Chapter 20
Immediately after that sentence was spoken by Mithrendol, the Fellowship, in strange unison, pulled out the weapons they had previously hidden under their clothing. Gandalf, Boromir and Gimli gathered around the Ringbearer and the hobbits…and the room exploded into chaos.
The first Wraith that had appeared out of a door close took a mighty swing at Aragorn, a blow that would have taken off his head, had he not blocked it. The ranger's sword met the metal of the Nazgul blade, and sparks flew.
"Legolas!" Cried the ranger. "Protect the daughters and wife of Celebhen!"
Legolas turned his head and saw what he hadn't before, somehow the remaining servants had succeeded to get the unconscious Maegluin into a protective circle formed with their own bodies, where her daughters were treating her. Legolas watched as four Wraiths closed in around the unarmed elves. The other four began to attack Gandalf, Gimli, Boromir and the hobbits, but they were just able to fight them off. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mithrendol advancing on Celebhen.
"Legolas!" Aragorn yelled again. "Go! Now!"
The words finally piercing the elf's skull, Legolas dug his heels into the floor and ran at full speed towards the circle of Nazgul around Celebhen's daughters and wife. He reached up and around to his back, where he had hidden his White Knives, and drew them out, just as the first Wraith turned in an attempt to stop him.
The dark sword of the Nazgul sliced cleanly through the air above Legolas, but he whipped up both his knives and blocked the blow, though the impact was so strong that if forced him to his knees. He felt a trickle of warmth on his back, and he noticed that his wound was bleeding. Not too severely, but enough to worry him.
"I said not to harm him! He's already got a wound, and I need that body to be healthy!" Came Mithrendol's voice from across the room.
Legolas glanced in that direction and his eyes were met with scene painted red with blood. Several servants had sacrificed their own lives trying to protect their lord, and their bloodied corpses littered the floor at Mithrendols' feet. Celebhen himself was kneeling on the ground, with a stain of blood ripped across the front of his white and silver robes. Legolas couldn't see whether it was from a wound or just the blood of the dead around him. Either way, the elven lord would not last for long unarmed against his enraged enemy.
Legolas felt the blade lift off him, and the Ringwraith that had opposed him turned back towards the other victims. Legolas grasped both his knives in one hand and with the other grasped the back on one of the chairs around the dining table, swinging it so that it hit the Nazgul in the back. It let out a high-pitched screech and turned on him again, swinging its blade, but not so fiercely as last time.
Legolas returned his knives to either hand and fought Wriath as best as he could, but he could slowly feel his strength flowing out of him thought the wound in his shoulder. It was all he could do just to block the blows delivered by the Wraith.
And he's not even trying to kill me…is he? The elf thought. Suddenly he felt the edge of the table against his lower back. He was trapped.
With a hissing laugh the Nazgul dropped it's sword and advanced on the elf prince. It meant to catch him and hold him hostage until Mithrendol was done with his work at the opposite side of the room. Legolas scrambled up on top of the table but as soon as he was able to stand the Wraith had grasped both his ankles and yanked him back down again, the table cracking as the elf's body fell on top of it.
"Run! Frodo! Go!" Legolas heard the cry from Gandalf's mouth, and turned his head a split second to see the hobbits retreating down one of the corridors that had been reopened when the Nazgul had appeared.
Looking back Legolas saw that the servants protecting the daughters and wife of Celebhen were also attempting to do that, but they were moving slowly on account of the unconscious Maegluin. And the Wraith's were slashed and killing one servant after another, getting closer and closer to their goal.
There was a shout…no…a death scream from the other side of the room, followed by a laugh. Legolas didn't need to look to see what had happened, but he did anyway, as he kicked the Wraith attacking him back with his feet.
Celebhen was crouched facedown on the floor, Mithrendol hovering above him. The younger elf's sword was protruding from his back, blood was covering them both. And Mithrendol couldn't have looked happier.
That monster…how could he kill his own father? Legolas thought.
But…what was that Mithrendol had said? He had said that Celebhen 'remembered the day he found out that Mithrendol wasn't his child'. And that Celebhen had tried to kill him because of that. Why? Who was Mithrendol if not Celebhen's son? Then Legolas realized: Maegluin. Perhaps she had had an affair with another elf and it was only after that her child was born that Celebhen discovered Mithrendol was not of his blood, and he had tried to have him killed. That was why Mithrendol wanted revenge!
But then…that meant that Mithrendol's romance with Cefielle…it was between half brother and sister! Legolas cringed at that vulgar thought. Suddenly there was a shout.
"Legolas!" It was Gandalf, Boromir, and Gimli, and they were approaching. They had succeeded in driving the Nazgul back!
Legolas watched and the dwarf Gimli buried his axe deep into the fleshless bodies of one of the Wraiths surrounding the royal family.
"Protect them!" The elf prince shouted to his companions as he scurried off the table on the other side. "My business is with Celidur!"
Legolas glanced to the right and found Aragorn still battling with the first Ringwraith. The clash of metal rang in the air, and more sparks flew. Legolas saw a single spark fly and land on a cloth napkin that lay on the floor, setting it aflame. That gave him an idea.
Quickly turning back to the table, Legolas grasped a bottle of a drink—alcohol—hopefully this would fuel the fire. He raised it up, and then threw it down towards the small flame, and it crashed on to the hard tiles, shattering and spreading the liquid out across the floor. Immediately it caught fire, the flames licking up higher and catching the wood of a broken chair.
Good…Legolas thought. Flames were the only things that could drive away the Nazgul…he'd seen it before. It seemed that the servants of Sauron were very flammable. Already the Wraiths were shrieking in protest.
"Fool!" Came a cry from behind the elf prince. He spun around to meet a fuming Mithrendol, wielding his bloodied sword and approaching him. "You think that will help you? I already have half of my revenge over with…the Wraiths will take care of the Ringbearer…now all that's left is you."
Legolas felt the heat on his back and knew that the fire was spreading. Too fast. Perhaps he had made a mistake. Glancing back for an instant he saw that he was right. The flames were already consuming the table and licking up the walls! In a few minutes the entire palace could be ablaze!
Turning back, Legolas saw that Mithrendol was getting closer to him. He displayed his knives threateningly and growled in a low voice.
"Celidur…Mithrendol…whoever you are…if it's me you want, come and get me." With that, Legolas flipped his knives back into their sheaths on his back and retreated down one of the corridors.
"Legolas!" Aragorn saw what his friend was doing and tried to break away from the group to follow, but a Nazgul cut him off and he was forced to fight.
What is that elf thinking? He'll be trapped! The ranger thought worriedly as he blocked a blow from the Nazgul. It was not like Legolas to run from a battle like that. But perhaps he had a plan.
Either way, I have to help him. Aragorn decided.
Mithrendol smiled as the elven prince turned and ran. What a coward. He should have known. Comfortably slinging his sword over his shoulder, he followed.
Legolas ran straight down the corridor, glancing over his shoulder often to see if Mithrendol was catching up. The other elf was calmly jogging down the hall after him, his sword confidently resting on his shoulder. He was getting closer. Legolas let out a groan. His wound was bleeding more heavily now, slowing him. He had to go faster!
As he panted and ran, Legolas caught the scent of smoke. The fire he had set must have been growing. Looking back one last time he saw that behind the dreadful shadow of Mithrendol's body, the halls were beginning to blaze.
Panic gripped the elf's throat. His companions…could he have put them in danger by lighting that fire? Could he cause the death of everyone instead of saving them?
They should be able to find their way out…as long as they are accompanied by the servants who work here…but me…I don't know where I'm going! The thought only made Legolas's panic grow, and he forced his legs to move him faster.
He had to find a way out, or fight Mithrendol. But the other elf was fueled by centuries of built-up rage and besides, he was not wounded. Legolas would not be able to win a fight with him now.
Retreating like a rabbit being chased by wolves, Legolas weaved in and out of the many corridors, hoping that he'd either find an exit or lose Mithrendol.
Valar help me…Legolas thought in awe as ran past a room that was on fire. I'm going in circles!
The exhausted elf prince whipped his head around and then took a left at the next corridor. He glanced backward. Mithrendol was no longer behind him! Legolas almost smiled, before he remembered that he had to find a way out before the palace was burned to the ground.
Still, he ran. Soon smoke filled the air and Legolas found himself struggling to breath. He tried to inhale, but he only succeeded in getting a lungful of smoke. He coughed and placed his sleeve in front of his mouth. He could last only a while longer in this place.
"Aragorn!" He called, hoping his friend might come and find him. Legolas knew the ranger would never abandon him in a situation like this.
Legolas coughed again, and came to a stop. He didn't have enough energy anymore. He needed air! Finally, his knees gave out, and he collapsed against a wall, coughing.
"I'm going to die…" he realized aloud.
"Not while I can help it." Replied a familiar voice from his right.
Legolas turned and looked upon Mithrendol, who was towering above him, not minding the smoke at all.
"If all Greenwood elves are as pathetic as you, Prince Legolas, I'm surprised your race has survived this long." He muttered before reaching down with one hand and grabbing Legolas by the collar.
Legolas struggled, but it was useless. Mithrendol was obviously being strengthened by some dark power. His thought was questioned however, when Mithrendol coughed.
"We both have to get out of here, and then I'll finish my work with you." He said, beginning to drag the elf prince along the ground with one hand.
Legolas fumbled to reach up and seize one of his White Knives, but while Mithrendol was dragging him, it was too difficult.
"I'll die…before you do anything…to me, Mithrendol!" He cried, coughing in between the words.
"Like I said, not if I can help it." Repeated the other, not stopping until he had reached a door. He felt the wood, and it was not warm, so he flung it open and threw the prince inside, into a small corridor. Then he followed, and closed the door tightly behind him. Small trickles of smoke leaked from under the door, but other than that the air was clean. The fire had not reached here yet. Legolas was grateful to be able to take a breath of air and not smoke.
But…his life was still in danger. Before Mithrendol could lift his sword, Legolas whipped out one of his knives and threw it. Mithrendol saw the move and dodged, but he didn't do it quickly enough. The knife grazed his arm as it flew past, tearing the fabric and cutting his flesh. It buried itself in the door behind him. Mithrendol cried out in surprise as Legolas smiled in triumph and began to remove his other knife.
"Smart trick, Legolas!" Shouted Mithrendol angerly as he turned back to his foe. "But that's not going to save you. In fact, you'll only do yourself more harm in the end."
"We'll see about that." Countered the prince, standing and wielding his last knife, be began to draw back his arm to throw it and finish off Mithrendol for good, but suddenly, the other elf dropped his sword and simply tackled him, bringing them both to the ground with a dull thump.
To his great dismay, Legolas hadn't expected the unusual attack at all, and his last knife, his last form of defense was knocked out of his hands. It slid across the floor and bounced against the wall about twenty feet away.
Mithrendol began to laugh. "You really thought you could get away, didn't you! Fool!"
Legolas didn't seem to hear him, for he began to pummel Mithrendol with as many punches as he could. But he was weakened, and Mithrendol didn't take long in pinning the elf prince down so that he couldn't move at all.
"So…" he saw, leaning down towards Legolas's face. "We have a little time. I suppose you'd like to know the explanation to all of this, eh?"
Legolas gave the other elf a face of disgust and then spat in his face. Mithrendol smiled. He didn't seem to mind. But he was already covered in blood and gore, so why would he?
"Well, then." He chirped cheerfully. "I'll tell you. My name is Mithrendol. I'm not Celebhen's son though. I think you've already figured that out?"
Legolas clenched his teeth. Maybe if he played along a little while he could have some time to figure out a way to get out of this mess.
"Yes." He finally answered. "Maegluin. She had an affair that led to your birth."
"Correct." Mithrendol said. "Your smarter than I thought. I'm not Celebhen's child. He didn't know that, however, until the summer I turned 44, just a youth." He laughed. "He was enraged that his only heir wasn't even of his blood…so…"
"He sent to have you killed." Finished Legolas.
"Good boy." Congratulated Mithrendol. "Yes. I was led to the edge of the forest by his most loyal warriors, thinking I was receiving surprise. I couldn't believe what was happening when they suddenly aimed their bows at me and told me that my own father had ordered my death. Can you imagine that happening to you, Legolas?"
Legolas narrowed his eyes, but then shook his head. He felt a warm, red puddle begin to form around his injured shoulder. He needed to hurry and get out of here before he bled to death…but at the same time, he was dying to know what the cause behind all this was.
Mithrendol continued. "So, they shot me…nothing really clean though…I was abandoned still alive…left to bleed to death. That's when the first Ringwraith came to me and offered me Sauron's Deal."
"What was it?" Legolas asked, pretending to be curious.
"If I would kill my supposed father, Celebhen, and in doing so allow the destruction of the Nimar, I would get a new life…and a new identity." He answered. "I agreed, and the Wraith brought me another youth about my own age, and then he allowed me a power that only the greatest wizards can dream about…the power to banish one's soul."
Legolas furrowed his eyebrows, but he said nothing.
"I had the power to literally remove that poor youth's soul from his body, take its place, and then leave it in my own, dying body. To put it more basically, we switched bodies. That youth died that day, in my body, while I lived on. His name was Celidur, and that's the name I've lived by for the last 3007 years."
"But Maegluin." Legolas remembered. "She knew who you were."
Mithrendol smiled. "She was my mother. Nothing could fool her. And it wasn't harmful to me just to let her know what had happened…for she knew that if she breathed a word of it she could cause the death of me again."
"But she didn't know of the deal you made." Legolas wondered.
"I think in her heart she knew what I intended to do. She never expected me to have such an ally as Sauron and The Nine, though." Mithrendol giggled. "It's a shame she had to die."
"But that would make you and Cefielle half brother and sister." Legolas told him, with a hint of disgust in his tone.
Mithrendol snorted in amusement. "So it would seem, but that's not the case. Cefielle and I wouldn't be blood kin anyway even if I had survived in my own body."
"What?"
"You see, my dear prince, after Celebhen found out about my mother's betrayal, he decided that she wasn't worthy enough to provide any more heirs. After my 'accidental' death…and the move here…he had Cefielle and her sisters with another elven woman."
"And yet he stayed married to Maegluin?" Asked Legolas.
"He couldn't not stay married. What would his people think of him then?" Mithrendol said, as if Legolas was stupid.
"But why have you waited 3007 years?" Again questioned the elf prince.
"I'll tell you." Mithrendol said. "I could have done it sooner, had it not been for Celidur's real parents. I had the Ringwraith kill them after a few days…they were far too annoying…they would get in the way. Then…then Sauron was suddenly defeated…and the Wraiths left. I was alone, trapped in this body, with all my hate and anger and I couldn't do anything about it without getting killed myself."
Mithrendol looked down Legolas, who glared back. "So I waited for them to return. And they did. You, my friend, were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"So now you're going to kill me?" Legolas asked hopefully, though he knew that wasn't going to be the case.
Mithrendol laughed yet again. "Oh, no. I'm going to banish your soul into this body, and take yours for my own. And then I'll kill you."
Legolas's eyes seethed with hate. "You bastard. You won't touch me." He was able to unpin one of his arms from Mithrendol's steel grasp and lashed out, his fist hitting the other elf square in the face. Mithrendol reeled back, but his other hand grasped Legolas's injured shoulder, digging into the wound with a clawed hand.
Legolas screamed, and he tried to rip away from the creature on top of him. But it only caused him more pain, and as soon as he recovered from the blow he received, Mithrendol dealt Legolas his own blow to the head, dazing him for a moment. It was enough to pin him back down again.
"Nice try." He said, leaning in so close Legolas to feel his breath on his face. "But it's hopeless. Your as good as dead."
"You realize that you'll be in an injured body and I'll be in a strong one if you go through with this." Legolas told him. "And I'll be able to kill you before you kill me."
"Yes, I know. That's why I have this." Mithrendol let go of one of Legolas's wounded shoulder, pinning his arm down with his knee, and then pulled a small vile from his tunic pocket. "This is poison that comes from the trees that grow here. One sip and you're weakened considerably after the first few minutes, and you die within an hour or two."
He grinned an evil grin. The smell of smoke was getting stronger. Legolas knew that they didn't have long until the fire reached this part of the palace. Then, suddenly, he got an idea.
"Cefielle. You left her somewhere. She'll die in the flames if you don't save her." He told Mithrendol.
The other elf's face formed a frown and twitched. "She was a good little lover. It's a shame she'll have to die. But I very much doubt she'd come back to me after all of this and besides, there are other women out there." He sneered. "And I'm sure none of them would be able to resist a handsome prince's affections."
"You're more important anyway." Added Mithrendol as he took a swig from the vial, emptying it. He sighed, and then flashed a smile at Legolas again.
"Now then…Shall we?" He widened his smile and threw the vial behind him. It hit the floor and shattered into a thousand pieces. Then he leaned down close to Legolas's face…even closer than before.
"Now hold still, this will feel a bit strange." He said cheerfully, leaning in even more. Legolas's mind had gone as far to think that Mithrendol intended to kiss him when he stopped, their lips almost touching. Then Mithrendol opened his mouth and began to inhale.
Legolas jerked and opened his mouth to cry out for help but no sound came. When he felt a strange sensation inside of him, and his mouth stayed open, his lips just slightly parted. He felt a warmth gather deep in his chest, and then slowly, it was drawn out through his mouth in the form of an eerie purple, glowing smoke. His soul. It was leaving him.
Valar…valar! No! This can't be happening to me! Legolas thought as he began to lose the sensation of his body.
Suddenly, as Legolas watched, a form appeared from behind and above Mithrendol, a sword held in it's hands. It raised the weapon and brought the blade down in a fast swift motion, burying it up to the hilt in Mithrendol's flesh.
Mithrendol's eyes popped open immediately, and the soul he was swallowing retreated back into its owner's body as he screamed in pain. Legolas used this time to push his enemy's body off of his own, coughing as his soul settled within him again. Mithrendol rolled over on his back, trembling. Legolas knew that the holder of the sword had delivered a fatal blow. He turned his head to see who his savior was, and to his great surprise, it was Cefielle!
"Cefielle!" He blurted, unbelieving. She should be dead by now! Where had she come from?
Even as he looked at her, the girl dropped the bloodied sword in horror at what she had done. She was a mess. Her clothes were blackened with soot and some parts were burnt, her face was stained with tears and her long silver hair was singed.
Mithrendol looked up with fading eyes at his lover. "Cef…Cefielle…" He gasped, bubbles of blood escaping from his lips. "I…"
Cefielle stared in shock and collapsed. Luckily, Legolas was able to move close enough to catch her.
Meanwhile, Mithrendol was refusing to let go of the life he'd stolen from another. "I…won't…go." He whispered as blood formed a puddle around him, and his already pale features turned white. "I…won't…" His sentence was cut short when he tried to cough, but only succeeded in spraying blood all over the front of his tunic.
Then his eyes glazed completely over, his breath ceased, and he died.
Both Legolas and Cefielle sat staring at the dead body on the floor for a few moments, before Legolas came to his senses.
"Cefielle, the palace is on fire. We must get to an exit." Legolas said urgently. He received no answer.
"Cefielle?" He asked again. "Do you hear me?"
The girl stared at her dead lover for one moment longer, and then blinked, coming out of her trance. "I…I…Legolas?" She stuttered, beginning to cry.
Legolas grasped her by the shoulders and roughly turned her around. "Cefielle. We need to get out of here. Now. This is your home. We need to find the way out, or we will both die."
Cefielle seemed to understand. "There should be a door…a little down the corridor." She whispered, and then coughed.
Legolas glanced down the hall in the direction she referred to and winced. 'A little down the corridor' was full of smoke, and getting fuller every second.
"Is there no other way?" He asked.
Cefielle shook her head. "The way I came is burning." She said, gesturing to her charred dress.
Legolas nodded gravely, but then tried to stand up. He was able to support himself, and Cefielle got up to and began to hurry down the hall into the smoke, using one of her long sleeves to cover her mouth.
"Follow me!" She called.
Legolas tried. He grasped his injured shoulder and took a few heavy steps, but his energy was spent. He collapsed after moving just a few feet.
"Legolas!" Cefielle shouted in alarm as she rushed back to him. "Come on, we must get out of here, you said it yourself!"
Legolas mustered up all the strength that was left in him and was able to stand, if Cefielle helped him. Leaning partially on her, they slowly made their way down the corridor.
Every breath the elf prince took felt like a red-hot poker was being shoved into his side. He couldn't go on like this much longer. And Cefielle was becoming tired of the extra weight leaning on her shoulder.
With a heavy heart, he sank down to the ground again.
"Legolas! What are you doing?" Cefielle shouted, frustrated and afraid.
"I cannot go on any longer, Cefielle. Go and save yourself." He weezed, coughing.
"I cannot simply leave you here, Legolas!" She cried, kneeling next to him. She began to help him up again, but he shoved her away.
"Do as I say!" He shouted at her, earning a look of surprise and fear. "Or we will both die!"
Legolas looked away from the shaking, petrified girl and then closed his tired eyes. He felt so heavy.
"Legolas…"
The elven prince's head shot up. "Did you hear that?" He asked.
"What?" Inquired the girl.
"Legolas…"
"That!" Legolas cried.
Cefielle turned her head in the direction Legolas was staring. She saw nothing but approaching flames, but her ears told her otherwise. She heard a call.
"Legolas! Where are you!"
"It's Master Aragorn," She whispered to herself, and then raiser her voice. "Over here!" She called as loudly as she could.
"Aragorn!" Legolas shouted, but again he was taken by a fit of coughing.
Cefielle kept looking in the direction of the voice, and soon, to her great relief, she saw the shadow of a man amongst the flames.
"Master Aragorn!" She called again. "Over here!"
Aragorn reached his friend and the girl in a moment. He was shocked when he saw the body of Mithrendol in a puddle of blood and Legolas's condition.
"What happened?" He asked Cefielle.
"I don't know!" Cefielle said. "I came here and Celidur was about to kill him so I…I…" The girl's face twisted as she began to cry again.
"Aragorn…" Legolas said, reaching for his friend's hand. Aragorn took it, and with remarkable strength for a man, pulled Legolas up and against him.
"Lean on me—and walk." He ordered. "Cefielle, you come and support him on the other side."
Cefielle obeyed, and together they were able to haul the wounded prince clear of the burning corridor. Aragorn stopped when he no longer could find a way.
"Cefielle, which way should we go to get out of here?" He asked.
"This way," Was her reply, and Cefielle led then through a hall that led to the main gate that had somehow been spared by the flames. In doing so, they passed a door to the dining hall, and Legolas caught a glimpse of the burning bodies and tables and chairs inside.
Finally…finally, they made it out into the clear, open air. Outside where the survivors of the battle. There was a crowd of Nimar surrounding the palace, all gasping and screaming in terror and surprise when the Ranger, the Prince, and Cefielle appeared out of the flames.
Cefielle was quickly lost in the crowds of her people, and Aragorn gently set down Legolas. His shoulder wound was still bleeding, and the elf's eyes were showing it. They were becoming blank. Aragorn knew he didn't have time to waste.
"Gandalf!" He called loudly. The wizard should be able to use some sort of magic to heal his friend.
"Aragorn…" There was a hoarse whisper from Legolas. "Would it be too much to ask…for some water please?"
Aragorn smiled at his friend. "I'll get you some water, mellon. But first you need medical attention."
Legolas smiled back. He was safe. The adrenaline that coursed through his blood before, giving him strength, started to slow.
He found himself very tired…
****************Personal thingy**************
AN: There we go. Almost done!