When Will the Sun Shine Again?
Chapter 12-Even
The spectators watched with baited breath as the arrow sailed in a straight line through the air, and with a thwap embedded itself… squarely into the eighth ring.
There was silence in the audience. They were trying to work out who was the winner. Then someone started to clap, and the rest soon joined in.
"The final results, Harlindon, seventeen. Lorien, twenty two. Rivendell, twenty four. Mirkwood, twenty eight. Eryn Vorn, twenty eight." The bewildered scorer announced.
Elrond stood. "This means there is a draw. The two best archers in Middle Earth are Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and Prince Astalder of Eryn Vorn."
"A draw!?" Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir cried.
"I don't think anyone bet on that." Arwen said, smiling. "Except me."
"What?!" The twins chorused.
"Well, you teased that I would not be able to choose, so I didn't, I placed bets on both." Arwen said smugly.
"How did you… when did you… oh just hand the coins over Elrohir." Elladan sighed, waving his hand in the direction of his sister, with his eyes closed and head turned dramatically.
"In my humble view, there was definitely something suspicious about those last two shots." Haldir said, frowning in the direction of Astalder and Legolas who were being congratulated right, left and centre.
"I know, Legolas had that target in the bag, he's made harder shots. Everyone knows a Mirkwood elf can hit the eye of a bird in the dark." Elladan commented.
"I think Legolas knows that too." Elrohir observed, Legolas' expression was set in grim determination and his eyes held a glint of suspicion.
Astalder didn't look to pleased either, his eyes burned with anger and he certainly wasn't exuding elven serenity.
Legolas made his way over to the four elves.
"Well done Legolas, I knew you could not lose." Arwen smiled and kissed him on the cheek. Legolas gave a half hearted smile and bowed graciously.
"Many thanks Arwen. 'Tis not a win, but it is certainly not a loss either."
Arwen smiled, her bright eyes shining. "I will go and congratulate Astalder also." She nodded to all of them and walked off.
The twins and Haldir huddled around Legolas.
"You are not pleased." Elrohir stated.
"Why shouldn't I be? I did not lose, I have no reason to be dismayed do I?" Legolas said, brightly as he could muster, trying to deny it.
"'Twas not a win though, as you said yourself." Haldir observed.
"How does this affect your bet?" Elladan frowned, looking for Arwen and Astalder.
"I know not. I would assume it is negated, as neither of us bested the other." Legolas shrugged.
"Bet?" Elrohir questioned in confusion.
"Pay no heed to it brother, 'tis naught." Elladan reassured him.
"Before you get engrossed in what is nothing, perhaps you three should realise, Arwen is missing, and so is Astalder." Haldir broke in.
The three princes spun, their keen eyes scanning the entire area, but true to the Lorien guard's word, Arwen and Astalder were nowhere to be seen.
"Utinu en lokirim. (Son of snakes)" Legolas growled. "We must find them."
"Ú. Ada canmen. (No. Father calls us.)" Elrohir said, as Elrond motioned to his sons. "Legolas, you and Haldir go, we shall meet you when we are finished."
Legolas and Haldir nodded and Elladan and Elrohir reluctantly went towards their father.
"Shall we part? We may cover more ground that way." Haldir suggested.
"Aye, you search the Homely House, I will search the grounds." The two parted hastily.
Legolas was convinced that Astalder had affected his shot, Mirkwood elves were indeed certainly excellent shots, their aim never failing in the dank and shadowy forest of Mirkwood, there was no reason he should not have scored straight in the centre as before.
It matters not, if Arwen is safe, but now my heart doubts that also. He followed his keen senses to the Gardens of Elrond, passing the stream into which Arwen had almost toppled all those weeks ago, his heart gave a pang.
No, I will not dwell on my feelings now, I must find Arwen! He scanned the area, calling for the raven haired maid, but he could not find her anywhere.
He ventured deeper into the lush gardens, his surroundings alive with bright fresh greens, and bursts of vivid colour burst forth hither and thither. Birds twittered lazily, hidden even from elven eyes high in the trees, and were it in other circumstances, Legolas surely would have stopped to admire the day and bathe in the serenity of spring, 'twas a season not readily visible in Mirkwood though since Sauron's shadow had been exorcised from the vast forest, light and air had been filling the woodland anew, and 'twas improved greatly.
As he progressed further, his mood darkening with still no trace of Arwen, he noticed the birds had ceased their carefree song, the trees were silent. Considering this rather odd, Legolas stopped, looking up into the trees with his bright eyes. He whistled, hoping for a returning song from one of the feathered creatures, but none came. Deciding Arwen was far more important than why the birds had stopped singing Legolas carried on again, reaching Arwen's rose garden, hoping that if she was not here, Haldir had found rumour of her in the house.
As he stepped through the close-knit trees he stopped in shock. There indeed Arwen was, in Astalders arms.
They were entangled in a soft but passionate kiss, and Legolas almost fell over with astonishment, he gawped at the pair, feeling as if the Dark Lord himself had reached into his chest and ripped out his heart and soul.
Mouth opening and closing for a moment in amazement, Legolas remembered it would be healthy for him to start breathing again, though at this precise moment he could not see the point. He turned on his heel and ran from the garden, his blonde hair streaming out behind him with his haste. He felt as if he would be sick, he had failed everything he had promised and wished for, and now all he wanted to do was die.
Arwen may have been unaware of Legolas' presence in the garden that moment, but Astalder wasn't. Head tilted, still kissing away, he watched with satisfaction as the Mirkwood prince took in the scene before him, then fled.
All in all, it had been a most satisfying day.
*
Okay, I know that was short, but it seemed a good place to end it and I didn't want to give too much away, I'll try and make the next chapter longer to make up for it! I didn't really like that chap, too rushed and icky, but never mind as I say I'll make up for it with the next chapter! I bet you weren't expecting that result in the archery were ya!? Or that ending for that matter, man, even I hate Astalder and he's my character, he's trés slimy, no? More will come of this encounter, but how will Legolas deal with it now? Review and tell me what you think!!! Oh and there was something I was meaning to put in from the beginning, but it slipped my mind until now, a teaser line from the next chapter to whet your appetites, I hope to see you all at chapter 13, unlucky for some, will it be unlucky for Leggy?
Teaser: "You may be Prince of Mirkwood, but I am Prince of Arwen's heart, and that is something you will never be, especially if I have anything to do with it, Goth amin."
Bwahaha! Review!
xXx