Legolas walked slowly through the halls, his head held high and his face devoid of any emotion. His heart felt empty, and as he paused outside his destination, he smiled, though it was not warm. Instead it was nasty and malicious. However, it quickly vanished when he pushed open the doors to the throne room of Mirkwood.
His father was standing facing the wall, arms folded tightly across his chest, as if he were trying to hold all of his emotions inside. He did not turn though, for he thought that the newcomer would only be one of his advisors, coming to make sure he was alright.
"Has your life become so empty since I left, that you spend the days gazing at the wall?" asked Legolas coolly.
King Thranduil spun around, and as he saw who stood before him, he slowly shook his head in disbelief. He stepped forwards and locked eyes with Legolas for a brief moment, before embracing him.
"You have returned," he whispered.
Legolas smiled vaguely, and as he trailed one hand through Thranduil's hair, with the other, he pulled something from his belt. He kept his eyes fixed on the opposite wall, and slowly but steadily raised his arm.
"I thought I had lost you," said Thranduil quietly, taking a step back and looking into his son's eyes. Something was wrong. Ice blue and emotionless were the deep pools, yet reflected in them, was a glinting silver.
The King of Mirkwood noticed too late, the knife flying down to meet him.
Legolas' eyes snapped open, and he suddenly jerked upright on the bed. His ribs exploded in pain at the swift movement, and an overwhelming wave of agony washed over his broken wrist. His arm had been bandaged a while after Tolvanir had stabbed him all those days back, but now he felt cool blood soaking through the cloth.
"Ada...Ada, I'm sorry," whispered the Prince. "I'm so sorry."
Raising his eyes to the ceiling, Legolas exhaled deeply. He had all but forbidden himself from thinking of his father and friends, and every time they entered his mind, he cursed himself for letting them do so, and he pushed them away. His dreams though, were even less controllable, and he found himself wanting to scream and yell in rage whenever he woke up and realised what he had dreamt of.
"You are not worthy of them," said Legolas quietly.
As the door opened, the Elf turned his head to the opposite wall. He just wanted to be left alone for as long as possible, and when that dreadful time came, he just wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. He knew though, that Calaen had entered, and would want to talk.
"How are you, Legolas? Are you hungry yet? I could always have someone bring you food," offered the dark haired Elf.
"You came in here for a reason, so just hurry up with it so that you can leave again," said Legolas shortly.
Calaen inclined his head, and pulled up a chair. "Have it your way. Now, I can give you as long as you want to heal fully, because I know how much pain you must be in. When you feel ready, we will ride to Mirkwood."
"Even you?" asked Legolas, breaking his own rule of not acknowledging Calaen throughout this talk.
"Yes, even me," came the reply. "There will also be over fifty of my soldiers coming, so there will be no way to escape. But then, why would you want to? Anyway, when we get to the palace, a few of my soldiers will go in with you, and you will say that you picked them up whilst travelling. I trust you know what to do when inside?"
"Yes, I am going to kill my father," said Legolas quietly.
Calaen sighed, and moved a little closer to the bed. "I am not asking you to do that, and you know that full well. All you must do is tell him what I want. Threaten him if necessary, but you do not have to commit murder. I'm sure he will-
"No!" snapped Legolas. "He will not give up everything that he has worked so hard for. Are you really so blind that you cannot see this? Are you really so consumed by your own greed that you have lost whatever sense you had? If you really think that Thranduil will comply with your wishes, you have another thing coming."
"Then you know what to do," said Calaen calmly. "He must die."
"You cannot scare me any more," said Legolas slowly, his eyes glinting. "My friends have been freed, and you can no longer hurt me."
Calaen leant forwards, and smiled gently. "They were held captive for eight days, without food or warmth. They were only released this morning, and although they are likely to be travelling as fast as possible, I doubt very much that they will be able to get very far at this stage. You know, it would not be any trouble to send riders out to bring them back. And don't forget that Rivendell is relatively close, and-
"Alright," said Legolas quickly, though his voice was slightly unsteady. "Calaen, you remember what we agreed, don't you?"
"Yes," replied the older Elf. "Look, are you sure about that? I do not wish to hurt you any more."
"Spare me the loving talk," spat Legolas. He shook his head and laughed hollowly. "Yes, I meant every word I said. When all of this is over, I want you to kill me. It's like you said before: there is nothing left for me any more. It sickens me to say it, but you were right."
Calaen shrugged lightly, and pushed back his chair. He went across to the door, but paused when he got there. Looking back at his brother, he laughed. "I do not believe you are as opposed to my ideas as you make out. See, if that were so, you would surely not have changed into the clothes that were provided for you."
As Calaen left, Legolas looked down at himself, and shuddered. Gone were the colours of Mirkwood he had previously worn. Now he was dressed entirely in black, ideal for an assassin. Even his hair was tied back with black silk.
Black..." murmured the Prince. "Like my heart."
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As he heard the Rivendell patrol cry out, Elladan wheeled his horse around to see what the commotion was about. Elrohir was riding through the small town, straight towards Calaen's soldiers. They were still waiting in the trees, waiting for the order to shoot.
Elladan cursed and made to go forwards, but three Elves pulled up in front of him, blocking his way. They were all sympathetic, but could not risk landing the other twin in great peril.
"Get out of my way," growled Elladan, furious that his own friends would try and stop him from protecting his brother.
"With all due respect, it would be folly to let you out there," said one of the Elves gently.
Elladan hissed, though he held up his hands in defeat. The soldiers smiled sadly at him, turning their attention back to the town, drawing their weapons as they did so. Twenty Elves were now faced with Valar knew how many enemies, barely visible in the trees. Elladan smiled grimly, and leapt into a crouching position on his horse's back.
"Go forward," he whispered. "Go forward...now!"
Jumping up, Elladan grabbed onto a low hanging branch and pulled himself into a tree. He could hear the shouts from his soldiers below - clearly the horse had barged through them – and he climbed up higher, so that none could pull him back down. Gritting his teeth, the dark haired Elf jumped like a squirrel into the next tree, and ran swiftly over its branches.
"Just wait until I get my hands on you, 'Ro," he muttered, keeping his eyes fixed on the path he was taking, for one misjudged jump could prove fatal.
As he ran, Elladan could hear the pounding of his horse's hooves right below him, and could occasionally see the black mane and tail whipping around in the wind. Putting on an extra burst of speed, he leapt onto the last branch. He would only have a split second to wait though, for the horse was so close behind.
There was a rustling of leaves down on the ground, and the Elf tightened his grip around his bow. A black horse cantered through the trees, and Elladan let out a yell of determination as he leapt off the branch into thin air. No, he had jumped too late; he was not going to make it.
He closed his eyes, waiting for the painful impact of his body hitting the ground. It didn't come though, and he realised with a thrill, that he had landed on the horse's back. Letting out a deep breath, Elladan regained the normal riding position, and galloped through the town, yelling at women and children to get out of the way.
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Elrohir pulled his horse around, and stared in horror as Elladan rode towards him, eyes flashing wildly, hair flying around his face. The younger twin's face paled, and as the two made eye contact, he shook his head slightly.
"Go back...Elrohir!" he yelled. "It is me they want, not you!"
Elladan's eyes widened in shock as he realised exactly what his brother was going to do. The only reason Elrohir had called him by the wrong name, was so that Calaen's soldiers would get mixed up, and shoot the wrong Elf. Elladan kicked his horse on, but up ahead, Elrohir did the same.
"You fool, you fool, you fool," muttered Elladan.
As he drew nearer to Elrohir, the older twin jumped once more onto his horse's back, again in a crouching position. Taking a deep breath, he leapt to the side, and landed directly behind his brother.
"What are you doing?" hissed Elrohir.
"Sorry if I hurt you," said Elladan in way of a reply.
Elrohir gasped as he felt himself being lifted up by strong arms. He tried to resist, but Elladan had the advantage, for he had been in a much easier position. Gritting his teeth, he threw both himself and Elrohir off the horse and down to the ground.
"In the name of Arda, what are you playing at?" cried Elrohir, looking up into Elladan's stormy eyes, a look of fury on his face. "Do you have a death wish?"
"Ask yourself that question," snapped Elladan, shaking his brother.
Elrohir made a growling noise in his throat, and hit Elladan's hands away. Shaking his head slightly, he looked quickly over to Calaen's soldiers. They were coming out of the trees now, ordering the townspeople to get back into their homes. Some carried bows of black wood, others carried long spears. The Rivendell patrol were on the other side of the clearing, deadly arrows notched, waiting for the command to attack.
"We are trapped," said Elladan quietly. "If we try and get back to our lot, then Calaen's soldiers will shoot. If we stay here, we are still in great peril."
"I would have willingly given my life for you," whispered Elrohir. "I would do anything for you, 'Dan."
Reaching out, Elladan took his brother's hand, and smiled gently. "I am not going to let you go anywhere without me. Do you remember the promise we made, all those years ago?"
"We entered this world together, so it is only right that we leave together," said Elrohir, his voice choked.
"Yes, and I hold to that," said Elladan. "Do you?"
Elrohir glanced quickly at each of the two armies, and resolutely nodded. "Yes, but we're not going to go down without a good fight."
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Legolas-gurl888: I just read your most recent update of 'Inseparable', and I'm so unbelievably sad that its coming to the end. Still, at least there's the sequel to look forward to. Any idea when you're gonna start posting that?
Elensar32: Aw, your puppy sounds really sweet! What's she called? We're getting a golden retriever. We were gonna call her Skye, but now I think we're gonna change it to something else.
Hiei-Rulez: Hee hee. I totally agree with you about that rule!
CaryElweisHOT: Yeah, I'm getting a golden retriever and I can't wait. Its gonna be so much fun, and she's the sweetest thing!
Renee: Yeah, I have read some of Cassia's stuff. I think she's amazing. That was a really nice thing you said though, and thanks so much! I think that seven and five are quite sweet ages, but then, I guess its different if you have to live with them!
LalaithoftheBruinen: Yes, I do! I could invent a new form of torture: suspense!
GollumGirl: Sure you can hug Aradan. Just make sure that he comes back in one piece, cos I'm not finished with him yet!
Inu Lover: We're getting a golden retriever. We used to have a rough collie, but she died three years back, and we think its time to move on now.
Elfobsession2931: Yeah, I feel incredibly sorry for you. ROTK is coming out in 12 days though. Does that cheer you up at all?
OK, that wasn't a very evil cliff hanger. And there wasn't very much of Legolas, but he does come back into it soon. Oh yeah, you remember how Calaen took the Ring? Well, I haven't forgotten about that. The Fellowship have been set free, but he still has the Ring. It will all be sorted out soon. See you on Saturday! Luv Misto x-x