A/N: Oh my. It's been such a long time. Chapter 16 has been ready to post for ages, but this last month I had a *huge* writer's block with chapter 17, and I like to be a chapter ahead so that I know exactly where I'm heading and to still be able to make changes to the previous chapter if need be.
Anyway, the writer's block is gone, chapter 17 is written and ready to be beta'ed, chapter 18 is completely planned out, the end of this story is coming near, so all is well!
Just one thing though: my faithful beta is unfortunately unavailable these days. So if one of you would be kind enough to beta the upcoming chapter (and maybe the next ones) I would be eternally grateful. Anyone interested please contact me ASAP (e-mail in profile). Thank you!
SpaceVixenX and Niani: Thanks for the compliments! And I do hope the new cliffhanger is as good as the last one, so beware!
Raven Nightstrider: Of course I know what the creature is up to! But I won't tell you... *insert evil laugh here*
LegolasLover2003: Yes, I can do anything I want. Now the problem for you is to know *what* I want exactly.
ElvenRanger13: Oh come on. Would I kill one of my main characters? And a canon one at that? I know I'm crazy, evil and all but not *that* much. Stories are much more difficult to write with a dead main character (and I know *exactly* what I'm talking about)
Chapter beta'ed by Candice. I hope everything is going well for you and that you'll soon have a connection again!
So here comes chapter 16!
Chapter 16
Separation
"My Lords!" Niyan called, walking at a steady pace.
Aragorn, Legolas and Mîrdolen immediately stopped and turned round to face the Gondorean striding through the corridor towards them.
"What is going on, Niyan? Did you find him?" Aragorn asked.
"Nay I did not, but I just found something that I am sure you will find of great interest," Niyan replied. "If you would follow me, my Lords, I will show it to you at once," he concluded.
Aragorn nodded and they all followed the young man through the corridors.
"Ethiannor and I parted ways to cover more ground," Niyan explained on the way. "Several Elves would not let us go freely on a couple of occasions, but overall we were quite free of restriction."
After a few minutes of walking through the corridors Niyan stopped abruptly next to a dark corner, looking puzzled. The young man took a step forward and froze. Looked left and right, an expression of utter confusion on his face. Turned round, examining the ground silently and turned once more to face the corner again.
"Is there something wrong?" Aragorn enquired.
"No longer… But there was a few minutes ago… There was… There was an axe lying there," Niyan said indicating the dark corner.
"Are you sure?" Aragorn asked.
Niyan looked down, obviously embarrassed. "I… I did not want to move it or pick it up, I thought… I thought you might be able to find a clue I had not, so I left it the way it was…" He looked up to Aragorn. "But my Lord, I swear on my life there was an axe lying right there," the young man insisted, indicating the dark corner.
"Could you show us how the axe was positioned?" Aragorn queried.
After Niyan did, Aragorn frowned. It looked like the axe had fallen but… There was something odd…
"Could you please describe the axe?" Legolas asked.
Niyan gave several details about the blade and the carvings of the handle, and Aragorn and Legolas exchanged a look: it was undoubtedly Gimli's axe.
"I am terribly sorry, I should have picked it up," Niyan apologised, shaking his head.
"No worry, Niyan. You already provided us with plenty of information," Aragorn reassured.
"There was even dry blood on the blade…" Niyan muttered.
Aragorn and Legolas exchanged another look while Mîrdolen frowned.
"It is all right, Niyan. You should go and keep looking for Gimli," Aragorn suggested.
Niyan nodded and left, looking thoroughly annoyed.
"It was Gimli's axe," Legolas confirmed for Mîrdolen's attention once the young man was gone.
"So unless someone else than him is using his weapon, it means he did…" the older Elf's voice trailed off.
"I sincerely doubt Gimli's axe was stolen," Aragorn affirmed.
"I second that," Legolas said.
Mîrdolen looked at them with puzzlement. "Are the two of you suggesting that… Legolas, I thought you - "
"I fear we might have disregarded a likely possibility," Aragorn interrupted before turning to Legolas. "I suppose you noticed what was wrong as well."
The Elf nodded. "Gimli would never let blood dry on his axe. And considering some previous events, it can only mean that - "
" - he did not vanquish the creature and it has just surfaced again," Aragorn finished.
Mîrdolen looked alternately at the two of them. "What… You mean, during all this time the creature was there, in him?"
"Probably waiting for the appropriate moment to strike," Legolas replied bitterly. "Its presence would explain the headaches."
"Which means the situation is much more tricky than we thought it to be," added Aragorn.
"We should let our Lord know at once. Warn him of the presence of that creature so that adequate measures are taken," Legolas said. "I will go tell him immediately."
"In the meantime I will keep looking for Gimli with Ethiannor and Niyan," Aragorn added. "We must find him before it switches to someone else."
"It could already have…" Legolas suggested with worry.
"Let us hope not," Aragorn replied, "for it would mean the creature could be anywhere while Gimli would probably be dead."
Legolas shivered at the prospect.
"I will ask for information about that axe," Mîrdolen offered, "and try to see if Faelernil's men were the ones to find and take it."
* * * * *
Gimli paced back and forth in his cell. He had looked for one countless times but there was no way out. He had heard the tale of the escape of his father and his companions, but there was no way he would manage the same.
He walked to the cell door once more and, pressing his face to the bars, looked in the direction Thranduil had left. All he could see was a dark and long corridor with empty cells on each side. No torch to light the place. No other prisoners. Only himself and his anger at being trapped there, turning round and round like an enraged beast.
Gimli had quickly come to the conclusion that this part of the dungeons had long since been abandoned. It did not have the same Elvish touch that the other underground parts of the palace had. Actually it looked much more Dwarvish he might dare say.
Gimli decided to postpone the reflection on how an Elven construction turned Dwarvish after some time of abandon. With no doubt that single observation would fuel many animated discussions with Legolas.
Legolas. Legolas and his brothers. What had the creature in store for them? Would it just put them out of its way or would it -
Gimli gave a rash raging punch in the cell door; the metallic sound echoed for a few seconds. He would not consider that possibility. If the creature attempted anything against Thranduil's sons, Legolas, Mîrdolen and Faelernil would immediately notice something was amiss. But would they think that the creature was controlling Thranduil's mind or would they just conclude that their father had turned mad?
No. He was an Elf, he could not turn mad. Gimli hesitated. Could an Elf turn mad? He was not sure. If one could then Thranduil's sons might think it was what was happening. The problem was no one knew that the creature was still alive - Gimli had claimed loudly that he had vanquished it.
Boasting about it had been stupid. When all this was over, Legolas would tease him about it endlessly. That is, if his friend was still alive by then. Gimli shuddered at the thought. He would gladly endure the teasing until the end of his days if it was the only way to ensure that Legolas would be alive when he got out of this cell. *If* he ever got out of this cell.
Gimli shook his head. That kind of thinking was leading him nowhere. Nothing was leading him anywhere. As long as he would remain trapped there he would not be able to warn anyone. And it seemed unlikely that he would get out any time soon.
Surely someone had to have noticed his disappearance by now.
* * * * *
Aragorn quickly scanned the library. That was one of the few places they had not searched yet, and for one good reason: day or night Elves could always be found there, reading or writing, so it was very unlikely Gimli - or rather the creature - would seek refuge there.
"King Elessar?"
Aragorn turned to the table next to him. Cindra was sitting there, a couple of books open in front of her and a quill in her hand.
"My lady?"
"May I enquire what is going on?" the young woman asked. "I was told that my leaving might have to be delayed, and the librarian that was helping me to translate these," she said indicating the texts in front of her, "just left with no notice." She gave a quick look around. "The Elves began whispering among themselves some time ago and while I do not understand what they are saying, I can tell they are worried." She paused. "Did something happen?"
Aragorn nodded. "Five Elves were found dead earlier today." As Cindra paled he went on. "Until the responsible is found no one will get in or out of the city. Gimli has been missing since this morning so he is the main suspect for the moment."
Aragorn hesitated for a second before telling her about their assumption about the creature - and when he did the young woman paled even more.
She put her head in her hands before shaking it, her eyes closed. "I was really hoping it was gone but… we got rid of it way too easily…" she said with a tired and trembling voice.
When she opened her eyes again, her gaze locked on the piece of parchment on the table, Aragorn immediately noticed the tears threatening to fall. Cindra had lost many to that creature he realised, and knowing it might still be around affected her all the more.
"Have you found anything interesting?" he said with a gesture towards the books, hoping to lighten the mood even the slightest.
"Not much I am afraid," she replied with a wry smile. "I did not have the time to investigate a lot yet, and with my translator now gone it will get harder. All I found was a reference in there," she said indicating one of the open books, "to creatures called, er…" She paused to have a look at her notes. "Barrow-wights," she articulated slowly as if the words were completely foreign to her.
It was Aragorn's turn to pale. He knew of the Barrow-wights.
"They seem to be able to - " Cindra began until Aragorn snatched the book she had indicated. He quickly read the passage to confirm what he already knew.
Barrow-wights. Evil spirits sent to dwell in the Barrow-downs by the Witch-King of Angmar. They were very powerful creatures able to control their victims' minds enough to lure them into deadly traps. The only thing they were known to fear was the light.
Aragorn swiftly turned on his heels and strode towards the door, leaving behind him Cindra, completely bewildered by his behaviour.
"King Elessar?" she called but did not manage to get his attention.
Could the creature they were now facing be akin to the Barrow-wights that dwelt to the East of the Shire? Aragorn wondered. The more he thought about it, the more that creature looked like a very powerful Barrow-wight, not only able to influence one's mind but to get into it.
He was not sure whether that would be good news or not. Barrow-wights were evil and dangerous creatures, even more dangerous than the Nazguls were.
* * * * *
Legolas softly knocked on his father's office door and opened it when he heard the answer. Thranduil was sitting at his desk, waiting for him to speak.
"My Lord, I came to let you know about a discovery Mîrdolen, King Elessar and I just made," Legolas said.
"What discovery?" Thranduil enquired.
"We think the mind controlling creature is still alive."
Astonishingly, Thranduil did not react to those words. He did not even seem surprised. So Legolas went on:
"Gimli probably did not vanquish it as he thought. Instead it remained lurking in his mind until it took control of him again. So Gimli is not responsible for those guards' deaths. The creature is."
Thranduil leant back in his seat. "Even if that is true, we still have to find him."
"Of course, but we must be careful. It could switch to someone else," Legolas pointed out.
Before Thranduil could answer a guard entered the room hurriedly.
"My King, there is a messenger from the Western patrol at the gates. He carries important news about the Orcs activity and seeks entrance to the city. Should we let him in?"
An imperceptible smile lit Thranduil's face. "Let him in and bring him here immediately."
* * * * *
Legolas was not very surprised when an hour later he was asked to go to the council room. The news brought by that messenger was probably of utmost importance. When he arrived there he met Mîrdolen just outside the room, waiting for him.
"I talked to Faelernil earlier," his brother whispered to him, "his men found no axe. Which means the creature probably got it back."
Legolas nodded and they both entered the council room, where Thranduil and Faelernil were already waiting for them. Legolas was surprised to notice that no one else had been invited, not even Séregon, his father's advisor. That was a first and Séregon would certainly be displeased to learn that he had been kept at a distance.
Thranduil was sitting at the head of the table and Faelernil on his right. Mîrdolen sat on his left. According to etiquette Legolas was supposed to sit on Faelernil's right but instead he decided to sit next to Mîrdolen. Much to Legolas' surprise Thranduil did not say anything about it. As for Faelernil he briefly looked at his youngest brother with what could be an apologetic gaze but said nothing either.
"As you might have heard, a messenger from the Western patrol arrived an hour ago," Thranduil began. "It seems the Orcs have finally decided to launch an important attack on the city. At this very moment they are marching this way. All of them."
Legolas exchanged a look with Mîrdolen and he knew his brother thought the same as he did: that was very, very bad news, and the presence of the creature within their walls only made it worse. His eyes met Faelernil's again and for a moment they stared at each other. Despite the circumstances Legolas could not help but resent his oldest brother.
"Tonight I will send three companies to stop them and I want you three to take their command," Thranduil went on.
Legolas saw Faelernil's eyes widen at the same time as his did. Both their heads simultaneously turned to their father's stern face. From the corner of his eyes Legolas could see that Mîrdolen was as flabbergasted as they were.
"Are you serious?"
Legolas' attention switched back to Faelernil and he stared at him with shock. Never in his long lifetime had he ever heard his oldest brother talk so boldly to their King.
"I mean, are you seriously considering to send all three of us there?" Faelernil went on doubtfully.
"I am and that decision is mine to make, Faelernil," Thranduil replied coldly. "Are you contesting my orders?"
Legolas watched as Faelernil swallowed uneasily. He would not be bold enough to admit he was, would he?
"Of course not," Faelernil assured. "But according to the latest reports there was the equivalent of six companies of Orcs gathering in the West."
Legolas stared at his brother. He had not been told about that number and hence had ignored until then the seriousness of the threat those Orcs represented.
"Sending less than five companies to stop them would make it…" Faelernil's voice trailed off.
Slaughter, Legolas completed mentally. And not for the Orcs.
"We cannot send more than three companies. We must keep the city safe," Thranduil replied.
Legolas wished he knew how many companies were stationed in the city at the moment. Could they be that short of warriors?
"An additional company could still be sent," Faelernil insisted, "even two would not impair the city's security enough to - " Faelernil stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes caught his father's angry look. "But I suppose you already took this into consideration and decided that it was best to send only three companies," he ended in a low voice, looking down to his intertwined fingers.
"Absolutely," Thranduil replied callously. "I hope none of you have any other objection." As his sons remained silent Thranduil went on. "Good. Then you will leave at sunset."
Legolas gave a quick look towards the windows. That would be in only an hour or so. When Thranduil stood up they all remained sitting, thoughtfully looking at each other. Legolas' duty was to go fight that battle with his brothers but he had that nagging feeling…
As Thranduil made his way towards the door, Legolas spoke loudly and firmly. "I will not leave."
His father froze on the doorstep while his brothers tensed. Thranduil walked back to the table.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I will not leave until Gimli is found," Legolas insisted, very aware of the ire flashing in his father's eyes.
"You do realise that we might never find him, do you not?" Thranduil asked, his voice much calmer than his gaze.
"I am convinced we *will* find him," Legolas retorted," and until then I will remain here."
A succession of various strong feelings shone brightly in Thranduil's eyes. "Fine, I will send someone else," he eventually snapped before turning on his heels and slamming the council room's door behind him.
All three brothers instantly released the breaths they were holding.
* * * * *
"A Barrow-wight?" whispered Legolas.
"Something akin to a Barrow-wight, aye," the former Ranger confirmed.
The Elf nodded. "It could be… Yet we are still ignorant of how to kill it… A Barrow-wight is sensitive to light but this creature is obviously not, at least not when controlling an host's body."
"Maybe we could figure a way to bring it out of the host," Aragorn suggested.
"In the meantime we still have to find it and Gimli," Legolas said. As Aragorn nodded he went on: "Still no news?"
Aragorn shook his head. "Unfortunately, no." The King of Gondor glanced towards the Elves that were preparing to leave. "Your Lord made a hasty decision."
Legolas did not reply. Instead he looked over to where his brothers were among the other Elves, preparing to leave as well. Mîrdolen waved him over.
"I will be back in a minute," Legolas told Aragorn before leaving him to join his brother. Mîrdolen immediately took him aside.
"Legolas, I am very worried about our Lord," he said.
"I know for I am too," Legolas agreed. "That decision is…"
"Stupid?" Mîrdolen offered.
"I would have opted for 'unwise'," Legolas corrected.
"It makes it no less stupid," Mîrdolen retorted before sighing. "He never did such thing before. I mean sending both Faelernil and I to the same battle. It would have been too dangerous, you know, for the Crown."
"And he wanted me to go with you as well," Legolas pointed out.
"Which would have endangered all his heirs at once." Mîrdolen paused. "Something is wrong, Legolas. The last time he took a decision as reckless was shortly after Mother left to cross the Great Sea." He hesitated. "I fear some concern he would not tell us about might be impairing his judgment. Maybe he just wants to keep us away from this creature but…" Mîrdolen sighed. "Legolas, please keep a close eye on him while we are away."
"I will," Legolas promised. He would have even if his brother had not asked it of him. He could not ignore the warning his instincts were sending him about his father.
As Mîrdolen was about to join the other Elves Legolas said, "Be careful."
"Yes Mother," Mîrdolen joked, "and I will not try to socialise with those evil strangers attempting to kill me with their swords."
Legolas smiled. "You really cannot help yourself, can you?"
When Mîrdolen shrugged Legolas pulled him into a quick brotherly hug. "Do not do anything stupid," he dropped in the older Elf's ear.
"I never do anything stupid," Mîrdolen claimed as he began to lead his horse towards one of the companies.
Legolas shook his head with amusement. He began walking back towards Aragorn but froze when he heard his name. Legolas turned round to find Faelernil behind him, waiting for him.
"Aye?" Legolas replied warily.
For what seemed to Legolas the first time in his brother's life, Faelernil was hesitant.
"You and I had many arguments since you were born, but we never remained crossed very long, right?" Faelernil asked clumsily.
As an answer Legolas only shrugged. He was not sure what the older Elf was getting at.
After a long and embarrassed silence, Faelernil eventually said, his gaze lost in the distance: "I am sorry for what I said earlier."
Startled, Legolas stared at his brother. Faelernil was not one to apologise easily. Actually he was not one to apologise.
"I am afraid I got a bit carried away and went a bit too far. I did not mean what I said. You changed a lot these last years, that is for sure, but not for the worse."
Legolas knew that was the closest to a compliment he could get from Faelernil. Completely speechless he let him go on.
"I admit I went a bit far about your friend as well but I was just trying to do what I thought was best. As soon as you left I realised what I was doing and changed my instructions. They were not to kill him."
Faelernil paused and looked at Legolas expectantly as if he was waiting for him to say something, but Legolas could not. He was at a total loss for words and was absolutely unable to form any coherent sentence. When Legolas remained silent Faelernil looked a bit disappointed.
"I hope you find your friend safe and sound soon," Faelernil whispered before turning to leave.
Legolas kept staring at his brother as he walked away. He suddenly remembered the older Elf's words in the council room and he instantly knew what was tormenting Faelernil.
He was going to fight a battle he was likely to loose considering the numbers. He was not sure if they were to return. And he did not want to leave knowing his brother still resented him.
"Faelernil," Legolas called.
Faelernil stopped and turned round to face him while Legolas caught up with him. The younger Elf extended his arm to his brother.
"Take care of yourself," said Legolas.
Faelernil gave a weak smile and nodded before fraternally clasping his brother's arm, their eyes locking for a second. Soon the three companies left, led by Faelernil, Mîrdolen and another captain.
King Thranduil did not come to bid his sons farewell.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Chapter 16...
Oooooh, what's going to happen!?
Me! Me!! I know!!
Oh, all right... See you soon in the next chapter! And remember that I'm looking for someone to beta it! (grammar/spelling mainly)
Next chapter: Revelation
Anyway, the writer's block is gone, chapter 17 is written and ready to be beta'ed, chapter 18 is completely planned out, the end of this story is coming near, so all is well!
Just one thing though: my faithful beta is unfortunately unavailable these days. So if one of you would be kind enough to beta the upcoming chapter (and maybe the next ones) I would be eternally grateful. Anyone interested please contact me ASAP (e-mail in profile). Thank you!
SpaceVixenX and Niani: Thanks for the compliments! And I do hope the new cliffhanger is as good as the last one, so beware!
Raven Nightstrider: Of course I know what the creature is up to! But I won't tell you... *insert evil laugh here*
LegolasLover2003: Yes, I can do anything I want. Now the problem for you is to know *what* I want exactly.
ElvenRanger13: Oh come on. Would I kill one of my main characters? And a canon one at that? I know I'm crazy, evil and all but not *that* much. Stories are much more difficult to write with a dead main character (and I know *exactly* what I'm talking about)
Chapter beta'ed by Candice. I hope everything is going well for you and that you'll soon have a connection again!
So here comes chapter 16!
Separation
"My Lords!" Niyan called, walking at a steady pace.
Aragorn, Legolas and Mîrdolen immediately stopped and turned round to face the Gondorean striding through the corridor towards them.
"What is going on, Niyan? Did you find him?" Aragorn asked.
"Nay I did not, but I just found something that I am sure you will find of great interest," Niyan replied. "If you would follow me, my Lords, I will show it to you at once," he concluded.
Aragorn nodded and they all followed the young man through the corridors.
"Ethiannor and I parted ways to cover more ground," Niyan explained on the way. "Several Elves would not let us go freely on a couple of occasions, but overall we were quite free of restriction."
After a few minutes of walking through the corridors Niyan stopped abruptly next to a dark corner, looking puzzled. The young man took a step forward and froze. Looked left and right, an expression of utter confusion on his face. Turned round, examining the ground silently and turned once more to face the corner again.
"Is there something wrong?" Aragorn enquired.
"No longer… But there was a few minutes ago… There was… There was an axe lying there," Niyan said indicating the dark corner.
"Are you sure?" Aragorn asked.
Niyan looked down, obviously embarrassed. "I… I did not want to move it or pick it up, I thought… I thought you might be able to find a clue I had not, so I left it the way it was…" He looked up to Aragorn. "But my Lord, I swear on my life there was an axe lying right there," the young man insisted, indicating the dark corner.
"Could you show us how the axe was positioned?" Aragorn queried.
After Niyan did, Aragorn frowned. It looked like the axe had fallen but… There was something odd…
"Could you please describe the axe?" Legolas asked.
Niyan gave several details about the blade and the carvings of the handle, and Aragorn and Legolas exchanged a look: it was undoubtedly Gimli's axe.
"I am terribly sorry, I should have picked it up," Niyan apologised, shaking his head.
"No worry, Niyan. You already provided us with plenty of information," Aragorn reassured.
"There was even dry blood on the blade…" Niyan muttered.
Aragorn and Legolas exchanged another look while Mîrdolen frowned.
"It is all right, Niyan. You should go and keep looking for Gimli," Aragorn suggested.
Niyan nodded and left, looking thoroughly annoyed.
"It was Gimli's axe," Legolas confirmed for Mîrdolen's attention once the young man was gone.
"So unless someone else than him is using his weapon, it means he did…" the older Elf's voice trailed off.
"I sincerely doubt Gimli's axe was stolen," Aragorn affirmed.
"I second that," Legolas said.
Mîrdolen looked at them with puzzlement. "Are the two of you suggesting that… Legolas, I thought you - "
"I fear we might have disregarded a likely possibility," Aragorn interrupted before turning to Legolas. "I suppose you noticed what was wrong as well."
The Elf nodded. "Gimli would never let blood dry on his axe. And considering some previous events, it can only mean that - "
" - he did not vanquish the creature and it has just surfaced again," Aragorn finished.
Mîrdolen looked alternately at the two of them. "What… You mean, during all this time the creature was there, in him?"
"Probably waiting for the appropriate moment to strike," Legolas replied bitterly. "Its presence would explain the headaches."
"Which means the situation is much more tricky than we thought it to be," added Aragorn.
"We should let our Lord know at once. Warn him of the presence of that creature so that adequate measures are taken," Legolas said. "I will go tell him immediately."
"In the meantime I will keep looking for Gimli with Ethiannor and Niyan," Aragorn added. "We must find him before it switches to someone else."
"It could already have…" Legolas suggested with worry.
"Let us hope not," Aragorn replied, "for it would mean the creature could be anywhere while Gimli would probably be dead."
Legolas shivered at the prospect.
"I will ask for information about that axe," Mîrdolen offered, "and try to see if Faelernil's men were the ones to find and take it."
Gimli paced back and forth in his cell. He had looked for one countless times but there was no way out. He had heard the tale of the escape of his father and his companions, but there was no way he would manage the same.
He walked to the cell door once more and, pressing his face to the bars, looked in the direction Thranduil had left. All he could see was a dark and long corridor with empty cells on each side. No torch to light the place. No other prisoners. Only himself and his anger at being trapped there, turning round and round like an enraged beast.
Gimli had quickly come to the conclusion that this part of the dungeons had long since been abandoned. It did not have the same Elvish touch that the other underground parts of the palace had. Actually it looked much more Dwarvish he might dare say.
Gimli decided to postpone the reflection on how an Elven construction turned Dwarvish after some time of abandon. With no doubt that single observation would fuel many animated discussions with Legolas.
Legolas. Legolas and his brothers. What had the creature in store for them? Would it just put them out of its way or would it -
Gimli gave a rash raging punch in the cell door; the metallic sound echoed for a few seconds. He would not consider that possibility. If the creature attempted anything against Thranduil's sons, Legolas, Mîrdolen and Faelernil would immediately notice something was amiss. But would they think that the creature was controlling Thranduil's mind or would they just conclude that their father had turned mad?
No. He was an Elf, he could not turn mad. Gimli hesitated. Could an Elf turn mad? He was not sure. If one could then Thranduil's sons might think it was what was happening. The problem was no one knew that the creature was still alive - Gimli had claimed loudly that he had vanquished it.
Boasting about it had been stupid. When all this was over, Legolas would tease him about it endlessly. That is, if his friend was still alive by then. Gimli shuddered at the thought. He would gladly endure the teasing until the end of his days if it was the only way to ensure that Legolas would be alive when he got out of this cell. *If* he ever got out of this cell.
Gimli shook his head. That kind of thinking was leading him nowhere. Nothing was leading him anywhere. As long as he would remain trapped there he would not be able to warn anyone. And it seemed unlikely that he would get out any time soon.
Surely someone had to have noticed his disappearance by now.
Aragorn quickly scanned the library. That was one of the few places they had not searched yet, and for one good reason: day or night Elves could always be found there, reading or writing, so it was very unlikely Gimli - or rather the creature - would seek refuge there.
"King Elessar?"
Aragorn turned to the table next to him. Cindra was sitting there, a couple of books open in front of her and a quill in her hand.
"My lady?"
"May I enquire what is going on?" the young woman asked. "I was told that my leaving might have to be delayed, and the librarian that was helping me to translate these," she said indicating the texts in front of her, "just left with no notice." She gave a quick look around. "The Elves began whispering among themselves some time ago and while I do not understand what they are saying, I can tell they are worried." She paused. "Did something happen?"
Aragorn nodded. "Five Elves were found dead earlier today." As Cindra paled he went on. "Until the responsible is found no one will get in or out of the city. Gimli has been missing since this morning so he is the main suspect for the moment."
Aragorn hesitated for a second before telling her about their assumption about the creature - and when he did the young woman paled even more.
She put her head in her hands before shaking it, her eyes closed. "I was really hoping it was gone but… we got rid of it way too easily…" she said with a tired and trembling voice.
When she opened her eyes again, her gaze locked on the piece of parchment on the table, Aragorn immediately noticed the tears threatening to fall. Cindra had lost many to that creature he realised, and knowing it might still be around affected her all the more.
"Have you found anything interesting?" he said with a gesture towards the books, hoping to lighten the mood even the slightest.
"Not much I am afraid," she replied with a wry smile. "I did not have the time to investigate a lot yet, and with my translator now gone it will get harder. All I found was a reference in there," she said indicating one of the open books, "to creatures called, er…" She paused to have a look at her notes. "Barrow-wights," she articulated slowly as if the words were completely foreign to her.
It was Aragorn's turn to pale. He knew of the Barrow-wights.
"They seem to be able to - " Cindra began until Aragorn snatched the book she had indicated. He quickly read the passage to confirm what he already knew.
Barrow-wights. Evil spirits sent to dwell in the Barrow-downs by the Witch-King of Angmar. They were very powerful creatures able to control their victims' minds enough to lure them into deadly traps. The only thing they were known to fear was the light.
Aragorn swiftly turned on his heels and strode towards the door, leaving behind him Cindra, completely bewildered by his behaviour.
"King Elessar?" she called but did not manage to get his attention.
Could the creature they were now facing be akin to the Barrow-wights that dwelt to the East of the Shire? Aragorn wondered. The more he thought about it, the more that creature looked like a very powerful Barrow-wight, not only able to influence one's mind but to get into it.
He was not sure whether that would be good news or not. Barrow-wights were evil and dangerous creatures, even more dangerous than the Nazguls were.
Legolas softly knocked on his father's office door and opened it when he heard the answer. Thranduil was sitting at his desk, waiting for him to speak.
"My Lord, I came to let you know about a discovery Mîrdolen, King Elessar and I just made," Legolas said.
"What discovery?" Thranduil enquired.
"We think the mind controlling creature is still alive."
Astonishingly, Thranduil did not react to those words. He did not even seem surprised. So Legolas went on:
"Gimli probably did not vanquish it as he thought. Instead it remained lurking in his mind until it took control of him again. So Gimli is not responsible for those guards' deaths. The creature is."
Thranduil leant back in his seat. "Even if that is true, we still have to find him."
"Of course, but we must be careful. It could switch to someone else," Legolas pointed out.
Before Thranduil could answer a guard entered the room hurriedly.
"My King, there is a messenger from the Western patrol at the gates. He carries important news about the Orcs activity and seeks entrance to the city. Should we let him in?"
An imperceptible smile lit Thranduil's face. "Let him in and bring him here immediately."
Legolas was not very surprised when an hour later he was asked to go to the council room. The news brought by that messenger was probably of utmost importance. When he arrived there he met Mîrdolen just outside the room, waiting for him.
"I talked to Faelernil earlier," his brother whispered to him, "his men found no axe. Which means the creature probably got it back."
Legolas nodded and they both entered the council room, where Thranduil and Faelernil were already waiting for them. Legolas was surprised to notice that no one else had been invited, not even Séregon, his father's advisor. That was a first and Séregon would certainly be displeased to learn that he had been kept at a distance.
Thranduil was sitting at the head of the table and Faelernil on his right. Mîrdolen sat on his left. According to etiquette Legolas was supposed to sit on Faelernil's right but instead he decided to sit next to Mîrdolen. Much to Legolas' surprise Thranduil did not say anything about it. As for Faelernil he briefly looked at his youngest brother with what could be an apologetic gaze but said nothing either.
"As you might have heard, a messenger from the Western patrol arrived an hour ago," Thranduil began. "It seems the Orcs have finally decided to launch an important attack on the city. At this very moment they are marching this way. All of them."
Legolas exchanged a look with Mîrdolen and he knew his brother thought the same as he did: that was very, very bad news, and the presence of the creature within their walls only made it worse. His eyes met Faelernil's again and for a moment they stared at each other. Despite the circumstances Legolas could not help but resent his oldest brother.
"Tonight I will send three companies to stop them and I want you three to take their command," Thranduil went on.
Legolas saw Faelernil's eyes widen at the same time as his did. Both their heads simultaneously turned to their father's stern face. From the corner of his eyes Legolas could see that Mîrdolen was as flabbergasted as they were.
"Are you serious?"
Legolas' attention switched back to Faelernil and he stared at him with shock. Never in his long lifetime had he ever heard his oldest brother talk so boldly to their King.
"I mean, are you seriously considering to send all three of us there?" Faelernil went on doubtfully.
"I am and that decision is mine to make, Faelernil," Thranduil replied coldly. "Are you contesting my orders?"
Legolas watched as Faelernil swallowed uneasily. He would not be bold enough to admit he was, would he?
"Of course not," Faelernil assured. "But according to the latest reports there was the equivalent of six companies of Orcs gathering in the West."
Legolas stared at his brother. He had not been told about that number and hence had ignored until then the seriousness of the threat those Orcs represented.
"Sending less than five companies to stop them would make it…" Faelernil's voice trailed off.
Slaughter, Legolas completed mentally. And not for the Orcs.
"We cannot send more than three companies. We must keep the city safe," Thranduil replied.
Legolas wished he knew how many companies were stationed in the city at the moment. Could they be that short of warriors?
"An additional company could still be sent," Faelernil insisted, "even two would not impair the city's security enough to - " Faelernil stopped dead in his tracks as his eyes caught his father's angry look. "But I suppose you already took this into consideration and decided that it was best to send only three companies," he ended in a low voice, looking down to his intertwined fingers.
"Absolutely," Thranduil replied callously. "I hope none of you have any other objection." As his sons remained silent Thranduil went on. "Good. Then you will leave at sunset."
Legolas gave a quick look towards the windows. That would be in only an hour or so. When Thranduil stood up they all remained sitting, thoughtfully looking at each other. Legolas' duty was to go fight that battle with his brothers but he had that nagging feeling…
As Thranduil made his way towards the door, Legolas spoke loudly and firmly. "I will not leave."
His father froze on the doorstep while his brothers tensed. Thranduil walked back to the table.
"I beg your pardon?"
"I will not leave until Gimli is found," Legolas insisted, very aware of the ire flashing in his father's eyes.
"You do realise that we might never find him, do you not?" Thranduil asked, his voice much calmer than his gaze.
"I am convinced we *will* find him," Legolas retorted," and until then I will remain here."
A succession of various strong feelings shone brightly in Thranduil's eyes. "Fine, I will send someone else," he eventually snapped before turning on his heels and slamming the council room's door behind him.
All three brothers instantly released the breaths they were holding.
"A Barrow-wight?" whispered Legolas.
"Something akin to a Barrow-wight, aye," the former Ranger confirmed.
The Elf nodded. "It could be… Yet we are still ignorant of how to kill it… A Barrow-wight is sensitive to light but this creature is obviously not, at least not when controlling an host's body."
"Maybe we could figure a way to bring it out of the host," Aragorn suggested.
"In the meantime we still have to find it and Gimli," Legolas said. As Aragorn nodded he went on: "Still no news?"
Aragorn shook his head. "Unfortunately, no." The King of Gondor glanced towards the Elves that were preparing to leave. "Your Lord made a hasty decision."
Legolas did not reply. Instead he looked over to where his brothers were among the other Elves, preparing to leave as well. Mîrdolen waved him over.
"I will be back in a minute," Legolas told Aragorn before leaving him to join his brother. Mîrdolen immediately took him aside.
"Legolas, I am very worried about our Lord," he said.
"I know for I am too," Legolas agreed. "That decision is…"
"Stupid?" Mîrdolen offered.
"I would have opted for 'unwise'," Legolas corrected.
"It makes it no less stupid," Mîrdolen retorted before sighing. "He never did such thing before. I mean sending both Faelernil and I to the same battle. It would have been too dangerous, you know, for the Crown."
"And he wanted me to go with you as well," Legolas pointed out.
"Which would have endangered all his heirs at once." Mîrdolen paused. "Something is wrong, Legolas. The last time he took a decision as reckless was shortly after Mother left to cross the Great Sea." He hesitated. "I fear some concern he would not tell us about might be impairing his judgment. Maybe he just wants to keep us away from this creature but…" Mîrdolen sighed. "Legolas, please keep a close eye on him while we are away."
"I will," Legolas promised. He would have even if his brother had not asked it of him. He could not ignore the warning his instincts were sending him about his father.
As Mîrdolen was about to join the other Elves Legolas said, "Be careful."
"Yes Mother," Mîrdolen joked, "and I will not try to socialise with those evil strangers attempting to kill me with their swords."
Legolas smiled. "You really cannot help yourself, can you?"
When Mîrdolen shrugged Legolas pulled him into a quick brotherly hug. "Do not do anything stupid," he dropped in the older Elf's ear.
"I never do anything stupid," Mîrdolen claimed as he began to lead his horse towards one of the companies.
Legolas shook his head with amusement. He began walking back towards Aragorn but froze when he heard his name. Legolas turned round to find Faelernil behind him, waiting for him.
"Aye?" Legolas replied warily.
For what seemed to Legolas the first time in his brother's life, Faelernil was hesitant.
"You and I had many arguments since you were born, but we never remained crossed very long, right?" Faelernil asked clumsily.
As an answer Legolas only shrugged. He was not sure what the older Elf was getting at.
After a long and embarrassed silence, Faelernil eventually said, his gaze lost in the distance: "I am sorry for what I said earlier."
Startled, Legolas stared at his brother. Faelernil was not one to apologise easily. Actually he was not one to apologise.
"I am afraid I got a bit carried away and went a bit too far. I did not mean what I said. You changed a lot these last years, that is for sure, but not for the worse."
Legolas knew that was the closest to a compliment he could get from Faelernil. Completely speechless he let him go on.
"I admit I went a bit far about your friend as well but I was just trying to do what I thought was best. As soon as you left I realised what I was doing and changed my instructions. They were not to kill him."
Faelernil paused and looked at Legolas expectantly as if he was waiting for him to say something, but Legolas could not. He was at a total loss for words and was absolutely unable to form any coherent sentence. When Legolas remained silent Faelernil looked a bit disappointed.
"I hope you find your friend safe and sound soon," Faelernil whispered before turning to leave.
Legolas kept staring at his brother as he walked away. He suddenly remembered the older Elf's words in the council room and he instantly knew what was tormenting Faelernil.
He was going to fight a battle he was likely to loose considering the numbers. He was not sure if they were to return. And he did not want to leave knowing his brother still resented him.
"Faelernil," Legolas called.
Faelernil stopped and turned round to face him while Legolas caught up with him. The younger Elf extended his arm to his brother.
"Take care of yourself," said Legolas.
Faelernil gave a weak smile and nodded before fraternally clasping his brother's arm, their eyes locking for a second. Soon the three companies left, led by Faelernil, Mîrdolen and another captain.
King Thranduil did not come to bid his sons farewell.
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End of Chapter 16...
Oooooh, what's going to happen!?
Me! Me!! I know!!
Oh, all right... See you soon in the next chapter! And remember that I'm looking for someone to beta it! (grammar/spelling mainly)
Next chapter: Revelation