A CONSPIRACY UNMASKED
By : mirkwood-elf-2931


CHAPTER 5


The young Elven lord declared that all were to stay in the camp that they were set in, for the next few days. He knew if they were ambushed there, then they would be prepared, but Landailyn was going to be back on her feet and under her own power before he was going anywhere or do anything further.

And it took a two full days.

"Landailyn,"

"Legolas," She raised a challenging eyebrow at him, staring him down until he looked away with a very small insuppressible smile. "Do not start, I have already cost us two days and we are waiting no longer."

He knew he had to let her be on her own again without anyone's help sometime or another, but he just hoped she was truly all right enough and it wasn't just her pride taking over like his always seemed to.

She sighed, as her hands shook slightly while trying with one to hold onto her leather saddlebag and with the other to buckle its straps.

It was obviously proving difficult for her, so Legolas reached over and fastened them effortlessly within seconds, while Landailyn could only watch.

"Will you stop!" Frustrated, she dropped the bag and threw her hands into the air; marching off in the opposite direction toward the center of camp and muttering something about males and his overreacting to her condition.

Legolas merely laughed to himself and began gathering both his and her supplies to load onto their steeds.

"Wow, I've never heard of anyone acting that way toward a royal and getting away with it."

The prince turned a look backward to his left. Standing near Athron was a much younger she-Elf and he remembered her as being called Alathyn. "We try to keep our commitments aside sometimes, as she is my best friend." He said quietly, bending down to pick up Landailyn's discarded bag.

"Oh? I thought King Elessar was your best friend?"

Turning another look on her, this one confused, he held it for a moment, as she smiled sweetly and innocently back. There was something about the way she was doing it that made him feel strangely uncomfortable. "Is there something you wish from me? If not, please get ready, for we will be departing in a short time..."

"I am already packed, my lord. But I will not bother you, if that is what you mean."

Before Legolas could say that she wasn't bothering him, she was already walking back to her three friends. A bit odd that was, he thought, shaking his head and going about his work.

Again the armed forces set out for the site of the natural mountainous structure and upon arrival all successfully hid among the bushes and trees along the path, the same spot as the scouting pair were three nights before. And again, there were Orcish sentries set at the openings above. But the Elves, being so silent and staying among the shadows, knew that no one could have seen or heard their approach, not even the fact that over a hundred of them were concealed by parts of the forest only a few yards below the pacing Orcs.

Legolas peered up at the familiar ledges from his position, seeming to be studying the patterns of the Orcs' movements, but he glanced over to his friend when she spoke lowly, apparently mostly to herself.

"And here goes nothing...again." Seeing his head turn toward her, Landailyn nodded to the prince and looked back on all their troops, giving the signal. "Head in!" She commanded in Elvish, waving a hand forward. "Take out every last one! Go!"


~*~*~~*~~*~*~


"My liege!" Called an Elven sentry from within the royal palace of the newly named forest, as he hurried to give the king consequential tidings he knew he'd been waiting for, for many days now. "The group from the mountains has returned!"

Thranduil stood forthwith from his seat at the palace's large dining table, knowing this was it at last. Who all would still be with them? What of his son and Landailyn?

Mylthar and Andolan also stood, setting wide eyes upon their friend and his reaction for them was much the same.

Nearly stuttering, he spoke quietly. "Who leads them?"

The man smiled, thinking he would never ask. For once, one of the guards was glad to report news to the king regarding war. "Prince Legolas and Captain Windsong, followed by every last one of our men that left here a week today. Every last one...and they claim victory."

The elder lord let a sigh of relief escape him, as did the couple he had as company in his home; the three had practically been holding their breath. "Well, do you not agree, my friends, when I say this calls for a little celebration?"

Joyously, both beside him laughed as they did agree, extremely happy and relieved that the hunt had apparently gone so well.

"Will you relay what we have planned to my son and his companions?" Thranduil asked the guard.

"With pleasure, my lord."

Indeed, the information that everyone was safe and the eliminating of the Orcish threat called for an honoring ceremony before the night grew too late. And before long, a party was underway. All the families and friends of the troops were informed and invited and seemingly all the palace staff. Everyone greeted the soldiers home warmly and everywhere one looked happiness and gratitude was in the air. The atmosphere was carefree and it was felt that nothing could ruin this night.

Thranduil, Andolan and Mylthar welcomed their children with much affection. Unfortunate for Landailyn though, whose mother seemed to be fussing over her for any possible injury and she was looking for an excuse to get away for the moment.

"Deyinar!" She exclaimed, a grin stretching its way across her previously annoyed face. "It is good to see you up! All of you!" She recognized the rest that came with him, as with this she finally tore away from her mother, whose questions were never-ending.

"And it is even better to have all of you come home!" He replied, giving a friendly slap on the shoulder to a few familiar faces that passed him, as more and more guests filed into the Great Hall.

The prince smiled to himself, overhearing this statement, in which he certainly had to agree with. Easily staying out of sight, until he was sure that Landailyn had left from speaking with the older Elf, Legolas casually strode up from behind. "Deyinar, may I speak with you?"

The second in command rounded to see it was the Son of Thranduil doing the asking. He bowed his head. "Of course, my lord." He bid a temporary farewell to the men he stood with and he and the prince traversed to the north side of the room.

"I was wondering if you would do me a favor. Over the next few weeks, would you mind watching out for Landailyn for me, when she is here on duty?"

"Yes, but...may I ask what I will be watching for?"

Legolas bit on his bottom lip slightly, sighing. "Foolishly, the first night we arrived at the mountains, Landailyn and I went inside to check things out for ourselves. We were attacked and she took a hit to the head from a spear staff and from it received a concussion. So far I have not seen her experiencing any, but our head healer said that the symptoms could last for weeks. I believe we almost lost her twice either to a coma...or worst...and I do not wish to take anymore chances."

Deyinar's brows rose and he spoke sincerely. "Poor Landailyn..."

They then gazed over to where she stood near the middle of the room, now laughing with Thranduil and her parents. There was always something to make her life a little more uneasy, but she was always strong and tried to look on the positive side of any situation.

"Well," He looked back over at the young prince. "You have my word, my friend."

Smiling gratefully, Legolas put a hand on the Elf's shoulder in a silent 'thank you', before moving along toward the little group of four. "Good evening, everyone." He greeted, rather wearily.

All one hundred six of them did look tired, only having come back the day after defeating every last Orc the mountains had contained. Most had stayed on watch the entire night and they had all left before light that morning to make it back home before dark.

"You all truly look as if you are about to go to sleep standing up!" Commented Andolan.

"I'm sure the last week has been most eventful?" Thranduil eyed his son, warning him through this gaze that he wished for details of the entire trip in the morning.

"Aye," Replied the prince. "It took a good two days of fighting and making sure all Orcs were destroyed, ere we left."

His father nodded. "Well, I know what will awake everyone!"

The four watched as the king took himself and his wine goblet and climbed up the stairs to the thrones.

Many noticed and hushed for it was obvious he would speak.

Thranduil raised his cup. "To my son Legolas! To Captain Landailyn Windsong! To the hundred from our fine army that risked their lives in accompanying them!"

Everyone cheered loudly to those mentioned and also raised their drinks. Even Alathyn, Evanyne, Nylaro and Echorren, who all wore proud smiles for having aided in a time of their people's need, even though they were not mentioned in honor by their king.

"All for keeping our city and its remaining occupants safe, and a miracle themselves as well. We thank you."

"Aye!" Laughing and cheering again, the Elves merrily drank their wine and went back to enjoying the finely prepared feast and most of all, the company of the loved ones around them.


~*~*~~*~~*~*~


"So, when do we try again?"

Just finishing carrying more plates of food in, two males now stood away from the rest of the crowds, almost concealed in the south hall, merely watching the special gathering and scanning it carefully.

"I don't know yet, but there he is...not taken care of, as we had hoped."

"Oh well, leave him to me then; it'll be fun. And look, there she is. Wait, she loves him, doesn't she?"

"That's what the stories from their recent journeys say." Whispered the taller Elf.

"And we'll have to get rid of her as well, I suppose...?"

"Yes, she's the captain; we can take no chances."

The younger, shorter man sighed, watching only the every move of Landailyn, as she went around meeting some of the parents of her new recruits. "Pity, when she's so...lustful."

His friend looked back at him with a scowl, shaking his head.

"What?"

"You know what! Keep your mind on the plan!" This came out in a hiss of warning.

"Sorry!"

The man beside him turned his attention back on the party. Not one guest had noticed them or their strange exchange of words. "We'll try again...in a day or two."


TBC ...

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mirkwood-elf-2931 :
Okay, I know I didn't go into the details on battle, but I really had nothing for it! My apologies if that disappointed anyone! *sigh* Well, I got back last Sunday afternoon...Stephen and Beth brought me home in their new 2004 red Dodge Neon! We all went car shopping the day before, cuz' Stephen needed a new car for college and that's what his parents let him get! Anyway, so I had a great time at Beth's! Now I can't wait till Valentine's, cuz' the four of us are to going to the lake! ;)
Now, what I have to say to my recent reviews:
-Well, you didn't review yet, Thala, but you emailed me and I'm sorry you got laid off work! That sucks!
-And I'm sorry you have nothing to do, Abbey! I really am, cuz' I used to be stuck at home doing nothing all the time too, but now I'm getting to do more stuff since I turned 18 and now I feel bad for saying I had fun at Beth's house! :(
-LOL Thala isn't the one that got her hair done, Lyn...I got my hair cut shoulder length (it was down to my waist) and its in layers, the shortest layer being at my cheekbone...and my highlights are copper colored, cuz' my hair is medium brown.
-Indeed, good luck again, MC! I promise to try to get out as many chapters as I can before the 23rd swings around!
-Oh no, Marcede...don't leave us! Well, you're probably already gone and not reading this, but if by chance that you are...I'm gonna miss your reviewing! Thank you SO much for ALL the ones you've left in the past!!! And I too hope you like your new home! :)