To Mirkwood
Chapter 11: Rain Soaked Messenger
Don't own.
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Mirkwood was buzzing with the news of the reward that was placed on Prince Legolas's head. "How could his own brother do that to him?" One asked.
"I heard that E'thane had no say."
"That's impossible! How could orders be issued without E'thane's command?"
"Who knows?"
Gossips traveled quickly and soon, the entire city had some story about how the reward was issued. Even the guards of the palace heard stories about it, but couldn't deny the stories, or say that they were right. They didn't know themselves. The only one who might know was Bilmar, the captain of the guards, but as of late, he was seldom seen anywhere except in the presence of Tylen, the new Royal Advisor of the Crowned Prince. However, only a few of the guards knew that information. No one knew for sure.
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"If you didn't issue this, then who did?" Legolas demanded. E'thane blinked and looked down at the parchment.
"The only one who could would be… Tylen…." E'thane trailed off.
"E'thane…" Legolas moved forward to his brother and placed his hands on his shoulders. "My little brother… what has that elf been telling you…? Why did you lash out at me? What's been going on here?" Legolas asked, staring into his eyes.
"I should be asking the same question." Legolas whirled around and saw Tylen standing in the doorway. "Guards!" He shouted. Then he grinned and stepped into the room. "I'm surprised you even dared to enter Mirkwood, Legolas, seeing as anyone who caught you could very well kill you." He said. Legolas narrowed his eyes at the elf. In a blink of an eye, Legolas threw off his cloak, grabbed his bow, and fitted an arrow to it, and pointed it straight for Tylen. "That is not a wise decision." Tylen commented, coming closer and pushing the bow down to point to the floor.
At that moment, the guards appeared at the doorway. "Restrain him." Tylen commanded. The guards nodded and moved to Legolas, forcing the bow out of his hands and pulling his arms behind him. Tylen motioned for all but one of the guards to leave the room, and he shut the door. Pulling a dagger from his robes, he moved to Legolas and placed the blade gently against his neck. "It seems my plans are moving a little to quickly." He commented, playing the blade against Legolas's neck, pushing a little harder, the blade threatening to cut the skin.
"What are you talking about?" E'thane asked, moving forward towards Tylen and Legolas.
"Well, I wasn't planning on having to deal with Legolas being here in the palace." He pushed the blade down harder.
"Don't hurt him!" E'thane growled. "What's going on Tylen?" E'thane asked. He grinned.
"Well, that is not for you to know, now is it? However, I think we can make a deal." Tylen said. He took the dagger from Legolas's neck and the elf prince visibly relaxed. "Yes! E'thane! It was I who ordered the guards to put up those wanted signs for Legolas's head. I'm surprised it took you this long to figure it out. Covering things up wasn't always my strongest ability." He said.
"Obviously." Legolas muttered. Tylen turned, anger flashing in his eyes. He raised a hand and brought it down across Legolas's face. His head snapped to the side, and his cheek turned a bright red color, the faint outline of the hand print forming.
"Shut up. Anyway, if you continue to do as I say, then your brother will not be harmed. But if you chose to defy me, then…" He turned back and pressed the blade back against Legolas's neck. This time, the blade cut a thin line in his skin and blood rushed to it. "Then he will be killed." He grinned at Legolas.
"Don't do it, E'thane! Let him kill me!" Legolas shouted. Tylen turned from the elf and looked at E'thane.
"Make your decision!" E'thane looked from Tylen to his brother. His father was ill, and was on his way to Rivendell. Who knew how long it would take for him to get well. And E'thane couldn't bare to lose his brother. He hung his head and stared at the stone floor.
"I will follow you, Tylen." He said quietly. Tylen nodded, turned, and smiled triumphantly at Legolas. Legolas's eyes narrowed and his growled.
"Take him to the dungeons." Tylen said. The guard nodded and forced Legolas out of the room and down the hall. Legolas struggled all the way. There were more guards outside the room. "One of you stay in there with E'thane, and you," He pointed to the remaining two. "Guard the door." They nodded and went to fill their orders. Tylen raised his chin. Their families would be killed if they did not listen to him. They had already been informed of what had taken place in the palace several hundred years ago…
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Legolas sat on the ground in the cell, his arms tied behind his back with course rope. He was struggled to free himself, but the rope only dug deeper into his skin, cutting his wrists. There was a small pool of blood on the ground behind him. Suddenly, there was a loud noise. He stopped moving. He saw a shadow moving outside the cell door. The door opened, and a small light came in with the shadow. It was Tylen, holding a torch. He closed the door behind him and placed the torch in the holder on the wall.
"Greetings Legolas." He smiled. Legolas mumbled a string of curses under his breath. Tylen shook his head. "Such foul language for a Prince. Didn't your father teach you otherwise?" Legolas said nothing, but he glared at the elf. "Well, alright then. Since you won't talk, I will. I thought I'd let you in on something, since you will die anyway."
"You said I wouldn't be killed if E'thane followed you." Legolas shouted.
"Well, yes, I said that, but I had my fingers crossed." Tylen laughed. Legolas glared at him.
"Anyway, since you will be dead soon, I thought I'd let you know, young prince, what really happened to your mother…" Legolas's eyes widened.
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GASP! Haha. I thought this up when I was lying in bed last night. Short chapter I know, but the next one will probably be mostly talk… you know… one of those chapters where a whole lot of things are revealed. Yup.
Reviewers:
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Maybe! Although, E'thane seems very naïve in this story…
Yellow-lily: I agree. Tense is icky!
Starlit Hope: Can't get anything past you, can we? –grin-
"Inspirational" Quote:
"It's clear the lights are not all on upstairs." –Scar to the hyenas in The Lion King
Banana Nut Muffin