A/N: And here is a new chapter! Chapter 14 is a bit short compared to my latest chapters, but it's full of tension and I hope you'll like it anyway.
Good news: (well, good for you probably) In a week I'll be on holid- I mean I'll be unemployed, so I'll have much more time to write this story (and the independant plot bunny that goes with it...). The remaining of the story is now almost completely outlined, and as I said in previous chapter there should be 5 to 10 chapters left (but more likely 10 - maybe even more - I think).
Now a few answers to reviews:
LegolasLover2003: No need to use your bow. But beware, I'm an archer myself too... About character death, since I'm trying to stay as close to canon as possible, I sincerely doubt that will happen in this story. Well, who am I kidding? This is my story and I know what's going to happen... But don't worry. That still leaves a large span of other possible things to do to them. *eg*
westielab: Well, I didn't specifically say I *wanted* death threats, it's just I wouldn't have been surprised to recieve some... But I loved yours nevertheless!
Niani: Hmm...Have Gimli threaten Legolas... You *do* know you shouldn't give me ideas like those, don't you? Anyway, the whole story is already outlined, so if that happens, don't worry, it won't be because you suggested it... It would be because I evilly planed it all along... *eg*
SpaceVixenX: I'm glad you liked the father/son scene. I enjoyed writing it. But now we're back to angst... *eg*
dragonfly32: I will take the "wicked authoress" comment as a compliment... ;-) And about the Elves "going to go bananas", first let me tell you that you're the winner of my secret "who will teach Morphea a new english expression?" contest, and second you will find out the Elves reaction in this chapter...
Thanks again to my beta Candice, who's still doing an incredible job. I sincerely hope I manage to end this story before you leave.
Chapter Fourteen
On the loose
Legolas, still bent over the inert form of the Elf, looked up at Mîrdolen. The older Elf's face was mirroring his own confusion. How could something like this happen inside the walls of Mirkwood?
"How did..." His voice trailed off.
Mîrdolen shook his head. "I have no idea..." As the tip of his fingers touched the still warm flesh of the dead Elf, Mîrdolen spoke up. "It happened not long ago."
"I shall go warn our Lord," Legolas said and immediately stood to his feet.
His brother nodded and watched him turn around the corner.
A mere second later he heard Legolas' steps suddenly stop as the archer took in a sharp breath and muttered: "Oh Elbereth..."
Mîrdolen got up at once and followed his younger brother, only to find him a few yards away. He paled as he saw what had stopped Legolas.
"Oh Elbereth..." he whispered as well.
There was another Elf, lying dead on the floor in the middle of a pool of his own blood. The length and depth of the cut made it pointless to check for any vital signs. Legolas scanned the corridor, hoping to find a clue as to what happened, but found none. His confusion was slowly replaced by fear.
There was something inside Mirkwood's palace.
"Could a spider have - " Legolas began.
Mîrdolen firmly shook his head. "None ever managed to get inside. And one would never use a blade to kill."
"We have to warn our Lord at once," Legolas stated and they both immediately hurried to their father's office.
* * * * *
Thranduil's fingers were drumming angrily on the wood of the council room's table. His gaze examined one by one the persons around. His three sons; Séregon, his advisor; the four captains of the different companies guarding the palace; the King of Gondor for his guest had wanted to be kept informed on what was going on. Legolas had also insisted to include Gimli in the discussions but the latter could not be found.
Thranduil stared insistently at his captains. He was fuming when he spoke up. "I cannot believe that five Elves were killed throughout the palace and no one noticed anything was amiss before the bodies were found."
One of the captains mustered enough courage to speak up despite his Lord's rage. "My King, the sentinels are positive, nothing crept inside."
"Obviously the sentinels must have failed in their duty," Thranduil spat back. How could this have happened? He knew his Elves to be good warriors and imagining that they managed to let something inside was making him mad.
"Not necessarily, my Lord."
Thranduil turned his attention to his Heir.
"The threat could be coming from inside," Faelernil went on.
Thranduil eyed his son thoughtfully. "Explain yourself."
"I am sure that it came to your attention that someone who has been invited to this council is conveniently missing and nowhere to be found. Someone belonging to a race that have for long held grudges against the Elves of Mirkwood," Faelernil went on, ignoring the glare Legolas was casting him.
"Are you suggesting that one of my guests is responsible for those deaths?" Thranduil enquired.
"I am, for many clues are pointing to that conclusion. First, the victims were caught unaware and tried not to defend themselves. Which can only mean they thought their killer to be a friend," Faelernil explained, pointedly looking at Legolas when saying the word 'friend'.
Had Legolas not been so busy trying to keep his wrath at his oldest brother under control he might have noticed his father casting him a look.
"Second," Faelernil went on, "a weapon was used, which excludes the possibility of a spider or any other evil beast of Mirkwood. Third, judging from the wounds they were made with an axe, a weapon very scarcely used among Elves..." He paused. "It seems clear to me that the Dwarf we allowed within our walls is the one responsible for all this waste..."
Legolas could hold it no longer. "Gimli would never do that!" he claimed, springing to his feet.
He barely felt Aragorn's hand on his shoulder trying to bring him back to his chair or heard the former Ranger's words whispered at his ears. "Calm down, Legolas."
But Legolas ignored him and remained standing, directing all his ire at Faelernil.
"By the Valar, Legolas, did that Dwarf make you blind?" Faelernil asked. "Can you not see the obvious?"
"How dare you call me blind after jumping to hasty conclusions yourself, blinded by your own resentment?" Legolas spat.
Faelernil stood up at once, now to eye level with his youngest brother, anger sparkling in his eyes. For a second Aragorn was grateful a table was standing between the two of them.
The older Elf's tone increased as he spoke. "Your pathetic friendship with that Dwarf has clouded your mind for you cannot see what a traitor he is being, killing your own kin!"
"He is no traitor!" Legolas exclaimed, indignant. "And his name is Gimli!"
"ENOUGH!!" Thranduil yelled, slamming his hands on the table while jumping to his feet. The room instantly fell silent. "Now the two of you sit down. NOW!!" he roared.
Legolas and Faelernil eventually complied, though reluctantly and their gazes kept sending daggers to one another.
Thranduil took a few seconds to let go a heavy sigh before speaking calmly. "Faelernil, I would like you to not accuse anyone before we had a chance to confront him," he said to his oldest son before turning to his youngest one. "Legolas, I understand your reluctance to admit it but all those clues point in Gimli's direction." He then looked at everyone. "It looks like Gimli is our main suspect but we cannot exclude any possibilities. Hence we will actively search him but remain on our guard - the threat could come from somewhere else. This is why to make sure it does not escape, the main doors will remain closed until we find the origin of the trouble. No one will get in or out."
Séregon, Thranduil's advisor, cleared his throat. "My Lord, what about the Orcs gathering in the West? We were to send a company later today. If we do not deal with them early enough they will become much more threatening. I would not be surprised if they were planning an attack on the palace."
"All in good time, Séregon," Thranduil replied. "Our present problem could well be solved in a matter of hours. We still have a few days ahead of us to deal with those Orcs."
Séregon nodded but seemed worried nevertheless.
"All right. Faelernil," Thranduil went on, turning to his Heir, "I entrust you with the organisation of the search. Make sure all is done smoothly."
The younger Elf nodded.
Thranduil gave a circular look. "Council dismissed."
In a rumble of chairs being pushed back everyone left the council room save Thranduil, who sat back in his chair and put his head between his hands.
Why did the Valar not grant him three daughters?
* * * * *
Aragorn lengthened his pace to catch up with Legolas.
"Legolas. Legolas!" he called, forcing Legolas to turn round as he laid a hand on the Elf's shoulder.
When the Elf was facing him at last he saw that anger was still shining brightly in his eyes. Aragorn knew Elves were not prone to violent outbursts of emotions. But he also knew that for most there were touchy subjects that should not be evoked, and friends were one for Legolas.
"Look," he began, "while I cannot tell why he is missing I know as well as you do that Gimli would not do that."
"Maybe he was attacked by whatever killed those Elves," Legolas suggested with a hint of worry in his voice. "It could have stolen his axe."
"That is why we have to find him. Whatever happened to him, whether it is linked to those Elves death or not, his being nowhere to be found is extremely odd."
When Legolas' eyes trailed from his face to Faelernil who was standing at some distance talking to his men Aragorn called again. "Legolas..."
The Elf switched his attention back to the former Ranger.
"In the meantime I suggest you keep a low profile..."
But he had already lost his friend's attention again for Legolas began striding toward Faelernil, listening closely to what his brother was instructing his men.
"... so as soon as you see him I want you to bring him down. Do not let him get close to you."
"What do you think you are doing?" Legolas hissed behind him.
Faelernil turned round, surprised to see his brother there. "Making sure your so-called friend does not kill any more of us," he replied.
"He did *not* kill anyone," Legolas retorted between gritted teeth.
"That remains to be proven," Faelernil snapped.
"As much as his alleged guilt," Legolas emphasized. "Besides, is that your concept of 'smoothly'? Kill at first sight?"
Faelernil remained silent for a second, staring at his brother. "Now that everyone is warned that he is not welcome anymore they will not let themselves be killed thinking he is no threat," he said blankly.
"I will not let you do what you have in mind," Legolas claimed, one of his hands clenching unconsciously around the handle of one of his Elven knives at his belt.
Faelernil sneered. "And what are you going to do? Kill your own brother to protect a foe?" He cockily stepped forward until he was only inches from Legolas. "Come on. Go ahead," he whispered.
Legolas really looked like he was about to kill him and for a second Aragorn even feared he would - that feral look in the Elf's eyes was frightening. It obviously alarmed Mîrdolen as well for he had joined Aragorn closer to the scene, a concerned look on his face.
When Legolas did not move Faelernil took one step back. "You changed a lot, Legolas," he murmured. "But not for the better I am afraid." With those last words he turned back toward his men.
Before Legolas could follow him Mîrdolen put an arm around his younger brother's shoulders and led him away, back to where Aragorn was. "Legolas, calm down. Killing him would do no good, and not only because that would make me the Heir - Eru knows no one wants that, including me."
He almost managed to get a smile from his brother.
"I am sure you know Gimli better than anyone but you have to admit the circumstances of what happened are troubling. And, as much as I hate admitting it, Faelernil is right." When Legolas glared at him Mîrdolen rolled his eyes. "*Not* the shooting Gimli part," he added.
"We must find him. Before *he* does," Legolas said casting a side look at Faelernil.
"We will," Aragorn promised. "Where shall we start?"
Faelernil's eyes followed them as they left. His gaze then became faraway for a few seconds, a thoughtful frown on his brow. He eventually let go a long sigh before looking up to his men.
"New instructions, gentlemen. When you find the Dwarf, make your best effort to capture him alive. Kill him only as a last resort, if he has a threatening behaviour," he concluded, casting a last look towards where his brothers had disappeared.
* * * * *
Thranduil walked up the corridor that led to his office. When he saw its door already open wide he knew something was wrong. He entered the room slowly and cautiously. It was with a deep shock that he discovered Gimli, serenely sitting at Thranduil's desk, his feet on the table, his arms crossed over his chest and a defiant smile on his lips.
Thranduil stared at him callously, setting his jaw.
"Master Dwarf, I have no idea how you managed to get in here without being arrested on your way, but I hope you have an excellent explanation to your suspicious absence today," he said extremely coldly.
"Of course I have," Gimli replied with a smirk. "If you would just come closer I will tell you all about it."
----------------------------------
End of Chapter Fourteen...
So, what do you think about it? New evil ending? Well, what can I say, I love them... Chapter 15 is already written and being beta'd, so it should come soon. Chapter 16 is fully outlined and some of chapter 17 is as well. The more I write of this story, the more I want to write!
Next chapter: "Nowhere to be found"
Good news: (well, good for you probably) In a week I'll be on holid- I mean I'll be unemployed, so I'll have much more time to write this story (and the independant plot bunny that goes with it...). The remaining of the story is now almost completely outlined, and as I said in previous chapter there should be 5 to 10 chapters left (but more likely 10 - maybe even more - I think).
Now a few answers to reviews:
LegolasLover2003: No need to use your bow. But beware, I'm an archer myself too... About character death, since I'm trying to stay as close to canon as possible, I sincerely doubt that will happen in this story. Well, who am I kidding? This is my story and I know what's going to happen... But don't worry. That still leaves a large span of other possible things to do to them. *eg*
westielab: Well, I didn't specifically say I *wanted* death threats, it's just I wouldn't have been surprised to recieve some... But I loved yours nevertheless!
Niani: Hmm...Have Gimli threaten Legolas... You *do* know you shouldn't give me ideas like those, don't you? Anyway, the whole story is already outlined, so if that happens, don't worry, it won't be because you suggested it... It would be because I evilly planed it all along... *eg*
SpaceVixenX: I'm glad you liked the father/son scene. I enjoyed writing it. But now we're back to angst... *eg*
dragonfly32: I will take the "wicked authoress" comment as a compliment... ;-) And about the Elves "going to go bananas", first let me tell you that you're the winner of my secret "who will teach Morphea a new english expression?" contest, and second you will find out the Elves reaction in this chapter...
Thanks again to my beta Candice, who's still doing an incredible job. I sincerely hope I manage to end this story before you leave.
On the loose
Legolas, still bent over the inert form of the Elf, looked up at Mîrdolen. The older Elf's face was mirroring his own confusion. How could something like this happen inside the walls of Mirkwood?
"How did..." His voice trailed off.
Mîrdolen shook his head. "I have no idea..." As the tip of his fingers touched the still warm flesh of the dead Elf, Mîrdolen spoke up. "It happened not long ago."
"I shall go warn our Lord," Legolas said and immediately stood to his feet.
His brother nodded and watched him turn around the corner.
A mere second later he heard Legolas' steps suddenly stop as the archer took in a sharp breath and muttered: "Oh Elbereth..."
Mîrdolen got up at once and followed his younger brother, only to find him a few yards away. He paled as he saw what had stopped Legolas.
"Oh Elbereth..." he whispered as well.
There was another Elf, lying dead on the floor in the middle of a pool of his own blood. The length and depth of the cut made it pointless to check for any vital signs. Legolas scanned the corridor, hoping to find a clue as to what happened, but found none. His confusion was slowly replaced by fear.
There was something inside Mirkwood's palace.
"Could a spider have - " Legolas began.
Mîrdolen firmly shook his head. "None ever managed to get inside. And one would never use a blade to kill."
"We have to warn our Lord at once," Legolas stated and they both immediately hurried to their father's office.
Thranduil's fingers were drumming angrily on the wood of the council room's table. His gaze examined one by one the persons around. His three sons; Séregon, his advisor; the four captains of the different companies guarding the palace; the King of Gondor for his guest had wanted to be kept informed on what was going on. Legolas had also insisted to include Gimli in the discussions but the latter could not be found.
Thranduil stared insistently at his captains. He was fuming when he spoke up. "I cannot believe that five Elves were killed throughout the palace and no one noticed anything was amiss before the bodies were found."
One of the captains mustered enough courage to speak up despite his Lord's rage. "My King, the sentinels are positive, nothing crept inside."
"Obviously the sentinels must have failed in their duty," Thranduil spat back. How could this have happened? He knew his Elves to be good warriors and imagining that they managed to let something inside was making him mad.
"Not necessarily, my Lord."
Thranduil turned his attention to his Heir.
"The threat could be coming from inside," Faelernil went on.
Thranduil eyed his son thoughtfully. "Explain yourself."
"I am sure that it came to your attention that someone who has been invited to this council is conveniently missing and nowhere to be found. Someone belonging to a race that have for long held grudges against the Elves of Mirkwood," Faelernil went on, ignoring the glare Legolas was casting him.
"Are you suggesting that one of my guests is responsible for those deaths?" Thranduil enquired.
"I am, for many clues are pointing to that conclusion. First, the victims were caught unaware and tried not to defend themselves. Which can only mean they thought their killer to be a friend," Faelernil explained, pointedly looking at Legolas when saying the word 'friend'.
Had Legolas not been so busy trying to keep his wrath at his oldest brother under control he might have noticed his father casting him a look.
"Second," Faelernil went on, "a weapon was used, which excludes the possibility of a spider or any other evil beast of Mirkwood. Third, judging from the wounds they were made with an axe, a weapon very scarcely used among Elves..." He paused. "It seems clear to me that the Dwarf we allowed within our walls is the one responsible for all this waste..."
Legolas could hold it no longer. "Gimli would never do that!" he claimed, springing to his feet.
He barely felt Aragorn's hand on his shoulder trying to bring him back to his chair or heard the former Ranger's words whispered at his ears. "Calm down, Legolas."
But Legolas ignored him and remained standing, directing all his ire at Faelernil.
"By the Valar, Legolas, did that Dwarf make you blind?" Faelernil asked. "Can you not see the obvious?"
"How dare you call me blind after jumping to hasty conclusions yourself, blinded by your own resentment?" Legolas spat.
Faelernil stood up at once, now to eye level with his youngest brother, anger sparkling in his eyes. For a second Aragorn was grateful a table was standing between the two of them.
The older Elf's tone increased as he spoke. "Your pathetic friendship with that Dwarf has clouded your mind for you cannot see what a traitor he is being, killing your own kin!"
"He is no traitor!" Legolas exclaimed, indignant. "And his name is Gimli!"
"ENOUGH!!" Thranduil yelled, slamming his hands on the table while jumping to his feet. The room instantly fell silent. "Now the two of you sit down. NOW!!" he roared.
Legolas and Faelernil eventually complied, though reluctantly and their gazes kept sending daggers to one another.
Thranduil took a few seconds to let go a heavy sigh before speaking calmly. "Faelernil, I would like you to not accuse anyone before we had a chance to confront him," he said to his oldest son before turning to his youngest one. "Legolas, I understand your reluctance to admit it but all those clues point in Gimli's direction." He then looked at everyone. "It looks like Gimli is our main suspect but we cannot exclude any possibilities. Hence we will actively search him but remain on our guard - the threat could come from somewhere else. This is why to make sure it does not escape, the main doors will remain closed until we find the origin of the trouble. No one will get in or out."
Séregon, Thranduil's advisor, cleared his throat. "My Lord, what about the Orcs gathering in the West? We were to send a company later today. If we do not deal with them early enough they will become much more threatening. I would not be surprised if they were planning an attack on the palace."
"All in good time, Séregon," Thranduil replied. "Our present problem could well be solved in a matter of hours. We still have a few days ahead of us to deal with those Orcs."
Séregon nodded but seemed worried nevertheless.
"All right. Faelernil," Thranduil went on, turning to his Heir, "I entrust you with the organisation of the search. Make sure all is done smoothly."
The younger Elf nodded.
Thranduil gave a circular look. "Council dismissed."
In a rumble of chairs being pushed back everyone left the council room save Thranduil, who sat back in his chair and put his head between his hands.
Why did the Valar not grant him three daughters?
Aragorn lengthened his pace to catch up with Legolas.
"Legolas. Legolas!" he called, forcing Legolas to turn round as he laid a hand on the Elf's shoulder.
When the Elf was facing him at last he saw that anger was still shining brightly in his eyes. Aragorn knew Elves were not prone to violent outbursts of emotions. But he also knew that for most there were touchy subjects that should not be evoked, and friends were one for Legolas.
"Look," he began, "while I cannot tell why he is missing I know as well as you do that Gimli would not do that."
"Maybe he was attacked by whatever killed those Elves," Legolas suggested with a hint of worry in his voice. "It could have stolen his axe."
"That is why we have to find him. Whatever happened to him, whether it is linked to those Elves death or not, his being nowhere to be found is extremely odd."
When Legolas' eyes trailed from his face to Faelernil who was standing at some distance talking to his men Aragorn called again. "Legolas..."
The Elf switched his attention back to the former Ranger.
"In the meantime I suggest you keep a low profile..."
But he had already lost his friend's attention again for Legolas began striding toward Faelernil, listening closely to what his brother was instructing his men.
"... so as soon as you see him I want you to bring him down. Do not let him get close to you."
"What do you think you are doing?" Legolas hissed behind him.
Faelernil turned round, surprised to see his brother there. "Making sure your so-called friend does not kill any more of us," he replied.
"He did *not* kill anyone," Legolas retorted between gritted teeth.
"That remains to be proven," Faelernil snapped.
"As much as his alleged guilt," Legolas emphasized. "Besides, is that your concept of 'smoothly'? Kill at first sight?"
Faelernil remained silent for a second, staring at his brother. "Now that everyone is warned that he is not welcome anymore they will not let themselves be killed thinking he is no threat," he said blankly.
"I will not let you do what you have in mind," Legolas claimed, one of his hands clenching unconsciously around the handle of one of his Elven knives at his belt.
Faelernil sneered. "And what are you going to do? Kill your own brother to protect a foe?" He cockily stepped forward until he was only inches from Legolas. "Come on. Go ahead," he whispered.
Legolas really looked like he was about to kill him and for a second Aragorn even feared he would - that feral look in the Elf's eyes was frightening. It obviously alarmed Mîrdolen as well for he had joined Aragorn closer to the scene, a concerned look on his face.
When Legolas did not move Faelernil took one step back. "You changed a lot, Legolas," he murmured. "But not for the better I am afraid." With those last words he turned back toward his men.
Before Legolas could follow him Mîrdolen put an arm around his younger brother's shoulders and led him away, back to where Aragorn was. "Legolas, calm down. Killing him would do no good, and not only because that would make me the Heir - Eru knows no one wants that, including me."
He almost managed to get a smile from his brother.
"I am sure you know Gimli better than anyone but you have to admit the circumstances of what happened are troubling. And, as much as I hate admitting it, Faelernil is right." When Legolas glared at him Mîrdolen rolled his eyes. "*Not* the shooting Gimli part," he added.
"We must find him. Before *he* does," Legolas said casting a side look at Faelernil.
"We will," Aragorn promised. "Where shall we start?"
Faelernil's eyes followed them as they left. His gaze then became faraway for a few seconds, a thoughtful frown on his brow. He eventually let go a long sigh before looking up to his men.
"New instructions, gentlemen. When you find the Dwarf, make your best effort to capture him alive. Kill him only as a last resort, if he has a threatening behaviour," he concluded, casting a last look towards where his brothers had disappeared.
Thranduil walked up the corridor that led to his office. When he saw its door already open wide he knew something was wrong. He entered the room slowly and cautiously. It was with a deep shock that he discovered Gimli, serenely sitting at Thranduil's desk, his feet on the table, his arms crossed over his chest and a defiant smile on his lips.
Thranduil stared at him callously, setting his jaw.
"Master Dwarf, I have no idea how you managed to get in here without being arrested on your way, but I hope you have an excellent explanation to your suspicious absence today," he said extremely coldly.
"Of course I have," Gimli replied with a smirk. "If you would just come closer I will tell you all about it."
----------------------------------
End of Chapter Fourteen...
So, what do you think about it? New evil ending? Well, what can I say, I love them... Chapter 15 is already written and being beta'd, so it should come soon. Chapter 16 is fully outlined and some of chapter 17 is as well. The more I write of this story, the more I want to write!
Next chapter: "Nowhere to be found"