Of Rings and Thieves Chapter 11

Nia looked through more diary entries. She didn't see anymore on Mera just then, but one of another type caught her eye. She read it quickly and sighed.

"What is it?" Legolas asked while looking through the other book

"You should read it. It's about you." Nia said and gave the book to him

Legolas took it and read silently.

"Hithui nedui 2077TA November 9th

I've never told anybody what I'm about to write and I don't plan to. Ever. I don't know how to write it any other way than this, so I must say now that I am in love with Legolas. I suppose I always have been and always will be no matter what. He doesn't love me though. Isn't that always the problem? No, He loves Nia. He even told me that on more that one occasion.

{How many times have you told me you love her
As many times as I've wanted to tell you the truth
How long have I stood here beside you…}

I always knew that I suppose. I'm never lucky enough to have anything I want. Not in anything or with anyone. Someone else always gets it if they want it or not. Why can't something go my way just once? I wish that I didn't love Legolas but I can't help it. I just do. I suppose you can't choose who you fall in love with. See? Not even that goes my way.

There were places that were slightly bumped up and the ink was smeared as if by teardrops.

I don't know what I'm going to do. I wonder sometimes if I should just run away. No, I always turn away from that thought. I may end up like Mera if I do that. I wonder where Mera is? I haven't seen her for years. I don't care though. I don't care about anything except for Legolas."

Nia sighed, "What happened to her? I thought she was happy. At least I thought so."

Legolas sighed, "How am I suppose to respond to that? I had no idea that she…loved me."

"I don't think that I want to read anymore." Nia said and closed the book

But Legolas already had the other diary open to a page close to the back of the book.

"Just read this one." He said and pushed the book to her

Nia sighed, "Alright…wait, this was written last month."

Legolas nodded, "Exactly."

Nia looked at him, confused but started to read anyway…

"Ivanneth paenui, 2868TA September 10th

I'm in trouble. Big trouble and of course its because of Mera. It all started last night after Mera left my room. She was acting strange so I decided to follow her.

I shouldn't have. I REALLY shouldn't have. I may regret this for the rest of my life.

She went to the cellar of the palace. She was meeting with 3 other people. I listened from the stairs and found out that their names were Telnar, Vocoyen, and Emmenna. They were planning something awful by the sounds of it. The plan was to kill Lord Elrond and take his ring. Apparently it is powerful and they think it will bring them riches and power. They also planed to kill the other important rulers of the Elven realms at the party in Rivendell at the end of this month. Lady Galadriel, Lord Celeborn, Lord Elrond's sons, King Thranduil and Prince Legolas, all of them were to be poisoned. I don't know what they think killing them will accomplish.

I knew that my sister was crazy but not insanely evil! That's when I made my huge mistake. I gasped softly. I instantly knew that would be my undoing.

At first I thought no one had noticed because they continued talking but then Emmenna suddenly stopped in the middle of her sentence and turned around sharply. She stalked over to the stairs and before I could get away she grabbed a handful of my hair and roughly dragged me down the stairs. She dragged be over to where my sister and Emmenna's accomplices were.

Mera slapped and cursed me at told me I should have stayed out of her business. Just for a second I thought I saw sadness and regret in her eyes but as soon as it came it passed.

Emmenna was less kind, Again she grabbed my hair and held a dagger to my through. She said the eavesdropping was not a crime she could easily forgive and that she I would remember this permanently in death.

She was just about to kill me when to my surprise Mera stopped her. She said I would be helpful to the plan. Emmenna hated the idea but agreed only because they needed someone else in on it. To be sure that that I wouldn't tell anyone she made me swear to secrecy. To remind me that I couldn't tell a soul, she carved a double heart symbol on my arm, with her dagger. I don't think I have ever experienced that much pain in my life. Emmenna said that the dagger was cursed and the mark wouldn't spot hurting until I completed my task. When I asked what this was, Emmenna said that I would find out soon.

Mera then took me back to my room. She didn't say a word to me; she just looked at me and shook her head. Then before she left she rolled up the sleeve of her dress and showed me that she had a mark almost identical to the one I had just gotten. I wondered about this but I didn't dare to ask. Mera lingered a second before she disappeared down the hallway. Her silence is worse than her yelling."   


 "So, that's what's going on. Dear Valar what are we going to do?" Nia mumbled

"At least we know what we have to stop." Legolas said

Nia shook her head but then she suddenly remembered something.

"The hearts! Tara wrote that Emmenna scared her with the symbol of double hearts."

Nia turned the diary over to the front cover, "That's the same symbol that Tara is talking about."

"Emmenna. That is probably her sign and that is how we find her." Legolas said

Nia opened the diary again and turned to the later entry.

"I thought you didn't want to read anymore." Legolas said

"Well, now I have a sure reason." Nia replied as she found what she was looking for

"Narbeleth Tolothen 2868TA October 8th

I cry as I write this. I have gotten into more trouble than I have ever thought possible. This morning started out fine. I even laughed. I have not laughed in a long time.

Nia had a cat in the palace again. She knows she not suppose to, but she keeps brining the creatures into the palace anyway. Nia was coming back from the kitchen with a bowl of soup; she must not have been paying attention because there was a meow, a crash and many gasps. Nia had spilt her soup on Legolas. Apparently he had been in a meeting with the king and some other nobles of Mirkwood.

She gasped loudly and ran off to her room. Legolas wasn't mad. Actually, he thought it was funny. I don't think anyone else thought so though.

Later he brought the cat to her room and asked her to go to the party with him. It was after he left that I remember that I had a meeting with my sister.

Today was the day when I would find out who Emmenna wanted me to poison. I met with Mera in the gardens, she was angry and bitter as always. We 'talked' a while and she gave me a vial. Then I realized whom I was supposed to poison. Legolas.

Mera said it wouldn't kill him right away and that she had an antidote that she would give him, if Lord Elrond gave her what she wanted. His ring.

What if Elrond didn't give her the ring? Legolas was die and it would be my fault. I could not; I would not live with that! I would rather die myself that kill the one I love.

She also told me to kill Nia. Mera said she would just get in the way and wreck all the plans.

 My only two friends dead, I cannot even think of that. I begged Mera to at least let Nia live. I was shocked and relieved when she said that I didn't have to.

It didn't help much though. I still have to poison Legolas."

Legolas blinked, "Well, that explains a lot."

He picked up the vial from the spot on the ground where it had been set.

"I glad we found out about this now. Do you think that she will go through with it?" he asked

"I don't know. Tara never seemed like the type. Maybe there is another entry." Nia replied and again turned through the pages, "Its like she lived to lives. I wish she had told me about it. I more confused now than I was to start with. S- ah, I thought there would be one more."

"Narbeleth Nedrui 2868TA October 9th

You just had to find out didn't you Nia. You just couldn't mind your own business and leave my life alone. Now you probably will have to die. Emmenna will be VERY angry and now I have to go to Bree! I don't know how to get there and I don't know how to find Emmenna IF I get there.

I bet you will tell Legolas and you two will take off on another one of your adventures and try to get to Bree before I do.

Naturally, Mera wasn't happy. She yelled and screamed and cursed at me for letting someone find out. I don't know why she seems to express more hate towards you, than most people.

Probably because the prince loves you, everyone is jealous me included. The other Ladies talk a lot about you. They pick out every flaw and reason why you shouldn't be with Legolas. Me? I don't agree with them. No matter how much I hate to admit it, you two are perfect for each other. Perfect. How I hate that word! Nothing is perfect I suppose. But it can be close, so close.

Now, I have to pack for the long trip to Bree."

"She is trying to get to Bree too. I wonder what happened to her." Legolas said

"I don't know. I'm worried about her. We found her dead horse but no sign of her. Do you think we should go back and look for her?" Nia asked

Legolas nodded, "Yes, I think we should. She may have gotten into trouble with spiders or orcs. Besides, she couldn't have gotten that far without a horse."

"What happened to you Tara?" Nia mused