Here's chapter 2, ASAP as requested. More of the actual plot comes into light in this chapter, and Legolas arrives. Hope you enjoy it.
Gilraen3.
Elerrina- Hope this is ok. I know, poor Elrohir. I thought I'd put him as the heart-broken one instead of it always being Legolas!
Chapter 2: Dagnir-o Lóre.
Elladan waited impatiently for Legolas' arrival. He was seated in a tree by the gate where they would enter. "Come on Legolas," he whispered to himself. "You're the expert on girls. You'll have to talk to him."
Soon, he could hear the gentle tinkle of bells on a horses' rein, and the soft sound of the galloping hooves coming along the pathway. There were to be many of them, as Legolas would have an escort.
A white stallion suddenly bounded under the archway, mane shining silver in the sunlight. His rider was tall, and had long golden hair. He smiled. "You are awful at hiding in trees, do you know that?"
Elladan scowled down at the grinning Prince, and jumped nimbly down as the rest of the company entered behind their Lord. "Welcome Prince Legolas," said Elladan, bowing extravagantly. "Welcome to our humble home." Legolas laughed.
"It is a joy to be back here Prince Elladan. Now, where is your father?" Elladan raised one eyebrow. "You want to see Ada?"
"I have an urgent message for him that cannot wait."
"Follow me then," he said. Elves came to stable the Mirkwood horses, and Elladan led his friend up to his fathers' study.
Elrond was expecting the Prince, and as soon as the meetings and greetings were over, he shooed his son away. "The Prince and I have important business to discuss. He will come to see you two later." Elladan scowled, but left them in peace. Legolas sat opposite Elrond, and Elrond smiled. "How was your journey Legolas?"
"It went very well thank you Lord Elrond."
He gratefully took the goblet of wine that Elrond held out to him. "Diolla lle. (Thank you.)"
"Now, this message. What is it all about?" Elrond asked. Legolas set down the wine.
"Well, my father requires your help Lord Elrond." His face was grave.
"Why, what is wrong in Mirkwood?"
"There is nothing wrong with Mirkwood itself, but her people are in trouble." Elrond frowned. "What sort of trouble?"
"One by one, they are falling into a deep sleep, or a coma you might call it. There is some evil at work, which is making my people succumb to the darkness. No matter how hard we try, we cannot make them awake. There were at least fifteen in this condition when I left, and there will be even more now. I fear if we do not do something soon, Mirkwood will be overrun by whatever is doing this. My father thought you might be able to help. Do you know of any creatures that are capable of doing this sort of thing?"
Elrond frowned as he thought, two fingers resting lightly upon his brow in a typical manner. "This has not been seen on many years. Last time it happened was over five hundred years ago. That was in a mortal town. It was a creature called a Dagnir-o Lóre. Slayer of Sleep. It is no more than a shadow, but very powerful. It comes upon sleeping people, and gets into their dreams. It leaves a part of itself there, a shadow of its own shadow, which makes them sleep continually. Its goal is to take over every person in the city or town, and have the town for itself. It removes its shadows from everyone, then is made into a solid being. The people are his slaves, bound to do as he says. If he takes over Mirkwood, the Elves are in trouble. What symptoms do these people have, apart from being asleep?"
"A single mark upon their forehead, in the shape of a Z."
"That is where the Dagnir-o Lóre enters their bodies. He waits until they fall asleep, then passes some of his spirit into their head. It takes control of their mind, and commands it into a constant sleep, which only the Dagnir-o Lóre can break. Unless he gets destroyed of course."
"How do we destroy him?"
"Wait one moment."
Elrond stood, and started looking along one of his many bookshelves. He ran his finger along the spine of hundreds of books, looking for the one he wanted. He eventually found it, pulled it out, and sat back down. He carefully opened it, as it was old, and started flicking through. "Dagnir-o Lóre," he whispered, scanning the pages. "Dagnir-o Lóre..."
He continued to search the book, turning page after page. "Ah, here we are. Dagnir-o Lóre. Slayer of Sleep. An ancient demon, dating back to the age when Balrogs first awoke. It is ancient. A shadowy spirit, determined to win over the Kingdoms of Men and Elves for his own. It is believed he was conceived in the dark land of Mordor, and his shadow spread to the rest of Middle-Earth, going in a number of disguises. Comes across unsuspecting victims, and lulls them to sleep with lullabies. He then enters their dream worlds, and forces them to stay asleep. Once every person in the kingdom has been taken over, he then releases them all, but is still in total control of their minds and bodies. He makes them his slaves, and he becomes the king of that place. He is immortal, and can only be slain by the sword that is owned by the king he tries to take over." He finished reading and looked at Legolas. "Only your fathers sword will destroy him."
"Well, that can't be too difficult, can it?"
"You cannot destroy a shadow Legolas. We will have to wait until he is solid. When everyone has been taken over."
"But that will leave no one to kill him."
"Think Legolas. I'm sure my sons will be eager to help." He grinned slightly. "Very eager."
Legolas grinned back. "I'm sure they will be Lord Elrond. But what plan do you have in mind?"
"Well, it says here that the sword has to be wielded by one from that kingdom. We have to be cunning enough to trick the Dagnir-o Lóre into thinking that he has everyone from Mirkwood. But instead of you, we will put someone from Rivendell in your place. No harm comes to these people whilst they are asleep. No physical harm anyway. After we have released them from the Dagnir-o Lóres' power, they may be a bit delusional and groggy, but they will soon be back to normal."
"Very well. Who were you proposing take my place?"
"Whoever is willing. I do not think it matters if they do not look like you. It is likely that the Dagnir-o Lóre does not know what you all actually look like."
"Ok. But do we know what he looks like?"
"You will know when you see him." Legolas nodded. "Thank you Lord Elrond."
"It is my pleasure. I will send a notice round immediately, asking for people to help. A few will go with you, to help."
"Thank you. Now, I think I had better go and find your sons."
"I warn you in advance. Elrohir isn't in the best of moods. He lost his love to another Elf yesterday, and is still moody, upset, angry, you know." Legolas couldn't hide his grin.
"Yes my Lord, I know." They laughed. "I'll see if I can cheer him up."
"Thank you Legolas." Legolas stood, bowed, and went to find the twins.
So, was that ok? Are you starting to get the pot of the story? There's only one way to tell me! GO on, review! Please? Chapter 3 will be up soon. ^_^
