A/n: Well, since I've been commanded by the "The Almighty and Powerful Mountain dew" to write more (who can refuse that command?) here is the long-awaited (ahem) next Instalment of Primeval!!
I dedicate this chapter to GhostCat, since their review has made my head swell to the size of a pumpkin ;) I hope this doesn't disappoint! (if it does feel free to batter me with a rubber herring)... and that goes for anyone else to! –Mel
Chapter One: "Your mission is thus…"
Legolas Greenleaf, eldest son of King Thranduil, and Crown Prince of the Realm of Mirkwood, lounged sedately atop a broad bough of a tall Beech tree. To the untrained eye it would seem that the Elf Lord was as relaxed as his posture suggested: leaning back against the smooth greyish tree trunk, one leg dangling over the edge of the branch. But in reality he was as tense as a wound spring, and ready to leap into action as soon as the situation presented itself.
Although his eyes were downcast: apparently preoccupied with the wood carving in his hand- it was not finished yet, but had a vaguely feline look about it- Legolas was scanning the horizon through hooded eyelids, searching for any sign that would tell him of the whereabouts of the one he awaited.
His dreams had been visited the previous night by an indistinct figure in a black robe, who had spoken to him and told him to wait on a messenger from the Higher, who would appear before the roots of the Giant Beech ere the sun reached it peak, and deliver unto him a message of great importance. Legolas had been warned of the consequences- in graphic detail- if he failed to comply. Legolas shuddered at the memory… it hadn't just been a verbal description.
Yet the sun had reached it zenith and tipped over long ago, and no one had come. The shadows were lengthening across the ground as the sun sank in the sky, and still Legolas waited, growing both anxious and annoyed. Legolas despised being kept waiting immensely, he considered it very rude
A yellowhammer was perched on a branch of a small birch tree, twittering its merry little tune to the world. Legolas eyes it askance. He disliked birds in general, but he especially hated song birds; in his point of view they were asinine little monsters whose only purpose was to sit on branches, sing gaily, and irritate their more significant neighbours-like Legolas.
Almost lazily, the Elf fitted an arrow to his bow, took aim, and shot the yellowhammer in mid-melody. He watched it drop to the ground emotionlessly; he took no pleasure in killing little birds, they just weren't taxing enough. Still… one less annoying song bird was always a good thing.
"A waste of a good arrow," observed a voice from the base of the tree. Legolas did not look down, or show any sign that he had even heard the comment. Instead he calmly nocked a new arrow and shot another unfortunate bird out of the sky in a rather ostentatious fashion. "What do you want, Crickhen?"
Legolas didn't need to ask who the speaker was- he could recognise that portentous tone anywhere. Nor did he need to ask how they had appeared without his noticing: Crickhen Moringolemo was a wizard; a dark Wizard. Expelled from the Heren Istarion [1] because of his treasonous perfidy to the White Council, and his uncovered covert allegiance to the forces of Sauron and the Dark.
He was a powerful Wizard, hence his name: Moringolemo.(It meant Powerful Wizard of the Dark. Before his expulsion, he had been known as Calingolemo: Powerful Wizard of the Light) and an influential member of the Higher Council. Unfortunately he and Legolas loathed each other, and Crickhen went out of his way to bring discredit on Legolas' deeds.
"That is no way to talk to your superior, Elf. You should learn how to address your betters, and quickly, or else-by some unhappy chance- you may find that some dreadful misfortune befalls you." Answered the Wizard, sucking on his pipe. "And especially since I have come all this way just to deliver a message to you."
This time Legolas did look down, a mixed expression of shock and mirth on his face. "What?! The mighty Crickhen Moringolemo… reduced to a lowly messenger! Ha! Wonders shall never cease"
The Wizard hissed. "Watch your tongue, or you soon wont have one, you seditious little bastard!" he shook his head, and glared up at Legolas. "You have ideas above your station Elf, and you forget who you truly are: merely a lowly squire, who jumps when his masters say toad, and doesn't stop jumping until they allow." The Wizard sneered. "Let me remind you of your true place in the Order: you are so small and inadequate that the Higher-myself included- do not feel you worth serious consideration; you are like the dirt I wipe off the bottom of my shoe, the dirt who would lick my shoe if I ordered! You are-" Suddenly Legolas was before him, having not seemed to have crossed the intervening space between the branch and the ground. His slim dagger was pressed against the Wizard's throat, having shoved Crickhen hard to the ground with his other hand.
Legolas' eyes gleamed with an insane, murderous light. "I have often wondered how I would kill you, Moringolemo… in fact I have devised many ways." Murmured the Elf, stroking his dagger lightly across the Wizard's throat. His body weight kept Crickhen pinned to the floor, but the Wizard didn't struggle, he just glared up at Legolas out of narrowed eyes, as the eccentric Elf counted off ways of murdering him "Removing your hide in stripes, snapping that sinewy little neck of yours, even disembowelling you… but I have always preferred my favourite method… a knife across the throat… that way I would have the pleasure of hearing you screech like a squealing pig as I slit that scrawny little neck of yours."
Legolas began to press his dagger leisurely into Moringolemo's neck, ready to demonstrate his words. "I shall relish this moment for the rest of my life." He whispered, licking his lips softly. "Goodbye, Crickhen, I—"
Suddenly, and with incredible force, Legolas was flung backwards. His impromptu flight ended as he crashed into a tree--- hard, he groaned as his head cracked against the unforgiving bark. The dagger slid harmlessly to the ground, and his eyes rolled up into his head.
And then, Darkness claimed him.
******
Legolas opened his eyes blearily to find Crickhen before him, gripping his face in powerful fingers, and pulling his head up painfully until they were nose to nose. Legolas grimaced as he felt the Wizard's foul breath on his cheeks. "Remember who you challenge, Elf!" the Wizard hissed, a fierce glint in his watery blue eyes. "The Great Crickhen Moringolemo! I, the most powerful Wizard of them all, who helped defeat the Elves at Madden Mark, and slew the Great Merliz, Eldest of the Wizards of Old!
"And you dare scorn me?! I could remove your hide in stripes, snap your neck and disembowel you! All ere you could draw that pathetic little knife of yours! You think that because you have slain a few pitiful Men and Elves, you are a match for ME?!" yelled the Wizard maniacally. "You will never be a match for me! And had I gotten my way, you would be dead by now; long dead. But no matter…" Crickhen paused, searching the Elf's face for any sign of emotion. What he saw made him smile, showing off many uneven yellow teeth. "You hurt don't you, Legolas?" he whispered. "I see the pain in your eyes, try as you may to hide it. Do you think all that pain comes from your little… connection with the tree? Oh no, no, no, no… do you feel this?" Legolas screamed in pain, his eyes flared and his back arched as the Wizard worked his torturous magic. "This is just a small taster, my little Elf, a sort of... overture of things to come.
"You see, the Higher have a quest for you, one of vast and incredible importance, and, unfortunately, they need you sound in body to carry out this mission, otherwise I would kill you now for your attempted assassination of myself, and insubordination to all Higher Councillors.
"But I am a patient man, Legolas, I can wait… and when you have completed you task, you will be mine. And then…" he released the Elf from his torture, and Legolas hung limp, supported only by the Wizard's fierce grip on his face. "And then, the fun will begin.
"However, we can look forward to such glorious future events when you have your perilous quest in hand! For now, I'm afraid I'll have to be satisfied with giving you just that small appetizer.
"Now… of you task! You need to know only this: The One Ring has been found" at Legolas' strangled gasp, Crickhen laughed. "Yes, I thought that might interest you. The One Ring has been found---by a Hobbit no less--- and is now being kept at that annoyance, Elrond's house in Rivendell.
"We need you, Legolas, to ride to Rivendell, kill the bearer and retrieve that Ring by an means possible. But remember, this is a mission of espionage, and so must be done with the utmost covertness. You are an Elf, a well-respected and noble Elf, and therefore should not have any trouble entering Rivendell and the confidences of all concerned."
"Why me?" managed Legolas, with a lot of effort. His throat was hurting from the Wizard's strong grasp.
"The Higher chose you, because you specialize in subterfuge and deception, and they believe you highly capable" The Wizard winced at this admission " of this mission. All their confidence is placed in you--- although I personally do not share their estimations, and they do not like being proved wrong… do not disappoint them.
"And just to make sure you don't… here's a little reminder of what's in store for you if you fail…"
******
Crickhen Moringolemo, the Dark Wizard released his grip on the Elf Lord 's face. Legolas crumpled to the ground gasping, and wrapped his arms around himself. He had never hurt so much in his life. His skin felt like it was on fire, as if ten thousand needle sharp knives had been stabbed into his flesh. His head was pounding, he was finding it hard to focus, and he couldn't feel the right side of his body, which, considering the rampaging agony the rest of him was in, could have been a blessing in disguise. He could here the Wizard laughing over the thudding of the blood in his ears. Legolas felt inner rage boil up inside of him. He was going to kill that bastard!
"Remember… do not fail us, Legolas." The Wizard's voice was mocking, he kicked the Elf in the gut, eliciting a moan of pain from the recumbent form.
Legolas felt a rush of cold wind on his face, and he opened his eyes. The Wizard had gone, leaving Legolas to nurse his wounds alone.
"You'll pay for this, Wizard." Cursed Legolas, as he staggered to his feet, wincing at the pain. He may have been an Elf, but this was almost too much even for him. He retrieved his dagger and thrust it deep into the tree, watching the sap drip morosely out of the wound he'd created. "You will rue the day you ever messed with me."
But the Wizard could wait. Legolas had things to be seeing to, if he was to depart for Rivendell that night. Limping back towards his tethered horse, he twisted his dagger on his palm ponderously, thinking of ways to avenge himself.
He smiled. The Wizard wasn't the only one who could be patient. Revenge was going to be very sweet….
*****
Ok, so there you have it! The first chapter. I know it's confusing… it confuses me!
OK: want more? Want me to stop? Tell me, I'll still not telepathic ;)
[1] Heren Istarion: The council of Wizards