sons would wish to confront me?" Thranduil asked frowning.
"We shall discuss it after we eat father. I will not have an excellent meal disturbed if we were to get into a quarrel about what I wish to speak to you about." Malminya said diplomatically.
"All right then. After this meal." Thranduil said wondering what would cause his remaining children to want to speak with him.
The three finished their meals and spoke idly for a few moments before excusing themselves from the other Elven-lords that had eaten with them. As soon as they were out of the dining hall King Thranduil grabbed his son's arms. "What is it that you wished to talk to me about?"
The two elven princes looked at each other then Legolas looked at his father and drew a breath. "We wish to speak to you about Fainu."
Thranduil blinked at his youngest son, not sure if he had heard correctly. What was there to be discussed about the dark elf? "Is this true Malminya?"
"It is father." The crown prince said softly pulling his father further away from the dining hall. "We think that she should be freed from the cell."
"What!?" Thranduil bellowed. "She is the child of the dark lord and you wish her to be free? Are you mad?" The King looked closely at his to sons, who stood grimly before him.
"I fear father that if you keep her in that cell she will lose her will to resist the call of her father." Malminya said quietly, refusing to let his father rile him. "I have heard her battling against her father mentally. If she is kept in that cell then freed by dark forces later, why would she resist them?" Malminya said calmly.
"If dark forces were to come here I would have her killed." Thranduil said frowning.
Legolas jerked his head back. "Killed?"
"Of course, it is not very pleasant but I can think of no other solution to the problem." Thranduil said releasing Malminya and putting a gentle hand on his youngest sons other shoulder. Legolas jerked away from the touch.
"If she were free she would not have the need to call upon her father for help to free her. Her father is poisoning her mind in the darkness with promises of freedom." Legolas almost snarled. "If she remains as she is, vulnerable to his promises then she will eventually fall to him and she will become our enemy. She is still our ally right now." Legolas seethed.
"And how exactly how is the dark lord able to make promises to her? He is not in this land." Thranduil stated pointedly, he was staring to run out of patience with his children.
"She is part Vela as is her father. You do not know how the gods speak when separated. She has their blood running in her veins." Malminya stated calmly. "Perhaps father she could be used to help us defeat him instead of being killed."
"I will not stand to have someone so dangerous loosed in my kingdom! She has been poisoning your minds as well! I will not allow you to visit her any further for fear of your health. In fact I will not allow any to see her so that she doesn't destroy this kingdom with her lies." The King said releasing his sons he stormed off to go and make sure that none went into her cell aside from the guards to feed her.
Legolas and Malminya looked to each other, fear showing in both of their eyes. They knew that Fainu would not last long, they had promised her that they would return and if she was left to the guards her betrayal to Middle- Earth would only be sped by isolation.
Fainu slept in the furthest corner from the door curled up slightly; the cell had gotten cooler as time passed. The guards had left long ago the door locked well so that the only way out was by a key. The guard that Fainu had effectively gotten revenge on with the wasted food almost fear going and reporting what had happened to the king. He had not been able to get all of the food out of his hair and his tunic had gotten stained when some of it had fallen on it.
Thranduil sat on his throne, his head in his hands as he thought about what his sons had said to him about the dark elf. He had sent another group of guard with orders to deny any entrance to her cell during the night. The other guards would be informed of their new orders when they arrived.
Legolas knocked on Elanor's door; the servant opened the door quickly and smiled at Malminya and Legolas.
"What is it? Has your father agreed?" She asked happily knowing that they were going to speak with him. "What is wrong? Why are you so downcast?"
"Our father, he has ordered that she be put to death if any foul creatures attack our kingdom." Legolas said softly, his eyes held tears that he was trying desperately not to shed.
"Killed? But she is to be set free?" Elanor said looking to Malminya who looked back at her in despair.
"Nay. Father has forbidden her any visitors; he does not know the doom that he is bringing to our forest." Malminya shook his head slightly.
"Perhaps we could get her out?" Elanor said hopefully."
"We tried to sneak in before we came here. We can not even get into the dungeon; he ordered that no one except the guards be permitted into the dungeon." Legolas said softly glancing up at the fading light.
"Then all is lost?" Elanor whispered and bowed her head.
"I believe so." Malminya answered and moved closer to comfort his brother. Elanor also moved closer to him and offered him her support.
"One night." Legolas whispered in his despair excepting the embraces from his brother and Fainu's friend. "That's all I had."
"At least you had her for one night." Malminya whispered, rubbing his brothers back in small comforting circles.
"It was not enough." Legolas answered pulling himself tighter to his older brother wanting to know that he was in comforting arms. Elanor looked at Malminya, but he was not paying attention to her, he was worried about his younger brother.
"Everything has a purpose Legolas. We will find out soon enough what is to happen." Malminya said softly. Elanor moved closer and put her hand on his shoulder.
"I am sorry Legolas." She whispered.
"Legolas, we should return now, or father will think ill." Malminya said softly knowing that what he said was true. Legolas nodded sullenly and pushed away from his older brother and wiped away the tears. Malminya suddenly felt a wave of fear, if his younger brother despaired too greatly he could die and that would not help Fainu if she were set free ever.
Thranduil watched as Malminya gently led Legolas back to the palace, he did not know why his youngest child was acting as he was. Normally he did not like to be supported; he was the warrior of his children, the most skilled any way. He ran down to the entrance and went to his son. "Legolas? What is it that ails you so?" The king asked when he saw the grief in his son's eyes.
"You already know." Legolas snarled. "Leave me be." Malminya had not expected his younger brother to act this way, Thranduil had not either. The King of the woodland realm jumped back slightly and looked at his son sadly.
"You will see one day that what I have done is the best thing." Thranduil said softly and turned. Legolas glared at his fathers retreating back.
"One day father you will see the folly of what you are doing." Legolas answered to the retreating back. Thranduil turned and looked at his son for a moment before he shook his head and went into the palace again. Malminya looked at his younger brother pointedly.
"I do not think that that was the best thing for you to say Legolas." Malminya said softly looking his brother in the eye.
"Does it truly matter Malminya? He has doomed us already." Legolas looked forlorn and withdrawn from the world.
"You should not give up all hope; it is all that we have left dear brother." Malminya said softly.
"I shall try for your sake then because I have been forced to forfeit that which I love the most." Legolas began to move forwards again. He longed only to drop to his bed and sleep until everything was over.
Malminya shut his eyes, and nodded, releasing his grip on his younger brother's arm before following him into their home.
Fainu slowly uncurled and yawned, her eyes quickly focusing to the dark cell. She did not know the hour but she was not panicked that one of her friends were not there to see her. It could be too early for them to be there, she would wait.
The guards outside of her door heard the movement and opened the door. Fainu was stood quickly.
"You don't get any food today because of that little stunt you pulled yesterday." The guard smirked slightly at the scowl she gave him.
"Prince Legolas will not allow that." She said coolly.
"Prince Legolas and Prince Malminya don't have a say in it. From now on it is just you and the other guards." The guard answered laughing at her cruelly. "You won't see any of them any more."
Fainu frowned. "They said that they were coming. I trust their word."
"King Thranduil has ordered that no one visits you. Have fun with the darkness." With that the guard smirked and shut the door. Fainu felt a panic rising up in her, she didn't fully trust what he said but she would wait. If what he said was true she would know in a couple hours at least.
Legolas sat across from the dungeon; he had heard that Fainu was not being fed for the day when he sat with his father to eat. He had immediately risen and went to the dungeon doorway and sat across from it. His father had questioned why he was leaving and he had announced as loud as he could without shouting that he would not be eating unless Fainu was allowed to do so before he left. He silent will that Fainu to be strong and that he was going to cause his father as much grief as he possibly could, without getting himself killed though he was starting to think about doing that as well.
"Legolas if you do not return to the dining hall right now I will have you- you." Thranduil sputtered as he yelled at his son.
"You will what father? Put me in the dungeon as well? Hit me? What can you do father that will do me harm?" Legolas said calmly not taking his eyes from the entrance to the dungeon that was guarded by two of Thranduil's most loyal.
"If I must then I shall strip you of your title." Thranduil said his face slightly red from anger. He had never been so embarrassed by one of his children's behaviour, they were princes and they had standard that had to be kept.
"That will change a lot father. The only thing that will do is give you the right to remove me from the palace and if I am enough of a nuisance this realm." Legolas smirked slightly. He did not care about his title, if he had to become a slave in order to free Fainu he would in a heartbeat.
"You do not care for your title?" Thranduil asked slightly shocked.
"The only thing I care for at the moment father is the thing that you have banished from Malminya and I." Legolas stated calmly.
"Fine if you do not return to the dining hall now I shall give the orders to the guards to torture Fainu." Thranduil knew that his words were cruel but he would not have his child misbehaving like this.
Legolas stiffened slightly and then stood slowly. "You win Thranduil, but know that after I finish eating I shall be heading for Rivendell so that I will not have to constantly be in the presence of my enemy."
Thranduil raised his chin slightly and turned to return to the dining hall, his youngest son in tow. He inwardly was terrified that what Legolas had said was true, but he would not stop his son from leaving though he would make it difficult.
Fainu curled her legs to her chest; her stomach growled telling her that it was empty. She sighed softly; she knew that Legolas and the others would come soon. They had promised her that they wouldn't leave her alone, they would come.
'What if they lied to you little one?' Her father said softly.
"They wouldn't lie." She said softly, "I trust them."
'They aren't going to come. They don't want anything to do with you anymore.'
"You are the one that lies, leave me alone." She stood and began to pace, she allowed her footsteps to fall heavily to give her a distraction from the voice that now tried to persuade her.
'I am not lying. They will not come. When they do not come what will you do child?' Devorque whispered in her mind. Fainu licked her lips and glanced to the door.
"They will." She said firmly though she felt doubt creeping into her now.
'You aren't sure are you anymore. Are you?' Devorque sounded pleased with himself.
"If they do not come it will not be because they didn't want to." Fainu whispered into the darkness. "They are my friends."
'They just want you for the power that you hold and that I can release from you. They don't want you for anything else.'
"You lie." Fainu stated firmly.
'They aren't coming. I will wait for you once you realize that I am telling the truth. I will free you.' With that the voice fell silent, knowing that he had planted a seed of doubt in her very soul and that it would only be a short while and she would become his.
Fainu sat down again, the voice was silent. She leaned back against the wall, and silently prayed that they came. She did not know what she would do if they did not, perhaps she would fall prey to her fathers will and then she would be lost.
Legolas was in his room packing a small bag that he would take with him, Malminya watched his brother from the door.
"Isn't there a better way to deal with father?" The crown prince asked softly. "If you leave how will you do Fainu any good?"
"I will do her no good here either. If father lifts the ban then sent the fastest messenger and I will return." Legolas said stuffing his final supplies in the pack; he slung it over his shoulder beside his quiver and bow before he lifted up his long knives. He checked their edges before he sheathed them and strode to the door.
"I will try my best then with out you to get her freed. I am sure that she will understand." Malminya looked at his brother closely and put his hand on his shoulder. "Take care of yourself little brother."
"I will." Legolas smiled weakly and continued down the hall his older brother followed to see him off.
Thranduil stood at the door and watched his sons; Legolas was in travelling cloths so he knew that he was fulfilling his threat of leaving. He stepped in front of the door and glared at his youngest son. "You will not take that which is mine, Legolas."
"That which is yours? I care only what I need." Legolas frowned at his father.
"Your carry items that I had given to you as a prince. You are no longer that return them." Thranduil said coolly. Legolas hardened his jaw and removed the pack as well as his long knives. He would not relinquish his bow and quiver to his father. Galadriel had given them to him ling ago.
"Would you like my travelling boots as well father or does it please you that I travel with as little as I do now?" Legolas glared at his father. He knew that his father was doing this to get him to stay, but he had no reason to.
"You may keep the boots. They fit only you, others will be able to use the blades and other supplies." Thranduil said softly, his effort to dissuade his son had not worked.
"Then I shall be off King Thranduil." With that the prince pushed through the door Thranduil followed, ignoring the glare that he was getting from Malminya who followed closely behind him. Legolas patted his horse gently and moved to mount.
"You will not take one of the elven horses of this realm." Thranduil said sharply. This was the last thing that he could do to stop his son.
"Fine King Thranduil, I shall not deprive you of one of the two extra horses that you have. I shall walk, for I have travelled further by foot before." With that the prince left as the sun sat high in the sky.
Fainu licked her lips and glanced to the door, there had not been a single noise outside of the cell, it was as if the guards were not even there. She had waited the entire day until she was too tired and fell asleep, the guards had not returned to feed her but she was sure that and entire day had passed. Perhaps her father was right, her heart grieved at that thought, she wanted to see anybody. She would even settle to see the guards that treated her cruelly, anybody. She began to shake at the thought of staying alone and being starved, she wondered how long it would take for her to die.
'You don't have to die little one. I can free you.' Devorque gently pressed.
Fainu was almost grateful for the break in the silence. "I don't wish to be freed by you."
'Legolas will not come for you. He has left Mirkwood completely.'
"You lie." Fainu growled. Legolas would not leave.
'He is already gone. He heads for the House of Elrond, he left in such a hurry to get away from you that he did not even take supplies.'
"Be quiet." Fainu whispered, silent tears streaming down her face, somehow she knew that Legolas had indeed left her in Mirkwood.
'I can free you.' Devorque said again calmly.
"How?" Fainu finally whispered unable to hold back her desire to be free.
'Will you join me?' Devorque asked calmly.
"If I am freed from this place." Fainu finally whispered as she hung her head.
'Then follow what I say and you will be freed.' Devorque answered. Fainu cringed; she could almost see the twisted smile of triumph in her mind. 'Stand.'
Fainu stood, she wanted freedom, she hated this cell she hated the abandonment of her friends.
'Good child now wait.'
Fainu nodded and shut her eyes slightly; suddenly she could hear the sound of rushed footsteps. The door flew open and the guards snarled at her. She raised her chin slightly and prepared to fight them. 'No child let them take you. They will take you from this dungeon.' Fainu mental nodded and submitted to the harsh hands that pulled her from the cell and towards freedom, even if they though that they were leading her to death.
Legolas turned he could feel a dark force descending upon his home, "Fainu, you didn't give up did you?" He knew though in his heart that she had, it had been almost a day and a half since he had left and he knew that she would break if left alone when he had first seen her in the cell. He turned quickly and ran back towards his home. He was not truly welcome there but he would not let if fall without at least trying to fight it.
Fainu could hear screams of terror all around her as elves were attacked by Uruk-hai and orcs. The guards pulled her quickly to an open court in the middle of the palace. King Thranduil was waiting there in his hand a long sword that was to end her life.
"Kneel vile one. Your time is over." The guard said pushing her to her knees before the Elven-king. Fainu waited as she was forced to bare her neck.
'Whistle.' The dark lord whispered in her mind.
"I am sorry young one that it has come to this." Thranduil whispered as he lowered the sward and tapped her on the back of the neck.
Fainu froze suddenly realizing what she had done; she had agreed to serve her father. She was truly fallen, she clamped her lips shut and did not whistle.
'What are you doing?' Devorque sounded panicked. Fainu felt the blade lift from her neck.
"You know already." She whispered and shut her eyes and waited for death. In her head images of all the Sindarin elves that had fallen in their homes, in their realm played in her mind. She could not undo what she had done but she could halt it from furthering. She held her head still she heard the whistling of the blade as it started its decent and smiled.
She had finished it.
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I admit it, Fainu probably wouldn't have thrown the food but I couldn't resist. It was brought on by watching a baby throwing its food around, that and watching Gundam Wing. Duo Maxwell can do strange things to ones mind even if he is only a cartoon character.
No for you poor people who are going to start whining I'm not quite finished yet.
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Fainu sat quietly in the cell, Legolas and Elanor had left but she still felt strong. They had promised to return the next day as had Malminya. Her father had not tried to speak again, she knew that she could defeat him now; she would not fall, not this night. The door opened and a plate of food was set on the floor, she could smell it from where she sat and it was very tempting but she refused to go near the guards and they stood waiting for her to go to the food and eat.
"Hurry up and eat your food dark one or we shall take it away." The guards said pushing the plate towards her with his foot.
"I don't want to eat near you. Leave and I'll eat, I shall let you know when I am finished." Fainu replied narrowing her eyes slightly, she did not wish to go hungry but if the guard did not leave then she would.
"Have a nice meal then." The guard laughed and motioned for the other guard to leave before he went to follow. Just before he left he kicked the floor sending a spray of dirt over the meal. Fainu glared at him before the door shut fully. She silently crept towards the food, knowing that the guards would probably come back in as soon as they heard her moving towards the food. They enjoyed tormenting her and had done so on the journey down to the cell and they were continuing to do so. She picked out the plate and returned to the far side of the room, she scraped off the dirt and slowly began to eat the food, her eyes fixed on the door waiting for the guards to reappear. When they did she was going to throw the wasted food at them, she did not know why she had thought to do so but it struck her as a way of paying them back for their cruelty. And as luck would have it the meal had been one that she had had as a child, and long ago she discovered that it had extremely good properties for causing messes. An evil smiled spread on her face as she finished her meal, it had been good but revenge for the pain that the guards had made her endure was even better. She slid the plate back across the floor and called out that she was finished, the wasted food split evenly in her hands. The door opened and the guard walked in and stared at the plate for a moment.
"So you ate it all, isn't that typical? Filth eating dirt." The guards smirked and stepped in fully.
"More than you know." Fainu through the food in one hand, the guards jaw had dropped in shock and the food landed in his mouth, the other handful flying after it hit his face between the eyes. The dark elf laughed at the face the elf made as he stood in shock. He picked up the plate and quickly turned and walked out to be greeted by the laughter of his companion; Fainu suddenly wished that she had divided the food into three portions so she could have hit the guard on the back of the head as well.
Legolas sat by his father in the grand dining hall, he was going to talk to him later about Fainu. He had order a servant to take down a plate of food to Fainu; he hoped that she was enjoying it, because he could not be there with her. Malminya sat on the other side of his father, glancing to him every once in a while.
"What is troubling you Malminya?" Thranduil asked finally letting his curiosity get the better of him.
"I shall not speak of it hear but after we eat then I would like to speak with you." Malminya said glancing at Legolas.
"May I join you as well Malminya?" Legolas asked knowing that his brother was going to talk their father about Fainu.
"What is it that both of my sons would wish to confront me?" Thranduil asked frowning.
"We shall discuss it after we eat father. I will not have an excellent meal disturbed if we were to get into a quarrel about what I wish to speak to you about." Malminya said diplomatically.
"All right then. After this meal." Thranduil said wondering what would cause his remaining children to want to speak with him.
The three finished their meals and spoke idly for a few moments before excusing themselves from the other Elven-lords that had eaten with them. As soon as they were out of the dining hall King Thranduil grabbed his son's arms. "What is it that you wished to talk to me about?"
The two elven princes looked at each other then Legolas looked at his father and drew a breath. "We wish to speak to you about Fainu."
Thranduil blinked at his youngest son, not sure if he had heard correctly. What was there to be discussed about the dark elf? "Is this true Malminya?"
"It is father." The crown prince said softly pulling his father further away from the dining hall. "We think that she should be freed from the cell."
"What!?" Thranduil bellowed. "She is the child of the dark lord and you wish her to be free? Are you mad?" The King looked closely at his to sons, who stood grimly before him.
"I fear father that if you keep her in that cell she will lose her will to resist the call of her father." Malminya said quietly, refusing to let his father rile him. "I have heard her battling against her father mentally. If she is kept in that cell then freed by dark forces later, why would she resist them?" Malminya said calmly.
"If dark forces were to come here I would have her killed." Thranduil said frowning.
Legolas jerked his head back. "Killed?"
"Of course, it is not very pleasant but I can think of no other solution to the problem." Thranduil said releasing Malminya and putting a gentle hand on his youngest sons other shoulder. Legolas jerked away from the touch.
"If she were free she would not have the need to call upon her father for help to free her. Her father is poisoning her mind in the darkness with promises of freedom." Legolas almost snarled. "If she remains as she is, vulnerable to his promises then she will eventually fall to him and she will become our enemy. She is still our ally right now." Legolas seethed.
"And how exactly how is the dark lord able to make promises to her? He is not in this land." Thranduil stated pointedly, he was staring to run out of patience with his children.
"She is part Vela as is her father. You do not know how the gods speak when separated. She has their blood running in her veins." Malminya stated calmly. "Perhaps father she could be used to help us defeat him instead of being killed."
"I will not stand to have someone so dangerous loosed in my kingdom! She has been poisoning your minds as well! I will not allow you to visit her any further for fear of your health. In fact I will not allow any to see her so that she doesn't destroy this kingdom with her lies." The King said releasing his sons he stormed off to go and make sure that none went into her cell aside from the guards to feed her.
Legolas and Malminya looked to each other, fear showing in both of their eyes. They knew that Fainu would not last long, they had promised her that they would return and if she was left to the guards her betrayal to Middle- Earth would only be sped by isolation.
Fainu slept in the furthest corner from the door curled up slightly; the cell had gotten cooler as time passed. The guards had left long ago the door locked well so that the only way out was by a key. The guard that Fainu had effectively gotten revenge on with the wasted food almost fear going and reporting what had happened to the king. He had not been able to get all of the food out of his hair and his tunic had gotten stained when some of it had fallen on it.
Thranduil sat on his throne, his head in his hands as he thought about what his sons had said to him about the dark elf. He had sent another group of guard with orders to deny any entrance to her cell during the night. The other guards would be informed of their new orders when they arrived.
Legolas knocked on Elanor's door; the servant opened the door quickly and smiled at Malminya and Legolas.
"What is it? Has your father agreed?" She asked happily knowing that they were going to speak with him. "What is wrong? Why are you so downcast?"
"Our father, he has ordered that she be put to death if any foul creatures attack our kingdom." Legolas said softly, his eyes held tears that he was trying desperately not to shed.
"Killed? But she is to be set free?" Elanor said looking to Malminya who looked back at her in despair.
"Nay. Father has forbidden her any visitors; he does not know the doom that he is bringing to our forest." Malminya shook his head slightly.
"Perhaps we could get her out?" Elanor said hopefully."
"We tried to sneak in before we came here. We can not even get into the dungeon; he ordered that no one except the guards be permitted into the dungeon." Legolas said softly glancing up at the fading light.
"Then all is lost?" Elanor whispered and bowed her head.
"I believe so." Malminya answered and moved closer to comfort his brother. Elanor also moved closer to him and offered him her support.
"One night." Legolas whispered in his despair excepting the embraces from his brother and Fainu's friend. "That's all I had."
"At least you had her for one night." Malminya whispered, rubbing his brothers back in small comforting circles.
"It was not enough." Legolas answered pulling himself tighter to his older brother wanting to know that he was in comforting arms. Elanor looked at Malminya, but he was not paying attention to her, he was worried about his younger brother.
"Everything has a purpose Legolas. We will find out soon enough what is to happen." Malminya said softly. Elanor moved closer and put her hand on his shoulder.
"I am sorry Legolas." She whispered.
"Legolas, we should return now, or father will think ill." Malminya said softly knowing that what he said was true. Legolas nodded sullenly and pushed away from his older brother and wiped away the tears. Malminya suddenly felt a wave of fear, if his younger brother despaired too greatly he could die and that would not help Fainu if she were set free ever.
Thranduil watched as Malminya gently led Legolas back to the palace, he did not know why his youngest child was acting as he was. Normally he did not like to be supported; he was the warrior of his children, the most skilled any way. He ran down to the entrance and went to his son. "Legolas? What is it that ails you so?" The king asked when he saw the grief in his son's eyes.
"You already know." Legolas snarled. "Leave me be." Malminya had not expected his younger brother to act this way, Thranduil had not either. The King of the woodland realm jumped back slightly and looked at his son sadly.
"You will see one day that what I have done is the best thing." Thranduil said softly and turned. Legolas glared at his fathers retreating back.
"One day father you will see the folly of what you are doing." Legolas answered to the retreating back. Thranduil turned and looked at his son for a moment before he shook his head and went into the palace again. Malminya looked at his younger brother pointedly.
"I do not think that that was the best thing for you to say Legolas." Malminya said softly looking his brother in the eye.
"Does it truly matter Malminya? He has doomed us already." Legolas looked forlorn and withdrawn from the world.
"You should not give up all hope; it is all that we have left dear brother." Malminya said softly.
"I shall try for your sake then because I have been forced to forfeit that which I love the most." Legolas began to move forwards again. He longed only to drop to his bed and sleep until everything was over.
Malminya shut his eyes, and nodded, releasing his grip on his younger brother's arm before following him into their home.
Fainu slowly uncurled and yawned, her eyes quickly focusing to the dark cell. She did not know the hour but she was not panicked that one of her friends were not there to see her. It could be too early for them to be there, she would wait.
The guards outside of her door heard the movement and opened the door. Fainu was stood quickly.
"You don't get any food today because of that little stunt you pulled yesterday." The guard smirked slightly at the scowl she gave him.
"Prince Legolas will not allow that." She said coolly.
"Prince Legolas and Prince Malminya don't have a say in it. From now on it is just you and the other guards." The guard answered laughing at her cruelly. "You won't see any of them any more."
Fainu frowned. "They said that they were coming. I trust their word."
"King Thranduil has ordered that no one visits you. Have fun with the darkness." With that the guard smirked and shut the door. Fainu felt a panic rising up in her, she didn't fully trust what he said but she would wait. If what he said was true she would know in a couple hours at least.
Legolas sat across from the dungeon; he had heard that Fainu was not being fed for the day when he sat with his father to eat. He had immediately risen and went to the dungeon doorway and sat across from it. His father had questioned why he was leaving and he had announced as loud as he could without shouting that he would not be eating unless Fainu was allowed to do so before he left. He silent will that Fainu to be strong and that he was going to cause his father as much grief as he possibly could, without getting himself killed though he was starting to think about doing that as well.
"Legolas if you do not return to the dining hall right now I will have you- you." Thranduil sputtered as he yelled at his son.
"You will what father? Put me in the dungeon as well? Hit me? What can you do father that will do me harm?" Legolas said calmly not taking his eyes from the entrance to the dungeon that was guarded by two of Thranduil's most loyal.
"If I must then I shall strip you of your title." Thranduil said his face slightly red from anger. He had never been so embarrassed by one of his children's behaviour, they were princes and they had standard that had to be kept.
"That will change a lot father. The only thing that will do is give you the right to remove me from the palace and if I am enough of a nuisance this realm." Legolas smirked slightly. He did not care about his title, if he had to become a slave in order to free Fainu he would in a heartbeat.
"You do not care for your title?" Thranduil asked slightly shocked.
"The only thing I care for at the moment father is the thing that you have banished from Malminya and I." Legolas stated calmly.
"Fine if you do not return to the dining hall now I shall give the orders to the guards to torture Fainu." Thranduil knew that his words were cruel but he would not have his child misbehaving like this.
Legolas stiffened slightly and then stood slowly. "You win Thranduil, but know that after I finish eating I shall be heading for Rivendell so that I will not have to constantly be in the presence of my enemy."
Thranduil raised his chin slightly and turned to return to the dining hall, his youngest son in tow. He inwardly was terrified that what Legolas had said was true, but he would not stop his son from leaving though he would make it difficult.
Fainu curled her legs to her chest; her stomach growled telling her that it was empty. She sighed softly; she knew that Legolas and the others would come soon. They had promised her that they wouldn't leave her alone, they would come.
'What if they lied to you little one?' Her father said softly.
"They wouldn't lie." She said softly, "I trust them."
'They aren't going to come. They don't want anything to do with you anymore.'
"You are the one that lies, leave me alone." She stood and began to pace, she allowed her footsteps to fall heavily to give her a distraction from the voice that now tried to persuade her.
'I am not lying. They will not come. When they do not come what will you do child?' Devorque whispered in her mind. Fainu licked her lips and glanced to the door.
"They will." She said firmly though she felt doubt creeping into her now.
'You aren't sure are you anymore. Are you?' Devorque sounded pleased with himself.
"If they do not come it will not be because they didn't want to." Fainu whispered into the darkness. "They are my friends."
'They just want you for the power that you hold and that I can release from you. They don't want you for anything else.'
"You lie." Fainu stated firmly.
'They aren't coming. I will wait for you once you realize that I am telling the truth. I will free you.' With that the voice fell silent, knowing that he had planted a seed of doubt in her very soul and that it would only be a short while and she would become his.
Fainu sat down again, the voice was silent. She leaned back against the wall, and silently prayed that they came. She did not know what she would do if they did not, perhaps she would fall prey to her fathers will and then she would be lost.
Legolas was in his room packing a small bag that he would take with him, Malminya watched his brother from the door.
"Isn't there a better way to deal with father?" The crown prince asked softly. "If you leave how will you do Fainu any good?"
"I will do her no good here either. If father lifts the ban then sent the fastest messenger and I will return." Legolas said stuffing his final supplies in the pack; he slung it over his shoulder beside his quiver and bow before he lifted up his long knives. He checked their edges before he sheathed them and strode to the door.
"I will try my best then with out you to get her freed. I am sure that she will understand." Malminya looked at his brother closely and put his hand on his shoulder. "Take care of yourself little brother."
"I will." Legolas smiled weakly and continued down the hall his older brother followed to see him off.
Thranduil stood at the door and watched his sons; Legolas was in travelling cloths so he knew that he was fulfilling his threat of leaving. He stepped in front of the door and glared at his youngest son. "You will not take that which is mine, Legolas."
"That which is yours? I care only what I need." Legolas frowned at his father.
"Your carry items that I had given to you as a prince. You are no longer that return them." Thranduil said coolly. Legolas hardened his jaw and removed the pack as well as his long knives. He would not relinquish his bow and quiver to his father. Galadriel had given them to him ling ago.
"Would you like my travelling boots as well father or does it please you that I travel with as little as I do now?" Legolas glared at his father. He knew that his father was doing this to get him to stay, but he had no reason to.
"You may keep the boots. They fit only you, others will be able to use the blades and other supplies." Thranduil said softly, his effort to dissuade his son had not worked.
"Then I shall be off King Thranduil." With that the prince pushed through the door Thranduil followed, ignoring the glare that he was getting from Malminya who followed closely behind him. Legolas patted his horse gently and moved to mount.
"You will not take one of the elven horses of this realm." Thranduil said sharply. This was the last thing that he could do to stop his son.
"Fine King Thranduil, I shall not deprive you of one of the two extra horses that you have. I shall walk, for I have travelled further by foot before." With that the prince left as the sun sat high in the sky.
Fainu licked her lips and glanced to the door, there had not been a single noise outside of the cell, it was as if the guards were not even there. She had waited the entire day until she was too tired and fell asleep, the guards had not returned to feed her but she was sure that and entire day had passed. Perhaps her father was right, her heart grieved at that thought, she wanted to see anybody. She would even settle to see the guards that treated her cruelly, anybody. She began to shake at the thought of staying alone and being starved, she wondered how long it would take for her to die.
'You don't have to die little one. I can free you.' Devorque gently pressed.
Fainu was almost grateful for the break in the silence. "I don't wish to be freed by you."
'Legolas will not come for you. He has left Mirkwood completely.'
"You lie." Fainu growled. Legolas would not leave.
'He is already gone. He heads for the House of Elrond, he left in such a hurry to get away from you that he did not even take supplies.'
"Be quiet." Fainu whispered, silent tears streaming down her face, somehow she knew that Legolas had indeed left her in Mirkwood.
'I can free you.' Devorque said again calmly.
"How?" Fainu finally whispered unable to hold back her desire to be free.
'Will you join me?' Devorque asked calmly.
"If I am freed from this place." Fainu finally whispered as she hung her head.
'Then follow what I say and you will be freed.' Devorque answered. Fainu cringed; she could almost see the twisted smile of triumph in her mind. 'Stand.'
Fainu stood, she wanted freedom, she hated this cell she hated the abandonment of her friends.
'Good child now wait.'
Fainu nodded and shut her eyes slightly; suddenly she could hear the sound of rushed footsteps. The door flew open and the guards snarled at her. She raised her chin slightly and prepared to fight them. 'No child let them take you. They will take you from this dungeon.' Fainu mental nodded and submitted to the harsh hands that pulled her from the cell and towards freedom, even if they though that they were leading her to death.
Legolas turned he could feel a dark force descending upon his home, "Fainu, you didn't give up did you?" He knew though in his heart that she had, it had been almost a day and a half since he had left and he knew that she would break if left alone when he had first seen her in the cell. He turned quickly and ran back towards his home. He was not truly welcome there but he would not let if fall without at least trying to fight it.
Fainu could hear screams of terror all around her as elves were attacked by Uruk-hai and orcs. The guards pulled her quickly to an open court in the middle of the palace. King Thranduil was waiting there in his hand a long sword that was to end her life.
"Kneel vile one. Your time is over." The guard said pushing her to her knees before the Elven-king. Fainu waited as she was forced to bare her neck.
'Whistle.' The dark lord whispered in her mind.
"I am sorry young one that it has come to this." Thranduil whispered as he lowered the sward and tapped her on the back of the neck.
Fainu froze suddenly realizing what she had done; she had agreed to serve her father. She was truly fallen, she clamped her lips shut and did not whistle.
'What are you doing?' Devorque sounded panicked. Fainu felt the blade lift from her neck.
"You know already." She whispered and shut her eyes and waited for death. In her head images of all the Sindarin elves that had fallen in their homes, in their realm played in her mind. She could not undo what she had done but she could halt it from furthering. She held her head still she heard the whistling of the blade as it started its decent and smiled.
She had finished it.
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I admit it, Fainu probably wouldn't have thrown the food but I couldn't resist. It was brought on by watching a baby throwing its food around, that and watching Gundam Wing. Duo Maxwell can do strange things to ones mind even if he is only a cartoon character.
No for you poor people who are going to start whining I'm not quite finished yet.