Chapter 8

                  Glorfindel sat in the shadows where no one could see him.  He doubted even Elvin sight could pierce the darkness in which he sat.  He remained still, his sword already drawn.  It had been silent all night, but now as the dark lifted, a small sound was heard.  Glorfindel drew in a breath, rising when he saw the Elf.  The Elf approached the bed, dagger in hand.  Glorfindel moved from the shadows.

                  " What are you doing?"

The Elf spun around and then pulled out his own sword.

                  " Glorfindel."

                  Glorfindel positioned himself between the bed and the culprit.

                  " Soronúmë, why are you here?"

The Elf shrugged.

                  " Is it not obvious?"

Glorfindel let his sword fall lax in his hand for a moment.

                  " Will you repent of this?"

Soronúmë raised his sword.

                  " You seem to be a good Elf, Glorfindel.  I hate to kill you."

Glorfindel just inclined his head.

                  " I hate to die."

A razor thin smile lighted Glorfindel's face.

*Ahh, the blessing of knowing I cannot fall yet…

~*~

                  Celebhiril glanced over at Celeborn.

                  " Why?"

Celeborn shook his head.

                  " Nothing has become clear yet.  Even Galadriel's vision is muddled."

Celebhiril sighed.

                  " I guess I should go check on Elrond."

Celeborn rose, stopping her.

                  " Glorfindel is in there guarding him.  Be sure you make yourself known."  Celeborn then handed her a dagger.  " The road may be dangerous."

Celebhiril took it with a nod.  She hid it under her loose tunic before exiting the room.  Celeborn sighed.

*What ill has fallen among the Elves that we fear each other?

~*~

                  The swords glinted in the early light, clanging and finding targets.  Glorfindel felt a trickle of sweat tickle his cheek.  Soronúmë was a good competitor.  The door suddenly opened and Glorfindel's heart fell.  His baby sister entered.  Soronúmë leapt for her.  Glorfindel sprinted after him.

                  " Get out, Celebhiril."

~*~

                  Elrond was pulled awake by shouting.  His hand went for his sword, but it was not there.  He slowly reached for his dresser drawer and pulled out a short bow, a handmade crossbow.  In it was one arrow.  Elrond carefully took aim and to him, it seemed that time was suspended as he took the shot.  A bloodcurdling scream echoed through Lindon.

~*~

                  Celeborn closed his eyes, hearing the footsteps running by.  He went to the door, seeing his wife push by healers.

                  " Let her go."  Celeborn boomed.

Galadriel sent him a thankful glance.

*Close the door to that room, Hervenn.  Close it and do not let anyone in.

Celeborn closed and bolted the door.  He drew his sword, awaiting any offender.

~*~

                  Glorfindel pushed the dead Soronúmë off his sister.  She laid there, frozen, a dagger extended from her hand, wet with the dead Elf's blood.  Glorfindel pried it from her fingers.

                  " 'Hiril, it's ok."

Her eyes opened a bit and she rose.  She threw her arms around her brother. 

                  " He tried to kill me."

Glorfindel comforted her, his eyes trailing up as Elrond rose.  Elrond placed a gentle hand on Celebhiril's head.

                  " You ok?"

                  She nodded, pushing out of her brother's arms.

                  " I must return to Ereinion."

She nearly ran out of the room.  Glorfindel rose, turning to Elrond.

                  " I am indebted to you.  She would have been dead."

Elrond just shrugged.  A dozen or more guards, led by Orodlin ran in.  Orodlin just stared.

                  " What happened?"

Elrond ran a hand over his neck.

                  " You tell me."

Orodlin straightened.

                  " How would I know?  We heard screams and came, thinking ill had been done."

                  Glorfindel stepped forward.

                  " This fiend came in with ill intentions towards Elrond.  I had been placed to protect the herald, and so caught the Elf in his appalling actions.  Halfway into the fight, my sister entered by unhappy chance.  He turned on her, and had not Elrond awoken, she would be dead, not he."

Orodlin took it all in with a serious expression.

                  " This is unheard of among the Elves."

Glorfindel had to admit that the son of Orodreth was a brilliant actor.  Elrond just nodded.

                  " How about we keep this incident to ourselves, eh?  There is no need to frighten the people with a phantom."

Orodlin agreed with a gleam in his eyes.

                  " Of course.  We shall take the body and leave you two to yourselves."

                  Elrond and Glorfindel were silent as they removed the body.  The door closed and Elrond sighed.

                  " By the gate of Mandos, he is slimy."

Glorfindel just shook his head.

                  " We must be on our guard.  Something ill is afoot and I believe we cannot even conceive its end."

~*~

                  Celeborn let Celebhiril into the room before securely bolting the door again.  She bent beside Ereinion, taking his pulse.  She frowned.

                  " Celeborn, his pulse is erratic."

Celeborn then noticed the sweat trailing down the unconscious King's face.  He moved to her side, awaiting any instructions.  Celebhiril put a hand to her head.

                  " The antidote is not working."  Tears spilled from her eyes.  " He will be dead in a matter of hours.  The poison cannot be countered now."

~*~

                  Elrond burst into the room. 

                  " You lie."

Celebhiril crossed her arms.

                  " You are the wise one, Peredhil.  You find the cure.  It evades me, but fate has always smiled happily upon you."

Elrond ignored her sarcastic tone, reaching for a book.  Glorfindel entered with a grim face.

                  " It seems that Soronúmë somehow survived.  He is accusing us of trying to kill him."