My fans want more from me so I must deliver another chapter. No big deal. Thanks for all the reviews and sit back for another chapter.
Chapter 7: Risky Plan
"I'm not feeling so good about this," Aducollo said as Azura helped her into a beautiful dress.
"Aducollo don't worry. I'll be right there with you the whole time. Now hand me your clothes. I'll need them later on."
Aducollo handed her a folded bundle of clothing and sighed. Azura placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a smile. "Azura I know you're willing to risk everything, but I don't think I can do this. You have so much to work for, but I have nothing to work for."
"Don't say that. I know of one thing you've wanted more then anything."
"And what is that? You're so smart why don't you tell me?"
"Freedom."
Aducollo's face became as white as a sheet. Tears began to swell in her eyes and she fell across Azura's shoulder. Azura held her close and told her everything would be all right. "If this all works out I will set us both free. I promise you Aducollo. Have faith in me."
"Is everything okay?" Legolas asked after a couple minutes.
"We're fine. We just had a little upset that's all," Azura said poking her head out from the closet where Aducollo and her were dressing.
Aducollo stepped out and let Legolas and Gimli admire Azura's handy work. "Does it look all right?"
"You look beautiful young lass. I almost mistook you for a princess," Gimli said kissing Aducollo's hand. Aducollo blushed.
Legolas went and stood by Azura, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I think this will work out," he whispered into her ear. "But we must hurry. The party starts soon."
Aducollo was kept well hidden in a room off of the main gate. Gimli accompanied Azura into the banquet hall were all of Mirkwood was waiting. There was already drinking, eating, singing, and dancing. Everyone was so excited to hear Legolas' story and to see his princess.
When Legolas arrived there was a grand applause. Azura was amused at the number of elven girls that began to weep, because Legolas didn't choose them to be his bride.
"Good evening ada. People of Mirkwood! Thank you for the joyous feast. I am well aware that everyone wishes to hear of my journeys."
"Where is the girl?" Thranduil asked from the front of the room.
"She is getting ready. She is from a far region of Middle Earth and did not bring anything for such a fancy dinner that I let her borrow one of mother's gowns. Azura will fetch her when she is ready."
"Well alright. Begin with your story then. We are all excited to hear."
Legolas started and Gimli stood beside him helping out with bits and pieces. When Legolas got to the part about the lands of Rohan, Azura left and the room fell quiet. But by continuing the story Legolas quickly regained their attention.
Azura ran into the room and shut the door behind her. "Quick help me into this," she said pulling off her own clothes and putting on Aducollo's. "We only have a few minutes."
Pelladil managed to get outside the door as Azura and Aducollo came out. Luckily she couldn't tell the difference. "Aducollo have you seen Azura? I wish to speak to her."
"Sorry Pelladil I haven't seen her. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get the princess to the banquet hall, where I think you're supposed to be also," Azura pointed out in her best Aducollo voice.
"Right then. I'll be there shortly."
Azura looked at her and saw a gleam in her eyes. She remembered that Pelladil had heard them, while in their hiding place. She took Aducollo's hand and squeezed it. Aducollo squeezed back. Together they disappeared down the corridor.
"Oh I know you're Azura in disguise, Princess. You will get your just reward in just a few minutes." She smiled as she pulled a dagger out from under her skirt. "Soon I will be rid of you for good and I'll be the king's favorite servant."
She waited a few moments and then followed them down the corridor.
Azura and Aducollo walked into the banquet hall just as Legolas got to the part about Helm's Deep. Again the room went silent and all eyes fell on Aducollo. With Azura leading her she gracefully walked to the center of the room and took Legolas' hand.
"Do you wish to introduce her to us?" Thranduil asked.
"I wish to introduce myself if I may your highness?" Aducollo asked in her sweetest voice. Thranduil nodded his approval. "I am Princess Teltarma. I am from the eastern lands of Middle Earth. I had been visiting in Rivendell at the time of Elrond's Council and meet Legolas there. I stopped home before coming here, so I did not get to experience any of Legolas' journeys."
"We are all glad to have you here my dear girl."
"Wow she's so good she even had Thranduil fooled," Azura thought to herself. Then she saw Pelladil arrive in the doorway.
A small child stood up and went to the middle of the room where he began to tug at Legolas' tunic. Legolas got down on one knee and gave the boy a smile. "Legolas can you finish the story? I want to hear about how you smashed those orcs!"
Legolas patted the boy's head. "Of course I will. A chair was brought for Aducollo and Legolas continued.
Azura watched Pelladil carefully. Pelladil's eyes were filled with hatred and angry. She looked ready to kill. With Legolas and Aducollo facing the king they didn't notice Pelladil pull up the dagger, but Azura saw.
"No," she whispered. She began pushing through the crowd and made her way to the front. Pelladil was closing in and held the blade at Aducollo's back thinking it was Azura in disguise. Just before she could strike Azura had positioned herself between Aducollo and the blade. Pelladil proceeded to force the dagger forward and drove it into Azura's chest. Azura gasped and grabbed at the blade ignoring the fact that it cut through the skin on her fingers.
The crowd went silent and Legolas spun around at Azura's cry. Pelladil pulled the blade out and Azura's body fell to the floor.
"Noooooooo!!" Legolas cried as he knelt down beside her.
"Azura!" Aducollo cried.
"What I killed her. Ha I killed the right one," Pelladil laughed. "I was going to kill the wrong one."
"Pelladil you better have an explanation for this," Thranduil cried.
"Your highness I know this may come as a shock to you, but your own son has been lying to you. This is no princess. This is only Aducollo in disguise. His real love is the very girl at my feet."
"Legolas is this true?"
Legolas knelt beside Azura and held her. "Yes father it's true. I love Azura with all my heart."
Pelladil grew enraged and was again ready to attack again when she stood still in her place. Everyone watched in amazement as Thranduil held her with a petrifying spell.
"Please don't interrupt," he said to her. Only her eyes moved and she looked angry. "Take her away to the cells. When the spell wears off call for me. I wish to talk to her."
Two men came and picked up Pelladil's body and carried her away. Thranduil got up from his chair and made his way to the middle of the room. He ordered a few other guards to begin filing the guests out of the room.
Aducollo was on her knees crying. Gimli came over and tried his best to calm her. "Please don't tell me my sister is dead. I will not stand to hear such news."
"She's not dead. She's barely alive," Legolas announced. "Father, please help her."
"Because of her noble deed I will do the best I can, but the wounds look deep. I will be able to end the wound, but the real healing process will take all her strength and motivation. Bring her to the medical hall. She has little time left…"
Oh no is this the end or is there hope? Find out in the next chapter.