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Chapter 9

The next morning, Legolas awoke early and dressed.  He wanted to find Celebhen's daughters.  During the night, he'd been haunted by questions.  Why were Celebhen's daughters practicing archery in the middle of the forest at night? Why did they not want their Father to know about it?  Why had Celidur not learned Common speech, while the older elves had?  Why had Celidur refused to tell him about what had happened to the Nimar, and how they had come to be here?

Legolas shook his head to clear his mind and stepped out into the hallway, careful not to let his door slam.  He looked to the right and the left, and saw no one.  The halls were still dim with the light of the fading moon. 

Slowly, Legolas made his way silently to the other end of the hall.  He had no idea where to start looking, and the palace seemed large enough to hold not only Celebhen's family and guests, but his servants as well. 

The elf prince turned and looked over his shoulder, to make sure no one was following him.  He saw no one.  He made the mistake of not peering around the corner of the corridor, and instead, in haste, just rushed around it.  Right into another elf.

Legolas had hit the other elf hard enough to knock them both to the ground, and the other elf gave a soft cry, before clamping a hand over his mouth. Legolas suddenly recognized him.

Celidur?  What in the Valar's name…  he asked, slipping into his own language. 

Celidur looked up sharply and took his hand away from his mouth.  Legolas!  What are you doing here?

Legolas blinked.  What are you doing here?  He asked in defense, and Celidur shrank back.

I…I…can't tell you…now.  He stuttered, beginning to stand up.  Legolas stood up also.  Then he remembered his reason for coming out here at all.  Celidur was a servant.  Surely he would know where the daughters of Celebhen slept.

I need you to tell me something.  Legolas told the younger elf.  I must speak to Celebhen's daughters.

A strange flicker appeared in Celidur's eyes.  Why? 

I can't tell you that until you tell me what your doing out here.  Legolas replied.  And after you swear not to tell anyone.

Celidur's eyes narrowed.  Which one of them have you taken fancy in?  He accused dangerously.  Because one of them belongs to me!

Legolas blinked again.  What?  I don't have fancy in any of them!  What are you talking about?

Celidur blushed when he realized what he had revealed.  I…I mean…

Your involved with one of Celebhen's daughters?  Legolas asked in disbelief.  Celidur was getting redder and redder by the second.

Please, Lord Legolas, don't tell anyone!  I don't know if Celebhen will approve.  Celidur begged, his light blue eyes pleading with Legolas's darker ones.  Please, Legolas.

Legolas smiled.  I will not tell.  He promised.  It seemed lately he had been saying that same sentence so much lately.  But which one are you seeing?

It is Cefielle,  Celidur answered.  I…I just came back from visiting her, as I do every morning before dawn.

Nodding Legolas turned to look over his shoulder once more, to make sure no one had heard the conversation and come out to investigate.  Still, there was no one. 

Celidur, I needed to speak to Cefielle and her sisters, but maybe you can answer some of my questions.  Legolas said calmly.  Do you know a place where we won't be seen or heard?

Celidur's eyes lit up.  Lots.  Come on.  He took off running down the hall, not making a sound, as Legolas followed after him.  Celidur weaved in and out of hallways and corridors, until he reached a door leading to the cellar.  He and Legolas stepped down the stone stairs and moved behind a few barrels of wine.

No one will hear us now.  Celidur said.  Now ask what you must.

Legolas swallowed.  He wasn't sure if Celidur would be able to answer some of the questions he had planned to ask.  But at least now he had someone to ask. 

Celidur, I want you to tell me exactly why you don't know Common speech well.  He said coolly, his voice like a brick.

Celidur stared at him.  I already told you I didn't know.  He said softly.  Then he took in a shaky breath.  I…It's a law…of our people.  Since we settled here, no elven child is permitted to learn Common speech.

Why?  Legolas urged.

I'm not entirely sure why.  Celidur answered.  But I think its meant to stop us from communicating with anyone besides our own people.

But then why do the daughters of Celebhen know to speak it?  Legolas questioned.

Celidur smiled.  Well because they are of royal blood and are the most highly educated of all of their generation of course.

Legolas nodded, for that answer seemed to make sense.  He himself had had a higher education than some of his peers because he was of royal blood.  He pushed the thought aside, however, for he had more important things to ask the younger elf.

Celidur, when we first met, you said that Celebhen would never let your home fall into darkness ever again.  What did you mean again?  Legolas said, his voice a harsh whisper.

I can't tell you.  Celidur answered simply. 

Legolas stiffened.  Then as the elder in this situation I order you to tell me.  Now, Celidur.

Celidur turned his head away.  Legolas heard him mutter some kind of elven curse under his breath.

Tell me, Celidur.  Legolas repeated, using the younger elf's name once again.

It is against our laws to even so much as mention what happened in the past.  Celidur said, his voice trembling.  I hadn't been born yet, so I don't know exactly what, but something…terrible happened to our people.  We were forced to leave where we had originally settled at the tip of the Misty Mountains.  Each elf was to take a seed of Nimgaladh, our sacred white tree, and plant it wherever we settled in the future.

Legolas could hardly breathe.  It was starting to make sense now.  The white trees…  He murmured. 

Were grown from the seeds of Nimgalad.  Celidur finished for him.  That is how this place came to be.

But what happened to your past home after that?  Legolas asked.

The old ones say that our land was overtaken by Sauron's forces and destroyed.  Celidur answered.

What happened that was so terrible that your people was forced to leave?  I don't understand that.  Legolas said, frowning.

I do not know.  Celidur said simply.

Legolas looked back toward the staircase and to the door that lead to the palace.  Perhaps I should speak with Lord Celebhen.

No!  Celidur blurted, startling Legolas.  You mustn't!  He'll have you killed if you dare to pry into the Nimar's affaires!

Well who else can I ask, Celidur?!  Legolas shouted out of confusion.  He glanced at Celidur's hurt expression and then turned away.  I apologize.  He said softly.  Then he began to make his way out.

There is one that I know of who you could speak to.  Celidur said just as Legolas reached the start of the stairs.  His voice was low and seemed to hang in the thick air around them.

Legolas turned back to the younger elf.  Who?

Celidur bit his lip and then spoke.  She knows more about what happened than even the oldest elf around here, I believe.

Legolas's eyes narrowed.  Who is it?

Celidur looked up.  Lady Maegluin.

Legolas nodded but frowned.  She hasn't said a single word to me nor any of my party since we arrived here.  Why would she speak with me now?  And how would I know she wouldn't expose me to Celebhen, who is her husband, after all?

Legolas shook his head.  No, Celidur.  I can't go to her.  It's too risky.  You must tell me of someone else.

Celidur sighed nervously.  I know not of anyone else.

Legolas was about to mutter a curse, for his investigations were going nowhere, when suddenly a figure appeared out of the darkness behind Celidur.  Celidur saw Legolas's alarm and turned around swiftly, ready to defend himself.

But the figure stayed where it was, the darkness shielding it's face.  It spoke.

I do.

*******Personal thing************